I've been boxed and waffle podded

I've been boxed and waffle podded!! It looks like the slab will be poured tomorrow, how exciting!! It's the first time I get to the rough shape of my house!

I logged into PD 24/7 today and noticed that they already have it as the slab as being completed so I expect to get the invoice in the mail tomorrow.

My first mortgage repayment is also due on Sunday, so I'm assuming it will come out tomorrow - another first!

Photo time!

The block:


I can't help it, I have to do it on new surfaces


Garage


Portico - front entrance


Main bedroom, ensuite and family, meals kitchen etc


Holding it together


Alfresco


It's quite high/deep


Plastic steel holder thingy


Another plastic steel holder thingy


The blue things keep the waffled pods in the right structure


More holding it all together ready for the concrete


The master bedroom and beyond


They decided to tape the rubbish to the cage instead of putting it inside the cage

Pre-slab

After not going out to my block yesterday partially due to the rain but also as I figured nothing would have happened, today I nearly didn't go as well, but I'm glad I did!

Before I get to the photos I have a question - they have put all this red rock on the block and I can no longer see the piering, does the slab need to be connected to the concrete piers in some kind of way? If they don't, then how do the piers actually work to make it all more stable?

The block


Steel and something blue for the slab


They have put this red crushed rock all over the place but I still started sinking into the ground in some parts... I assume it's due to the mud but not sure


Rock from my block and mud and water puddles


Me on the red rock


Pipes and the red rock, I didn't dare venture deeper into the block due to sinking into the ground


I have waffle pods!


See, more waffle pods!


Thanks to my neighbour for providing storage in the way of having not started building yet



Much needed - check out the mud!

Plumbing has finished

The plumbing has been finished. As you can tell from the photo's it was very wet and muddy today so I didn't venture far into the block for fear of falling over

The block


Ensuite pipes


Other pipes

Plumbing has started

I didn't get to the block yesterday so I'm not really sure if anything was done or not, but today when I got there, the plumbers were working on digging trenches and putting in some plumbing - can't believe they were working today on the long weekend.

My block today


Digger


A trench for some of the pipes


Piles of dirt and pipes



A really deep hole and some pipes


Side view of my block

Port a Loo and Piering!

As I was driving down my street tonight I saw the port a loo and squealed a little bit! Was very excited!! Then I discovered that they had done the piering, all 18 of them!

My block from the other side of the street


Crossover protection


Port a loo and rubbish cage and yes! The plan's are kept in the loo... I figured it was safe enough to check it on the day it was delivered and it was clean! No, no photo of inside :P


Piering!


I reckon they got lazy and ended up joining the tops of some of them, I spose it doesn't matter really


Piles of dirt removed from the piering holes


From the rear left of the block


More piering


To keep with the theme... me on the piering!


Oops! Still wet


From the other side


Port a loo and rubbish cage with rubbish


Ok no more piering photo's LOL!

Official site start today YAY!!

On the 3rd day of the 6th month of the 09 year my site start happened!!! YaY!!!

WOOOHOOO!!

They say things happen in threes - this might be taking it too far though? ::wink::

The contract count down now starts!

Ok photos!!

Front of my block, driveway is to the left



I almost have a tap


My water meter


A square bit dug up - it's part of the front yard so maybe for the porta loo?


At the front of the block


The required feet shot on the newly dug up soil - do you like my new purple gumboots? :D


The rear of my block


The water meter again - it's so shiny!


This is a photo of the road, you can see the driveway in the top right... just a bit of mud!

Buh Bow!

:(

Maybe tomorrow

Site start today!

Woohoo! My SS just called, they are going to start today providing it doesn't rain much. He said yesterday was too wet.
Slab is scheduled for the 12th and frame will start on 15th and the roof should be on by the end of the month and I can get my air con/heater people out then to do the duct work!

Yay!!

Not today

Well site start didn't happen today but I'm not really suprised as it's been a bit wet today and the ground up there looked like there had been a fair bit of rain... ahh well maybe tomorrow :)

Security door's aren't cheap!

Yesterday I decided to stop at a security door place and get a rough cost on the price of some security doors.
For a steel mesh one for the front door and a sliding one for the living area and then an aluminium diamond pattern door for the laundry I'm looking at about $1,600 - $1,700 - ouch! I didn't think they would cost that much but I want to get good quality ones as it's not something that's going to need replacing.

The money I have saved up is is going to be far from enough for everything... bugger! Throw in about $400 - $500 for fly screens and there goes my couch money as I want to have some money towards my blinds still. The couch might have to go on interest free or something instead of paying cash and that's OK providing it's paid off in the interest free time frame (which I always do!).

I'm also trying to work out my money today to figure out how much I need to put aside for rent and mortgage and living and then how much can go into my ING and it's all just doing my head in.... I might just leave my pay in my normal account for now and then once I've paid my rent and mortgage next pay I will know where I am at.

I also need to pay car rego and car insurance... gah too many things to do with money on my mind!

Slab Date

As promised, today I got reimbursed by Westpac for the penalty interest that I was charged by Stockland, the estate developer for delaying settlement.

I have to say, I am extremely pleased with the way that Westpac has handled my complaint about this. Unlike my loan application, it was very hassle free and pleasant, although I think my application issues were mostly with my broker.

I also got official notification from N that my site start is Monday June 1st :D AND the date the slab is booked in to be poured is June 12th, which is a Friday, which is a pay day which means Slab Party! ;) :D

Construction Drawings

I got home to find my construction drawings in the mail and they all look correct YaY!

It looks like my alfresco isn't in the slab design, I assume as someone suggested that it's because I didn't want it under the roof line, but I'm ok with that as I will get it done the same as the driveway.

The construction drawings are quite interesting, all the detail of the concrete and bricks etc etc! Oh and I am having 18 piers done with a P/H slab... Am I safe to assume that I am fortunate my site fees are fixed at about $10k?

Start date is.....

This Monday June 1st!!! :D :D :D :D (according to PD 24/7 anyway!)

YaY!!!!

That would then make Friday November 6th the day before penalties start, so hopefull September/October I will be in my house!

Wooohooo!!

Pre-Construction is now completed

I called N before to see if my start date had been assigned yet and it isn't, but all the SS's go into the office on a Wednesday morning to collect files and no doubt have meetings, so it will be assigned either later today or tomorrow morning before the file is collected!

I also just logged into PD 24/7 and my file has now officially pre-construction and is into construction! YaY!

I should also have my final working drawings at home in the mail box waiting for me! You could say the urge to go home early is high!

I just want that magical starting date :D

Oh and I will have my penalty interest monies back from Westpac in my bank account on Thursday! YaY! Just in time to pay my car rego lol!

Alfresco floor

I really want to have decking in my pergola/alfresco area and the original plan was to just put weed mat down, but last week I started thinking about putting concrete down when I get the driveway done as it might be quite some time (12+ months) before I can afford the decking and then when I can afford to do it properly and I would just go over it. I then read a post on the good old H1 forum that someone building the 23 version of my house is getting their alfresco area included at no charge due to their slab being a H type! Evidently it's due to structural strength or something and everyone else who has needed a H slab has had it done too! Yippee!! :D

I've also been checking PD's 24/7 a few times today and there is now a note in there under Letters with the description "Final Working Drawings Letter" so I assume that means my final drawings have been completed and I should get them in the mail tomorrow! YaY!

It's so exciting having things happen, I know I keep saying it, but it is!

Not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I think there is a Regent 23 going up one street away from me, the slab has just been laid and going from the location of the plumbing it really looks like a Regent 23 so it will be interesting to compare the two builds once I start

Letterboxes

I went to a garden place today and also to Bunnings to check out letter boxes, I was going to go a concrete one but EVERYONE seems to do them and they all look the same. My land contract states that the letterbox must compliment the house, it doesn't have to be concrete, so I'm thinking of maybe getting a nice metal one, here are two I saw today that I don't mind:



and



I also came across this pendant light that could be OK for over my island bench, but it's fabric and I think glass would be better over the sink area:



I also found this garden ornament, it's a penny farthing bicycle with plant pot's attached - I really really really want it! I might go back during the week to pick one up!

Bugger! Rent increase stays

I just got a phone call from Consumer Affairs about my rental increase enquiry... I have to pay the increased amount :(

He asked me about the place and I said it was a very small 3 bedroom unit... and then there was a chuckle on the other end of the line, bugger! Basically no matter the condition, falling paint, tiny rooms etc etc they wont have a problem getting that rent on the rental market if the place was empty, bugger!

He did however say that I can issue a notice to fix within 14 days for the bathroom and then if they don't I can take it to Consumer Affairs and VCAT will laugh at them if it gets that far, especially if I be very co-operative and say I can shower at work during the time they take to fix etc etc so I will be sending that off to them tomorrow! If I am going to pay more rent, I want better conditions!

Hrmmm what else needs fixing?!?

PD 24/7 is handy

I was clicking around the PD 24/7 site today and I noticed that I have a Construction Supervisor! So I PM'ed another person building with PD and asked them if that's my site supervisor and it is!! YaY! I have a SS now, lets call them B :D

I also noticed that proof of land ownership didn't have a date, so I emailed N to find out if what I sent her yesterday was ok and then 10 minutes later she replied saying yes and then I had a date in there. I then also asked about the the field for Availability of Funds and she told me Choice had to send her something, so I forwarded that to my MB and I got an email back before saying that they only got the request this morning and have sent off what they need - I wonder if that was sent off to them after my email enquiry?!?! Either way, it's done and can be ticked off!

I got my plans and permits in the mail today from PD - pretty boring really, but it does at least have the final drawings and the kitchen is correct but one of the doors is still incorrect :( I need to send these off to the bank now to show it's all been approved.

My file will go to the construction department tommorrow!! YaY!

Permits - tick!

I just logged into the PD 24/7 site and saw some progress! My permit(s) were received yesterday! YaY!

Not sure if this means that the DA has been on the on the colours and the design yet - lets hope so.

** Edit: it does include the DA and I will get them tomorrow in the mail. They are still waiting on the final engineering drawings to be done which should be this week

Good job Westpac

Westpac have confirmed that they are going to be reimbursing me the penalty interest charged by the developer and with interest! YaY!

I'm very please with the way that Westpac has handled this and re-confirms how everyone that I have personally dealt with at Westpac has been very good customer service wise.

Westpac also offer a service whereby you can fill in a form for verbal authorisation of the payment to the builder - I'm definitely signing up for that, heaps easier than filling in paperwork each time.

I've also just spoken with my CSA and the permits should be back by the end of the week and hopefully next Tuesday we will have a starting date!!

I had also heard that others building a PD Regent had their towel rails in the ensuite put above the toilet roll holder - how stupid! So I mentioned that I would like that not to be installed, but provided so that I can determine at a later date where I would like it - maybe in the WIR?

I should also get my final drawings at the end of the week or early next week too!

How exciting!! Stuff is happening again! :D

Start by June 5th

Someone else I know building with PD was told during the week that if they didn't meet their site start then it would be pushed back to October - ARGH! So I emailed my CSA on Friday to ask if that would also happen to me and her reply was:

Once construction have your file we will commence with in 2 weeks of this, whether that's may or June. I don't know your friends job so I can't really comment on what she has been advised from her Customer service assistant. But be rest assured when we hand your file to construction on the 22nd May we will commence as soon as we can.

I'm thinking that this could be yet another difference with Access v's Prestige and Lifestyle builds OR it's the number of houses they have booked in ready to go in the area's...

So, this means that I should see something happen on site before June 5th!! :D

I drove past my block on the weekend and saw that a few blocks in my stage have finally started to build! Some of them had temporary fencing, I hope the council hasn't changed their regulations about the temp fencing - I don't want yet another cost especially cos I have car rego and insurance due which is going to make another dent in the savings account.

Hopefully this week the permits come in and I get my final house drawings to sign off on.