Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 201Nov 25, 2014 4:42 pm I like the retractables too .. but somewhere in your thread there was mention about wastage if the flyscreen started from the permanent panel it would look pretty average if you had to start from where all the moving doors would be ... i have 3 panels on each side (1 stationary per side) if they were bi-fold retractables are appropriate ... (might have to look at your one ) Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 202Nov 25, 2014 6:35 pm Screens aren't standard? We don't have standard windows, ours are some ridiculously expensive double-glazed aluminium thermally-broken ones from Mid City Windows, and they came with screens for all windows & doors except for the 4-pane stacker upstairs (which was already too think with 3 sliding thermally-broken double-glazed doors). We thought we'd been quoted on a retracting one as part of the entire window package, but it turns out to have been missed somewhere between the initial quote & the signed contract, and we didn't notice. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 203Nov 25, 2014 10:18 pm nah screens aren't standard, Alkira currently has an additional promotion called "Finishing Touches" which includes the screens. (I had started the tender last year so it doesn't apply to me and since I'm commencing construction) looking forward to seeing what you'll end up with for the retracting screens Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 204Nov 26, 2014 6:27 am It only occurred to me yesterday when my wife asked me exactly what we were being quoted-on that I realised - I have no idea. There are various designs & mechanisms, I don't know what that particular screen mob makes. I was a little shocked & annoyed about the fact we weren't going to get our flyscreens yet, and was a bit distracted with trying REALLY hard not to be a total d1ck to the guy whose fault it wasn't. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 205Nov 26, 2014 8:30 am deluded I like the retractables too .. but somewhere in your thread there was mention about wastage if the flyscreen started from the permanent panel it would look pretty average if you had to start from where all the moving doors would be ... i have 3 panels on each side (1 stationary per side) if they were bi-fold retractables are appropriate ... (might have to look at your one ) One of the advertisers/forum members (Marisa/Artilux) is often around http://artilux.com.au/retractable-fly-screens/ who may be able to help. Also these links may be useful as well http://screenit.net.au/products/doors/pleated/monarch-ex/ http://freedomflyscreens.com.au/index.php/component/k2/item/3-freedom-infinity-retractable-screens (Sorry Forg for hijacking your thread about these ) Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 206Nov 28, 2014 10:23 am Actually, yvonneh, that could be really helpful. We've asked for a quote from one screen supplier for a retractable, but there are a few varieties and it's possible we won't like the product. So it's good to have alternatives. Took a couple of extra photos yesterday, with portaloo/shed/thingy removed and the letterbox we installed on the weekend ... http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20141127_191308_house_with_letterbox_zps4b8a8021.jpg http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20141127_191414_letterbox_zps6fb67832.jpg Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 208Dec 08, 2014 6:26 am A photo from this morning of the retainingy stuff we've been doing over the last few days. Mud. Lots of mud. Working in gumboots isn't much fun, gotta say. http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20141208_055600_front_yard_zpsb7a0b8c5.jpg The landscaping plan, which I think we need to adhere to in terms of retaining-walls at least, required us to put in a bit of retaining in a few places; there really wasn't any before, the uphill neighbour's garden just sorta merged into ours (they've done some tidying-up since we started building - the neat bark-covered bed wasn't there before), and the downhill neighbour has a sort-of-built tumbledown wall made of rocks & old bricks which we'll replace with the same wood-and-post retainers as elsewhere. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 209Dec 08, 2014 6:30 am Forg You doing the landscaping yourself? ... that's a lot of digging in mud especially with thus rain Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - We're in! 210Dec 08, 2014 6:34 am Yeah, tell me about it! But we got sick of being messed-around by landscaping mobs, we spoke to quite a few & the tipping-point was the people who said our $30k budget was doable & hit us up for a deposit to do the drawings & then gave us a quote for ~$80k. I didn't previously realise that there would be groundwater so close to the surface ... the first of the deep holes had me very scared I'd holed a water pipe or something. But it's going to just be all this rain. And yeah, it's very sticky clay, I've had to work in gumboots. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 211Dec 08, 2014 7:22 am wow that's a lot of money for landscaping! ... i have a feeling by the time I get to landscaping I'll be doing it myself too ... I'll just get in the experts to plant my trees Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 212Dec 08, 2014 9:53 am looks like back breaking work but rewarding! What's the stuff you are using for retaining? the H posts things and I assume timber? Is it all Bunnings or landscaping supplier or something else? We're in the same boat. We're getting a landscape design done (half paid for already) for things like plant selection and designed elements but will be implementing it ourselves. I think it's an excuse for DH to get on a Dingo... Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 213Dec 08, 2014 10:16 am We got a quote for 100k! And no we didn't want gold-plated grass or anything super fancy. Landscaping is ridiculously overpriced. I'm seriously thinking of gifting hubby a DIY course for Christmas Good job on the retaining wall. My 2yo would be jealous of working in the mud. She's obsessed with Peppa Pig so she'd be excited to jump around in the mud! Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 214Dec 08, 2014 10:49 am didn't realise landscaping can be so expensive! .. I wonder if artificial grass is cheap .. might do that with zero maintenance and watering to save money on an otherwise expensive spend .. maybe even fake plants !! Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 215Dec 08, 2014 11:01 am I think we might fake the front garden but for me there's nothing like a nice lush weed-free lawn for the back garden. Did you get a landscape plan done for the DA? Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 216Dec 08, 2014 11:08 am Sheilzy I think we might fake the front garden but for me there's nothing like a nice lush weed-free lawn for the back garden. Did you get a landscape plan done for the DA? firstly .. apologies to forg for hijacking his thread. .. and yes I got a landscape plan for DA .. simple yet still have a lot of planting ... I would still go for the real stuff in the back yard and after a quick think for drainage purposes would probably need to reconsider where and how the fake stuff is to be placed. (one is to avoid the weeds sprouting from the fake stuff) Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 218Dec 10, 2014 11:41 am Ta! And yeah, they're Urban One "latte", we were trying to go as light as possible with the standard available range without going to render & without looking like 70's-style cream-brick. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 219Dec 10, 2014 11:46 am I hear you We chose theme for similar reasons Forg Ta! And yeah, they're Urban One "latte", we were trying to go as light as possible with the standard available range without going to render & without looking like 70's-style cream-brick. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 220Jan 06, 2015 5:52 am Some semi-finished-looking proof of how much unpleasant effort was expended over the break ... the retaining-wall on the downhill side at the front is nearly done, and we've finished-off the spot around the stormwater drain just so something looks "done". The pebbles are in hexagonal lattices also designed for growing grass on driveways so you can drive on it; so they don't end-up at the bottom of the slope. Then the (Grass-Cel I think it's called) lattices are on weed-mat, which is over roadbase we manually compacted with a hand-compacting tool thingy. http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20150106_054051_Landscaping_Started_zpsc93f85ee.jpg http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20150106_054109_retainy_drainy_zpsfd09b560.jpg This replaces a vaguely-mortared-together partially-collapsing brick "wall" that'd been there forever, hopefully the neighbours are happier with it too. 3 6394 Hi, I am looking into doing a KDR in Melbourne and am contemplating using Kialla Homes. I am looking for feedback on them from others who have built with them. 0 13440 |