Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 15, 2016 8:57 pm Hi All
Posting start of our build progress with Simonds Express Westbury. We went with Premium spec and Ash colour scheme, Only changes were larger shower base in ensuite, better laundry sink, pot drawers and tiles throughout except bedrooms with dark grout (was a push). As we're in an area not serviced by natural gas dropped the ducted heating and instead going with ducted reverse cycle (AcrontAir ESP Platinum) which will be installed after the build completed (Simonds wouldn't allow another party onsite during build even though this is a company that does work for Simonds...). Simonds quote for the same AC was $5k more. We're aiming to organise getting some sound proofing insulation added to internal walls of bedrooms and bathroom/toilet and doing data cabling. Last thing will be solar on the roof and start towards some battery backup if we have any money left : ). Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 5Sep 21, 2016 5:05 pm Thanks! That was my aim! When we started I found it really hard to find much info on Simonds express builds, so I wanted to put as much of ours online as I could to help people in the future!! Building Simonds Express Westbury Premium in Vic 2015 / 2016 Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 6Oct 08, 2016 4:50 pm Been a while since updating, moving so fast now. Slab was laid and frame is up now, all within a week. Guttering is done now and ready for roof this week. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 8Oct 20, 2016 7:57 pm Congrats! That view is stunning! Where abouts are you building? Building Simonds Hudson viewtopic.php?f=31&t=80646 Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 11Oct 25, 2016 8:38 pm Insulation, plaster and bricks! Lot's happening suddenly. We got soundproofing insulation for all the internal walls for bedrooms, bathrooms, toilet and laundry. Cost about $1600 extra no brainer not like can do it later. We went Bradford New Generation Soundscreen R2.5. Pictures are over the last few days visits. Finally locked out first time today but plaster is now on about half the internal walls and ceilings and all done in garage. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 13Oct 26, 2016 1:55 pm n_one Did you get any upgrades done? was the data cabling done by you or Simonds? Only thing so far has been extra power points, extra insulation and data cabling. Power points - paid sparky cash for the extra 10 points we wanted. Insulation - quote from Insulation company doing ceiling to do the internal soundproofing. Data cabling - I did myself. Bought 2x 300m rolls of CAT6 $150 a roll (Krone brand), brackets cost like $1.60 for behind plaster, wall plates like $2 or something each and the data points themselves about $7 each. Can probably get all done in a day. They were pretty strict on any changes like we wanted to do some basic changes to the plan (make hallway "skinnier" and move ensuite door to in walk in robe) and was a big NO to these changes. Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 14Oct 27, 2016 9:29 am wadeal n_one Did you get any upgrades done? was the data cabling done by you or Simonds? Only thing so far has been extra power points, extra insulation and data cabling. Power points - paid sparky cash for the extra 10 points we wanted. Insulation - quote from Insulation company doing ceiling to do the internal soundproofing. Data cabling - I did myself. Bought 2x 300m rolls of CAT6 $150 a roll (Krone brand), brackets cost like $1.60 for behind plaster, wall plates like $2 or something each and the data points themselves about $7 each. Can probably get all done in a day. They were pretty strict on any changes like we wanted to do some basic changes to the plan (make hallway "skinnier" and move ensuite door to in walk in robe) and was a big NO to these changes. Nice on the data cabling, did you go in after hours? as i asked Simonds about putting in data cables, they said they cannot let you in due to OH&S.... blah blah... Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 15Oct 27, 2016 10:10 am n_one Nice on the data cabling, did you go in after hours? as i asked Simonds about putting in data cables, they said they cannot let you in due to OH&S.... blah blah... Talk in person with site supervisor when you start building. I did it before lockup, just when the roof was on and frame up so not like they could of stopped me at that stage lol. Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 16Oct 27, 2016 10:20 am Hi Wadeal, Watching your build from the start Your house is coming along nicely.. I believe you are building in Victoria, just curious don't you need the data cabler licence to do data cabling? (or you already have one) Cheers, Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 17Oct 27, 2016 11:43 am RegVic I believe you are building in Victoria, just curious don't you need the data cabler licence to do data cabling? (or you already have one) It's ambiguous or depends who you ask. My understanding is if it touches the telecommunication network then yes you would need a cabling license or signed off by someone with their license. We'll be fixed wireless (not NBN, a private connection) so I don't believe I have to be licensed or have it signed off. Also you can have it signed off / confirmed by someone licensed who fills out the appropriate paperwork (about 10 years ago that I was involved with this but I think still the same). I used to do some cabling in a job and basically anything that was touching the phone line another cabler who was certified had to sign off on it. Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 18Nov 08, 2016 8:11 pm Finally some updates! Bricks still going, not too fussed though as a really great job. Plastering done and just about ready to move onto fixings. Electrician back this week. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 19Nov 12, 2016 8:37 pm Bricks completed, electrician been back in to cut their holes and I have got the data points holes cut at same time, windows covered over inside for painting and plasterer been back in to get everything to 100% for painting this week coming. Re: Simonds Express Westbury Build 20Nov 12, 2016 10:59 pm We are at similar stages gosh your lucky they let you do some stuff - we couldn't even get the electrician to put a power point outside. I got a big fat no ! Or they would charge me an admin fee! Is yours Blackwood ? Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17579 thank you! do we need to get this or our builder before we commence new build on the block? 2 10410 Hi, did you get any money from insurance? if you did, does it match what you've already paid the builders? 3 9563 |