Bank cheque

I am the amazed holder of a CBA bank cheque. This is our final payment to Eden Brae and gets handed over to them on a visit to the office next Monday when we pick up the keys. Fortunately the last payment was much easier than the very first payment - probably the most stressful time of the build. We sent off the invoice, a valuer came to the property, we picked up the bank cheque....ready for Monday. As a word of warning, some banks require other documentation (proof of insurance, interim occupancy certificate etc) but CBA only required the valuation.

Today was the final electrical fitoff - outside lights, appliances, aircon unit/control panel, doorbell, hot water service. They were still hard at work at 5pm when I turned up for some photos. I was able to get a riveting photo of the aircon & gas hot water service ;-)

 

I received a call today from Troy informing me that Baumatic (supplier of appliances) are going through some financial difficulties at the moment and therefore there are some issues with supply. The incorrect oven was delivered today (to be rectified) but our dishwasher could not be supplied. Troy offered us a Venini dishwasher which we accepted to get us over the line for Monday. From what I hear Baumatic and Venini are pretty much as bad as each other!
Tomorrow will see the cleaners come through again for a final clean before settlement and Friday, the site will be cleaned ready for the big day on Monday.

A quick spontaneous inspection....

....but sorry, no photos! I made a visit to the house this afternoon to see if I could take photos from outside. The carpenters were still there and so was Troy. After a chat, Troy offered a quick run through the house before he had to leave to go elsewhere. Happy to!
It was great to see the gyprock on, cornices, some doors on, stairs installed etc. Gives a better idea of the size of rooms. Other things noted include
* The garage door is on but hidden out of view
* The laundry cupboards are amazing - LOVE!
* The lowered ceiling in the powder/mud area doesn't look too bad really
* I really don't like the airconditioning box in Bed 3 :-(
* The decorative corbel has been taken off and half of it replaced.
* The wardrobes for the children do not seem very deep at all (450mm)
* The manhole has had to be moved to Brad's WIR due to a roof truss being in the way.
* Bricks can be left for us to use for landscaping
* The noisebatts and soundcheck gyprock has been installed between BED 1 and BED 2.
Troy confirmed that all is still on track for work to progress as per the latest screenshot.

Building variation

Last week I was sent a Building Variation to the contract by my CSO following my aircon site meeting with Troy. I returned the variation to be amended as it did not include the lowered ceiling solution for the ground floor. When it was emailed back to me, the height of the ceiling was recorded at 2300mm rather than the 2400-2450mm discussed on site. Not happy with that, Rania suggested I call Troy to clarify. Troy said that he would ensure the best possible scenario for me regardless of what was on the piece of paper.
By the way, when I asked him about yesterdays 'no show' he said he only found out in the afternoon that the electricians hadn't been there. It doesn't explain why he wasn't there or why he didn't respond to my messages.
On site, there was a fair bit of action but I just don't know what!! Up to 4 utes there and working until at least 3:30pm. From the fence line, everything looked the same!

Lower roof completed

Lower roof done today. Most of it is out the rear of the house which is a no access zone  - sorry, no photos.
I received my Building Variation today for the airconditioning changes to be made as per yesterdays visit. One half of it (the ground floor ceiling height change) was left off the paperwork. I alerted Rania who will amend this Variation before I sign it.
Howard Ryan called today to finalise his independent inspection time and payment for next Thursday late afternoon. He does this first inspection prior to internal linings/lockup.

Vanity idea??!!

I met Troy on site today but forgot to ask him if Eden Brae can get our vanities hooked up like this. I heard they also come in white! Cool idea.

I met Troy to discuss some issues with airconditioning. At the plumbers/Troy's suggestion earlier, we moved the hot water service to the media room wall to help with efficiency. In fact, it was moved to the family room external wall right where the outdoor airconditioning unit is to be positioned. I agreed that it was OK to be moved to the media room wall instead. In fact, we agreed it would probably be better there anyway - less noise in the area we will spend the most.
We also have a few issues with the ducting coming downstairs to the living areas mainly due to the structural changes we made. When I ask for changes and they get approved, I assumed all aspects had been looked at to ensure it works. Um NO! As of today, we will now lose a corner of BED2 for ducting and the powder room, WC and mudroom area will have the roof lowered to standard height to enclose some ducting. Not particularly happy about it but they are our best options now.

Whilst I was there, we had the airconditioning roughin happening and the roofing had started. Torrential rain saw the roofing guys shut up shop. Lockup should be in about 2 weeks time and the gyprock will begin.

Screenshot for this coming week

Finally some major action on site scheduled though rain IS forecast tomorrow

Troy also wants to meet up on site to discuss aircon vents. Name the time & I'm there!

On our current home, it is all action here. I sorted out the childrens' rooms today and started filling my Aussie Skip Bag sitting on the driveway. I am meeting with the handyman tomorrow and the new carpet is booked in to be laid next Monday. Not much rest here until the removalists have been next Wednesday