Kitchen appliances

Induction vs Gas vs combination induction and gas
Miele vs AEG vs Siemens vs Bosch

Choices, choices

Induction - heats quicker, however may require more electricity, but more efficient as heat is transferred directly to pot.
Gas - would still want wok burner for asian cooking

Initially I was going to go with a similar setup as D - 60cm induction, with 30cm single gas burner.  Miele for induction, but another brand for burner as she's had issues with the Miele single gas burner.

Went to HN and was speaking with rep who recommended AEG.  Has 5 year warranty, Miele only has 2.  Base pyrolytic oven cheaper than Miele.

For single gas burner was thinking about Fisher and Paykel which had a high range Mj/h - which I hadn't considered.  But then was wondering if it would match with an AEG induction which has a metal lining.

If I went AEG oven, induction, then probably better to go AEG dishwasher to reach over $5K and then get an extra 5% off.  Even though my preference is for the Miele dishwasher that D has - auto opening, love the cutlery tray.

I also visited E&S and was shown a Siemens single gas cooktop.  5 year warranty.  However hadn't really heard of the brand for kitchen appliances.  Found out under BSG company, and actually higher range than Bosch.  Induction was cheaper than AEG so would match.

PJ suggested Bosch range - had it in their old house and preferred it to their current Miele.

So still umming and aahing.

Another factor was the Rangehood
Brand was easy, Qasair.  However, if I got gas, I could go with the cheaper Undermount rangehood, set at 700 high, 280 depth.  If I went with induction, I would need to get the more expensive Westmore that has been specifically designed to work for induction and is set at 750cm high, but would also need a greater cabinet depth to fit it at 330.

So it was stressing me out.  Until this afternoon, someone pointed out - I don't even cook much, why am I spending so much on kitchen appliances??  Better to use the money for something else - like buying a thermomix.  Or Youfoodz.  Or more takeaway food!

So I've decided to get a gas cooktop, and therefore Qasair Undermount 100 or 120 (not much difference between the two)
Most likely will get Bosch gas cooktop.
Base pyrolytic Bosch oven is also about $500 cheaper than the base AEG, obviously with less functions, shorter warranty. But again, I rarely bake.

Kitchen sink
Drainer at back so takes up less space in cupboard.
Rubber around undersurface to deaden sound

Found out that HN do quite a decent sink and tap package.  Didn't realise how expensive gooseneck taps can get!  Franke on special at E&S $700!  So package at $1499 saves $200.

Endorsed council drawings

Finally the updated plans with Condition 1 has been endorsed.  Only took 6 weeks. So slow.

Flooring

My house sprung another 4 leaks, which shorted out the power...just hoping my house lasts a couple more months...

So I've been looking into the flooring options, leaning towards the blackbutt look.

Solid wood flooring - expensive but quality, looks really good, but reluctant to go with it again due to water, scratching and fading issues
Engineered wood - cheaper than timber, but still has the same issues, may as well go with timber.  Also P&J have been having issues with theirs
Laminate - cheapest option, and nowadays looks pretty good, however still have the water issues
Vinyl hybrid - in the past, vinyl has looked bad, however the quality of it is much better nowadays.  Hybrid version means it can now be laid as planks.  Lots of pros including waterproof, very hard wearing. However it still has a different feel, slightly spongy, and the look is still different.

Decisions, decisions

Things are progressing, and I'm not ready!

Yesterday rang to follow up from my builder as I hadn't heard back from him after my email.  Feeling stressed if he said he wouldn't be able to to do it as I know he's reliable.  Good news is that he will have availability next year.  Also followed up with the builder from next door.  He was nice, and always seemed to be onsite.  But he builds million dollar houses...

Also received pre lim construction drawings yesterday. Need to do quite a bit of editing.
Living room - open plan living or closing it off, can't work out the furniture placement
Butler's pantry - whether to expand it, take out the window, +/- door for the opening
Guest ensuite - the toilet seems to jut out, so might need to take space from the WIR, also whether I should change orientation

Have also looked at Beaumont tiles, Reece bathrooms, lighting shop.

Need to think about electrical plan

Ugh can't decide on flooring - laminate wood look, engineered timber, real timber - don't like the water issue, but it's feels like quality.

Spent 4 hours today looking at display homes for ideas.

Hate. Selections.

Looking for a builder

This is the most crucial part, and so stressful.  So hard to find a good, trustworthy builder.

I'm going to email my previous builder and see what his schedule is like for next year.  P has told me he's really busy :'(

I realised while I was waiting for my draftsperson to do the endorsed town planning drawings I could have commenced on the working drawings...  I'm not a great project manager.

Conditional permit approved!

Couple weeks prior to going on hols, it was past the 60 days time limit, and an option was to lodge to VCAT with failure to decide.  However my draftsperson had spoken to the town planner and had been advised that it was likely to be approved. I was also advised that if that was the case, it was better to avoid VCAT.  Was getting anxious though as the response from the permit was taking so long, and if the conditions were too harsh, I would have to go to VCAT anyway, which would delay the process even longer.  So I called up the town planner, who sounded young, inexperienced, and he apologised for the delay as said he would be getting it reviewed by his team leader soon.  1 week went by, and still no word.  Called again, and again I was told the following week.  Was hoping it would happen before I went on holidays with poor internet connection, but nothing.

Anyway, while overseas with sparse internet connection, I finally managed to get a response.

After 6.5 months, I finally got my permit approved with conditions.

Thank God the conditions were few and relatively straight forward!

I realised during this time I was waiting that I should have been looking at finishings etc.  This is the part I hate, and now I have to start doing it with time pressures.

Post advertising limbo

It took about a month after response for council to finally start advertising.

Apparently they went out to site prior to advertising which my draftsman thought odd, as they normally do it after.  Maybe they wanted to check out the street trees?  Pity it's nearing winter and all the leaves have fallen off!

Anyway, advertising closed after 2 weeks on Jun 6.

The next door neighbours conveniently wrote a letter of support - but I found out today that council had initially misread it as an objection!  They are now aware it was not.

So now I'm waiting for a response.

Waiting, waiting, everything takes so long.

Good thing I'm not in a rush.  Sort of.  My roof sprung a leak last month with heavy rains, and apparently the whole roof needs replacing.  Just needs to last this winter rain...