Bricks

My colour scheme is grey, brown, white.

So I went to Brickworks in Lynbrook to check out the bricks.  They have all their bricks outside so it can be visited even when they're closed. 

I was looking for a grey, brown brick. Couldn't be Austral Industrial Iron as that was the brick next door. 

I found Daniel Robertson Maddox which seemed to have the brown grey colours.

Another one I looked at was Austral Industrial Char.  Quite dark.

I was also looking at the cheaper Austral Pepperwood or more expensive Hawthorn, however they seemed too brown and I'd used Hawthorn in my first house.

I spoke to my builder and found out the Maddox would add approx $4000, Industrial $1500.
Was this worth it?

I went to have a look and some houses and found the Maddox looked overall brown, and not worth the extra cost.

Leaving me with the Industrial Char.

However I didn't like it if it was overall too grey.
This was going to be my inspiration, but I also wasn't sure if it was too standard.

So I made an appointment at Brickworks for a colour selection consultation.  Wasn't quite what I expected or that useful.  Firstly the lady didn't introduce herself, then I found out that the colour consultant was away and she was filling in, and finally she didn't give me any advice as to what colours to go with.  It was meant to be 1.5 hours, and ended up being 40mins.  There was limited render samples, and so I ended up with this.

I still had reservations that it might be too grey, but was going to leave it.
Then I looked across, and found these bricks, that had just come in the previous month.
Austral Black Rock and Austral Yering - the brown/grey brick I was looking for!

Austral Black Rock

Austral Yering

Hmm... choices choices. Unfortunately it's too new and I can't look at any houses.

Austral Black Rock

Austral Yering

Still also waiting on contracts.. not happy

Demolition completed

I was getting concerned as they'd started removing things on Mar 12 and then it had stopped. So wasn't sure if they'd got the demolition permit.

Anyway, today the house is gone!

And so is the fence.. Doh!

Not sure what happened... They were meant to keep P's fence, but instead they removed it all, and his house and garden are now exposed.

He's put up temporary tarp.. Hopefully the wind doesn't blow it over.

Not sure when to complete the fence.
1. Now
2. Wait until end, in case I decide to build the retaining wall on the boundary and fence on top of it. Also I need to make sure there is a gate between p and my house.

First signs of works

Was told by P that last Sat fencing had gone up.

Went around yesterday and found they've started the demolition process!  Have removed the asbestos.  Although I'm not sure if the demolition permit has be approved...

In the end, I paid $5k deposit to lock in the start date for end of April.  If I hadn't built with them before, there was no way I would do it, but to get things moving along, I transferred it on 24/2.

Contracts still haven't been signed.  Had 2.5 hour meeting to discuss plan changes.

Things I've been doing in the meantime.

Looking at front door locks.  I want to get a digital lock but have very little knowledge.

To have multiple entry codes.
To have emergency key access.
To have swipe card.
To have smart phone accessibility.

Learning about bump locks. 

Trying to decide on vinyl flooring
- can go 2.5mm or 5mm.  Same wear layer of 0.55mm which is important to know how long it last.  Main difference in thickness is apparently acoustics and softness underfoot. 

I went to the Asko warehouse clearance 22/2/19 intending to only buy a dishwasher, as I'd decided to go with Bosch gas cooktop and oven, Qasair rangehood. 
And then.  I came across this combined gas/induction cooktop that I had previously seen in stores but discounted due it's cost of $5k.  But it was only $3.5k in the warehouse! 

After ummming and ahhing, googling for an hour, also wondering if 21cm was wide enough, however as there was a wide wok burner, I ended up buying it.  Way over what I'd planned to buy.  But it looks so nice, and solves my problem of whether to go induction or gas.  Now I have to change my rangehood though, as I was originally going to go the Qasair undermount 280mm depth, but it's not appropriate for induction due to the way the steam goes up.  At first I only thought I could go the Eastmore or Westmore which HN don't stock, however my HN guy called up and found that the Eaton was also appropriate.  It was also cheaper than the undermount!  At 380mm depth it does mean that I needed wide cabinetry - good thing that hasn't been finalised.  Was also trying to decide on getting ducting kit or not, but as it sticks out about 150mm, I've decided not to get so it will be flush against the wall.  Also had to change the height of the rangehood as it has to be 750 minimum distance

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.