Deposit

With demolition moving along nicely at this stage, now waiting for contract.

I thought I still had time to decide on contract.  I was still waiting on engineering - which I only got yesterday after signing off in November.
Without engineering, I couldn't complete final construction drawings as my draftsman needed it.
I also hadn't done final revisions.
And without drawings, I can't sign contract.
So I thought I still had lots of time to decide on contract and pricings.

Then last week, my builder told me that he needed a deposit.

Er, I can't pay deposit until I sign contract.

Also I haven't firmed up costings or got the contract specifications.

After the revised costings which were significantly higher than what I expected, it makes me nervous that I'm agreeing to costings that are according to luxury specifications that have not been listed.

I'm also paying a lot more than P and he has more inclusions - not fair!

Abolishment of gas and electricity

Check house today and gas and electricity have been abolished!

Have been selling my things

I had someone come to see if they would buy my things to sell, but not enough value.  From what she said on the laundry leadlight door and rain water tank was of value.

So I think I undersold my leadlight doors :( I should have waited longer.  Only got $200.

I initially tried to sell on Gumtree, no bites. So went to ebay and sold my hot water system and leadlight doors.  Then put up again on gumtree and sold my rain water tank.

Tenants vacate

I gave my tenants 2 months notice to vacate in Dec as I needed time to organise demolition.  Found out yesterday that my tenants had moved out on the weekend - without being told by my agent - but that's a whole other story.

Extremely annoyed as I didn't have time to organise and plan.

I still haven't confirmed contract with my builder - would have pushed quicker to get it completed.

At least I had the quotes already organised for demolition.

But needed to quickly submit applications for abolishment of gas and electricity.

I remembered from last time that I needed to get the names of the suppliers from my tenant, so I had this on hand.

Submitted applications last night, and called up this morning to confirm.

Now need to wait 20 business days before they need to disconnect.

Also need to try and gumtree any salvageable items.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that leadlight doors may be worth something!

Negotiations with builder

After getting an initial estimate I received a second one before Christmas.  Significantly higher, without the finishings of P.

Cabinetry is adding a lot.