Earlier in the week I saw the gutters finished and then the Colorbond sheeting go on. So that completed the roof, and today when I went by it looks like the external insulation (or whatever it is called) is done too.
It looks a lot more like a house now!
My wood has finally stood up tall, but it did need the help of multiple men. Sure, there is a little bit more to go, but it is mostly there so we can celebrate now. Some decent progress that’s for certain!
Not the best photos at night, but here are a couple.
Here’s the Day time shot after they finished the facia!
So first of all, the title says it all, the frame has not gone up and is still sitting next to the slab due to shortages of carpenters. But I did have some updates on some administration. First of all, my corrected contract has been returned last week by the sellers conveyancer. Only a two month wait.
Secondly, the bank got in touch with my broker who advised me that they want the settlement to complete by 15th October 2021, otherwise they will need to submit a new First Home Owner grant application and Form 21. Which will cause delays. Currently with some time allowed for delays due to weather and so on, the scheduled settlement date is the 19th October 2021. So that is something, but those dates obviously don’t match up.
Just like my frame, that is now a waiting game. Once it gets closer, the builder will know if they will be meeting the banks settlement date or not and we can proceed from there. In the mean time, there have been many houses in the estate being built. Including my neighbour across the road, who last Friday got their frame, and then Monday their roof trusses up. This is a Hedges house, so it makes me hopeful that mine will be next.
As you would expect with all the grants and the mass migration that appears to be happening, this appears to have caused some delays. Specifically in getting some carpenters to put the frame up. So the revised completion date is now mid to late October 2021. But there is a change to the specification, in particular the type of reticulate termite treatment that will be used from Plasmite to Kordon.
So instead, here is a look at the proposed kitchen plan, you can see it in action in a previous post, but here are the plans.
Got a phone call today from the agent advising that the builder had the back sliding door round the wrong way on the plans. I gave them permission to swap it to how they wanted to do it. Doesn’t mind me either way. Also I had recently found out that my contract references two different lot and plan numbers, so that needs to be fixed. Still waiting on the sellers conveyancer to approve fixing that one.
Today I went round and saw that the slab for my neighbours have been poured, so now I can truly see how close all these houses will be together. Not exactly something I want, but something I can live with. So hello neighbours. Oh, did I mention that phone call? Well they also said they are looking at it so they can order the windows, doors etc. Means we should see something happening soon.
The wood frame has been delivered to the property! Which continues the trend of following the other two properties which I mentioned in my previous post. As they received their wood last week, and one is already has it’s frame built. So I am hopeful that mine will happen next week.
Check out my wood. Hopefully I will have another update soon.
This is the benefit for off-the-plan builds, multiple being done in one area by the same builder means that the slab can be done even quicker than you expect. As they were already scheduling the build and before you know it, it’s done.
The slab always seems to make it feel small, but at the same time, compared to houses I have lived in, it will be small, especially the alfresco and back yard. But I’ll make it work.
Today I met with the builder for the first time and went through colours and the plans. And I have now signed and approved the entire colour selection. That’s right, all tiles, vinyl planks, bricks, roofing, window frames and paint. All have been selected and I have signed it off.
It only took 90 minutes! Well I looked through a few videos of previous builds when I was last talking with the seller/agent. But I essentially said “Everything in that video except I want to look at the flooring”. So I looked at the builders range of flooring last week and have locked everything in today.
The following will show you what I am getting built, so if you prefer it to be a surprise, don’t go any further.
So here is that video. Difference will be the flooring, location, position on block, smaller property and no double gate (rollup garage door at the back of the garage to drive through instead).
It begins! Site has been prepped and electrical has been run. Also, I have been advised that the plumbing plans are approved so that can be done next and certified.
Not much of an update, but what more can you want?
Contract signed, finance approved and I have a build date. I am building a house! It is an off the plan build with a commence date of 12th April 2021.
It’s official!
I will have some choice of colours but not everything. That will happen in another week or two. Here are the basic plans.
So that is the summary. I’ll keep putting house updates on the page below. Yep a blog, but not like my other blog.
