Pool - stage one the dig & framing

Marking out the pool dimensions and location on site was fun. A few hours with our pool BC was really helpful, so much so we changed the layout of the steps completely. He has 4 kids and thought the design was bad and unsafe, the sales guy and him need to team up I think. So instead of having a swim up ledge all the way along the pool we moved it to just one end and steps were to be triangles not squared as this will avoid cuts, injuries and things that i need want to think about. Great advice. 

Suddenly things just didn't seem right when I was thinking about the steps and location against the fence. I tossed and turned all night long on Thrs and on Friday when they started digging I suddenly needed to move the shallow end to the other end and deep end against the fence. It was an 11th hour change of mind and TOTALLY stressful. I called the BC and he talked me out of changing, but 5mins later I call him back and changed it. Ahhh the guy was digging it and managed just in time to alter the deep and shallow ends, it was mentally exhausting but so glad I followed my instincts and changed it. 

Now our pool will look like the pic on the right instead of left, will probably put in 2 pool gates instead of just one and make left pool fence a bit further to left:

 

Depth of pool 1.2-1.8-1.4

Dimensions 4x7m

The Integrated Pool team worked over the weekend including Sunday to get all the steel framing done in time for the concrete pour/spray on Wednesday (today). The plumbers then came and installed the skimmer box and other pipes they needed to do. Later today I will visit the site and see our future pool complete.

A few pics

Unsure what copper pipes for, will have to ask later. 

Final construction drawings - signed off

So excited we are almost ready and paperwork issues almost finished. Signed off on final drawings now. Here are final images:

Final construction drawings - errors

An email asking when we sign off on final drawings as November was approaching got the ball rolling and bang I have the final drawings. The first set had multiple errors on it and lucky i was able to spot them all. Type of errors noted were:

p. 2 - Note re lattice screening to be full responsibility of owner "after" handover; this is not consistent with all other documents that state it must be complete "before" handover in order to get occupancy certificate.

p.5 - OVEN incorrect location; kitchen culture drawings are correct

p.7 - Note for front door incorrect; front door is PSLM201 translucent DG glass to sidelight (not PMAD104).
p.7 - the evaporative cooling unit is hovering in diagram, probably better to have it attached to roof!
p.7 - Vent for rangehood location not correct if you measure exact location of rangehood base on kitchen culture FINAL drawings.

p.11 - Section X-X must have 20degree roof pitch not 25degree pitch

p.12 - A construction drawing has been removed here for some reason. 'HEBEL' PANEL 470X470 PIERS scale 1:20

p.12 - Also a construction note has been removed
"-Top hat supports at 600CTS to manufacturers requirements"

"-Adjust nogging size to make assembly fit"
 

p.13 - for clarity drawing on right should be titled "GUEST" BEDROOM PROJECTION DETAIL - DETAIL 'A', not "Master".

p.14 - We have finalised all Kitchen Culture drawings and they are perfect as per designed in our Sales Meeting. The plans never reflected the exact Kitchen Culture drawings but we were always told to not worry as on our final plans they will be fixed once cabinetry confirmed. This is where I got worried when reviewing drawings today.  The rangehood and oven are incorrectly located. Our rangehood will not be centered against the window in final construction and this is due to bench requirements with oven not literally next to sink, there is to be a small bench between oven & sink. Here are correct measurements:
KITCHEN - A  drawing (sheet 14):
- along bottom are 5440 not 5430; this is reflected in p.5 also states 5540.

- along top are 1100 (correct), 2855 (not 2383), 950 (not 910), 1635 (not 2137), the top measurement is 2110 CL (not 2592CL).

This does mean the fidly drawings need to be altered, by doing this now come installation of cabinetry it will all fit and we wont suddenly have errors and lots of stress which no Site Supervisors wants.

 

p.15 - Missing half wall tiling to PDR - A & PDR D

p.15 - Missing Full wall tiling to BATH - A & B &C & D

p.15 - BATH - D drawing the mirror is a shaving cabinet the same as ENS - D on page16. The shaving cabinet is meant to be deep recessed BATH - A drawing, the same as ENS - C on page16.

p.15 - No birdseye view of WC toilet set up.

p.15 - WC - D missing location of towel ring next to mini basin

p.16 - ENS - D missing full wall tiling

p.16 - missing drawing of Ensuite toilet (Master bedroom), this toilet will have full wall tiles and also a toilet roll holder.

p.17 &18 - shower bases are tiled too.

Engineering drawings - does the slab to accommodate a concrete pad for hot water system or is this done post slab?

- part of front facade tiled as per national tiles contract, should this be mentioned on page 7 & page 8

Awaiting:
- final slab/site costs now
- insulation variation form
- confirmation of new rangehood as Meile promotion rangehood no longer available
- confirmation of site start...
- pool should be finished soon.

Final Argus & Clipsec (Electrical, entertainment & Data) drawings

This is husbands domain and I chose to not pay attention here. 

Although I did correct a few errors last minute like:

- Power points at each end of Island, not 2 at one end

- 3 way switch was accidentally left as 2 way

- smoke alarms to be on own circuit & upstairs we changed 1 of the 3 alarms so we have mix of ionisation and photoelectric smoke alarms. Ie both smoke, flames and smouldering will now be picked up. 

- pre wired intercom monitor locations corrected

- data points all confirmed

- oh a big one- when final post contract variations all done old BC never sent a argus quote, only Clipsec. Well I asked to confirm it was still what we signed on contract day and NO it was $7k higher!!! A quick check confirmed that when asking how much Honeywell security system was they assumed we wanted it despite saying no way it's too expensive. So tip - double check all your paperwork even if they don't show you it all. 

- Yes we added LOTS compared to standard PD home but still didn't get solar electricity; perhaps in years to come we will add some next to the solar hot water panels and solar pool panels if we have room!

Final drawings for cabinets by kitchen culture design team

So this week PD seem to be getting their paperwork organised. Kitchen Culture department do all the cabinets for kitchen laundry and all bathrooms. At first glance they looked fine but closer look showed a few issues:

- the range hood has moved position and so has stove & oven. I like the new position as it gives a bigger draw set next to sink but now not centred in kitchen. I'm fine with this. 

- the biggest issue was the overhead cupboards were all different widths. It was done to match below but looked ridiculous. Our island bench is there and no one will notice if upper don't align with lower cupboards but will notice if 5 cupboards all vary in size. 

Check out pics. 

Corrected kitchen drawings are:

- love the island setup

- in the walk in pantry they have made void areas. I'm not paying for wasted space; every bit if space must be usable in my opinion so they are opening void areas. See before and after pics

- main bathroom and master ensuite both have mirrored shaving cabinets instead of plain mirrors, the profile pics didn't note the deep recess we are paying for. So this was corrected. 

- Other pics for powder room and guest ensuite

- Laundry looking good. Washer & dryer under full length stone bench just like I needed. Will install hanging rod under cupboard to hand shirts after ironing them (if I iron them). 

Woo hoo council approved setback & garage

So happy council just approved 8m setback instead of 9m and the garage flush against fence line. Now we have extra 1m grass area for kids in backyard, woo hoo. 

Last week our builder coordinator quit and so we waited anxiously to see who would replace him. The new BC seems lovely and I think as she's a young mum we have an instant easy rapport with each other; she's already showed she's great at multitasking, efficient and follows through on her word & it's only been a day with her. Good job PD. 

November start date I'm still unsure about because PD still got lots of admin to do, tick tick getting close. 

Reestablishment survey & pool dig

Ok I lost it the other day, the poor pool builder had to listen to me being pissed off. The pool was to be dug Wednesdsy last week so on tue at 4.35pm they call to ask if I have had boundaries marked, datum levels & PD pegged/marked out the building. Are you serious? The night before you plan to dig you request this which could have been asked for months before or at least weeks before to get them organised. I had no idea what they were so suddenly I'm calling PD BC who is impossible to get onto and trying to get magic done in 25mins before 5pm, grrrrrrrr. 

Why can't they did our house is 11m from back boundary fence so not near pool? A quick lesson from pool BC. They need to check datum levels which essentially means if your house sits high or low on ground you want pool to match it or risk having steps up to pool or have pool so much lower all rain run off goes into pool. Lucky we have flat block but still I understand it now. Also if house close to pool you want them aligned so pool not on angle to house a problem if you are paving or decking areas. We have at least 5m of grass between house and pool so not such an issue. 

Two days later my BC has requested reestablishment survey for new levels, boundary markings etc. we wait for "early next week" so that means Mon/tue.  The pool dig re planned for Wednesday. Today. 

I quickly visited site today and hooray they have marked boundaries but no pool diggers. So a few calls later I have PD chasing datum level survey report & soil/slab report. Pool builders happy to almost start but need levels still. 

Had no idea I'd be so excited over some marks!

Looks like neighbours fence crosses boundary...

Ground flat, water meter moved, & fence done

Ground all flat. Demolition company did a good job. A few extra $ added to take away fence which practically was lying on ground and organise the plumbing capping. 

A few pointers

- if removing massive trees or stumps get big excavator to did a trench around stump so tree grinder can get most of stump out. 3rd visit and still we have stump in ground causing issues for fence guy. Dreading the pool dig & more roots. 

- we still have some stray pipes in ground along boundary of property metal and terra cotta which weren't removed as not near house. Hmm who will get these out??? My guess me.... Neighbour smashed out some for fencing guy but only small section. 

- crossover and footpath damaged by demo team but covered by their wishy washy small print clauses, our $2k bond with council not ours again unlil it's fixed, grrrrrrr. Asset protection guy was nice but has to do his job. 

Moved water meter 600mm to the west to get it out of middle of driveway. Couldn't do further unless we applied to south east water to re tap into mains and move it. I think this was a good compromise that didn't cost thousands. I have a fitzroy box for driveway concreteter to install at house completion; this box covers the underground water junction valve before the 600mm offset bend. 

Fence completed and Jim's fencing did a great job considering the massive tree stump which added at least another day to the job. We've only put up 29.3m of fence as the garage will be on fence line to that point; assuming council approves our garage position. 

Still awaiting electrical pit. Told it will be in before oct 5.... Fingers crossed. 

Post contract variations and confirmations from PD still waiting for. Tick tock. 

Pool to be dug next week... Omg 7x4m pool looks big in my drawings in the dirt today. 

Praying for October start date on house still. 

Big boys fighting with sticks in our future backyard & helping get the neighbours used to their noise. 

Lesson one learnt - demo

I'm a polite timid person, I don't skip queues and hassle people, I wait normally patiently, so building might not be my thing. But yesterday I learnt to keep calling and become ones own advocate. Finally the Demo company said they will come tomorrow as in today after a few daily phone calls asking when when when, previously they said a few weeks in polite emails.

Yippee the house should be gone in a week I thought last night. Good timing because beer bottles from "youth" (as per Neighbour) were starting to build up in the house which is barely standing. 

Today I was talking to Neighbour warning him demo team might come this week. He tells me they already have house flat! What? Wow they started this AM. Soooo excited. Just went to see it and wow no messing around it's down. 

Noted demo team broken driveway. Sh#%. That means my $2k bond with council might be gone. Ouch. They've broken red bin (sure that will be a few $$) but saved green and yellow bin at least.

Fence with Neighbour collapsed needs replacing next week, more $$ but in budget. Neighbour can't afford to pay for it now but he's so lovely so I trust he'll pay us back over the next year as pension budget allows. I hope all our new neighbours as nice as him.  

Our post contract variations we are still waiting on; guess I better start calling rather than patiently waiting there too. So this morning BC says council new laws house must be under 8m high, new roof pitch needed I guess. Also no confirmation on setback issue and garage position on fence line. 

Called united energy and our electrical pit application sent in 8 weeks ago still not sent quote back. Phone got it moving should come this afternoon. Then wait another month for it to be dug, grrrr. 

So excited. 

Colours electrical and tiling appointment questions and list of reminders - World of Style meeting

Here is my list of reminders for all our selection meetings

KITCHEN

Mitred edges to bench

Check cut and decide on cut location

Tile splash back

Confirm window size approved

Confirm what sink in prestige x2

·         Check cupboard and bench top heights

·         Size of pot draws

·         Get adjustable shelves in kitchen cupboards for different sized items with additional holes for adjusting heights.

·         Depth of shelves in WIP & overhead shelves minimum 30cm deep.

·         Cupboards on island bench (bar stool side), also what is depth of gap under bench that side

·         Mitered edges, waterfall benches in kitchen

·         Kitchen island benchtop, check where joins will be placed. What max. cut? Confirm size.

·         Splashback join locations, whats max. length of cut?

·         Size of window in kitchen, largest possible in that splashback space. Centered.

·         Soft close handless draws

·         Check size of fridge area (Need greater than H178, W 91.5, D78)

·          

Cabinets

Kitchen & Laundry –check same as tender drawings.

Ensure multiple holes for adjustable shelves, check if any fixed shelves

Soft close handless draws

Linen cupboards & cloak cupboard

FAÇADE

Tile for render area.

Will pillar be hebel or tile?

DOORS

Front door – choose glass next to it. Pick paint colour of door

Sliding doors – lockwood privacy locks

TV room sliding door

Internal doors

Cupboard doors

Garage door

Choice of door stops

BATHROOMS

·         Upgrade shower screens to Grange Series Overlap semi frameless. Master ensuite shower single panel of glass. 

·         Check location of taps in shower

·         Vanitys, Do they have draws or cupboards.

·         Towel rails and toilet roll holders

·         Bathroom mirror – how long it is, full length? Tiled behind it or plastered?

·         Sealing tiles - Polished porcelain tiles and natural stone products may need to be sealed.  

HWS gas booster do we need to manually turn it on or automatic?

Showerscreens – Check upgrade screen & glass panel for ensuite

Kids bath, get bigger size.

Freestanding bath choice - Kado Lure

Shower Hose insertion point– set the height to when hand shower nozzle dropped it is just shy of hitting the floor.

½ wall tiles to toilets, full wall bathrooms

·         Is it possible to have Cirque Freestanding Bath 1690 (available from Reece, 9502400)

·         How big is the window in the master bedroom ensuite? What is its height from ground?

·         Will the bath tap in the master bedroom ensuite come from which wall or have to be a floor mounted spout? 

·         If floor mounted tap I want to know what tap you use as standard.

·         Also in the master ensuite upstairs the location of the towel bar is a challenge, suggestions welcome.

·         Finally re the master ensuite, the size of shower is large. Instead of a stegbar shower screen we want a frame-less panel of glass be used as screen

·         The upstairs toilet we need to discuss the size and location of the sink as this area may indent into the bathroom as we want a cupboard & sink. I would like the Caroma Pearl basin on a small wall hung cupboard, ie a small version of bathroom, big enough that i can put a soap dispenser on it & in single cupboard fit a spare toilet rolls etc. I have exact version sample photos if you need. If I can't do this then can I suggest the White Stone Hox Mini Basin (Reece code 9500530).

·         All baths to have MIZU push plug chrome.

·         Location of towel rails, toilet roll holders etc in bathrooms/toilets,

·         We want the MIZU drift toilet roll holders (but varies from left/right depending on toilet). the MIZU drift Single towel bar chrome we'd like but need to confirm length for each room based on where we can place them. Also the MIZU drift robe hook chrome wanted in couple of places. And the MIZU drift Towel Rack Chrome is wanted in the Guest bathroom downstairs above the bath.

LAUNDRY

Sink dimensions

PAINT – Wash n wear paint?

WARDROBE

HT of rails in WIR

Sliding robes

TILES

Granite slab for mantle piece of fireplace & the floor (paz gp – brazil black?)

Tiles to ½ wall behind ALL toilets & walls next to toilets

Floor to ceiling cost

Tile edges are they covered with silver strip like in some display homes or edge of tile seen

STAIRS

Carpet on stairs as runner

ELECTRICAL

Slimline

Smoke detectors on own circuit

LED down lights slimline ones for under kitchen bench

LED with diffusible cover (ie more gentle on eyes) warm white. Garage white light

Higher wattage for certain areas

For each china man hat not used, $48 back

Datahub under the stairs

WiFi extender

32amp for pool

Electric car, ? different power need.

Note power needed for DWx2, Microwave, Ovens x2, rangehood, Fridge, WM, Dryer, Rain water tank, Evaporative cooling & heating, Solar HWS, Garage door,

Location of heating and cooling vents – ZONED A & B

Zoned lighting, controls for Shabbat, load spreading.

3 phase power pit organised

Install electrical conduit to provide 12 volt electricity for garden lighting

Install household surge protector at meter

Circuit for pool equipment

Digital TV Aerial

Check HEIGHTS of all lights & powerpoints & datapoints in study and tv room

A small light in the feature niche in the en-suite that’s low voltage

If you have under bench microwave, consider installing an extra power switch at nearest power point so it can be easily switched on/off to save power
Install electrical conduit under driveway or path to provide 12 volt electricity for garden

Intercom- upstairs too

load-spreading for multiple areas & also for Shabbat timers

FIREPLACE

Fireplace bevelled edges to black trim. Half in and half out. Mantel & floor (like picture). Rear venting. Heat & Glo 6000 TRSI-AUD (rear vented) unit. TRIM 3 black, barrelled. Set ½ in1/2 out. Ie 150mm in

WATER TANK SELECTION Colour of tank