Take Two 141Jun 23, 2018 3:24 pm Visited yesterday at lunchtime to find Joel and Rhys on site doing the final bits and pieces in the kitchen and laundry including the cleanup. Laundry bench has been replaced, and glass splashback in the kitchen has been fitted. North east kitchen cornerLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen with splashbackLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite vanity and mirrored cupboardLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Interior of mirrored cupboardLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There is plenty of storage in the bathrooms. There has also been some rubbish removal from the site and some digging between the garage and the water tanks. The large pipe sticking out of the ground is no longer there, so I suspect that the tanks may have been connected to the downpipes. The rest of the plumbing fit-out I was promised for last week consists of moving the toilets from their storage in the garage into the living room, and putting some taps and shower mixers in the appropriate bathrooms. I now have hand rails for the stairs. Handrail on upper stairs to bedroomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I'm still waiting for ERV system to be installed, plumbing and electrical fitouts, painting touch ups and flooring (bamboo downstairs and carpet upstairs), and it's now more than 5 weeks since I was told '"a few more weeks". It's like he gives just enough to get me think it will happen now, and then stops again. So I emailed the builder again yesterday, asking when the house would be finished and pointing out that he had had 74 working weeks to complete the house, and telling him the situation was completely unsatisfactory. Awaiting a response. 44 working weeks overdue. Variegated Take Two 142Jul 08, 2018 4:19 pm I sent a letter to the Housing Industry Association a little over a week ago, and two days later I finally receive a reply from the builder, and there has been a bit of action finally. I took some pendant and down lights to the site on last Friday week - no-one was there at the time - but there was a hot water system in the living room, a pump installed at the water tanks, and taps in the kitchen and laundry. This week there has been some plumbing and electrical things happening, and the builder and joiner have been arguing about whose fault it is that the ensuite mirrored cabinet is too low, and the vanity finished height is too high, and the tap won't fit! A water pipe has also been punctured by a screw, meaning that the plumber has been "demolishing" the vanity to fix the leak, removing tiles, and putting large holes in the wall. So finally there are lights, and a fuse 'box" in the pantry, celing fans, toilets in situ, and basins and taps being installed in bathrooms. Not nearly enough progress for my liking, but at least something has happened. Lots or wires all gathered togetherLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pendant lights in studio Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pendant lightI'm quite pleased with these lights - from the hallway they look like rings magically suspended in space.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen pendantLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Remaining plumbing and electrical fitoff to be completed, ventilation system and flooring still to be installed. One more week of work, then I have 3 weeks off - originally to do all the settling in things that need to happen after moving! Hopefully there might yet be some moving in during that time. 46 weeks overdue. Variegated Re: Take Two 144Jul 08, 2018 9:57 pm Lights are looking good, and glad that progress is still being made, albeit slowly. Take Two 147Jul 18, 2018 4:07 pm Thank you everyone. There is a bit more progress, but no improvement in the communication. I have made it quite clear to the builder, his son and the electrician when I spoke to him last week, that I would need some days notice to get the ovens on site, as they are not something I can stick in the back of the car - I need to get someone to transport them. So of course, the builder emails me on Friday afternoon, asking for the ovens to be on site on Monday - in the morning! It cost a bit more money, but I did manage to get them there. They were unpacked when I was there, so hopefully they are now installed. I found there were two more wall lights I hadn't realised were there - they are not listed in the lighting required - but they are shown on the plan! Good thing I'm on leave - I hope I have all of them now. The hot water system has been installed Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and basin and tap are in place in the bathroom. Bathroom vanityLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The note says "please don''t bump" . I discovered the water is actually connected when playing with the tap! The ensuite cabinet was due to be reinstalled on Tuesday afternoon. Some of the bathroom fittings are in. I haven't been able to find the shower hoses I bought - Aurajet by Methven - the only thing I can think of us that they are packed somewhere, so I'll have some temporary ones fitted until I find the proper ones and can change them over. Ensuite ShowerLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Tiny little steps, and forty seven and a half weeks overdue. Variegated Re: Take Two 148Jul 20, 2018 4:31 pm I am very sadden to see such a loverly cottage build turn into a nightmare. Your build was one of the more interesting and challenging builds i have worked on . though I ceased my employment with paton just after the eaves where installed , I would of hoped that you would be enjoying your home by now . Hang in there it is worth it . The loft MB is my favourite. Re: Take Two 149Jul 25, 2018 1:23 pm Greennest, Thank you for your comment. I am happy to know that my house was interesting to build, and like you, thought I would be in by now too. There is some progress, so keep your fingers crossed that it's finished soon. Variegated Take Two 150Jul 25, 2018 2:04 pm I took a couple of boxes of bits and pieces that have been cluttering up my current laundry out to the house on Tuesday afternoon, to discover two workmen still on site! The electrician has finally installed the ovens - the joinery was 3mm out and they wouldn't fit, so there was a little delay whilst that was fixed. Neff "Hide and Slide"ovens with warmer drawerLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ He has also installed the door bell - hardwired, and added the extension rod to the ceiling fan in the studio. He was testing something, so the electricity is connected and most of the lights were on. Given it was mid afternoon, it is a bit difficult to see the full effects, but the lights in the studio - both ring and strip lighting in the pelmet - look great. Ring lights lit - image from attic bedroomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The strip lighting under the shaving cabinets in both bathrooms is connected too. The electrician told me it was his plan to sign off on the electrical fit out yesterday, and get it inspected for the required certificate. He doesn't have any control over when that happens, so I hope it is soon. The slightly smaller shaving cabinet has been reinstalled in the ensuite, and the wall is waiting for the tiler to come - hopefully this week - to repair it. It is a bit of a mess at the moment. Plumbing - basin and tap installation - is to be completed. Ensuite vanity with strip lightThe lighting shows the bench top off beautifully - it's almost a pity to put the basin back on it.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The wall beside the stairs has been repaired - I think they partially destroyed it to get transformers for the lights in - and the step lights in place. The wall lights have been installed in the roof window alcoves. Wall lightLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The workmen have been very good about covering the kitchen benches to protect them from damage. Still awaiting ventilation system installation and flooring. The baby steps progress continues - but at least there is some progress. 48 and a half weeks overdue. Variegated Re: Take Two 151Jul 30, 2018 7:31 pm Hi Variegated, I’ve just caught up on all the recent months happenings on your site and can’t believe you’ve had so many delays. The house is looking great, however, and it looks like it is almost there now (thank goodness for your sake!) Follow our build with Express Two Storey (Ventura Group): http://tinyurl.com/jlykgph Follow our build with Express Two Storey (Ventura Group): viewtopic.php?f=31&t=85122 Take Two 152Jul 31, 2018 8:35 pm Thanks MrsDoe - it is getting there - in very tiny steps. I dropped off some boxes this afternoon now that there is some room in the garage, and it doesn't seem that anything has happened in the last week (again!) The builder doesn't appear to have learned anything though - he has not answered the joiner's requests for payment, so I'll have to pay the joiner and fight the builder for a further variation. I guaranteed the final payment to ensure the work was completed. It's more than half of what is still left to pay on the contract, and the amount of liquidated damages (if I can get that) for 49 weeks overdue, exceeds the remaining amount - so effectively the builder would owe me money! I just wish it would be finished so I can stop living in limbo. Variegated Take Two 153Aug 03, 2018 6:49 pm So nice to know that the builder is doing everything he can to finish the job! I asked two weeks ago when the flooring would be done, to be asked questions about colour choice today - so he hasn't even ordered the flooring yet! This is Mountain Chalet by Feltex Green carpets, in "Cloud Cover", which will be in the attic bedroom. It's a grey with no brown undertones, so nicely neutral. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And perhaps the lack of organisation by the builder is not as bad as it might be. When visiting the flooring retailer today, they told me that they are no longer carrying the bamboo flooring I had chosen. It is still possible to get it, but they felt there had been enough problems experienced Australia-wide for them not to be involved with it any more. The salesman suggested Oak flooring as a replacement, and, as I don't want to have shrinkage problems with the floors, and it isn't any more expensive, I've agreed to change. The ground floor, apart from laundry and bathroom, will be this: Compact Natural Oak Extra MattLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The rep from the manufacturer was in the store, and produced a brand new large size sample, so I could get a good feel of what it would be like. The sample was less pink than the picture above, and I think it will work quite well. And the first weekend in August last year - that's when the house should have been finished. Variegated Re: Take Two 154Aug 03, 2018 7:36 pm Variegated So nice to know that the builder is doing everything he can to finish the job! I asked two weeks ago when the flooring would be done, to be asked questions about colour choice today - so he hasn't even ordered the flooring yet! This is Mountain Chalet by Feltex Green carpets, in "Cloud Cover", which will be in the attic bedroom. It's a grey with no brown undertones, so nicely neutral. [img=400x400]https://www.feltex.com/au/carpet/sites/default/files/styles/product-image-overlay_white/public/carpet-mountain_chalet-cloud_cover-swatch-feltex_carpets.jpg?itok=_Y_CHfDk[/img] And perhaps the lack of organisation by the builder is not as bad as it might be. When visiting the flooring retailer today, they told me that they are no longer carrying the bamboo flooring I had chosen. It is still possible to get it, but they felt there had been enough problems experienced Australia-wide for them not to be involved with it any more. The salesman suggested Oak flooring as a replacement, and, as I don't want to have shrinkage problems with the floors, and it isn't any more expensive, I've agreed to change. The ground floor, apart from laundry and bathroom, will be this: Compact Natural Oak Extra MattLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The rep from the manufacturer was in the store, and produced a brand new large size sample, so I could get a good feel of what it would be like. The sample was less pink than the picture above, and I think it will work quite well. And the first weekend in August last year - that's when the house should have been finished. That is a good choice , nice colours and ambiance. Re: Take Two 155Aug 04, 2018 7:51 am Love seeing your home come together it’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished. I thought that moving in would be an anticlimax after going 35 weeks past our contracted date but I have to say I am absolutely loving our home, there are a few things they need to come back and fix but overall it’s been worth the wait. Re: Take Two 156Aug 06, 2018 8:38 pm Hi Variegated, I'm new to this site and tried to PM you. Not sure if it worked? So sorry to see you are so close but not yet in. Hope it all gets finished off for you soon. I'm pretty confident we used the same builder and had very similar experience. Take Two 157Sep 01, 2018 12:43 pm Thank you to all those who have contacted me for support and to let me know about their own experiences with this builder. It really does help to know that it's not me, even though I am truly sorry to know that other people have had to live through this awful time as well. Yesterday morning I received an emailed Notice of Practical completion from the builder. I think I'm in shock! Is it possible I might actually get my house? 54 working weeks overdue. Variegated Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20432 Hi, We're building a double-storey in Perth and I'm undecided with the kitchen sink situation. I'm set on having the main sink with dishwasher in the scullery - and… 0 20938 2 3017 |