Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 101Jul 07, 2012 1:23 pm Plumber doing his fit out today - hopefully by this afternoon I will have 3 flushing loos and vanities that work !! Electrician has been out all week doing his bit - electricity now in full use !! (I guess we can leave the torches behind when we go out at night time now !!) Gas mob have connected the gas to the house. Rental notice has been handed in......thank goodness, can't wait to move in!!! Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 102Jul 12, 2012 1:16 am Wow that's awesome Lynny-jane. Congratulations! Do you have a move-in date in mind for your first night sleeping there? It's so exciting to get all the services connected isn't it The week our power was connected I ran around like a crazy person turning light switches on and off. The house looks so different at night with lights on, you get used to seeing it in torch light. Will you have much left to do once you move in? We've got heaps left but so far we're doing a good job with keeping our motivation up. Tam Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 103Jul 12, 2012 5:29 pm That's one thing I've been wondering about - how we'll keep our motivation once we move in....good to know there's hope for us!! We'll be moving in next week - we've set up a temporary kitchen until the floorboards go down (ebay bargain $135 including 4 cupboards, sink and flick mixer!!). Still have a list of things as long as my arm to do once we move in, but we can do that at our leisure....no more having to leave the kids at home while we're out at the house, no more dashing from work to get in a few hours at the house, no more feeling that we can't have a day off because the priority is ALWAYS "Get the house done", no more renting !! YAY!! We had high hopes when we started this project that we'd be in the house by last Christmas.......much more realistic these days !! It's starting to feel like all those sacrifices we've made have been worth it !! Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 104Jul 12, 2012 8:51 pm I know exactly what you're talking about, even though there are difficulties in moving into an unfinished home it is SO much easier with kids to be living on site. We've been quite disiplined these last 2 weeks that once we've had dinner and put the kids to bed, we try and knock off at least 1 or two little jobs. It helped that we didn't have the TV hooked up for the first week so there wasn't that temptation to flop on the couch. I'm finding it a bit harder now the TV is finally all hooked up. I'm looking forward to having the odd weekend day off, though I'm not sure when it will happen. There's still so much to do but I do feel a bit guilty that we never seem to do anything fun with the kids lately. Best of luck with your move next week. Its a real milestone. Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 105Jul 24, 2012 11:44 am Well lots of things have been happening.....and I've got a few pictures to load. The electrician has been and hooked up all the lighting, points etc.... Our front veranda Coach Lights (A bit of a twist from the ones we put on the side verandas) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The bedroom lights and fan set up.......we kept things simple and have just put these larger style downlights throughout the house (I have a hard enough time choosing paint colours - I could only imagine how I'd procrastinate over fancier light fittings ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This was my view of the world for a long time.....when I was painting the cornice. Just to give you an idea of time, I went around the front lounge room and dining room - 1 coat = 3 hours. I was on a scaffold platform that had wheels so I just pulled myself around, so it wasn't like I was up and down the ladder. Sorry it's sideways.......... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our temporary kitchen - thankyou ebay!! A whole $135 and we've got our 900mm gas cooker fitted along side it.......perfectly adequate fr our needs until we get the flooring down then the proper kitchen will go in. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 106Jul 26, 2012 10:29 am Thankyou Stegbar Newcastle for a fantastic price, great product and awesome service !! The installation of the shower screens and mirrors yesterday went smoothly - the contractor arrived and asked for a plastic bag to put his rubbish in .......WT??? It was nice to have a trade onsite who cleaned up his own mess for a change. The shower screens (semi-frameless) seem so big to me. At 2mtrs high and with the glass so clear it feels like you're in a fishbowl. I shouldn't say, but I can't wait for a bit of soap scum the be on the glass as I get the feeling there may be a few children (and adults) in our house who might just try to walk through the glass!!! .....delay in getting pictures loaded. Main Bathroom Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I also used a product called ENDUROSHIELD on the glass - I'm really hoping that they can substantiate their claim of of "Saving 90% cleaning time" Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 107Jul 26, 2012 2:47 pm Wow you are edging closer to the finish line.For me it seems a quick build lucky you.l know what you mean(re clear glass screens) l have walk in frameless bit scary. Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 108Jul 30, 2012 10:20 am Thanks Pattycake, We started building in February last year.......looking back it seems quick - but when we were bogged down with the worst of it the days just seemed to go on forever and there was no progress to show for the hours spent there. How's yours coming along? Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 109Aug 02, 2012 12:02 am Hi Lynny-jane, your bathrooms look great! Have you moved in yet as you thought you might? How's it going? Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 110Aug 02, 2012 7:10 am Hi Tamk... Yep.....yippity yee...moved in. We are "pausing" for a bit which my body understood as permission to fall apart! I injured some muscular (I must still have some) bit in my stomach and back area while moving. Lived on nurofen for a week until I succumbed to a bad cold which apparrently fixed my muscular problem due to all the coughing I was doing....still trying to shake the cold!! It's great to be here....felt like home as soon as we moved even though we have concrete floors...no skirts/archs..painting not finished and the yard is a huge mud pit!! We'll "pause" for a few more weeks then get stuck into finishing some of the jobs....there really is no pressure anymore...and to be honest-after the last 18months I could quite happily live with no flooring, painting and mouldings for a ywar or two and not be bothered by it. Just so happy to finally be here. Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 111Aug 02, 2012 3:22 pm Congratulations! So happy for you that you're in. Sorry though that your body has taken it as permission to fall apart. I hope you're feeling better soon and that you enjoy a few weeks of rest, recouperation, and just soaking up the joy of living in your home that you've worked so hard for. Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 112Sep 18, 2012 10:16 am Hmmmm......since my last post: Painting, painting, more painting........ Hubby has just recovered from a nasty dose of the shingles so that put our painting escapades on hold for a few weeks. We have chosen our hardwood flooring and placed the order - a mixture of red and grey ironbark - it will take a few months to round up enough meterage as ironbark is a bit scarce down our way. We are laying it on 12mm ply (treated ply for added peace of mind in regards to termites...)......well, actually "We" aren't laying it......this is a job for a professional (Plus our old knees probably wouldn't cope!!) We are laying the timber in the hallways (front and rear), center living room/kitchen, front lounge room and dining. All other rooms will be carpeted. That's about it for now..... Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 113Sep 20, 2012 12:08 am Hi Lynny-jane, I've been wondering how you've been going lately. Sorry to hear your DH has been sick. Is the cement dust from the floors driving you nuts yet or have you covered the floors up with something temporarily? How are you going with keeping the motivation up? I must admit that mine has totally evaporated. DH has been a bit better than me but even he is losing interest. He's been quite disciplined at working on the house every Saturday and doing at least a couple of jobs every Sunday. He's managed to hang most of the 34 internal doors but now it's up to me to paint them all. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate painting!!!!! I feel your pain of painting painting painting. Would love to see some updated photos to please! Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 114Sep 20, 2012 5:04 pm Hey Sounds like we're at about the same stage motivation-wise....I've lost interest but luckily the other half is still pressing on. He put up towel rails and toilet roll holders yesterday ( big yay for that......won't miss the twist/turn/bend to pick the roll up from the ground!! Hehe) and today the clothesline went up. I'm looking at an unpainted door at the moment too and wondering how much longer I will be able to bear looking at the grotty thing - funny how the precoat undercoat marks so easily. The cement underfoot has been a trial.....where does all this dust come from??? I've swept and vacuumed and still it's there!!! We have strips of carpet in strategic locations around the house. It's funny seeing our dog trying to have a good carpet scratch on a small piece. Our brother in law donated a room sized piece of carpet to us and the area that it covers is called the "Loungeroom" !!!! Felt quite flash being able to take more than one step on a soft floorcovering hehe!!! Ahhhh......the pure enjoyment I will experience when the carpet goes down will make it all worthwhile. What say you and I have a little race to see who can finish painting doors? Might help with the motivation ( I don't like losing!!) ....only, I'm heading off on holidays on Saturday.....maybe when school hoes back the flag goes down??? Lol!! Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 115Sep 20, 2012 7:27 pm That sounds like a great idea, I need something to motivate me. We haven't put the door handles on yet 'cause we thought it would be better to do it after I'd finished painting so you think that would be motivation enough but no, I don't seem to mind trying to stick one fingernail in to try and get the door open. When do your school hols finish. I think we're a week behind you over here so you might have a head start. We've still got another week left of school. How many doors have you got to paint? I've got 34. And YES that precoat gets filthy! Black smudges everywhere. Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 116Sep 20, 2012 7:33 pm Forgot to say, you beat us with the clothesline! I'm still managing with airers inside the house. We actually agreed on a location for the future clothes line last week so that's progress. I understand what you mean about the pure enjoyment of re-discovering life's little luxuries. Congratulations on the towel rail and toilet roll holder. I felt like that when DH put up our first toilet door 8 weeks after we had moved in. People really take toilet doors and roll holders for granted! Our owner-builder journey - viewtopic.php?f=38&t=45187 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 117Nov 13, 2012 11:11 am Things are moving at a much slower pace these days......but I thought I'd update the few things we've done recently. Painting (still, but nearly finished.....the walls that is - skirting, architraves and doors are still on the "to do" list) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Don't mind my terrible cutting in job here.......I did get better!! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ A room of many uses.......I can jump off the scaffold and do a spot of ironing (if inclined ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We decided to install a couple of split systems instead of ducted. The house has proven to be amazingly well insulated and we've found that it stays warm inside when it's cold outside and vice versa (and we've had a few 38-39deg days already this summer).....so we haven't had to fire these up yet. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is our front yard BEFORE. It has had the fill spread around, but nothing else done. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The bobcat then spread the topsoil around and smoothed out a few bumps. As with this whole experience we have chosen the "hard option" and not the "easy option" (with extra costs involved) We have decided to seed the lawn instead of laying turf.........fingers crossed!! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ So hubby made up some pretty heavy duty sprinklers and with plenty of watering..........(we really could do a whole paddock of lucerne ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 10 days later......... The grass seed mix is a blend of rye and kikuyu (sp??) - the theory being that the rye grows first and acts as a nursery for the kikuyu. The rye also establishes root systems to hold the soil in place......then it's supposed to die off and we should be left with an acceptable looking front lawn.......fingers still crossed!! We've done this front area as a test/experiment, and if it seems to work then we'll do the sides and backyard too. So money saved on this area alone is over $1000 (200sqm). I can't promise that my gardening skills are amazing.....quite the opposite, so we might just have lawn for a while!! Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 118Nov 29, 2012 9:52 am More progress made over the weekend. We lined the front veranda and undercoated. With the area above the front door we decided to follow the roof line instead of just having a straight line - it has made the front entrance seem more spacious instead of having the planned lower ceiling height. Plaster set ready for sanding (We used normal gyprock and have given it two coats of sealer and will the give it another two coats of external paint.....gyprockers said there wasn't too much difference between blueboard/normal internal plaster......we'll see how it holds up over the years!!) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ First undercoat applied. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The area over the front door (apologies for sorry state of front door....I had promised it that I would paint it in "Devils Coat" red, but sadly it was put on the backburner...maybe this weekend ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ An updated shot of our grass......4 weeks after sowing the seed. Instructions say to mow after 6-8 weeks, but I think it will need attention before that. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 119Nov 30, 2012 8:13 pm The grass looks great! And in such a short time all that growth. I love your front verandah. Even though you still have a to do list I bet its good to be in your home. You have done a fantastic job so far. K Re: Owner Building a PAAL Camden in the Lower Hunter Valley 120Jan 17, 2013 1:26 pm Latest update...... Summer has been hot!! Not much progress (we'll blame the heat eh?) Render the sills - we tossed up with rendering the whole house and settled on just doing the window sills. We (sorry, my husband) researched what to use....sand/cement or a proper render product. We (he) decided that for the small area we were to render we could splurge out on the proper stuff - Roccoat PM100. The young guy was a son of a friend and a terrific worker....7am till 5pm for 3 days and this is the end result. What took up most of his time was filling in the gap near the lintel and the brick above it....it was just a small slice of gap to fill but it was terrible fiddly. Once the sides and back of the house are then painted we'll have a nice square frame around the windows.....I still have to decide on colours !! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I hope these pictures are visible.....photobucket has changes since my last visit and I'm slow to pick up on them hehe Owner Building on 1800sqm Sanity Intact so far Locked up March 2012 Hi there, We’ve recently had plans approved to add a 1st storey addition to our existing house for a growing family in Sydney. With the current cost of building… 0 4296 I am looking to design an entry door to a lower ground basement that has 2200mm between the external entry height to FFL of the ground floor. This door will provide an… 0 11369 thanks guys! yes this is how I've exactly raised it with the builder. still awaiting response. 12 6047 |