Been watching these forums for the last few months since I decided to build and it has been a fantastic resource!
I thought that I should start a thread to track my progress, even though titles are still a few months out.
I am building a house with Celebration Homes based off of their Elwood design on a block in Mason Green estate in Piara Waters WA. My block is standard rectangle of 375m2 (12.5x30) and is part of Stage 2 (titles due November 2015).
Based on recommendations from friends and spending time with a sales consultant at the Blanchett display home in Aspiri Estate, Piara Waters, I decided on Celebration Homes. That was back in late May and since then everything has been signed and I have just this week received my formal finance approval and had my pre-start. All that is really left is signing the mortgage documents, approving the final plans, and then waiting for titles.
Many changes have been made to the original Elwood design, the largest being extending the length of the house 960mm to create more space in the WIL, WIP, WIR and Ensuite. This allowed us to accommodate the double vanity and double shower in the ensuite.
I also took the May/June promotions where we were able to have Caesarstone bechtops in the kitchen, ensuite and bathroom, and raise all ceilings to 30c (27c to porch, alfresco and garage). I then raised all ceilings an extra course so now all internal areas are 31c and the other areas are 28c.
During the initial contract stage I also had Anticon added to the roofspace throughout, and the robes in Bedrooms 2, 3, 4 doubled and changed to mirrored sliding doors.
Pre-start involved numerous upgrades to carpets, taps, showerheads etc. and I also changed the HWS to instant (Rinnai Infinity 26).
The items I am planning to do after handover include; Soakwells, Lighting, Internal Painting, Rear Landscaping, Air conditioning, Theatre doors (I had a double door frame added).
Original Design:
Modified Design:
This isn't the final copy. Additional changes made at pre-start include;
- Removing door frame from rear hallway
- Adding door to Ensuite
- Changing part of WIL shelving to be a vertical space for ironing board and brooms
- Moving part of the shelving in front of door in WIP to the side so that Pot Drawers and a Microwave Recess can be added later
- the kitchen island layout has been modified so that drawers and DW recess are on the right
- the kitchen sink is moved further to the left with the draining board on the right
The Elevation:
I will add some pre-start selection photos in another post.
At the moment just realllyyyy hoping that titles are on time. I have read many horror stories on here where titles get delayed.
Cheers!
Timeline
24/05/2015 - Decided to build with Celebration Homes in Mason Green estate. Put Land on hold.
05/06/2015 - Signed Preliminary Works Contract.
13/06/2015 - Signed Land Sale Contract.
02/07/2015 - Conditional Finance Approval.
27/07/2015 - Signed HIA Building Contract.
10/08/2015 - Formal Finance Approval.
12/08/2015 - Pre-Start!
12/2015 - Developer Approval
12/01/2016 - Titles
01/02/2016 - Building Permit
02/02/2016 - Land Settlement
05/02/2016 - Scheduling
12/02/2016 - Siteworks
17/02/2016 - Footings & Tap
19/02/2016 - Slab!
01/03/2016 - Temporary power supply / Drains
02/03/2016 - Site clean
04/03/2016 - Bricks/Window Frames delivered
10/03/2016 - Door Frames delivered
11/03/2016 - Brickwork started!
17/03/2016 - Brickwork completed
29/03/2016 - Roof Timbers delivered
01/04/2016 - Roof Frame started!
05/04/2016 - Roof Frame completed
07/04/2016 - Gutters & Drain Pipes
08/04/2016 - Electrical Rough-In
11/04/2016 - Plumbing Rough-In
12/04/2016 - Roof Cover & Anticon (Independent Inspection completed)
14/04/2016 - Render
18/04/2016 - Grey Float started
22/04/2016 - Grey Float completed
27/04/2016 - White Set started
29/04/2016 - White Set completed. Windows/Sliding Doors installed
02/05/2016 - Ceilings & Cornices
16/05/2016 - Doors & Shelving
17/05/2016 - Internal & External Painting
18/05/2016 - Cabinets & Bathroom/Ensuite/Laundry Benchtops and Sinks
20/05/2016 - Waterproofing & Garage Grano & Kitchen Benchtops
23/05/2016 - Wet area tiling started
27/05/2016 - Lock up meeting. Wet area & splashback tiling completed
02/06/2016 - Electrical and Plumbing completed. Appliances installed
09/06/2016 - Main floor tiling started
11/06/2016 - Main floor tiling completed
16/06/2016 - Paving
18/06/2016 - Crossover
21/06/2016 - Carpets
27/06/2016 - PCI
04/07/2016 - Keys!
09/07/2016 - Lights installed
23/07/2016 - Moved In!