Roof tiles up

In the morning walked by and finally met my Site Supervisor Dale.

Was surprised to see that the DW2 roof tiles had been put up yesterday. Today DW1 roof tiles have been put up. They used a little pulley system to bring the tiles up.

Bristile Shake Profile Lunar Eclipse


Was thinking about getting the frame stage inspected (includes frame and slab) especially after I saw this pipe in the slab. But my builders are moving too quick! Foil is on, roof tiles in on, and the heating/cooling and brickwork will be going up soon. So Kevin from New Home Inspections said that I should just wait for Pre Plaster stage.

I think I'm stalking my house - I go there in the mornings and in the afternoons! Even my neighbour Andrew commented this evening!

Fence issue resolved

Spoke to Andrew yesterday. He wanted the back part replaced so I decided to come to a compromise. I will pay full cost of the back fence and we'll split the cost of the front fence. It works out that I'll pay 2/3 and he'll pay 1/3. Not happy with it, but I guess there's not much I can do.

Also was surprised that there were workers there on Sunday - they were putting up the foil in preparation for the brick work. It has the Costas Construction logo.

Went to check on something that had crossed my mind when I was on site last time - the kitchen and dining room windows. On the window schedule they're meant to be at different heights, but as can be seen in the photo, they're at the same level - which I prefer. Good mistake!Had an ADO today, still looking for lights. So hard! Went to Australian Lighting Bayswater, Melbourne Design and Lighting and Maroondah Lighting. Considering this for DW2 foyer light.

Frame stage completed!

As I walk from the station, I can see the side view through the medical centre car park. Yesterday when I got there, not only were all the roof frames completed, I was surprised to see that they had already installed the ground floor windows and sliding doors, and had put up the upper floor gutters and fascias. I'm impressed as to how quickly they're working.Invoice yesterday - 15% - Frame stage completed!

When I snuck in today to take pictures I met Jenny from No. 20. She was impressed by how quickly it's been coming along. She's currently building with NBG in Mount Waverley and says they've been quite slow. She's also planning on knocking down the current house and building, and she also said that No. 4 is too. Further down they've just cleared the site so I'm sure they'll start building soon. This street will definitely be developed soon. I'll speak to her at the end of my build and let her know if I recommend my builder!

Spoke to George yesterday. Neighbour is happy to have no fence with the garage. Now I'll just have to speak with him to see if he's happy to split the cost, otherwise I'll probably just keep it until it falls down! George MMSed me a picture of the rotten posts below the ground, so I'm not sure how much longer it will stay up.

George agreed that I didn't need to pay the 20% variation fee for the council pit which is good. That's why I like dealing with George better - he does't always try to overcharge me, unlike Dan.

Also received my replacement lights - they came really quick - on Monday. Impressive service. Although one was still slightly chipped! But less so than the other one. Also it is such a minor chip at the top I don't really mind. Now I just need to make sure when I hand it over that they take really good care of it as I know how easily it gets scratched.

Scaffolding up

1st November

Went by Cup Day and saw that they had put the scaffolding up - in preparation for the roof frames. Also saw my neighbour and spoke to him about the fence. His main complaint was the lack of courtesy of them removing the fence without consent and the not replacing it with temporary fencing. He also said when they were excavating, they knocked the stumps out - contrary to what Dan said in that the fence fell over. I guess it would fall over, if you knocked it! He felt that the builders should replace the fence. I told him that would be me then. Anyway he was going to speak to George on Thursday with Dale the site manager, who I still haven't met. George has a nice manner so hopefully he will pacify him.

Kameo white pendant lights

I went to the Davoluce Lighting Elsternwick store but they didn't have them in stock, also they were going to charge $59 each, so in the end I ordered them online $41.95 each plus $15 delivery fee - still cheaper than the other stores!

It was a quick delivery, but when I got them 1 of them has scratches, and the other has a tiny chip. I was annoyed as I thought I would need to go to the Elsternwick store to change it, but I rang today and all I need to do is take some pictures and they will send it to me. Easy!Still need to buy 36 lights. Overwhelmed and not sure the style I want. Nothing strikes me. I don't want it too modern or too old fashioned.

Places I've been
- Custom lighting outlet store
- Mattblatt - Limited range, more of a furniture store.
- Ikea
- Bunnings
- Light up Springvale - probably the most cost effective
- Australian lighting
- Maroondah lighting - expensive.

Extra costs

They say you need to have 10% extra for contingencies.

So far things that have come up
- Fences ~$2013. Still unresolved. According to Dan when they were excavating, the fence posts were rotten and hence the fence fell over. Neighbour is apparently being a bit difficult - not sure how, but George left a voicemail needing to speak to me about it. Not quite sure how truthful Dan is, sometimes I feel he tells me "white" lies. The times I've spoken to Andrew he seems reasonable, so I'll try and surmise the courage to go and speak to him. Not quite sure how to do it. Everyone thinks there's little chance that he'll pay half, and I tend to agree - Do you mind paying for half the fence that fell down because it was my fault?! No harm trying. Even if it's for half the cost of the remaining fence that's still standing.

- Council pit ~$1000. Apparently council weren't happy with using the existing pit and wanted a new one installed. On top of that cost, the builder's 20% variation. I'm not quite happy with this extra cost. I realise now I should have clarified it better in the contract rather than leave it so wishy washy. When I asked George about it, he said variations would cost between 0-20%. An example he gave is if more concrete was needed he would just give me the invoice, with the variation. So I'm wondering if the same should apply to the council pit. But obviously I don't have anything to stand on if he says 20%.

Lesson learnt: Clarify in writing specifically what the different percentage variations will apply to.

- Keyed locks. Spoke to Dan and apparently all the locks - internal and external are keyed the same. I know Mum won't be happy with that. As they have been ordered, he says they may be a charge to change it. I'll leave Mum to deal with it, as I can't be bothered. She wants 5 different keys.

Still framing

12th October - DW1 ground frame started

14th October - more DW1 frame
Looking through the front door of DW1Today - DW1 upper started