Take Two 81Nov 20, 2017 8:10 pm Algernon - that was part of my concern too. Considering I have already paid about 2/3 of the contract, I would have thought it wouldn't be a problem to pay the joiners. Not planning on paying anything further until the work is actually done. I have been collecting my kitchen appliances for a little while, so I will at least get my kitchen without any further problems. It will be nice not to have a barn any more! The dark insulation looks rather like sheep fleece a bit compressed together, but it feels like fibreglass. There wasn't any wrapping around, so I don't know exactly what it is. There is certainly a lot of it through all the ceilings in the house. Variegated Take Two 82Nov 25, 2017 1:32 pm I discovered this week exactly where the end of my tether'' is - it is receiving a text requesting ASAP a paint colour decision 10 hours after getting the answer to my question regarding what the preferred paint brand is! I sent a snarky text back, and a few hours later was sent a slightly apologetic email saying he had missed my question. I find that hard to believe as he had answered it, and included my email in the email trail! So very tired of marking time whilst other people stuff around. There is some progress in that I now have walls - the gyprock has been installed. The scaffolding is still in place for sealing the joins and painting, so it's not possible to get the effect of the double height roof yet. I also can't access the attic, as I'm not comfortable climbing off at the top of the ladder - there is too big a gap between the joist and where the floor starts, so I just point the camera and hope for the best. The images look very monochromatic this week! Attic - with gyprockslightly squiffy due to standing on a ladder to take the image.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is taken from where the top of the stairs will be, looking across to the wardrobe and one of the bathroom doors, and shows the access door to the roof storage space. I think the nooks where the roof windows are will be great places to sit to read and watch the world go by. Hallway - now with walls and ceilingLooking back towards the living roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Under stair storage accessed from laundryThe stairs will replace the ladderLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Living area from front entryLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The north doors are not latching properly - the wind blows them open, meaning that there is the possibility of weather damage, not to mention vandalism. I'll make sure the builder knows this needs attention when I send the paint colour information. It was interesting to note, as it was quite a warm day yesterday, that there was a distinct temperature difference inside and outside the house - much warmer outside, but comfortable inside. Variegated Re: Take Two 83Nov 27, 2017 1:44 pm Coming together nicely - good to hear that the insulation is doing its thing! Take Two 84Dec 01, 2017 8:08 pm There is a bit more progress this week. The plasterers were finishing their work when I visited – they felt they had another hour, maybe two, to finish, so now the rooms have their white spots and stripes. KitchenLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ HallwayLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I was told that the sanding would happen tomorrow, and once that was done, the house would be ready for everything else to happen. My cynicism is such that I’ll believe that when I see it. The kitchen people, however, have been working hard, and have sent me the 3D pictures of my kitchen. When I can work out how to upload PDF files, I'll do so! There are a couple of things that aren’t quite right, and I have asked if these are functions of the drawing program or if changes need to be made. Nice to see it as something other than plans. Variegated Re: Take Two 85Dec 02, 2017 4:54 pm Fingers crossed that your sanding went ahead as planned (good day for indoor work!). If you don't have the software on your computer to convert PDF files to images, then a Google search for "pdf to jpg" will come up with a number of free online tools that'll do the job (and then you just upload the resulting image here as usual). Take Two 86Dec 02, 2017 7:23 pm Thanks for that Algernon. Here are the kitchen pictures. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Variegated Take Two 87Dec 04, 2017 5:50 pm Spoke to the kitchen man again today - he had sent the pictures of the laundry joinery on Saturday - but only to my work address, so I saw them for the first time this morning. Again, a couple of minor things not quite right - principally that there will be only one tap. It will be one of the pull-out spray types, so will be able to reach both laundry tubs easily. LaundryLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The laundry will also serve as my wet studio, (for dyeing) so there will be a top loading machine to be be able to agitate fabric to get an even colour, and one for washing clothes. And yes, that is a microwave shown on the shelf - it's a heat source for dyeing with acid dyes. I was told that the stairs are expected to be installed this coming week, and they are needed so that measurements can be taken for the storage cupboards under the stairs that are accessed from the laundry. I'll hope that this happens, but won't count on it. Variegated Re: Take Two 88Dec 04, 2017 6:39 pm Looks good. I like how you've customised the laundry to your specific requirements! You mentioned some issues - is it just detail, i.e. is the actual layout of cupboards, benches and appliances correct? Take Two 89Dec 04, 2017 7:39 pm Algernon, It is just details. The design has been taken straight from the architect plans, and where I have questions it is about the space allowed, or depth of drawers. I did think that there was going to be 4 drawers in the laundry, but on checking the original plans - there are only three shown. And for me, part of the reason for building is to have the space organised to facilitate the activities - it will be much easier to have all the dyeing equipment in one place. What I asked for during the design process was influenced by Sarah Susanka's The Not So Big House. She advocates thinking about how you live and using spaces for multiple purposes - essentially favouring quality over quantity. I hope that is what I will manage to do with this house. Variegated Take Two 90Dec 15, 2017 8:51 pm Today’s visit to site was interesting, and there has been some very visible progress, not much of it very photogenic! Given that there FIVE people working, and I didn't want to get in their way, only a few photos were taken. Outside –
blocking the full opening of the side door to the garage. Some of the outside plumbing has been finished and there is a large pipe behind the garage for connection to the tanks whenever they arrive!
Inside
I discussed some joinery issues with Kris the carpenter – the quote I have been given for fairly simple shelving strikes me as too expensive, so I’ll get some further quotes, even if I have to do that after handover. Stuff can continue to live in the plastic crates for a bit longer if necessary. I have to choose another floor tile for the ensuite as the ones I had chosen have been discontinued. I was very pleased to hear that the tilers and Kris are expecting to be on site from 8 January next year. At this stage I expect the kitchen cabinets to be installed next week, with the installation of appliances from 15 January when the kitchen people return to work. Still waiting for the stairs – obviously a point of frustration for a number of people apart from me – but I did have some help to make the transition from the top of the ladder to the attic, and so have been able to see the bedroom and ensuite. Main BedroomDoors go through to the ensuite and the wardrobes will be installed in front of the hobbit-door access to storage space.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Architraves on guest bedroom and pantry - full height!Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I took advantage of the Beacon lighting sale on ceiling fans last weekend, and have purchased the five I need, with their integrated light. I decided to get remote controls for my room and the guest room, and of course they only had one left of the simple controls, but I did get a good price on the upgraded models. I hope I will be able to work out how to use them! I have also picked up the red gum vanity tops from the local recycled timber place – being solid wood they are very heavy, so I am glad I had assistance to put them in the garage – I doubt I could have managed to get the ensuite one in without damage to it or to me, as it is 1500mm by 500mm. I could barely lift the “small” one. They are both beautifully wrapped in bubble wrap for transport, so no pictures as yet. Tomorrow I collect the toilet suites, and Monday it’s the laundry tubs. So I remain really disappointed that the house wasn't ready this year, it is starting to come together quite well. Variegated Re: Take Two 91Dec 16, 2017 2:55 pm I can understand your disappointment about not finishing before the year. Nice to see the progress, though, and the amount of activity that seems to be going on. And at least with the stairs not being in yet, it reduces the period during which they're subjected to accidental damage by various trades (I understand that can be an issue sometimes....) Take Two 92Dec 20, 2017 5:43 pm Having picked up fittings on the weekend and Monday at lunch time, the boxes were making visibility when reversing the car quite difficult - apart from not being able to fit anything else in! I took them out to site today. Lots of things have happened! Even in a couple of days it is quite amazing how much can be done when people try! Outside: Weather boards have been painted. Rendered walls are still to receive their paint Scaffolding removed Front doorLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Street side from the westLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Inside: Kitchen installation has begun. I have waited for what seems like forever for my lovely long bench space. The pantry and living room spaces were very full of kitchen components – drawers and shelves, and it really doesn’t look as if they will all fit. I’m very happy with the kitchen, and I think it will function very well. Kitchen from the living roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen from the PantryLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Stairs have been delivered, and are half installed. This will allow measurements to be taken to enable quotes for the joinery under the stairs, which is good. Stairs (finally!)Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Door to the coat cupboard in the entry has been installed. Waterproofing in both bathrooms and laundry has been completed. Scaffolding in the studio has been removed, so it is possible to get the full effect of the double height ceiling – it’s a big space. No photos of that yet as it was rather full of tradies doing their thing, and I didn’t want to get in their way. Also had discussion with builder about what will happen outside - I want a walkway around the house, both for ease of access and to help protect the foundations. He thinks that concrete would be the cheapest option, so a bit more thinking will have to be done. Variegated Take Two 93Dec 22, 2017 7:41 pm I have chosen a substitute tile for the ensuite floor. The tile shop suggested a stone tile, which, when I looked it up on the web site, would have made a nice floor, except that it was shades of brown. The previous choice was charcoal, so I had to go looking at what is now available. The lady I was dealing with today actually remembered the choices I had made previously - literally some years ago now! They did have a similar tile to the one suggested in a grey, but as it is real stone, it would need sealing, and it wasn't cheap. So I have chosen this one - Ensuite floor tilesLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ It's a porcelain tile, so doesn't need sealing, and is a little darker than it appears in the image. I think it will set off the red gum vanity tops nicely. It is, of course, even more expensive than the stone, but it's going to be around for a long time, so I think I might as well have what I like. Variegated Re: Take Two 94Dec 22, 2017 9:27 pm Good to see the progress photos! Nice tile choice - how large are they? Take Two 95Dec 23, 2017 3:20 pm Algernon, The tiles are about 5 inches long I guess - they're not tiny. I didn't think to put something in the photo to give scale. Variegated Take Two 96Jan 19, 2018 8:44 pm First site visit for 2018 this afternoon. Hot day in Canberra today, and there was a noticeable temperature difference in the house where the doors and windows were not open, and where they were. One of the tradies was telling me that the house was warm on the cold morning we had last week too. All that insulation is doing it's job well. Stairs installation has been completed, and I was finally able to walk up the stairs to the bedroom. Stairs from attic bedroomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Painters were on site, and expect to complete interior painting on Wednesday of next week. I think this will depend on whether or not the sealer needed for the rendered walls (which has been ordered) arrives. The lime in the render is apparently not good for paint. All the cavity sliding doors have been removed from their cavities, and have received at least an undercoating. They were all casually leaning against the walls in the study. All skirtings and architraves have been completed, and I have shaped skirtings around the rounded-off strawbale walls. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pelments over the north doors in both living room and studio are in place - they will have LED uplights on top. Studio from the stairsLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Living roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Fire sprinkler pipes no longer protrude into rooms, but have snug little caps at ceiling level. They pop down if they are ever required. Kitchen is swathed in plastic, and is about 2/3 completed. This photo is taken from the same place as the previous photo from 22 December to show the progress. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchenfrom the living room - bookshelves to house the cookbook collectionLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Entry coat cupboard, linen press and broom cupboard, guest room wardrobe, and under stair storage accessed from the laundry all have their doors. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Outside, a large hole has been dug between the house and the street - I assume it is for the sewer pod. And the supports for the screen between the house and the garage have been concreted into place, whilst the finishing touches to ensure the joins between weathertex boards and rendered strawbale are waterproof are done. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Looking like a proper house now. Variegated Re: Take Two 97Jan 25, 2018 9:21 pm Definitely looking like a proper house. Glad to hear that it's already holding its own during the heat! Take Two 98Jan 31, 2018 7:11 pm See this hole dug for the sewer pod? See how it is full of water? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Seems I have my very own underground stream which now needs to be diverted so it doesn't run under the house, or cause the equipment to float. Do the unexpected costs never end? Variegated Re: Take Two 99Feb 01, 2018 8:33 pm Ouch - really sorry to hear about that. At least you've got a water source for the garden during the dryer months? Take Two 100Feb 03, 2018 11:24 am For the second week running there has been no workmen on site when I visited - very frustrating not to be able to get in let alone the lack of progress! From what I can see, the sum total of the past two weeks work is this - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ a flat green mushroom that is the sewer pod. The builder emailed that they would be building up the soil around the house this week, but they seem to have only pushed a bit of sand around - just enough to make it soft and sinky and difficult to walk on. I guess it is good that the outside has been cleaned up a bit, and all the piles of scaffolding pieces have been removed, but is it too much to ask that the finishing on the inside gets done too? I did get a phone call from the tile shop this week - looking for the builder rather than me - and they were a bit non committal when I asked if the tiles were available, so I hope there are no problems brewing there. Algernon - if I can access it, the underground stream would be useful for the garden - it has been diverted to the stormwater channel on the other side of the fence you can see in the photo above. Will need to do a bit of fence hopping with some flexible pipe. 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 20536 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 21000 2 3058 |