Small Custom Build

You are lucky to have nothing dumped on your land.

The builder next to us has dumped concrete and soil on our block.

I have also been told by a guy that is already living in Arlington Ave., that he witnessed that same builder even bury some concrete and cover it with soil.

Very low act by that builder in my opinion.

I have made Bec aware of it and met her at the block to point out the problem, she said she will get it sorted.

I will be going to Pakenham for a family gathering this weekend for Mother's day and intend on dropping by the block to look for myself to see if Bec has followed up the problem of the dumped concrete.

I would recommend getting your dad drop by your land often to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to you if your neighbours start building before you do.

On a lighter note ...
I was wondering if you could find out the name and contact details of the sub-contractor that is building your front fence.
My builder wants us to chase up quotes because it looks like we are sorting the front fence for ourselves now.

We only bought the block 2 weeks ago in Arlington Ave. stage 3 and it settles at the end of June for us.
We are still sorting out the building quote and are currently changing the building plans to suit the block size.
The builder is Frenken Homes.
The house is an investment property and it will be rented out when completed.

So my plans had to be changed somewhat to meet the design guidelines.

I've lost 22cm off the backyard, but gained 11cm in the master bedroom. My porch is also now bigger. My fence has been drawn correctly now as well. No increase in costs thankfully.

Just have to sign and send off, hopefully approval comes through soon.

Wow, congrats!!! I'm a bit sad that I settled back in February and still am nowhere near ready to build, and you've already settled!!

The delay is due to paperwork.

I only signed off on my official build contract on 15th of March (so 1 month lost there). Then I had a 14 day finance clause that took 2 weeks and a bit... and a bit more I think nearly another week for the bank to actually sent my builder the confirmation. I'm not sure what happened next, but I think we were waiting on the design panel. We heard back from them week before last, they declined my plans. So builder made amendments, and I sent signed copies to him Tuesday, so were back to waiting from the design panel. Then after that we have to go to council, I'm desperately hoping we can be on site by end of this month.. but who knows!!!

I think because I'm with a custom builder it's harder to get approval, I've heard a lot of the bigger volume builders will get there plans pre-approved for estates.

I'm lucky that I'm living with mum and dad, so no additional rent (although I do pay them some rent). It still sucks though to be paying mortgage on land I can't live on. My intention was always to be building right away ;-; but we'll get there.

I've been using all the additional savings on things for the house. I've been shopping like crazy in the last 12 months, made some big purchases like new laptop, sound system, bicycle, iPod, rabbit house.. just replacing outdated things I already had. Plus I've been stocking up on things for the house, I have a full set of pots, cutlery, dinnerware and utensils, some bakeware too. Now I'm updating small things, stationery, photo album, jewelry box..

There is no space left in my parents house though. I have boxes EVERYWHERE!! I had to pick up my light from Beacon, and there were A LOT of boxes. I've also been getting rid of things too, I gave away over 150 fiction books, 20 pairs of shoes... and there will be more before I move.

I'm not buying furniture yet either, no where to store it, though my parents would make space if I really wanted something. I think I've stretched their patience far enough though... my bunnies have destroyed my mum's garden, she can't wait for them to move out


I have found what I like in furniture (unfortunately I have expensive tastes), now I just need to wait until the house is done or very close too.

I'm leaving linens until later as well, since I need to get a feel for the colours and such before I buy anything.

Wow that's a while!! The custom couch I really want has a 3month lead time, so have to make up my mind pretty early if I want it.



No news on the build. Last contact was last Tuesday... assume still waiting on the design panel.. don't understand why everything is taking so long.

Heartbroken.

It's frustrating how long it takes, they should have to pay me for the time it takes them to review.

And they knocked us back for the smallest things, no bin location or bike storage shown on plans.. like omg!! Its my house, I think I'll decide where these things go. My builder had to show that the garden beside the driveway was 500mm wide.. like.. what..

Apparently the lap n cap fencing in the front yard (on the sides) has to be 1m high and painted in the same render as my front fence (Which is like very light grey).. how weird will that look? They are driving me crazy I'm so stressed.. the guy at work asked me how my house was going today and I burst into tears

It does feel like it takes forever.. I just wish my builder was back in control and starting, I'm totally confident in the build... I just want it to START. Another week goes by.

Still waiting..