Rain, Rain, Go Away!

So, after a very wet weekend out onsite, we are hoping this week see's some movement on the house.

We met with our SS on Friday who was really great, and very accommodating. He was more than happy to let us run our own data cabling (hubby has all these grand plans on 'future-proofing' the house...... we'll see). The SS also said that the concreters should have been onsite today framing up the slab, and fitting the rio.

When we were onsite last Friday we also noticed that our landscapers were back onsite adding to the retaining walls - or so we thought. We went back to site on Saturday only to find the wall not done! They had added more sections, but it still did not go all the way back to the rear boundary!! This wall is doomed. We will be speaking to the landscaper tomorrow to resolve this once and for all!

Aside from that, there isn't a whole lot more to report. We will be heading out to the land on thursday this week, so I should have lots to report back then.

Till thursday!

The most important requirement on any site........

We went out to see the progress on site this evening and were very excited to see our porta loo had arrived!!!!

Thought we would open the door and take a pic before it was used much :)

The plumbers had been busy too, with all the plumbing work done and ready for the slab. We spent lots of time 'walking through the house' and we were able to get a good feel for where everything was actually going to go.

So far everything has gone to Coral's plan, and we are hoping everything is still on track for a slab pour early next week.

Electrical box will be set up tomorrow, and then they will start framing up the slab.

Fingers crossed the wet weather stays away for a few more days!

Shot of our ensuite and bathroom pipe work

Keenan and our Porta Loo!

Pile of rubbish which seems to have begun to accumulate in the rear corner right where the retaining wall need to be finished - will speak to SS to have this moved asap, before the wall is done.



And we have piers!!!!!

So exciting - we went to site last Friday only to find that our site had piers! It was so exciting to see the begining of the house!
 
Our Site Supervisor (SS) thinks that all going well we should have a slab down just after the long weekend!
 
We had fun walking around the piers trying to work out where each room would be - it all felt so real.
 
Have to admit too, it was really refreshing to see something actually happening. It feels like forever since we signed our contracts in August 2012, and to see the piering down made it all worth while.
 
Next step - plumbing and electrical connections.... one step closer to a slab!!

Close up of one pier - at least the house won't sink!

About 55 Piers all in all - They will return and clear off the excess concrete.








 

The Great Wall..... on Discovery CCT

So, due to the slope of our site, and the fact that we will be building so close to the boundary we needed to have a retaining wall installed down one side of our boundary.
 
Unfortunately, Coral Homes do not organise retaining walls, so we were left to our own devices on this.... and what a nightmare to say the least!
 
After numerous back and forwards between Coral, the architect drawing the plans and council personnel, we confirmed what we actually needed on site. From there, we had to have plans drawn up with the dimensions etc of the wall, and showing where it would finish on the land.
 
After approximately 2 months (! - yes two months!) of back and forth, we finally received our council approved plans and construction certificate for the retaining wall.
 
We organised Summit Landscapes to install the wall for us - neither hubby or I fancied the manual labour - and they did a great job. You can see in the pictures that they bevelled the edges of the timber sleepers which I think gives a very finished affect - loving the wall!

The Great Wall of Gregory Hills! I love the bevelled edges! 

So, we were feeling pretty good with ourselves, and very happy with the quality of work provided by Summit Landscapes. A few days later we had the private certifier attend site to sign off on the wall......... and here started the stress!

The certifier told us he was unable to pass the wall, as it did not go right to the back of our boundary. The frustrating part for us, was that everything had been made in accordance to the council approved drawings - the retaining wall was to run the majority of the side, finishing approx 2 metres from the back boundary wall, where the land would instead be battered back - this is exactly what was on the approved plans, and exactly what Summit did for us! SO FRUSTRATING....

A shot from the rear boundary looking onto the road - you can see the retaining wall doesn't hit the back boundary - this is problem according to the certifier! Never mind this is what Council approved!

The only way to resolve the matter and keep the wheels turning is to complete the wall, and have it run all the way to meet the back boundary - more costs for us! Only then will the certifier approve the wall....... I will be taking this one further with council..... whats the point in approving the plans if the certifier says it isn't structural correct???? I thought council was supposed to check these things!

Any who - hopefully the wall will be done later in the week and we can get the wall approved and move on......... Only suggestion for Coral Homes is to offer clients the opportunity to build retaining walls! The stress and time this one wall has cost us far out weighs the house...... and its still not right!

Fingers crossed we get it resolved soon.



The story so far...

Welcome everyone to our blog! My husband (Keenan) and I purchased our block of land in Gregory Hills, back in Sept 2011. We then had the agonising wait for the land to be registered, which happened in June of this year.

After looking at just about every display village in Sydney (and beyond!), we finally settled on building a revised version of the 'Daydream 28' by Coral Homes.

Since signing our contracts in August, we have been busy sorting out bank finances, choosing colours, selling our existing property, and moving back in the with the parents (joy!).

I'll post up our floor plan and some colour selections we chose.

Let the blogging begin!

Kylie