
We always planned on building a single storey, however, after looking at numerous designs we thought about the possibility of building two storey to maximise our backyard on a small block (450m2).
So far our experience with BT has been positive, and we’re really looking forward to the build commencing.
I’ve also started a blog to collate all of our ideas and to document our first home and first build journey If interested, you can follow here - https://houseamour.wordpress.com
Our plans: (customised version of the optima) We made quite a few changes, including:
- increased garage size - added a store room
- side access for boat!
- added a scullery / WIP
- changed master bedroom layout + moved to the front of the house
- added a WIR in the minor bedroom + moved the existing BIR to under the eaves in the other minor bedroom
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Timeline:
2014
- June – put offer on block
- July / August – started looking at house designs
- September – met with representative from BTH
- December: signed PPA
2015
- May – Signed building contract and had prestart
- June – Titles received and finance approved!
- 17 June - Settlement!!

- 29 June - Building Permit Received
- 1 July - File sent to construction
- 13 July - notification slab is booked for the week starting 20/7
- 17 July - Earthworks commenced
- 21 July - Footings
- 22 July - SLABBED!
- 6 August - Window frames delivered
- 7 August - Bricks delivered
- 11 August - Brickwork commenced!
- 22 September - Plateheight reached
- 7 October - Roof trusses delivered
- 9 October - Roof trusses installed
- 12 October - Scaffolding installed ready for upper slab pour
- 21 October - Upper slab poured
- 27 October - Upper floor framing commenced
- 3 November - Upper floor framing, including wall frames, windows, eaves and fascia complete
- 10 November - EPS cladding / roof framing complete
- 13 November - Render complete
- 23 November - Upper floor painting commenced
- 1 December - Upper Floor colorbond commenced
- 9 December - Scaffold Drop
- 11 December - lower floor framing commenced
- 14 December - lower floor roof framing almost complete - fascias installed
- 17 December - electrical run in
- 18 January - Gutters installed and colorbond delivered
- 03 February - Lower roof install commenced
- 12 February - Roof apparently finished. It wasn't. Grey float apparently complete - not started

- 22 February - Grey Float finished
- 23 February - Ceiling installation commenced - upstairs finished.
- 25 February - White set commenced
- 8 March - Ceilings installed downstairs
- 10 March - Plaster commenced upstairs / downstairs ceilings finished
- 11 March - Upstairs cornices complete
- 12 March - Downstairs cornices 90% complete - ran out of cornice for the entry
- 18 March - Front render, Windows and doors fitted, stairs installed - lock up next week.
- 23 March - LOCK UP
- 30 March - Internal doors hung, all shelving installed (WIR's, BIR's, WIP, Linen Cupboard)
- 6 April - Garage grano poured
- 8 April - Screed to wet areas (Week 37)
- 22 April - Tiling commenced
- 29 April - Cabinets Delivered
- 2 May - Lower floor render painted and cabinets installed
- 6 May - Site clean
- 9 May - Garage door installed
- 11 May - Stone benchtops and sinks installed
- 18 May - Pavers delivered
- 20 May - Storm water piping prep, vinyl and mirror sliding doors installed
- 27 May - Kitchen cabinets finished - stone and sinks installed
- 1 June - paving started
- 6 June - HWS & toilets installed - Paving complete
- 9 June - Tiler back for finals. Electrical finals underway
- 10 June - electrical finals and gloss paint 90% finished
- 17 June - Plumbing finals complete, all door handles fitted. Pre PCI check complete - final items to follow and PCI expected in two weeks time
- 27 June - Mirrors and Shower Screens installed
- 29 June - Finals underway for PCI next week (49 weeks since slab down)
- 7 July - PCI
- 11 - 21 July - PCI items