Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Our Livingstone Dream - Porter Davis - Mortar issues! He 61Jan 12, 2013 1:45 pm This is what I was worried about... Noticed today there is quite a big difference in the mortar colour from what was done before christmas to what was this week. You can see it on the other photos too half way up the walls. But, my husband said it's probably just because it needs to dry/set, and I'm really hoping this is the reason. Does anyone know if this is likely to be the cause or if we should contact our site supervisor about it? I guess if it's cement based it's going to lighten, right?! It's meant to be natural colour. And they do still have to be cleaned! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Mortar issues 62Jan 12, 2013 3:28 pm Your mortar should be fine, it can take several plus weeks to dry completely and lighten in colour. We were meant to have white mortar and it took probably over a month to completely lighten Kayla Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Mortar issues 63Jan 12, 2013 3:36 pm That's good to know, thanks! I thought that might be the case. Just wanted to be sure. My build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61233 Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Bricks almost do 64Jan 15, 2013 3:42 pm I say bricks! We're building the ormond facade and the render was included in the promotion but we are having the columns brick and to the right where the bedroom is will be rendered to match our garage in dune. Looking at your pictures makes me soo excited!! I'm jealous and can't wait to start building. Land hopefully titling in March. I'll just live through other peoples threads in the mean time... Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Bricks almost do 65Jan 15, 2013 7:57 pm Chrystee we were the same, they said the free rendering is to the bedroom wall/window side but we negotiated a change for no extra cost. I think I'm happy to go with the rendered posts. As long as the brick is the standout feature I'm happy. The posts have flush mortar and some of the bricks are chipped so will have to be rendered anyway to cover it up. I wonder if they'll do this soon or hold off for a while? Hubby went past tonight... our cornices are installed and they have "puttied" the gaps in the plaster. The bricks are finally finished (minus a clean) and it looks great! I wonder when they start painting the walls? At least you have a similar facade to look at ahead of your build! Hope all goes well with yours and you get off to a quick start. March will come around very quick! I'm so excited for those keys! Most of our furniture is getting delivered this Friday... they told us 8 weeks... it was less than 3! Lucky I'm on holidays as of Fri Wohoo! Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Finally at locku 66Jan 15, 2013 10:01 pm Woah! It is coming along swimmingly! I think you will definitely beat us to handover, but good for you! Isn't it weird to think we will be moving in in a few months? It still doesn't feel real! 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Finally at locku 67Jan 16, 2013 8:29 pm Yeah it does seem to be going quickly and smoothly so far... touch wood. Although you're not far behind... it's looking great! It is very surreal thinking we're almost there. Feels like yesterday the slab went down huh?! Race to the finish Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Finally at locku 68Jan 20, 2013 7:02 am Our cornices, architraves and internal doors have been installed! I wonder if this means fixing stage will be complete soon and we'll move onto the final stage before the PCI? We're meeting with our SS tomorrow so will have to ask what the next step is. I can't wait to see the kitchen and flooring! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Finally at locku 69Jan 20, 2013 7:25 am congrats looking awesome Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Finally at locku 70Jan 21, 2013 2:28 pm Had a site meeting today. Kitchen is being installed later this week Next week they will do all the painting and from there on tiling will be the last major job. He said he can give us a completion date once they start tiling but it's hard to say at this stage. Rendering, brick cleaning and garage door will be left until later to ensure they don't get damaged which is good. He's going to keep our extra bricks for us so we can use it for a letterbox or something, bonus! Our SS is great, he's very honest... explained to us that the cornice above the study/laundry area in the dining room will have to be re-done as one of the roof trusses has caused it to bow and it's not straight. I would not have picked it in a million years but it's nice to know someone is there to look! And PD won't go ahead unless their surveyor approves every little detail. They have put the external "ceiling" on the portico which looks great. Otherwise not much change (except the blocks behind us have started). I can't wait to see the kitchen!! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I noticed this today... which I'm kind of annoyed about... but he said there's nothing we can do about it. It's because the gap isn't the correct size for another row of bricks so they put timber there which will be painted. Just a little annoying because it won't match the rest of the windows. But no big deal. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 71Jan 21, 2013 5:28 pm I am getting so overwhelmed looking at the lanscaping threads on this website and trying to decide what type of trees, plants and lawn to use once we move in. I am a beginner when it comes to gardening... I know how to destroy a plant (spent months getting rid of ivy in our current home, pulling down old fences and putting up new ones!) But when it comes to knowing the different species of plants, types of soil and additives to use to help grow I'm lost!
We have a rough idea how we want to do our landscaping... decking.... lawn... trees lining the fences... a vege garden and compost... clothesline... and room for kids play equipment when we finally get to that stage. But where to start?! We have looked at a couple of nurseries but it's impossible to tell what a small plant will look like when it's grown several metres! We have 10m to the rear and 3m to the left side of the property, 1.2m on the right. We also have a 3m easement at the rear of the block. Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 72Jan 21, 2013 6:15 pm That's like the best use of paint I've ever seen! We also have a 3m easement with concrete thing on either side! Very annoying!!! No advice unfortunately, we will be in the same boat as you! Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 74Jan 21, 2013 7:40 pm You are so creative! I don't have the patience to do that haha. We are planning on decking our porch and alfresco asap too. One thing to think about, if your laws are the same as here, the spa will have to have a fence around it? 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 75Jan 21, 2013 7:48 pm Ah damn, I really didn't think about that. I'm pretty sure the same laws apply here. We'll see... it's probably out of our budget for now anyway so might do the main part of the deck and we can make an addition later if we want. Just brainstorming at this stage. Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 76Jan 21, 2013 8:00 pm Will you be doing the decking yourselves? I think that will be our only option, budget-wise, although I would love just to get someone to do it! My parents had a spa and ended up selling it after about 2 years, as that's when the laws changed and they need to put a fence in. They had a special undercover outdoor area just out from their bedroom (which had a glass sliding door to it), they would've had to fence in front of the door, which kind of defied the point! Although, a lot of people probably sold/are selling their spas because of the fencing thing, so you may be able to pick up a cheap second hand one What's down the right hand side of the drawing? Maybe I will have a play around with paint! 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 77Jan 21, 2013 8:47 pm Not sure who will be doing it. Hubby says he probably can, he's made a bit of the furniture in our house... but I'm just not 100% sure he knows what he's doing... haha. Although we know a builder that may help out. I guess we'll get a few quotes and see what the easiest option is? We want our wing fences to be timber aswell so that will have to be done first to keep the dog in.
How annoying for your parents, that would look a little silly! I keep asking myself "am I really going to use one if I buy one?" Just like the treadmill I bought and hardly used But then again, spas are more fun then exercising! I was talking about this the other day actually, a friend almost bought one off ebay because apparently they're going cheap. But I'm going to hold off! The right hand side will probably just be a pathway with something to try and decorate it a bit... those are meant to be pot plants with the dog kennel down the end... haha. Unless I can think of something better to do in a narrow space! This is an alternative: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And this: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Landscaping idea 78Jan 25, 2013 7:51 pm We have half a kitchen! And the bathroom units are in too. It looks like they have fixed the roof truss that was bowing into plaster just needs a new cornice. And FINALLY.... they cleaned up the junkyard out the front! Now we have a sandpit for a driveway Sorry for the crappy photo we didn't have access inside, this is looking into the kitchen from the pantry window. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hopefully they'll start painting next week. Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Kitchen installe 79Jan 25, 2013 10:19 pm Yeeha! That's exciting! That bit must be so much fun. Won't they tile before they paint? Or are you not having tiles? I'm losing track haha 1st build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59376 *New*-2nd build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70324&p=1154282#p1154282 Re: Our Livingstone by Porter Davis, Lara - Kitchen installe 80Jan 25, 2013 10:27 pm Yeah just wish I could see it up close! No our SS said painting would be first then tiles will be the last major job. I guess they don't want to get paint on the flooring? But he said it will take at least a week. Which is fair enough. Yay!! This certainly doesn't look good. I would be engaging with an independent inspector to have a look at this. As for the unscheduled site visits, most builders are quite… 1 28321 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23782 "Losers" "humanity" "off time" "your" "top notch" "love symbol" Sounds like ponzo is done using other people's toilets 36 23898 |