Wed 9th July, '08

Hey guys, well i've spent 13 hours at the house today, from 8.30 am to 9.30pm when i locked the door behind us. I can't remember when i've been this tired!!!

Anyway, the Spotted Gum timber floor is half done. The colour looks different under different lights. The downlights and the camera flash have changed the colour in some of these pics....But i'm definitely in LOVE with the Spotted Gum. Just like my Nova Aurora benchtops, i'm so glad i selected them. Anyway, more blinds installed today, more boxes unpacked and some rooms are beginning to take shape...with my little touches!

Two of Henley's Maintenance guys turned up today and rectified the minor issues....Great effort guys! Just the garage door and insulation now to rectify and we're done! Hopefully that will be done soon.

Some more piccies before i go to bed....have an early start tomorrow, 7.30am when the tradies turn up to install the appliances. Telstra comes tomorrow too which will be good, then i can apply for internet!!!

Our ensuite:

Bathroom:

And how do i keep our 4yo quiet for that long???
It was difficult, but:

LOL, you use whatever works!!!!!!!!!

I'll try to update you all tomorrow, but i will be at the house for about 14+hours, so might not have the energy to type....bad enough driving home when you're THAT tired..... zzzzzzzzz (*yawn*)

Update from 8th July '08

Hey everyone!

Yes we settled on the house today!

We met Luke, our Handover Supervisor at 9am at the house and the normal 20 min. inspection actually went for a lot longer. We ended up at the Sales Office in Narre Warren to do the obligatory handover of the bank cheque. It all went well actually and we returned to the house at about 10.30.

There are a few things to rectify, which are being dealt with at the moment, and i have the maintenance guy turning up tomorrow at 8.30 to do most of those. The major ones are the garage door panel with handle that requires replacement and is presently on order and the other issue is the ceiling insulation has not been installed properly, meaning, it does not extend to the outer section of the roof eaves. Kevin picked this up and it needs to be rectified. Kevin will return to confirm it and the other things have been done correctly.

As mentioned, Ian returned to work shortly after handover and i made a couple of trips back and forth to the house with the car full of clothes and things that i have been accumulating (some via ebay!) over the past 12 months....lol

What did i achieve today??? Well i brought the laptop and cranked up the music LOUD and worked away like mad!!! I cleaned the benches and shelves, swept and vacumed the concrete floor, stocked the pantry with some basic groceries, hung the clothes in the respective robes and unpacked boxes and put the stuff away in their new "homes". Ian brought more stuff for the house when he arrived after work. He installed 2 of the chocolate window blinds and the balance is scheduled as his job after work tomorrow....

Here are some pics:

Luke, Ian and Matt at the inspection:

Our Laundry:

The kitchen:

Our WIR (a work in progress there):

More chocolate blinds going up (this time in the theatre):

Tomorrow, i'll be meeting the timber floor installer and the Henley maintenance contractors at 8.30 on-site, so another busy day planned. I'll keep unpacking more boxes and seal the grout if i can.

We've only just got home and I'm really, really, tired, so am about to hit the sack....

Hmmmm........now the hard work starts......no more sleep-in's for me i think!!!

Update from Sun 6th July, '08

Well since Friday, i've downloaded some pics for you guys
(sorry their small, they're off the mobile).

Here's some of the Telstra contractors digging our trench. They dug from the lead in cable which was locate in the middle of the driveway diagonally across the front of the house to the meter box on the other side of the house, so about 25m's?:

And the result! Our very own madison box!!!:

Anyway, we went down to the house again this afternoon.

We noticed that the mirror in the ensuite was taken down and replaced with another one over the weekend.



Some of the laminex end pieces of the upper kitchen cupboards beside the rangehood, had been taken down and replaced.



The side panels of the ensuite and bathroom cabinets were still off today too....



We've had an issue with the top laminate strip on the side shadowline area of the cabinets. This is what it looked like before:





Hopefully they are replacing the side panels of the 2 cabinets (bathroom & ensuite), they have to be back on tomorrow, and ready for handover on Tuesday.

The only thing that will be outstanding out of ALL the items i have been told, is the single panel of the garage door that requires replacing, because they installed a handle incorrectly.

Anyway, the reason for heading down to the house this afternoon was to paint/seal the garage concrete floor. We swept and i vacuumed it, looking like a complete nob! :roll: :roll:

Who in their right mind vac's their garage!!! lol...but i needed to make sure there was minimal dust before we painted.

Here are some pics:



We ran out of paint, 3/4 of the way through the job, so i had to run off the Bunnings to get another 4lt tin. It really soaked it up!!! When i came back we needed to use the car headlights as the light had just about gone!





I'll head back there tomorrow to roll on the 2nd coat myself. Then we can start to move stuff in during the week!!!

If we didn't seal the floor in there, we would never get around to doing it, so it's best to do it now....lol...that's me, always pre-planning!

Henley still need to come back tomorrow and do ANOTHER clean of the house, as its still not presentable...and there is still some broken bricks etc. that are still on site that requires removal since they rectified some issues.

Nearly there!

Update from Fri July 4th, '08

OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!!

Guess what????????????????????
(Bit of a long story, but........)

We went to the house this afternoon to supervise our Telstra trench being dug. The 3pm appt, turned out to be 4pm as he was running behind schedule!

It seems that Ian installed the wrong phone cable (It wasn't Austel approved) for the lead in cable and the contractor wouldn't use it. But he actually gave us enough approved cabling to lead back into the house to the phone point, so that he could finish the job!!! How nice was that...oh and free of charge which was nice!! LOL, But it cost $300 for the trench?!?!


Anyway it was about 4.30pm and i mentioned to Ian that "L" our Handover Supervisor hadn't called as promised today to advise on the actual handover date/time and we were about to call our Admin Mgr/CSA for her to remind him to call us.......but at that moment our C/M "G", drove up and we asked him to chase up "L" for us.

Anyway while we watched our garden get dug up, "G" did his thing with the tradies that were on-site. We're really close he said, you might be surprised he said????......hmmmm.......we thought?????


So at 5.00pm, "L" called and said would you like settlement inspection at 9am on Monday morning!!!

OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!!

I looked at Ian, and Ian said NO...

He can't get time off work without notice so we re-scheduled it for Tuesday at 9am instead!!!

Kevin is meeting our C/M "G" on-site at 9am on Monday to re-inspect the house and will call us with his comments and if all is ok, then we settle on Tuesday!!!

It doesn't really change our plans and timings, just that we will commence moving things in from Tuesday instead of Wednesday which makes it a little less stressful for the weekend move.

So the big day is Tuesday the 8th of July at 9am everyone!!!!

Just thought i'd share!!!!

Update from Wed July 2, '08

LOL, i had to chuckle this afternoon, when our Admin Mgr/CSA - "T" rang me and said she's been reading my Homeone thread and just wanted to let me know that she actually arranges the transfer of the gas and electricity at the settlement meeting.

So i have nothing else to worry about, except for arranging the phone - which i've already done!

How good is that for service!!! Talk about a sweetie!!!

And if you're reading this?

You're a Legend "T" - Thanks so much!!!

Update from Tues July 1, '08

Ok, a bit of an update.....

We received our call from the Handover supervisor "L" today. The final inspection is booked for Wednesday the 9th of July at 9am with settlement thereafter. Kevin will do another inspection either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning with us to give us the go ahead and cover anything that requires further rectification.

"L" is working towards handover on Monday the 9th of July, but will still not commit until the end of this week. They have had tradies there everyday, which is great, but still its all a big rush at the end and we've already knocked back some of the work that they have done and said re-do it!!! I wont settle for any 1/2 done jobs!!!

"L" has been fine with my comments so far and is doing his best to keep me happy.

Time will tell. Worst case scenario - it will be Wed the 9th of July.


Ok well, the schedule is as follows (i warn you, take a deep breath now- cause its hectic!!!):

Friday 4/7

- Telstra trench and madison box being installed (yeah - after all the issues we've had!!!)

Break for the weekend, but their tradies will still be on-site working........

Wed 9/7 (if not earlier)
- 9am - Final Inspection
-10am - Settlement appt in the sales office-will book that tomorrow
-12pm - Timber installer commences
- Start installing the timber blinds

Thurs 10/7
- Timber install continues/concluded today
- 7.30am-4.30pm Appliances installed
- 8am-12pm Telstra fit off
- Finish installing the timber blinds

Friday 11/7
- Carpet install
- 12pm-4pm Ducted heating unit commissioned
- Official moving process commences 11.00am when Ian picks up the truck!!! (yeah!!)
- Hopefully not still installing our timber blinds :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ian will move in from the Thursday....
The rest of the family will move in on Friday night (well the basic's of the beds and clothes will)
The balance will be moved in over the weekend.
Will move our one little doggie, Tiga, in on Monday so that he is not under our feet in the move....


I have found an ISP (Exetel) for our ADSL/VOIP service as ADSL2 is not available to us at this time. And that hopefully will be connected in a week or so (all going well?)

Working out the driveway timings is more painful....up to a 10 week wait for that, so hopefully we'll work something out soon enough....

Its all happening, a bit hectic so havent been on the forum much....
I enjoy this bit, i love the planning side of it. Just need to call up the Gas, electricity and Water providers and open the accounts and it's all done....i think????


Have i forgotten anything???

LOL, oh yeah and guess who has to get up early and get her butt down to the house at those times on those days (with the kids!!!!)

ME!!!!

Ian's leave doesn't kick in till the Friday!!!!

Oh well, at least i'm used to supervising!!!! The tradies are going to love me!!!

LOL...i can just see it now......."eh hem....excuse me....i think you missed something over there, go back and fix it!!!!"

Update from Fri Jun 27th, '08

Hey guys, sorry its been a while.......

We had our inspection with Kevin last Thursday the 19th of June, and it all went pretty well. Surprisingly well actually.

Kevin found 49 issues, nothing too serious which is good to hear....and then we had our walk through this Wednesday the 25th of June, armed with Kev's report and found a further 26 issues. And a couple of external ones that i will actually e-mail them about as we forgot to bring them up at the time (chips in the edges of the alfresco slab and a broken brick that we want replaced on the rear garage wall. The majority of the issues are external, which is good, stuff like one sheet of the front colourbond cladding which has a dent in it, or cleaning of brickwork, etc, etc....

The new garage door is on and the B&D door is so much stronger structurally as compared to the Gliderol, which is great too....BUT....they've installed an external handle on the door, which we originally specifically requested they NOT install.....



SO, now they will have to replace the panel concerned, as we will not be putting up with the garage door looking like it is and i doubt that the entire door will be replaced just for the handle? A bit silly actually, but hey? Could be worse???


We still don't have an "official" handover date and it is really frustrating at the moment!!! I really do think that is where the whole system falls apart. Its not very fair to give someone say one weeks notice that the house is going to be ready??? What would happen if we were renting??? The project management of their houses needs better "management" in my opinon.....

We have checked with the timber installer and the current lead time is 3 weeks, but they do have an window of 2 days that has become available on the 9th and 10th of July for our timber install and we really needed to know today when we can get the house so we can lock it all in. Otherwise it will be the 16th of July- which is just unacceptable!!!!

In speaking with the Handover Supervisor "L" today, and wasn't in the mood to take any b/s from him when he went on about still waiting to hear from so and so....about such and such. We were told we would have a handover date by today, and today i'm being told, i'll call you back on Tuesday!!! :evil: So, I asked again firmly, when i can book the installs- we can't keep everything on hold??? I told him, no b/s now, seriously i'm sick of the run around! I was then advised that they have tradies on-site at the moment, and i can book the timber to be installed on the 9th of July. That they will have the house ready by then.

The 9th is good, but i have asked them to push it so that we can get the keys prior to that date.


So........ it seems that we are less than 2 weeks away from the supposed handover day!!!???? (fingers crossed)


I have agreed with the Handover Supervisor that i will not delay the handover due to the garage door handle, as that can be rectified after handover, BUT as long as all the main issues that Kevin and we found, are addressed to Kevin's satisfaction (he will be coming back for a re-inspection), which seriously aren't that major at all really? We'll be happy to accept the keys. The house is basically ready to go. Things like a clout that is showing on the porch ceiling or something small like that....really negligible stuff, but nevertheless, needing rectification.

I mean let's be reasonable about the whole scenario, a handle on the garage door isn't going to stop us moving in, is it??? That would, really be the most serious and most labour intensive of issues that require rectification....

The installation of the appliances, is another issue too, as Henley's policy is to have delivery and commissioning of the appliances 4 days after handover. We have requested that the appliances be installed and commissioned on the 9th or 10th preferably. So just a bit of pre-planning on their part required....it better happen!!!

If all goes to plan and we have keys on the 8th or 9th (morning at the latest) of July, our timber commences on Wednesday the 9th and completed the next day, then carpet on Friday the 11th of July. We want the appliances on the 9th or 10th. Ian will move in and stay from that point onwards. We want to move in on the Saturday 12th/Sunday 13th and will keep moving towards that. Not moving in before the appliances are in!!! Too damn cold for that!!!

We have asked Kevin to return for a re-check of the house and to confirm that the items have been rectified to his satisfaction. If he says it's good to go, then we'll be happy with that!!!

As soon as i hear the "official" date, i'll let you all know....

Kevin's 1st Pre-Handover Inspection 19th June '08

Well Kevin from New Home Inspections met Ian and I onsite at 1pm today, our S/S and C/M were also present for the whole inspection to go through anything that was required and action it straight away - lots of tradies were on-site today to go though the place. It was a hive of activity!!!

It took Kev two hours, which is not bad i suppose? We're hoping to have his report next week sometime.

The good thing is, there was nothing too MAJOR, structurally that Kevin found in the house, just some notations on a few issues with windows, flashing and cladding etc.

Most of the issues were cosmetic so we're hoping that we are not far away from actual handover now.


We also recieved a call from the Handover dept yesterday to book in our First Inspection next Wednesday (25/6) at 3pm. We should have Kevin's report by then so will have all the info in our hands before the meeting.

Then once everything is repaired/resolved on-site we schedule a Second Inspection and we have asked that Kevin be present for that too, to make sure that everything is spot on. (Of course)....

If we are happy with the 2nd inspection, then we can go back to the office and settle on the house and pick up the keys.

Our new B&D contemporary garage door will be installed next week which is great. We had the painters, cabinet-makers and plumbers on-site today doing their thing, as well as a glazier as the 4 glass panels in our front door had to be replaced. It seems the painters didn't tape them up and when they scraped the paint off, they scratched the glass. I would have thought that it would be cheaper to install a new door on, but hey i'm not complaining...it looks good!!!


So wait and see what Kevin's report brings. It won't be long now.....we hope??

Oh and recieved the final invoice via e-mail today too.....
(the only invoice i am actually looking forward to recieving BTW!!!
- cause it means we're nearly there!!!!!!)

Update from Tues 17th June '08

I did a quick drive-by today and found our Handover supervisor "L" on-site, armed with yellow dot stickers this time (Boy am i over these damn dots!!!). We had a quick chat, but they still seem to be dragging their feet!

"L" mentioned that we will get a call next week to arrange an appointment for a First inspection, but that won't be till the end of the month at least....

Hmmmm not happy!!!!

I know we want everthing done, and we want it done correctly, and we are even bringing in Kevin to speed up this final process. BUT, if it's 2 weeks delay for the 1st inspection, then perhaps 2 weeks to fix any issues, then schedule a 2nd inspection with Kev, thats at least ANOTHER MONTH!!!!

I mean seriously, does it take that long???

I might have to shoot off a few e-mails to try and speed this process up!!!

Watch this space!!!

Update from Mon 16th June '08

Hey everyone, sorry have been taking some time out lately....so have been a bit tardy with my updates.....

We spent last Sunday down Williamstown way. So heres some pics of our lovely city from the other side of town:

Work on-site has been a little slow...
so no real need for updates either...


BUT.........

We have been issued with our Certificate of Occupancy which is great!!!!
Sending that off to the bank tomorrow, just waiting on the final invoice to arrange a settlement bank cheque.

The house officially is being passed over to the Handover Dept tomorrow (17/6) and they will be in touch with us in the next few days to arrange an inspection day/time.

But we thought we'd move things along a bit and have arranged Kevin to come in and do his independant inspection this Thursday (19/6)- independantly of the Handover dept.

The house has had another internal clean and site clean....but it still looks messy outside and there are still some building materials on-site, so we will see.....

By getting Kevin in earlier we will be able to have our report in our hands for the inspection walk-through.... and we will be getting Kev back in again once any touch ups have been done just to make sure everything is spot on. Therefore there shouldn't be any unnecessary delays leading up to settlement.

We've picked a few things already, but we'll leave it up to Kevin to see what he picks as well. The toilet in the ensuite has been moved (we have requested an engineering report on that for our records as well, since the slab was broken and repaired to facilitate the move), all tiling completed, re-plastering and re-painting done, they still need to re-do the render which after reading Louies thread i will be interested to see how that goes. Some damaged cladding requires replacing and general things, but nothing really major that we can see at this point in time.

Getting a little more excited, but still not sure on any sort of handover date as yet!

Anyway, here are some current pics of the house for you:

And the inside (all nice and clean):

Anyway, probably no updates until later this week....
but hoping to have some good news soon!!!!

Update from 4 June '08

The electrician has returned to move the the junction boxes on the garage and the light location in the porch area.

We were told that the rangehood was supposed to be installed today, but it's not in, so we'll check again in a few days.

But here are some pics for the die-hards...

Here are some internals pics (without little red dots everywhere - yeah!!!):

No updates tomorrow though guys.
Its DS's 4th birthday tomorrow so we won't be going to visit the house at all,
but more updates soon....i promise!