External drainage

 Firstly, I have had to move my photo spot. A friend suggested that I take a photo from the same spot each time so that we can put them together into time lapse mode to easily see building progress. So I have been diligently taking a photo from the 3rd hole along in the fence at eye level. As of today, I have a newly erected pole in the way. A new position is required...

Lots of activity today as reported by a few friends. A digger up the back placing the stormwater drainage system in and other pipes being laid for the plumbing. 

Those black crate looking things are going in the absorption trenches in the backyard. Glad the slab has had time to cure enough for heavy machinery to run over the top of it ;-)

SLABBED!

After 18 months of planning (since we bought the block of land) we have a concrete slab. The workers looked at me rather strangely as I stood there with my camera around my neck. I smiled sweetly & waved gingerly. I am one very excited gal right now. Just waiting on the first invoice now which will activate our construction loan - maybe not so excited then.

Formwork completed

 

Formwork is now completed ready for the concrete pour tomorrow. Amazing that polystyrene foam is used for the foundations - mindboggling! Must be method to the madness.

Email from Troy

An email from Troy in regards to my question about timing of jobs.......

"The slab is scheduled for pour this Friday. There will be a curing period after the pour and then we will move on with external drainage, fill removal. Looking to deliver frames just after the Easter break. Construction will go in waves in terms of progress. Some periods of construction will appear to move very quickly and other times may appear slower. We are governed by trade availability and material availability and on site construction issues. There may be a trade scheduled for a particular day and the work may only take an hour or two, however the next work cannot occur on the same day because i don't know what time the first required trade will arrive. Their timing will depend on their workload and which area they are in at the time.
You would have seen signs of this at this stage of construction. There have been days when no one is there due to pending material deliveries, internal drainage install and some other things. The concreter is aware of the pour date that we agreed on prior to starting the work and, at this stage, will have no problems hitting this target date. Hope this helps."

Pre-plumbing

 

Today saw the pre-plumbing done.....

  

....and the delivery of the foam and bits & pieces (insert technical jargon) for the formwork.

Hot water system change

I received an email early yesterday morning from Troy suggesting we relocate the instant hot water system from the study/guest wall at the front of the house to the media room wall. This will improve the efficiency as it will be more central to the water supply points. More than happy to relocate. At tender, I did ask whether installing another system would be advantageous due to the length/size of the house. The study is a long way away from the kitchen! I was told it would be fine.

A busy day today

Work has been non-stop today from very early until at least 5:15pm. As I drove by on my way home this evening, the concreters were still there doing the piering (I think). Earlier this afternoon when I took the photos, one guy said there would be work happening on Monday if not tomorrow to get ready for the slab pouring. Good to see it all marked out on the block. easier to visualise the house & the area it will occupy.

Fencing and the all-important loo!

Resolution of issue

I rang Sydney Water to get advice (this person was not so snootty) and to change my forwarding address so bills come to me not the unoccupied premises. Procedure is to ring PAL to report the crime and then to call back to request a new meter. Once that was done, I needed to organise a plumber to check the pipes to ensure that they are not missing or damaged as Sydney Water can't install a new meter if that is the case. My lovely plumber, Brian, from Asquith Plumbing is checking out the situation this afternoon for me.
Apparently, the crims can get about $3-4 for a meter! Spending spree coming up.

A stolen water meter:-(

Upon inspection, it appears that our water meter has been stolen. All that is left is a tap & a big, constant drip. I have done some Googling and it appears I need to report it to the police to get a reference number and then call Sydney Water.

I have a feeling that moving onto a relatively busy road, from a private access road off a cul-de-sac, is going to be a shock to the system. Mail taken from the letterbox,  people loading our bins up with inappropriate rubbish, stealing water meters....

Does anyone know what this is? Found it sticking out of the ground after the excavation. Suggestions?

Site cut & scrape

I drove by this morning after dropping the children off to school and found I couldn't get far. I was held up by several BIG trucks trying to get on site. Tears welled up & I got the shivers. Eden Brae are on site after 18 months of our planning!

From near the letterbox

 This came from the front of the property - a small stump in the ground that Brad & I couldn't yank out. Now I see why!

 View towards the front - didn't expect that retaining wall.

 

 There is a significant drop down to the grass - not obvious in the photo

 More obvious here as we can't see the grassed area.

Whilst I was there, I found an overdue water bill that had been sitting in the letterbox for a while. Upon ringing Sydney Water, it is because we haven't given them a final reading. I am not so sure where the meter is or even if it is still there. If there isn't a meter anymore, we will have to pay huge amounts for having an unmetered property. I am truly hoping that it is not something that I have to followup with the demolition company. Please, NO! I really wish this sort of thing was properly explained to the client - you sort of find out through default. Sydney Water told me that I needed to call them as soon as the tenants moved out and then again just before demolition.

Introduction phone call made

Today I received my call from Troy - sounds great. Based on the expected good weather, there should be action at the site from Monday with excavation. Concrete trucks are scheduled for later on that week.

Again, I was reminded about not entering the site unsupervised. The letter I received yesterday from Troy outlined the procedures for inspecting. Luckily, I am a girl that abides by rules and does not like to break them! I reckon if I posted photos on here from inside the house, it would be fairly obvious that I was doing the wrong thing (and I know Eden Brae read this blog)!

At last...the magic words!

Our file has moved to the construction phase of building after 12 months in Admin. We have the name of our Site Supervisor, Troy M. Another of my fellow HomeOners also has Troy as her supervisor and seems satisfied.

"He has been great so far. Very on top of things and has addressed any issues that we have had (e.g. shower niches were fixed up when I raised questions about them). He has been very accommodating anytime that we have wanted to go to the house to have an inspection and has been AOK with us employing our own independent inspector as well. Also provides you with screen shots of whats happening over the next 2 weeks so you know what is happening on site, even though you can't see it. When you go and inspect your house, you will notice that he will quickly do a visual inspection as well. He is happy to answer any questions you may have when you meet with him and I have emailed him countless of times with questions."

Here's to a happy build with Troy!

Thinking about the landscaping too

While I am twiddling my thumbs here waiting for the build to move to construction phase, I have been continuing the process of thinking about landscaping. We have a plan submitted to council already which we have to adhere to fairly strictly. We also have a council DA requirement to maintain canopy cover by planting 3 indigenous trees that will grow in time to a minimum of 15m high.

There is a local company called OutThere Landscapes & Design who have done some work for a friend who built with Eden Brae further out west. I really liked the look of what they have done to complete their house so I am keen to get them to do a quote for us. I have sent off my details for a prosposal to be out together. I am looking to 'stage' the development of the gardens (as with the interior decoration of the house) Stage One will be the basic requirements of retaining walls, pool surrounds, turf, tree replanting and possibly creating some garden beds.

I like the look of this pool - simple, practical & easy on the eye.