READY.....SET..... GO!!!!!!!!!!!

PhoenixStar · May 17, 2008 5:58 pm

kiwi056

[I did a quick drive-by today Phoenix, and can see what you mean about the lights.

Your house looks much better in the flesh, especially with everything being wet, it has a nice colour and feel to the whole place. It certainly is one of the standout houses IMO. I can't believe how the estate has built up since I was last over your way.

Awwww thanks Kiwi... :oops:

So that means i just have to have the sprinklers going all year round??? LOL..... You should let us know when yr in the area next and we'll catch up for a chat? LOL, hey we might even be in by then??? And then you'll have to come in for a cuppa!!! :wink:

Yes i think there is only about 24 blocks left out of 1400 in the estate. So not bad, still some bargain blocks available too...

Too wet to get quotes for the driveway today...but hey good news we decided on a washing machine...LOL. So at least we achieved something... :roll:

Paula · May 17, 2008 7:40 pm

...but hey good news we decided on a washing machine...LOL. So at least we achieved something...
_________________
Nicola

Which one? Did you go front loader?

Michelle · May 17, 2008 7:54 pm

I think they’ve done a nice job of cleaning up!!!
Looks great P!

When does the carpet go in?

PhoenixStar · May 17, 2008 11:30 pm

Paula

Which one? Did you go front loader?

Yes definitely a front loader, looked at the choice list and the guy at Clive Peters told us we'd be better off to get the discount and get an AEG through mum, that we can't go wrong with that!!!! Not too bad considering he lost the sale....

Michelle

I think they’ve done a nice job of cleaning up!!!
Looks great P!

When does the carpet go in?

Thanks Mish, the carpet is being done by ***, we're having the house measured up for timber/carpet (to double check against the plan) on Monday morning so that they know exactly how much to order and have ready for us. We dropped in to *** today to confirm that everything is still ready to go, i DO NOT want any delays with the carpet or timber...

We want to schedule it for the first 2 days after hand over, the timber will be laid first, so that's one day, then the carpet on the following day....so they need to be on the ball.
Then time the driveway to be done at the same time - asap after handover.
We won't be waiting for the driveway to cure before moving in....we have access through the laundry and the rear sliding doors so it should be ok

Basically as soon as the carpet is down, we're moving in!!!! So hopefully only a few days after the official handover....

Thats the plan anyway....

PhoenixStar · May 19, 2008 12:37 am

Nothing much happened on-site over the weekend.

We have been busy getting more quotes for the driveway today.

Its amazing how different some contractors work...and the different materials they use and of course then they say that their way is the better way to do things!!! LOL :roll:

Yeah...like i'm just a girl who know's nothing......riiiiiiight!!!!

Anyway, we had a visit from Mike (aka Firthy_26) who popped down on his bike to check the place out. Hoping to be neighbours soon and be able to offer you a cuppa next time Mike! :wink:

More hopefully tomorrow, Ian's meeting with *** guy for a confirmation measure up of the house and our S/S will be present too.

So hopefully we'll get an update of what's happening next...

As far as we can see, there's the little fix ups, re-tiling of the bath & spa walls where the plumbers needed access, the glass splashback and some door handles to go on still.... but not much more...that we can think of anyway.....

Nearly there!!!!

I know we are a mere few weeks away from moving in now, but i still am not excited as yet....i just want to be in there i suppose.....at the moment i'm still in planning mode and there are still some issues that require addressing on-site....hopefully the excitement will hit me soon????

royalblue · May 19, 2008 3:10 am

Nik,

Some specs from the Standard for carpet installation AS/NZS 2455.1:2007 that are pertinent right now;

Make sure you are supplied with a proper floor covering plan. This should have a scale drawing and state all dimensions, positions of seams and cross joins, details of the carpet and underlay specs, and details of sub floor preparation complying with Clause 2.4.2(c). Note, the direction of pile lay must be clearly identified.

At the time of installation, temperature should be between 15 and 25 degrees, and relative humidity above 30% and less than 70%.

2.4.2.(c)(i) All subfloor surfaces shall be dry, smooth, plane, sound and clean.

It might pay to remind the contractor that you expect it to be power-stretched in accordance with the Standard too. Any spans of 7m or more must be fitted with commercial smoothedge or 2 rows of domestic. (It is worth specifying commercial smoothedge regardless, IMO).

Ash.

Firthy_26 · May 19, 2008 1:00 pm

I've just spoken to your Site Supervisor Nik & we both agreed that the toilet roll holder in the ensuite should be placed next to the towel rail. Should be installed today. :lol:

Seriously, get them to move the toilet to what's shown on the plan. It makes sense having another look at it. It would only take them a day or 2 & it will be peace of mind for you.

Love the "Sparkly" kitchen benchtops too!

Mike.

PhoenixStar · May 19, 2008 1:19 pm

Thanks Ash, i'll give them a call and ask them to send it out to us. Up to now they have just given us a copy of a marked up house plan and their quote (which isn't very detailed). Is it an actual document or will the above suffice?

Hmmm anyway, Ian went to the house this morning to meet the guy to re-measure up the carpet and timber. The S/S was supposed to meet us on-site but never showed! :evil:

Ian's so angry and embarrassed. We had to reschedule the guy once already, he was originally supposed to come out on Friday but we were having the first inspection so no one was allowed on-site. So we agreed with the CSR to meet at 8.30 on Monday morning on-site.

NOT HAPPY!!!

Our CSR has been on holidays for the last two weeks and we've been dealing with our tender presenter instead....Ian has left a voicemail for the CSR who returns to work today (we hope)....

There are a number of unresolved questions that need to be addressed:

The wrong make and profile of garage door being installed.
The toilet needs to be moved in the ensuite to be the same as the plan.
Incorrect mixer tap on the spa. (although that is a minor thing)

We've also picked up an issue with the garage slab. It seems to have a lip on it which does not match the length of the garage door. We've taken pics of it and can only think that the builder might have to saw cut some of it and remove some of the excess to make the door seal correctly against the slab. ( i might raise another thread and see what you all think of it?)

Time will tell. We are waiting for a return phone call........

Anyway, regarding on-site works, the termite protection is going in this morning. So that's one good thing.

PhoenixStar · May 19, 2008 1:23 pm

Firthy_26

I've just spoken to your Site Supervisor Nik & we both agreed that the toilet roll holder in the ensuite should be placed next to the towel rail. Should be installed today. :lol:

Seriously, get them to move the toilet to what's shown on the plan. It makes sense having another look at it. It should only take them a day or 2 & it will be peace of mind for you.

Love the "Sparkly" kitchen benchtops too!

Mike.

OOOOOHHHHH You're a shocker Boy!!!!!:twisted:

Lets hope its only a short period of time to resolve it, but we'll see...

Hey and next time Mike, wear a damn helmet!!!! :wink:

vpande · May 19, 2008 1:26 pm

Great progress Phoenix
I hope they sort those issues soon. I was under the impression that towel rails are to be done after handover. Did ur builder do them for you?
Are you getting kev for the final inspection?

PhoenixStar · May 19, 2008 1:32 pm

vpande, the toilet roll and towel holders are included in the esprit homes with Henley. Funnily enough the standard range don't have them as inclusions???

We upgraded them from single to double towel rails and requested hand towel holders in lieu of the toilet roll holders as they looked "nicer" and the roll would be less likely to come off....LOL. (i tried to think about everything when planning this house...sorry.... :lol:

)

Yes Kevin is THE man for the pre-handover inspection...we're just waiting for the phone call so that we can book him in....

Firthy_26 · May 19, 2008 1:41 pm

**Phoenix**

Hey and next time Mike, wear a damn helmet!!!! :wink:

...but it will mess my hair up!!!

Oh yeah. After what you said your SS does, I hope that Carlisle don't have a close look in the dump bin up the road from you... I'm sure there is something in there that relates back to me if they look hard enough. :oops:

shhhh

Mike.

PhoenixStar · May 19, 2008 1:48 pm

Firthy_26

**Phoenix**

Hey and next time Mike, wear a damn helmet!!!! :wink:

...but it will mess my hair up!!!

Oh yeah. After what you said your SS does, I hope that Carlisle don't have a close look in the dump bin up the road from you... I'm sure there is something in there that relates back to me if they look hard enough. :oops:

shhhh

Mike.

Bwahahahahaha, for those that don't understand Mikes' comment, our S/S goes through our and i'm presuming his other sites dumpster bins to check who's loading what into it....to check for identities of the culprits....(we've sprung neighbours in the act too) and then our S/S rings the council! IT costs them a lot in collection fees for other peoples rubbish...LOL Nasty!!! :twisted:

That's ok Mike, your secret is safe with me!!! :wink:

PhoenixStar · May 20, 2008 11:14 am

royalblue

Nik,

Some specs from the Standard for carpet installation AS/NZS 2455.1:2007 that are pertinent right now;

Make sure you are supplied with a proper floor covering plan. This should have a scale drawing and state all dimensions, positions of seams and cross joins, details of the carpet and underlay specs, and details of sub floor preparation complying with Clause 2.4.2(c). Note, the direction of pile lay must be clearly identified.

At the time of installation, temperature should be between 15 and 25 degrees, and relative humidity above 30% and less than 70%.

2.4.2.(c)(i) All subfloor surfaces shall be dry, smooth, plane, sound and clean.

It might pay to remind the contractor that you expect it to be power-stretched in accordance with the Standard too. Any spans of 7m or more must be fitted with commercial smoothedge or 2 rows of domestic. (It is worth specifying commercial smoothedge regardless, IMO).

Ash.

Hey Ash, just a quick post to say thank you....

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/matthewnathan/Emoticons/44.gif

I spoke with the carpet consultant today who said YES, they DO lay with a power stretcher and the floor covering plan is coming out in the mail with the revised quotation (which has worked out cheaper - which we are not complaining about...LOL

)
There are only 2 joins in the entire house, one in the theatre and one in the master bedroom, which is great and we have all that marked out in the plan. Plus we have gone for top of the line underlay so we are set!!!

So they are ordering everything in for us and it will be ready to commence the day after handover....timber on day 1, then carpet day 2......YEAH!!!!

Thanks again Ash......you're the best!!! :wink:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/matthewnathan/Emoticons/th23_30_126.gif

royalblue · May 20, 2008 11:31 am

PhoenixStar · May 20, 2008 3:43 pm

royalblue

:shock:

LOL

All i'm saying is thanks, cause without your posts, i wouldn't have known to ask about the power stretcher or to request a floor covering plan and to ultimatly question their laying process...

So......just take the compliment will ya!!!! :twisted:

royalblue · May 20, 2008 3:50 pm

Well OK!

You don't have to get all smoochy on my though. Feel like I'm covered in lipstick!

The plan is like a contract. Having it and making sure all is as you expect or want is good to have, so you don't have any surprises, (and if you do, you have it to refer to). Its also good to let the contractor know that you know there IS a Standard, and that laying is expected to conform to it. That way, he knows to make sure its done right the first time.

Ash.

PhoenixStar · May 20, 2008 4:00 pm

royalblue

Well OK!

You don't have to get all smoochy on my though. Feel like I'm covered in lipstick!

LOL......Like you wouldn't love it!!! :twisted:

royalblue

The plan is like a contract. Having it and making sure all is as you expect or want is good to have, so you don't have any surprises, (and if you do, you have it to refer to). Its also good to let the contractor know that you know there IS a Standard, and that laying is expected to conform to it. That way, he knows to make sure its done right the first time.

Ash.

Ash, can the plan be a copy of the house plans with all the details on it? Or is it an actual seperate document? Either way.....they said, quote, "your friend sure knows their stuff!" LOL

royalblue · May 20, 2008 4:12 pm

The Standard has a whole section on communication between the Copntractor and customer. The C must inspect the site and if in any way it requires prepping before laying, they must advise you what and why in writing. Exaple might be if subfloor has dips or holes in it that need to be filled to make the floor level. They should adjust price accordingly.

The floorplan could possibly be done on a scale house plan, but must conform to specs in the Standard. All measurements shown in centimeters, and other specs.

PhoenixStar · May 20, 2008 10:38 pm

Well a couple of things happened on-site today,

Tell me if you can notice what's missing from this picture???

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Ok, well it's our big green dumpster bin!!!
Yes the neighbours will be upset (collective awwww pls)!!!
Although it still doesn't stop them from leaving rubbish there anyway so it seems????

But it has been taken away....that's a pretty good sign right???

Also the extra rails were added to our WIR today, so another thing crossed off the list.

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Heres a pic of one of our termite boxes that was installed yesterday, we actually have 4 of them around the house....LOL....oh well those nasty critters are not coming anywhere near our place by the looks of it!!! :twisted:

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Ian's meeting with our S/S tomorrow morning to discuss the outstanding issues, so hopefully i'll have more updates for you soon.

(Apologies for the quality of the pics, they were taken on the mbl ph.)