Stellabella's second build - work stopped...again - 1 month+

stellabella · Jul 23, 2018 9:06 pm

Reaver, the insulation/thermal qualities are fantastic. Durability wise, not so great. We sold our first house when it was less than two years old, and had no issues; however we are living in my parents' house (built a year and a half before ours) which is also Hebel and is nearly 7 years old. The builder has had renderers repair cracking on one end of the house (the same end which has had quite a bit of movement). DH has also had a few 'incidents' with the mower and whippersnipper which wouldn't have damaged brick.

That being said, we are still using it on the new house, but we are being selective about where it's going. We're using Linea on the rest of the house.

reaver · Jul 23, 2018 9:09 pm

Thank you for the feedback stellabella. Good luck with your 2nd!

stellabella · Aug 31, 2018 9:05 pm

Slabbed!

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

KatrinaH · Jan 06, 2019 8:31 pm

Did your house get completed Stellabella? Or did you get caught up in the mess?

stellabella · Mar 11, 2019 1:37 pm

Hi everyone,

I haven't done an update in a few months, unfortunately our chosen builder went into liquidation just as our frame was finished, meaning we have been going through the process with QBCC. This deserves a whole other post of it's own, as there is very little information out there (from what I could find) on how it works...in time, I'll do this too.

Let's just say...we had no choice as to which builder we ended up with, and we are not impressed so far. We have only just signed the contract (nearly five months after work stopped) when other builds have already recommenced. We don't feel we've been given a 'comparable' builder, product or contract, as this builder doesn't use local suppliers, is not as flexible with many items and have a lot of additional fees over and above a standard contract for items we are trying to upgrade. We don't even feel that we want to live in this house, it's not going to end up the way we wanted, which is very disappointing. The builder and bank are both disputing their processes, which is where we are stuck at the moment.

We are hoping work commences soon, as we are expecting our first baby in August and were hoping to be in the house by then...but each day that passes we are more and more worried that this won't happen. I will try and be more present on here now to update our experience, happy to answer any questions anyone may have on the process so far.

alymei · Mar 11, 2019 4:27 pm

Oh no thats such a shame to hear, definitely not what anyone wants to go thru

stellabella · Mar 12, 2019 1:48 pm

Here are some pics (from October) of what stage the house got to. I haven't been out there in a couple of months now, I'm not sure how the frame is holding up. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough if that will also need to be replaced.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

stellabella · Mar 18, 2019 3:16 pm

Colour selection completed, we had to sign off on it without any of our 'upgrades' which they will do variations for, as they are expecting the building approval any day now and want to start asap. It's honestly been so long that I don't believe anything will happen anymore! But fingers crossed it does. Here's the list of items we are upgrading:

· Upgrade laundry external door to JST1 with clear glazing
· Upgrade all internal doors to HAM4
· Provision for connection of 2nd plumbing fixture (overhead shower and mixer) in ensuite shower (owner to supply fittings)
· Laundry trough changed to Mizu Round 430 sink
· Kitchen sink to be supplied by owner. To credit existing sink.
· Pantry sink to be supplied by owner. To credit existing sink.
· Ensuite, bathroom and PWDR mirrors to be supplied by owner. To credit existing mirrors.
· Kitchen and pantry splashback tiles to be supplied by owner. Extra cost to upgrade to laying of feature tiles (either hexagonal or herringbone).
· Floor to ceiling tiles on all walls of bathroom (2 walls currently already floor to ceiling).

Some of these items were existing variations from previous builder which 'technically' new builder has to abide by, will be interesting to see if we have to argue this point when the pricing comes back or not! I am so far past the point of caring any more though...I just need a house!

stellabella · Mar 18, 2019 3:23 pm

Something funny that crossed my mind today (okay, it's not that funny, but in times like this you take anything!) - I want to buy a second hand change table and paint it, and I was looking into what paints are 'safe' - low or no VOC, toxins, etc - put waaaaay too much thought into it before it occurred to me that we will (hopefully) be moving into a brand new house with the baby that has just been painted with normal VOC paint and maybe I should just paint the damn change table now, as by the time the baby's born - the VOC should be gone, or there'll be more in the house anyway. The things you don't even think of before you have kids! :roll:

alymei · Mar 18, 2019 3:50 pm

I didnt realise that you need to choose stuff al over again! I dobt think I could handle lol. Pm me who the new builder is

stellabella · Mar 18, 2019 3:53 pm

alymei

I didnt realise that you need to choose stuff al over again! I dobt think I could handle lol. Pm me who the new builder is

I know right! And they obviously don't have the same items/products as standard, so it's a bit of a mine field. The most annoying thing was the paint, it's hard enough to choose once, let alone twice!

alymei · Mar 18, 2019 3:56 pm

Im sure it will be fine in the end- what paint colour did you choose?

stellabella · Mar 18, 2019 3:59 pm

They use Wattyl Paints, we've gone Wattyl White inside (we were originally having two internal colours as previous builder allowed this as long as one wasn't just to one wall or something, unfortunately they didn't note this on the specs and we didn't think anything of it at the time), and Castle Grey to the Linea outside, the render will also be the Wattyl White. New builder doesn't even let you have the doors, skirts and archs a different colour to the walls even though they are gloss...crazy.

We did want grey walls to the living/kitchen/hallway etc with just white to the bedrooms, but since we had to pick one colour, we went the white...figure it'll be easier to paint over later than grey.

TiredHalo · Mar 20, 2019 8:19 am

stellabella

They use Wattyl Paints, we've gone Wattyl White inside (we were originally having two internal colours as previous builder allowed this as long as one wasn't just to one wall or something, unfortunately they didn't note this on the specs and we didn't think anything of it at the time), and Castle Grey to the Linea outside, the render will also be the Wattyl White. New builder doesn't even let you have the doors, skirts and archs a different colour to the walls even though they are gloss...crazy.

We did want grey walls to the living/kitchen/hallway etc with just white to the bedrooms, but since we had to pick one colour, we went the white...figure it'll be easier to paint over later than grey.

Yeah our builder only allow one internal colour as standard (from a limited choice of their own 'special' colours), with doors/skirting/architraves the same colour but gloss as well. I went in expecting to allow a different colour, as our first build had that. We also went white inside.

stellabella · Mar 20, 2019 1:07 pm

It doesn't even make sense to me, I actually thought the gloss was a different paint, so why would it matter if the doors/skirts/archs were a different colour? Oh well, if they are still using the same painter they mentioned on FB a while ago, I know him so I might try and speak to him directly and see what he's willing to do...we'll see.

Got a call from new builder this morning, they tried to go out yesterday to have a look but "couldn't get access" because of the long grass - I'd arranged for it to be slashed last week but he had mechanical issues and couldn't get there til today, so I've let them know there'll be clear access from this afternoon. Hopefully this means some action soon!

opti · Mar 20, 2019 1:31 pm

stellabella

It doesn't even make sense to me, I actually thought the gloss was a different paint, so why would it matter if the doors/skirts/archs were a different colour?

When it’s the same colour they don’t have to be too careful when cutting in edges, so it take much less effort & time.

stellabella · Mar 20, 2019 4:36 pm

Updated selections done with new builder:

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Bathroom main tile

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Ensuite main til

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Main floor vinyl plank

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Mixers for bathroom shower, both baths

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Mixers for ensuite shower

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Outlets for both baths

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Media room carpet

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Bedroom and robe carpet

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Ensuite bath
Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
WC and ensuite toilets

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
External cladding colour

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Internal walls, doors, external render (looked whiter in person...hmm)

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Kitchen and pantry splash tile - trying to decide between this or the herringbone version

I don't have a photo of the the mixers, they are just black gooseneck mixers. We did purchase 2x black/chrome gooseneck/pullout mixers, but we're undecided at this point if we'll use them. We'll see! We are having custom made vanities for ensuite, bathroom and powder.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Caesarstone - Oyster to kitchen and BBQ area benches

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅
Polytec Tasmanian Oak to kitchen overheads and oven tower, pantry, and benchtops of laundry and all vanities. Remaining cabinetry is Polytec Polar White Sheen (including WIR).

That's all I can think of for now

alymei · Mar 20, 2019 6:33 pm

We are using the hex in our bathrooms!

stellabella · Mar 20, 2019 7:29 pm

alymei

We are using the hex in our bathrooms!

Isn't it gorgeous 😍 have you had a price to seal it? The ones I like all seem to be natural stone and require sealing, have no idea what we're in for for that 😕

alymei · Mar 20, 2019 7:33 pm

Im going to seal them myself