It's been such a hassle being overseas. Yesterday morning I received a call from an unknown number (08) which I thought might be from Westpac. I emailed my PA P and asked him to call it, but the number was not valid. Then in the evening I checked my bank account and realised that the bank had paid my builder the final amount. Although I had got mum to fax the authorisation for final payment, in the documents it said that they would only transfer the money when they had received the building insurance certificate. So I hadn't expected them to transfer the money until I got back and had done my final inspection and given them the building insurance.
George had emailed me about the landscaping but had not given me a definitive answer, saying that the issues were a result of 2 parties being involved in the landscaping, ie. not claiming responsibility. So with this unresolved issue and my building inspector having not done his inspection, or I mine, I didn't want to make final payment until I got back.
After realising that the money had been transferred, I had to quickly hurry to the shopping centre, buy an international calling card, come back and hotel guy helped me call. But it was after business hours so no answer. My calling card was 100peso card which was equivalent to approx 11mins calling time. But I was able to get another 100peso calling card last night from one of the Cebuano brethren.
Today woke up early at 7am which was 9am Aus time. Rang the number, spent 10mins waiting and then found out I'd called the wrong department and they were going to transfer me to the right department. So credit ran out and I didn't have the correct number.
I emailed P to ask him to call D to so she could go on gchat to call the bank for me. Explained context to D on gvideo. She rang bank, and it took ages. Bank said that because it was 80% complete they didn't need insurance - doesn't make sense as it's final payment. As money had been already transferred as my builder's account was also Westpac, the only way I could get money back was if I asked the builder if it was okay to get money back. I emailed George to say bank would be transferring money back, and at the same time, Monika emailed me the receipt for final payment, so I also told her. D called bank back to say that builder had agreed, they asked who she had spoken to, D said George, and then I told her Monika - couldn't tell the difference between male and female! They said they would sort it out - not sure if they believed her.. wait and see.
Such a headache!
Moral of the story, don't go overseas when your house is reaching completion.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Landscaping headache
So before I left for hols, I tried to make sure all the loose ends were tied up. One of my concerns was coordinating the landscape with the grass. Gave everyone the relevant numbers and plans.
Then on Friday I received the invoice from grass guy with an email saying that more grass was needed to be put in, compared to what was on the plan. Alarm bells. What would be done differently that it needed more grass?
Emailed P to ask him to take photos.
Got the photos last night. Not happy.
Firstly, big mistake is Dw1 POS was fully grassed, so that there is no garden bed along the north side fence and therefore no canopy tree - required by council.
2nd, Dw2 POS was meant to have garden bed / lilydale topping on the north side of the fence - not grass.
3rd, DW2 POS grass was meant to start from edge of laundry steps onwards to the deck, so that I could later pave the area from the laundry steps around to the garage for my mum and it would be easier to access the clothesline. Instead the grass goes right up to the steps.
So I estimate about 9sqm more of grass than required - approx $650.
Also, it doesn't comply with council.
I emailed the grass guy and he said the builder or maybe it was Dale was on site at the time and that's what he was told to do.
So now waiting a reply from George.
Then on Friday I received the invoice from grass guy with an email saying that more grass was needed to be put in, compared to what was on the plan. Alarm bells. What would be done differently that it needed more grass?
Emailed P to ask him to take photos.
Got the photos last night. Not happy.
Firstly, big mistake is Dw1 POS was fully grassed, so that there is no garden bed along the north side fence and therefore no canopy tree - required by council.
Also, it doesn't comply with council.
I emailed the grass guy and he said the builder or maybe it was Dale was on site at the time and that's what he was told to do.
So now waiting a reply from George.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tying up loose ends
I'm now in Singapore.
Before I left had so many things to do.
I hope the landscape gets finished in time for the grass. Managed to get grass guy to install it all on Friday. Dale was telling me one thing - that I could only do POS1, George another - that I could do all of it.
Am on roaming but won't answer phone calls bc it's too expensive. Before I left called my land surveyor on the Friday. Really should have done it earlier. Left a lot of things to last minute which I could have done earlier. Anyway, he was telling me I needed to get town planning and drainage inspection before statement of compliance could be issued. Couldn't get in touch with George so I organised the drainage inspection for the Mon i come back. Later spoke to George and he said that he would organise it.
Anyway yesterday got a call from my land surveyor - but didn't pick up. Sent email, no answer, so had to email P my PA to ring them. He did, and they emailed me back. Just needed to know who was organising the inspections.
Have to get Mum to fax my final inspection. Needed to get the invoice amended as the variation for the tiles and carpet hadn't been done - ended up being quite a lot $2.5K credit. Was going to get P to fax, but he said he didn't know how to do it... what? Who doesn't know how to fax?!
Also wanted to find out about who had done the stone for my benchtops, to see about the possibility of getting my splashback done in stone. Luckily I had noticed a sign on the benchtop and taken a photo of it which had the number. P called up, and mum too. But I have a feeling it can't be done as I've looked at the Caesarstone website and it says that I need a minimum of 200mm from the stone to the edge of the flame - which I don't have.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The real colour of the floors
Stopped by for a final visit before I go on holidays and the floor polishers were there. Wow, didn't realise the true colour of my floors. Quite a deep red.
But it has also shown up the gaps below the skirting.
Went to the HIA home show yesterday and managed to book a last minute appointment with the interior designer. Discussed about the colour of my splashback. He thought it should be very neutral and in fact suggested stone. Gave me something to think about. If I was to go with glass, he also suggested a lighter colour.
After seeing the floor boards, I agree. Bedbox (middle colour) would not go well with the floors - more likely to clash. So now thinking about a white duck (3rd card), but I'm afraid it might have a tinge of green in it. Full, half. Have been looking at home forum, but my laptop resolution is not very good, so the colours don't turn out well.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The List keeps growing
So many things to do, so little time.
Rang up westpac. Can't do early progress payment for the final payment.
Options
- wait until I come back. This will mean delays as the bank needs to do a final inspection.
- Get P to fax it.
- Pay before hand but reluctant as I haven't done final inspection.
- Give cheque on day - but then I just looked at the invoice. They will only give me the keys when the funds clear.
Got message today from Dale. He wants grass done by next week. Spoke to Luke and he says he might be able to do it next Thurs or Fri - but need to make sure that my landscape will be done by then. It's raining quite a lot now.
Need to get final invoice - with variations. George didn't include credit for the tiles or carpet.
Arrange building insurance.
Trying to make sure everything that I can do now for subdivision has been done - email my land surveyor.
Faxed letter to bank.
Arrange for Christine to look at house so she can put it on the rental market.
Arrange for building inspector
Measure rails for disable shower.
Research splashback colours and blinds Internet has been playing up, keeps cutting out.
But the hardest thing is trying to make calls. Can only do it during lunch time.
And of course prepare for Cebu.
Rang up westpac. Can't do early progress payment for the final payment.
Options
- wait until I come back. This will mean delays as the bank needs to do a final inspection.
- Get P to fax it.
- Pay before hand but reluctant as I haven't done final inspection.
- Give cheque on day - but then I just looked at the invoice. They will only give me the keys when the funds clear.
Got message today from Dale. He wants grass done by next week. Spoke to Luke and he says he might be able to do it next Thurs or Fri - but need to make sure that my landscape will be done by then. It's raining quite a lot now.
Need to get final invoice - with variations. George didn't include credit for the tiles or carpet.
Arrange building insurance.
Trying to make sure everything that I can do now for subdivision has been done - email my land surveyor.
Faxed letter to bank.
Arrange for Christine to look at house so she can put it on the rental market.
Arrange for building inspector
Measure rails for disable shower.
Research splashback colours and blinds Internet has been playing up, keeps cutting out.
But the hardest thing is trying to make calls. Can only do it during lunch time.
And of course prepare for Cebu.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Blinds
Met another blind guy.
Cheaper blinds (PVC) - colour both sides, easy to clean
More expensive - looks better, but white on one side and harder to clean.
Under or over roll. Sunscreen should be done over roll so it doesn't hit the window winder, Blockout under so that it is close to the edge.
An option for doors is to cut the top of the metal part of the sliding door so that the sunscreen is closer to door.
Painters were there - they were painting the ceiling and warddrobes.
My waterfall sides have been done - they look goooooood!
Cheaper blinds (PVC) - colour both sides, easy to clean
Painters were there - they were painting the ceiling and warddrobes.
My waterfall sides have been done - they look goooooood!
Synthetic grass
Met with another turf guy after work - really dark, had to use my phone as a torch.
In the dark could see that they'd put some soil at the back of Dw2. Good to speak to this guy - seemed to know what he was doing. Explained more about the types of grass and left samples. Also told me not to put top soil, and would need 100mm from top of timber edging. Had a look at POS1 and mentioned about the grate which I hadn't realised was there - it's at a lower height so will need to be elevated. His option for access would be to remove the rainwater tank. Cost all up $5.2K.
L-R Illusion (40, 5/8), Illusion XHD (40, 3/8), Shamrock (25 3/8).
Grass has different heights and knot counts. 3/8 indicates more knots and therefore looks more realistic.
As I thought more about it, decided not to have paving from the laundry to the deck - i don't think it will be used that much. Also realised that mum will have difficulty walking on the pavers to the clothesline. Asked George if I could have it all paved from garage to laundry but he didn't council would allow it. So i've decided to get rid of all the pavers at the back (expensive - $690exc GST). Later I'll pave or concrete the area from the garage to the laundry. Needs to be smooth so mum can walk on it.
George is happy for me to organise my own turf, now the issue of timing it. George said he would be happy for it to be installed before the rain water tank is installed which is much easier for access. However, grass guy said that his lead time is 2 weeks. So need to see if he can do it any earlier.
George also gave me the invoice earlier so that I could do payment earlier, but need to work out the logistics for that.
So many things to do
- organise Cebu lesson
- arrange splashback
- blinds
- call westpac regarding final payment
- email barry about subdivision
- organise NHI pre handover inspection
- building insurance
- arrange roaming
- credit card for overseas
- double check that electricity has been arranged.
Only 2 working days left!
In the dark could see that they'd put some soil at the back of Dw2. Good to speak to this guy - seemed to know what he was doing. Explained more about the types of grass and left samples. Also told me not to put top soil, and would need 100mm from top of timber edging. Had a look at POS1 and mentioned about the grate which I hadn't realised was there - it's at a lower height so will need to be elevated. His option for access would be to remove the rainwater tank. Cost all up $5.2K.
As I thought more about it, decided not to have paving from the laundry to the deck - i don't think it will be used that much. Also realised that mum will have difficulty walking on the pavers to the clothesline. Asked George if I could have it all paved from garage to laundry but he didn't council would allow it. So i've decided to get rid of all the pavers at the back (expensive - $690exc GST). Later I'll pave or concrete the area from the garage to the laundry. Needs to be smooth so mum can walk on it.
George is happy for me to organise my own turf, now the issue of timing it. George said he would be happy for it to be installed before the rain water tank is installed which is much easier for access. However, grass guy said that his lead time is 2 weeks. So need to see if he can do it any earlier.
George also gave me the invoice earlier so that I could do payment earlier, but need to work out the logistics for that.
So many things to do
- organise Cebu lesson
- arrange splashback
- blinds
- call westpac regarding final payment
- email barry about subdivision
- organise NHI pre handover inspection
- building insurance
- arrange roaming
- credit card for overseas
- double check that electricity has been arranged.
Only 2 working days left!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Appointments and errands
Dw2 stair rail has been done.
Rendering around Dw1 garage. But don't like the gap between Dw2 gable - looks incomplete. So I've asked George to render it winnow.
Tilers were in today. Should be finished by today. Put grout in. Dw2 master bedroom ensuite is actually bigger than what I expected. Should have made it 1.6m and extended the bedroom by 20cm.
Met blinds person yesterday - expensive!
Met grass person today - expensive! Didn't inspire much confidence in me. Came 25 mins late, wore slippers which broke. Although did make a good suggestion in that the grass could be brought through the fence.
Just realised I got the wrong windows to be double glazed. The northern lounge windows which are bigger are double glazed, and it was meant to be the smaller west windows. But I don't think it matters. Double glazing won't stop the radiant heat from coming in, and to have some effect you need low E - a tint on the inside, which I wasn't having. Double glazing will help to keep heat in, so better that it's on the bigger windows.
Currently also looking at the splashback glass and colours.
Checked out Bunnings. Pavers are so cheap $10 max per paver - why are mine so expensive??! Also looked at lawn mower options. Need to see if there are smaller lawn mowers that can be carried into the house if I had to mow the grass. Cons of synthetic grass - hotter.
Met grass person today - expensive! Didn't inspire much confidence in me. Came 25 mins late, wore slippers which broke. Although did make a good suggestion in that the grass could be brought through the fence.
Just realised I got the wrong windows to be double glazed. The northern lounge windows which are bigger are double glazed, and it was meant to be the smaller west windows. But I don't think it matters. Double glazing won't stop the radiant heat from coming in, and to have some effect you need low E - a tint on the inside, which I wasn't having. Double glazing will help to keep heat in, so better that it's on the bigger windows.
Currently also looking at the splashback glass and colours.
Checked out Bunnings. Pavers are so cheap $10 max per paver - why are mine so expensive??! Also looked at lawn mower options. Need to see if there are smaller lawn mowers that can be carried into the house if I had to mow the grass. Cons of synthetic grass - hotter.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Landscape dilemma, wardrobes
Met George today on site to discuss the landscaping. Wanted to change my honey locust trees because they're ugly and drop seed pods, but council wouldn't let me.
The small but expensive areas of grass (marked in black - approx 63sqm) quoted $7.5K exc GST
Still undecided about what to do with the landscape - real grass vs artificial vs concrete
- Real grass. Have to mow. There's also the issue of getting a lawn mower in Dw1 POS as the only access is through the house.
- Artificial grass. Expensive. Also not sure when I can install it. It's really bad timing I'm going overseas. Ideal time would be to install it same time as when the landscape is done - but need to check that George will let me do that. If I can only do it after handover, there's the issue of access - the rainwater tank will be installed, so only way is to go through the inside of the house.
- Concrete. Mum wants to concrete the back. However, council requirements is that it needs to be lawn. So I would need to put in lawn, then take it out, and then concrete. So it's really a big waste of money to put in lawn that I don't need.
Also spoke to George about my issues. He said he would sort them out, except for the powder room vanity. The pipe was put in the wrong place - from the ground, so a wall hung vanity would have shown it. To change it would not only have involved taking up the tiles, but jack hammering the concrete - not worth it. I originally wanted the wall hung to increase the sense of space, but it's actually bigger than I expected. Actually I wish I went with a normal sink.
Sliding wardrobes have been done. Also with double and full height hanging space - great idea, and drawers for the master bedrooms.
Still undecided about what to do with the landscape - real grass vs artificial vs concrete
- Real grass. Have to mow. There's also the issue of getting a lawn mower in Dw1 POS as the only access is through the house.
- Artificial grass. Expensive. Also not sure when I can install it. It's really bad timing I'm going overseas. Ideal time would be to install it same time as when the landscape is done - but need to check that George will let me do that. If I can only do it after handover, there's the issue of access - the rainwater tank will be installed, so only way is to go through the inside of the house.
- Concrete. Mum wants to concrete the back. However, council requirements is that it needs to be lawn. So I would need to put in lawn, then take it out, and then concrete. So it's really a big waste of money to put in lawn that I don't need.
Also spoke to George about my issues. He said he would sort them out, except for the powder room vanity. The pipe was put in the wrong place - from the ground, so a wall hung vanity would have shown it. To change it would not only have involved taking up the tiles, but jack hammering the concrete - not worth it. I originally wanted the wall hung to increase the sense of space, but it's actually bigger than I expected. Actually I wish I went with a normal sink.
Sliding wardrobes have been done. Also with double and full height hanging space - great idea, and drawers for the master bedrooms.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Landscape and other issues
Landscape
On Friday, I finally got the revised quote after 3 weeks. The original quote was around 8.5K, this new one? 19K!!! What??! All I asked for was some synthetic grass $7.5K and rocks to help with the levels as it was noted in the plan $1.5K. There's no way I'm paying that much.
Over the weekend, finally had a chance to look properly at the houses. Noticed some mistakes.
1. Stone benchtops for the kitchen and bathrooms have been done. But I noticed that Dw2 island bench doesn't have the waterfall sides.
2. Dw1 powder vanity is the incorrect model. It should be wall hung. It would be an issue to try and change it as the tiles have already been laid around it.
3. Dw1 front glass panes are clear - no privacy. Should be wave slumped.
2. is not a big issue, I'm happy to leave it. But not happy about 1 and 3. It'll be expensive to change Dw2 as you can't just join slabs to the side, so it would need to be a new bench with the stone cut out. I'll be meeting George tomorrow so I'll see what he says about it.
The stair bannister has been put in.
Connections
Have rung up Tru Energy to connect the electricity. They called me to ask if I wanted to the gas also connected. I tried to get in touch with Monika then Dan - who never replies it's so annoying.
Things to do:
- choose glass splashback colour.
- organise blinds.
On Friday, I finally got the revised quote after 3 weeks. The original quote was around 8.5K, this new one? 19K!!! What??! All I asked for was some synthetic grass $7.5K and rocks to help with the levels as it was noted in the plan $1.5K. There's no way I'm paying that much.
Over the weekend, finally had a chance to look properly at the houses. Noticed some mistakes.
1. Stone benchtops for the kitchen and bathrooms have been done. But I noticed that Dw2 island bench doesn't have the waterfall sides.
2. Dw1 powder vanity is the incorrect model. It should be wall hung. It would be an issue to try and change it as the tiles have already been laid around it.
3. Dw1 front glass panes are clear - no privacy. Should be wave slumped.
2. is not a big issue, I'm happy to leave it. But not happy about 1 and 3. It'll be expensive to change Dw2 as you can't just join slabs to the side, so it would need to be a new bench with the stone cut out. I'll be meeting George tomorrow so I'll see what he says about it.
The stair bannister has been put in.
Connections
Have rung up Tru Energy to connect the electricity. They called me to ask if I wanted to the gas also connected. I tried to get in touch with Monika then Dan - who never replies it's so annoying.
Things to do:
- choose glass splashback colour.
- organise blinds.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Painting completed, stone benches, tiling commenced
Painting has now been finished.
Front doors have been painted - Dulux Black full gloss - the doors are no longer green!
I also just realised that the stone benches have been done in the kitchen and bathrooms. I didn't realise as it was hidden under the board.
Tiling of the bathrooms have commenced. National Tiles porcelain 300x600m Floor - Light Grey, Wall - Majestic Ivory. I know it's not a big deal, but it annoys me how the floor and wall tiles don't align.
Still haven't heard from George regarding landscaping quote - I think he's on holidays at the moment.
Have called Tru Energy to set up the connection for the electricity. Not sure if I'm meant to do the gas also as I can't get in contact with Monika.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Painting commenced, electricity box installed, fence done!
Went by on Saturday, and happy to see that it was open. Painters were present.
Doors were off.
Windows, doors, cupboards, benches protected from the paint. Painting commenced
Electricity box had been installed.
Render colour had been done of Dw1 porch and Dw2 garage - mudskipper.
However the upper facades hadn't been done in mudskipper, Dw1 garage hadn't been rendered, and I was having second thoughts. Also wasn't sure about Dw2 gable and if I should leave it as winnow. So did a dodgy paint job to try and imagine what it would look like.
Asked the opinion of others. In the end I decided to go with consensus and keep it at it is, except render around Dw1 garage.
Fence
Finally the side and rear fence has been completed! Looks good! But the old fence on the other side now looks even more old and decrepit! (see the fence behind the electricity box)
Rear neighbour was initially reluctant to replace the fence, but agreed after I agreed to getting lattice put on.
The bit of fence that caused me so much headache!
Electricity box had been installed.
Render colour had been done of Dw1 porch and Dw2 garage - mudskipper.
However the upper facades hadn't been done in mudskipper, Dw1 garage hadn't been rendered, and I was having second thoughts. Also wasn't sure about Dw2 gable and if I should leave it as winnow. So did a dodgy paint job to try and imagine what it would look like.
Fence
Finally the side and rear fence has been completed! Looks good! But the old fence on the other side now looks even more old and decrepit! (see the fence behind the electricity box)
 |
| Add caption |
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Waterproofing wet areas, Landscape
Have not updated much because:
1. I'm house sitting in Box Hill so not stalking my house.
2. Went to Perth for a long 5 day weekend :)
3. Dale's on holiday and I don't think much has been happening.
Mar 18 2012
Wet areas have been waterproofed with rubber paint.
Upstairs - whole floor of wet area needs to be waterproofed (Dw2 bathroom)
Downstairs - only the corners of wet areas and showers (Dw2 masterbedroom ensuite)
Mar 21 2012
Met with George to discuss landscape. I really should have looked at what I had before I submitted it to council. At the time, I didn't care, I just wanted something that was 'low maintenance and cost effective'. My canopy trees are UGLY. Honey Locusts. If you don't know what I'm talking about think trees that have these snow pea like pods - brown and long that look creepy. I asked George if I could change them to capital pear trees or manchuria pear trees, but he thinks it's unlikely as council won't approve. Anyway, went through the landscaping, asked for sythethic lawn so I don't have to mow - it's hard to get a lawn mower into Dw1 POS. Hopefully George can make it look good - like his other landscapes.
Asked him about the downlights - he'll change 2 in Dw1 dining (red arrows), but that is all otherwise I have to pay - he says it's because I don't have an electrical plan with specific measurements. Annoyed about that, because when I asked the electrician he said he would space it out evenly, so I didn't specify it. So DW2 microwave GPO still the same, and Dw1 lounge light grouped closely together :( Also Dw2 kitchen batten is not aligned with the pendant lights.
Lesson learnt: specify exact details with electrical. Think about landscape plan!
Can't get into Dw1 - it's locked :(
Haven't been to the house, but the side and rear fence should have been done last Friday - will check this weekend.
1. I'm house sitting in Box Hill so not stalking my house.
2. Went to Perth for a long 5 day weekend :)
3. Dale's on holiday and I don't think much has been happening.
Mar 18 2012
Wet areas have been waterproofed with rubber paint.
Upstairs - whole floor of wet area needs to be waterproofed (Dw2 bathroom)
Downstairs - only the corners of wet areas and showers (Dw2 masterbedroom ensuite)
Mar 21 2012
Met with George to discuss landscape. I really should have looked at what I had before I submitted it to council. At the time, I didn't care, I just wanted something that was 'low maintenance and cost effective'. My canopy trees are UGLY. Honey Locusts. If you don't know what I'm talking about think trees that have these snow pea like pods - brown and long that look creepy. I asked George if I could change them to capital pear trees or manchuria pear trees, but he thinks it's unlikely as council won't approve. Anyway, went through the landscaping, asked for sythethic lawn so I don't have to mow - it's hard to get a lawn mower into Dw1 POS. Hopefully George can make it look good - like his other landscapes.
Asked him about the downlights - he'll change 2 in Dw1 dining (red arrows), but that is all otherwise I have to pay - he says it's because I don't have an electrical plan with specific measurements. Annoyed about that, because when I asked the electrician he said he would space it out evenly, so I didn't specify it. So DW2 microwave GPO still the same, and Dw1 lounge light grouped closely together :( Also Dw2 kitchen batten is not aligned with the pendant lights.Lesson learnt: specify exact details with electrical. Think about landscape plan!
Can't get into Dw1 - it's locked :(
Haven't been to the house, but the side and rear fence should have been done last Friday - will check this weekend.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)