Fence Off

The fence has been taken away. Apart from the dunny in the middle, the house is now standing by itself.

The electricity to the grid is finally connected.

The main bathroom shower screen is also complete and looking good.

The TV/Foxtel/data points installed. Upstairs family room wall point needs a cover for extra hole.

Ducted vacuum outlet, lid already broken. Surely one would carry a spare one in the van, in case one is broken!?

And finally, the Hills Hub Box. Can see phone coming in and TV splitter, but not sure about the Foxtel and LAN data termination. I'll keep you posted on this.

The security system and keypad also installed with all of the door and PIR sensors. What? you expected photos of them too? Sorry, no can do. But it is a back to base dial-up system.

Still no stairway carpets, gas meter or signs of excavation for the rainwater detention tank.

Still no...

Still no electricity connection to grid.

Still no stairway carpets.

Still no gas meter installation.

Still no rainwater detention tank work.

Handover and keys for next Friday is not looking too promising.

Phone line connected!

I visited the site today at lunch time and no lock on the fence gate.

The Telstra phone junction box was installed.

Also was evident, the security system.

I rang Telstra and after 30 min on the phone, we had our phone line connected, tested (line level testing) and done. We even get to keep our old number. This was the easiest service connection ever!

Security system installed

I've been told by my father-in-law that he drove past the site yesterday and the security guy was installing the alarm system.

Our SS also mentioned via SMS that by end of this week, we should have our gas meter, as well as our phone junction box installed.

Also received from AGL our electricity connection welcome pack. It included the JOB # for our electrician to organise the meter and install, hopefully by end of this week too.

It will be busy 2 weeks for our hand over (tentative 7/6/2013).

Just signed and emailed our progress payment invoice to the bank. I also requested the bank to organise their site inspection for next week, before the last payment at handover, so there are no delays.

Electricity & Gas connection issues

Rang AGL to get both electricity and gas connection accounts created and connected.

What a drama and complicated delays!

For electricity, Statewide Electrical, has to supply us with NMI number that I have to quote to AGL. Then AGL will provide us with a JOB number. Now this apparently takes 5 to 8 working days! WHAT?! Only then, Statewide Electrical can organise the meter and do the grid connection.

So, the people involved are Statewide Electrical to do the actual work. AGL to organise the account and organise Ausgrid to get the grid account. Fuck so many middleman! The annoying bit is the time it takes for paperwork to be done, at our computer age. Arrrrgh!

So, next is the gas connection.

Since we never had gas in the old house, this means AGL has to send someone to come over and give us a quote on the work that is required to get the pipes to our property. Time taken, 10 working days.

Once we accept the quote (as we have any other choice! Dah!) they will go ahead and organise the connection. Time to get gas connected, wait for it... 30-40 working days!

Are these companies SERIOUS!

I need to look for alternative suppliers ASAP.

PCI Done!

This morning we had our PCI (Practical Completion Inspection) done with the Site Supervisor. Second last milestone before keys handover.

I had a list prepared, as well as my PCI list, coloured paper tags, plans as well as electrical plans. All armed up and ready.

The PCI took from 7:30am till 9:00am, going together with the SS. He was already on site and marking few spots with his sticker tag.

We went through each room, thoroughly inspecting every wall, joint, edge, frame, architrave, skirting etc.

Most issues were paint related, that require putty and paint. Ceilings, doors and floor edges were also inspected and couple of tags placed.

All doors and windows opened (fully) and closed correctly, specially the sliding windows and doors.

Inspected the kitchen, the drawers and overhead doors etc.

Outside, I only found 3 places where 2-3cm length mortar need to be added, and a small man made round hole blocked. That's it.

Things that still need to finish off are:
-Stairway carpet
-Main bathroom shower screen
-Manhole in the garage (somehow missed)
-Skirtings to be puttied and painted

Over all, very happy with the result. As I have always said, the Site Supervisor did do his job very well. (Thanks Phillip). And I had no doubts.

I'm hoping on Wednesday or Thursday our private consultant to go through the house again with the SS and report back. For added peace of mind.

So, here are some photos from today.

Main entrance & hallway

Stairway

Formal Lounge

Formal Dining

Living Room & Kitchen (and our SS Phillip)

Upstairs Family Room & Hallway

Upstairs Family Room & Hallway

Ensuite Wash Basin, Toilet, Shower & Spa

Main Vanity

Main Bathroom Bath

Main Bathroom Shower

During this week and next, Masterton has to finish off the list above plus get the rainwater underground detention tank installed and connected.

Masterton also to install:
-Gas Meter
-Phone Box

Handover date; Friday 7th of June 2013.

Site cleaned

Upon visit lunchtime today, saw the rubbish all cleaned and being taken away.

Clean up started

Looks like most of the major work is now complete, ready for Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) on Monday at 7:30am.

Drove by today at lunch and the rubbish bins were delivered. Quite possible the site will be clean by tomorrow. No one inside, so I could not access inside, see where things are up to and take photos. Monday...

Over the weekend, I'll have to sit down and go through our tender and plans and match them with PCI check list, ready for Monday morning.

Looks like there will be no power, as connection to grid will not happen till Monday. Claiming rain, but as you can see, it was not raining today. If others can come in and clean the site, surely the connection could have been done as well. They already have the money paid, no need to rush out and do the actual job on time. Not happy!

Also, next Wednesday, private inspection (TBC). I have booked DK Building Certifiers (www.dkbuildingcertifiers.com.au) to inspect and report any issues. I do not anticipate any major ones, but for $330, it is a peace of mind.

PCI Next week

We finally have a tentative PCI date set for next Monday 7:30am. Yay!

I also organised the power connection to the grid sometime this week ($880 via Statewide Electrical Services), so we can have lights on during PCI and also test the power points.

Possible key handover date 7th of June.

Skirting board costs

Now that we have our tiles and timber flooring done, I just don't understand why we get charged $450 by Masterton to get the skirting tagged, then removed by the tiler/timber floor installer, then come back and put them on again?

For carpets, this is not an issue, as the carpet is fixed against the skirting boards, so skirting boards can be attached and painted before carpet installation.

For tiles and timber, the skirting is fixed above the tile/timber floor.

So, why tag them first, only to be removed and installed later again, and charge the client $450?

Why not just measure and cut the skirting boards after flooring is done?!

Too easy I guess.

The house as of last Friday lunch time.

This pile should clean up soon.

Such slow progress

This week all we had was the tiles finished and upstairs flooring done. All up 1 day's work.

The rest of the week nothing else has happened to my knowledge, as I have no access inside.

Not sure if the stairs carpets are done. They were scheduled for 18/5/2013.

All bathrooms are done, shower screens done (I think). Nothing else left other than security, vacuum system, detention tank, phone junction box, gas box and few other minor things.

Just finish them off the move on already!

Upstairs flooring complete

Upstairs flooring of laminate timber is now complete. Got there just in time as they were packing up, sneaked in and took some photos.

Some photos of 99% finished ground floor tiles. Some places, the grout was missing along a line from one end of the room to the next. Not sure why.

The rubbish allocated fenced are is moved to allow the installation of the power pole. Arghhh!

And to finish off with, the front door landing & steps. (Most likely the steps will be covered by the driveway, unless we change our minds).

Tiles complete

Lower floor tiles are now complete. The grout is also done.

The front door landing tiles are also complete, including grout. This includes the steps as well. I guess if for any reason we decide to keep them, then they will be tiled, otherwise they will get covered up by the driveway.

No photos, as by the time I get off work, it is 7pm and it is already dark by 5pm!

Plus, no access inside.

Power poll installed

We had our power poll installed today. This means we might have power during our PCI.

Power connection from the poll to the mains box

Another peep through the door handle opening...lol.

Floor tiles almost done

Looks like the floor tiles are almost done. Edges and corners are what's left, then grouting.

A quick photo from the outside through a window.

No one there today, but I guess they have to give 24 hours for it to settle and dry before they can walk on them to complete the rest.

Floor tiling started

Floor tiling has started today and I presume it will be done by Friday.

A quick photo from back sliding door. Bit hard with glass reflections. 

Hopefully I'll be able to take better photos once all done. 

Shower screen done

Had a meeting with our SS yesterday (He was going to postpone yet again!) and discussed about the driveway changes and the power pole ground level. Since the front yard ground will be levelled down to the level of the kerb, I had to inform our SS and make sure the power pole was installed at the new level.

Today, the ensuite shower screen is in place now, as well as all of the the bathroom mirrors.

Main bathroom shower screen ready to be installed. But I think it is the wrong size! Too wide.

The main vanity basin still missing (sitting on the floor next room), with wall-to-wall mirror. The towel holder visible in the background, will move to the left hand side.

A close-up of the laundry taps

The electrical box is also installed with the fuse boxes and thr 3-phase power.