Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 241May 13, 2015 9:19 am Updated the timeline because it's getting a bit silly regarding repairs to the aluminium. They didn't use any sort of protection on the anodised aluminium, hence there are very few window frames (including the bit attached to the glass & the bit attached to the wall) that aren't damaged in some way; which is a LOT of replacing. The window guy turned up with 2 pieces of glass to replaced scratched panes which were the wrong thickness (instead of 19mm thick in total they had a 19mm gap between the panes apparently) & 4 pieces of aluminium ... which goes nowhere NEAR fixing everything they stuffed. I'm a little antsy about it, actually, because I don't think Alkira are aware of what the replacement aluminium bits are going to cost; I think they've been given a quote for only a tiny portion of it (which they approved/paid months ago), and don't realise just how much more there is. *sigh* I don't have any photos of the power-points, apart from the Saturn ones we got (only for the kitchen - we thought the glassy look would suit the placement in the glass splashback & I'm happy with the result). I'll try to remember to take a photo later (now that I've found a USB cable which allows the Galaxy 4 to connect to a PC - strange, had a bunch of USB cables it could charge from but none of them would allow data connectivity) if you're still interested, however the listing from the electricity place says it's all C2000. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 242May 13, 2015 10:31 am hey forg .. mine says C2000 as well but the front page of the electrical plan also advises that PDL 600 will be used in lieu of what's been stated as that's what is standard .. so interested to know before electrical rough in Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 245Jun 15, 2015 1:56 pm July 15th ... only took an entire month to remember ... those who were wondering probably already have their electricals, but anyhoo ... standard power-points look like this: http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/Power_Point_zpsx2jmgqw8.jpg Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 246Jun 15, 2015 2:06 pm Forg July 15th ... only took an entire month to remember ... those who were wondering probably already have their electricals, but anyhoo ... standard power-points look like this: http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/Power_Point_zpsx2jmgqw8.jpg Thanks for confirming mate... Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 248Oct 06, 2015 8:51 am Aaaand we're still going! Since I actually did some stuff on the front yard on the weekend, despite the better half not being present to guilt me into it, I took some photos of the front yard. It's getting pretty close now ... http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20151005_121502_Bark_done_zpsuqnsjmzk.jpg http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20151005_121516_front_pavers_zpse2mexchu.jpg The bark area will stay like that 'til everything else is done, and then we'll put some above-ground garden-beds in the middle (with the same sleepers/logs to make them less fugly). The wooden boxes are getting plants in them. I think we'll complete the steps next weekend, as we've not got time to order more of the pebbles we need for the back (actually I probably should start making the old project car ready for rego). For comparison, here's what it looked like as we were moving-in & had just installed the letterbox: http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20141127_191308_house_with_letterbox_zps4b8a8021.jpg I hadn't realised how much the letterbox colour had changed, 'til I looked back at those photos! Here's the area the BBQ's going to sit in, with a shot back towards the patio to get an idea of where the area is: http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20151005_121302_rear_paving_1_zpsgs4glpem.jpg http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k124/originalForg/th_20151005_121326_rear_paving_2_zpsxpjd0mmd.jpg I think we did get better at paving on the 2nd attempt (the front yard one), although you can't really see as the camera's a bit over-saturated in the front-yard shot. At least there're no wobbles & nothing's sticking-up in either area. The plan is to probably erect a small awning over wherever the BBQ goes; and get a portable BBQ rather than a big man-kitchen with stone bench-tops etc. We kinda have our eye on this ridiculously expensive Fischer & Paykel uber-brand called DCS ... I dunno if it's worth it, I think no matter what you get it'll fall apart (or at least rust & start looking tatty), and you can buy 50 Bunnings BBQ's for one DCS ... but it is nice when everything feels nice to use, the fat is channelled properly into the drip-tray, etc etc. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 249Oct 06, 2015 8:56 am Finally!...an update... Got tobsee nearly a year on and you're still plugging away with work around the house How's the overall build quality a year on? Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 250Oct 07, 2015 7:59 am Yeah, low motivation levels, dislike of heat during summer, needing to move tonnes of stuff around ... I can't even tell where it all went, we've now had 16 tonnes of various materials delivered & distributed around by wheelbarrow, not to mention all the stuff we dug outta the back yard & moved to the front yard ... plus almost the entire block is now ringed by retaining wall of some variety or other where originally it just naturally flowed from one block to the next (doesn't make a helluva lot of sense to me - it was fine with no soil movement or excessive run-off or whatever for 70 years, why does it all need to be retained now?). Plus during early winter work got a bit crazy over the weekends. In terms of build quality ... yeah, mostly good, not much has changed. Really the only thing I've noticed is that a bit of a gap has opened-up between the staircase & the gyprock ... a job for some No More Gaps in the future, I think, I presume it'll stop moving by the time we need to paint again. STILL waiting for the damaged window/door panels to be replaced ... Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 251Oct 07, 2015 9:53 am Forg STILL waiting for the damaged window/door panels to be replaced ... WOW, out of curiosity, what is Alkira's response every time you ask for an update on this? Would love to know what I'm up for and how pushy I need to be before they get their final payment... Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 252Oct 07, 2015 6:33 pm It's their supplier, Mid City Windows ... Mid City only do windows for Alkira when fools like us come along & want a near-commercial-grade thermally-broken aluminium double-glazed offering, which is only a few jobs a year, so Alkira has SFA leverage. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 254Oct 14, 2015 9:31 pm Great work. Yard is looking good. With some plants it'll look even better. Re: Alkira Homes KDR (Ryde NSW) - DIY Landscaping 255Nov 02, 2015 10:27 pm hey forg... you've been in the house for a year now .. have you sorted out all the fixes? any feedback on internals and settling? have you managed to get some sort of fly screen for your alfresco? 3 6404 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 13444 |