HOME Magazine

To celebrate hitting a WHOPPING 70,000 page visits, I thought I would post the magazine article done for the Telegraph paper a few weeks back. Even since we did the photoshoot, we have put up more artwork and got more furniture to fill in the gaps - an ongoing process that my husband loves so much (sarcasm)
A kind friend, looking to rebuild herself was sent this article by Eden Brae. I was waiting to see if I could get access to an A3 scanner!

I also ordered some new Freedom scroll armchairs for our bedroom today to take advantage of their sale of 50% off the second furniture item. Unfortunately, I will need to wait around 14 weeks for them as they are not in stock.

The mystery of the cloudy windows

I can just imagine the heated conversations in the offices of Airlite Windows in a few hours. The mystery has been solved but not yet resolved. Part of Eden Brae's package is to put the relatively expensive ComfortPlus film on all of our windows to increase energy efficiency. Well, some poor sod at Airlite put it on the wrong side of the glass on many of our windows (the outside) and the acid wash used to clean the bricks has damaged the film. These 9 windows will need to be replaced outright and all the others (not damaged yet) will be reversed when they return to complete their work. The glazier who came to visit today explained that we will from time to time, see slight cloudy depending on the light but it will then disappear. The windows are also more prone to condensation due to the film. Now, we just have to wait for a few weeks whilst the glass is ordered/made/shipped/installed.

HOME magazine

Today was the day that I got out of my gymgear and spruced up a little for an interview and photoshoot with NewsCorp. Eden Brae selected us to feature our house in a double page spread in the coming weeks/months. The lovely Anastasia from redo my space worked so hard accessorising and styling the rooms whilst I fluffed around. They took photos of the outside, the family/kitchen/meals, media room, master bedroom & ensuite. I'll let you know when it is going to be published - as long as we get warning!

Oh my!

  

Just discovered this today. The handrail is coming away from our hugely expensive, upgraded staircase. Of course, this is mere days after our Maintenance Inspection. Funny how we had a cheaply installed staircase at our previous home that after 11 years was showing no sign whatsoever of falling apart. We have been here 4 months - disappointing.

I will be in contact with Eden Brae to see what can be done and at this stage, who's responsibility it is?

Maintenance inspection

This past week has seen the 13 week inspection date come and go! Eden Brae are not able to get the Supervisor out until early March. Whoa! To be honest, I wasn't bothered at all which I think surprised my CSA. For me, it means an extra 6 weeks for issues to arise that may get fixed. Once your list has been agreed on with your supervisor, nothing can be added. I seen the delay as being a win then. The items I have contacted Eden Brae about since settlement have been IMMEDIATELY acted uon. So far no fault at all with after sales customer service eg. toilet cistern, kitchen mixer tap. I initially had items listed here on the blog (straight after settlement)  that would have come up at this maintenance inspection but Troy came straight around and fixed most of them up himself. Here are the things that I will be discussing with Jason, the Maintenance Supervisor.

Another pool non-update

Following the no-show on Friday, I contacted the owner of Home Option Gallery. HOG have a display room where various companies (such as Concept Pools) can provide fittings and finishings for Eden Brae Homes. Not knowing where to turn and having spoken to Alan before, I gave him a call. Today, we had a discussion surrounding the issues and he promised to find out what was going on. Within an hour, I had an SMS letting me know that they would be on site to do the plumbing on Thursday or Friday. I won't hold my breath. The rain we have had this evening might delay them another 2 weeks (hint of sarcasm to be noted) What puzzles me is that on Monday December 2, I was given an estimated date of Friday December 6. Without more than 2-3mm of rain hitting the ground, it has now blown out to a week later???
A  big thankyou to HOG for listening to me and validating how I am feeling about the situation. Here's hoping that we can all work towards a solution ie. a completed pool!

More things for the 3 month check

Just wanting to keep a visual list of things to raise when we have our 3 month check in January. Here are some more issues to add to it. My personal favourite is the stairway wall, most visible in the morning sun.

Ooops! Hole was cut too big.

Anyone else see the bubbles and the timber behind?

Looking good, eh?!

Very obvious and only just appeared. Nothing in the bathroom capable of doing that so my guess is it was done by a tradie and they tried to patch it unsuccessfully.

Vanity pop-up waste won't depress

General update

So it seems getting Eden Brae involved does net results from Concept Pools. Within 30mins of finishing my phone call with EBH Management, I had a phone call from the Finishing Supervisor that I have been trying to contact. (He should be able to get to us sometime next week, weather depending.) Thank you for following up, EBH. I was at my wits end with them.

A great segue into how FANTASTIC Eden Brae have been post build. The level of service has been nothing short of fantastic and we aren't even at the 13 week maintenance period yet. All the issues I highlighted in an earlier post have been addressed and today I even had new fans installed to replace the ones that had been acid washed by a tradie. I have never been made to feel that I was not important or to 'move on' as my house was finished as you often hear about the building experience.

And today saw our home turn from cool white to warm white. Yay! What a difference it makes to the feel of the house. So much cosier. The sparkies also installed an extra downlight for us, fixed the motion sensors and put the new fans in place. Yet to come back with the stair lights that they didn't have the globes for.

This morning also saw a guy from New Fidelity come out to double check on our requirements and our cabling for the media room. All looks good to go ahead with a tentative install date of 11/12/13
* 70” Sharp HD TV
·           Custom programmed New Fidelity Smart Remote control system (with colour touch screen) that allows equipment to be controlled through joinery + charging cradle
·           Monitor Audio wall mount speaker package – 4 x white cube wall mount speakers with matching subwoofer in white – centre speaker will sit on joinery
·           Wall mount brackets for above speakers
·           Denon Home Theatre Receiver
·           Apple TV
·           Internet switch for media room
*          Humax Digital TV Recorder with ICE TV
Can't wait to watch some movies and great sporting matches in this room.

Thankyou Eden Brae....

...for a quality home and delivered about 2 months short of contract time! So excited to take possession of the house 2 years after purchasing the block of land with a house on it.
Today went like this - I met Troy at 8am to walk through checking that the items on the PCI list were attended to. Not all of them had been but they were noted to be done in the next few days. We found a few other minor items that have immediately been put on my maintenance list. We finished at 10am with lots of chat ;-) I headed over to Eden Brae office for a 1pm appointment with Rania....and Bev...and Shirley....and Sonia! Lots more chat, signed many documents, took the keys, a folder of bedtime reading and a beautiful bath towel set. I have been asked many times if I would 'do it again'. The answer is YES if I had my super team of Rania, Bev & Troy!

Off for a celebratory dinner on the floor of our new home now...

We have a date...

....with Eden Brae Homes to make our final payment and collect our keys.

MONDAY OCTOBER 21 in the morning

A little disappointed that it couldn't be Friday afternoon to give us the weekend to 'play' in it. It probably comes down to availability to meet onsite too.

The last week has been full steam ahead with PCI, purchasing decorating items, loan settlement, insurances, tying up loose ends and creating other loose ends, on top of being sick and looking after other sick family members. A few more dates have been booked in to the schedule  - Shutter/blinds installation October 15 and appliance installation on October 16.

I received an email this morning from EBH informing me that our cooker is out of stock but that they are happy to offer us an upgrade. A Google search revealed nothing on this upgraded cooker so I rang Baumatic in VIC just to ensure we were getting at least a similar product. This cooker has extra capacity and triple rather than double glazed door. I approved the upgrade!

The private certifier has completed his inspection for the occupancy certificates. We have some items that need to be completed

 FOR INTERIM OCCUPATION CERTIFICATE
 1.       Provide a copy of the engineers certificate for glass balustrades confirming that the design complies with AS1170.1 & AS1288-2005
2.       Submit compliance certificates
3.       Site Cleanup
 FOR FINAL OCCUPATION CERTIFICATE

 1.       Comply with condition 23 with reference to retaining walls
2.       Comply with condition 21 with reference to vehicular crossing
3.       Comply with condition 20 with reference to driveway installation
4.       Repair/Reinstate damaged footpath 

None of these items seem to be an issue so the certificates should be fairly easy to access.

HnK Ryan has completed their re-inspection which marries up fairly nicely with our PCI inspection report. Troy has indicated that most items identified by the independent inspectors will be fixed anyway but I will use this report as the basis for our 90 day maintenance inspection.

Resolution!

I know you have all had sleepless nights like myself over the issue so I thought I would put you out of your misery. EBH have provided a favourable outcome for me. It will be replaced within a few weeks. The contractor has installed the incorrect mould and the 'squarer' one will be now put on the house facade.
I still think that an issue has been raised that this particular selection was not discussed with us (and others hanging in HomeOne forums) at our Home Options Gallery appointment. We were asked to select paint colour for the corbel/mould only. If we ARE allowed to select a profile, it needs to be included at this appointment.
Our internal staircase is being installed today. I stood on the footpath watching them for a while which provided the contractors with some entertainment. It will take a while to be completely finished (staining and glass balustrading) but looks good so far!

As promised....

....the fascia and guttering for the lower storey has been installed this morning but not really photo worthy.

The last few days have seen me busy trying to get things organised for a 'potential' buyer to look through our current house. Vanity purchased, handyman organised, boxes and storage organised, contract of sale ordered with conveyancer (with a mid November settlement date), carpet to be purchased tomorrow and hopefully installed next week. Very busy times ahead! Now to hope that EBH don't have major issues and go over the contract end date. Early is FINE with us - more time for landscaping, pool etc.

Onsite photos - yay!

From water tank slab looking up the side...towards garage

From backyard to the house

From rumpus room to kitchen/pantry

Rumpus room window (room with a view - NOT!)

Where the front doors and sidelights will be

For AJ - the mudroom area

Family room & alfresco from doorway

Photo fest today. I was fortunate enough to have a site visit for the first time today. I am still buzzing! So excited. Tim, from Hayward Landscapes, and I walked around the site so that he could get a better idea of the lay of the land to put together a quote/concept plan.
I was able to meet Troy, our SS, today as well. Good to put a face to the name. I am confident in his ability to deliver us a quality house. He did pick up a brickie error today.

As you can see from this photo, they have bricked where there is meant to be cladding (roof gable). Troy asked if I wanted it left this way. No, thanks! It will be pulled down in preparation for the cladding to be done.