Clageo New Home Journey

Not much happening

2009-11-01T15:47:00.001-08:00

As per the title, not much happening since the last post

Fencing all done, but the lockable gate has taken another 2 1/2 weeks to finish, unbelievablely unprofessional practice. I wish my neighbour has a better run with this fencing company.

Solar panel will be installed today, then the next is gardening. Have a landscaper coming in approx 2 weeks time.. hopefully everything will be done before Christmas.. but look like i don't have money for air-con & pagolar this year because buying too many un-necessary things. haha

06Oct - Fencing completed

2009-10-06T03:03:00.000-07:00

Some pics for the fence

Finally all the fences are installed.. can't beleive it took so long due to late payment by neighbour.

Now they just need to come back and install the lockable gate. I feel more secure looking outside, but i should have taken some photos before the fences installed so i can remember the open space... haha

Due to the wet weather, i can see where they walked from/around my house, all my concrete are dirt, it will take me some times to clean it up, argh... But i am glad that it is over, one less thing to worry

Simonds has confirmed that i will be contacted by the maintenance contractor sometime this week, so hopefully they will call sooner and come/fix the issues quickly. It is a little more than a month wait, i really want all outstanding items to be fixed

Then i will have to think about gardening, can't wait to see a 'fully finish' house....

Yay.. Fencing next week

2009-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

28Aug - Got a call from the fence company this morning, all my neighbours have accepted the quote and they are organising it to be installed next Monday...

Such a good news, i have been quit worry in the last 2 weeks because only one neighbour retured my call, none from others.. so look like they reply back to the fence company rather than me.. anyway, as long as they accept it i am fine

Hopefully there is no issue and the fence can be up next Mon... my bunny can't wait to get out.. So next on agenda will be gardeing.. oh well, a lot of things still need to be done..

3 months maintenance

2009-08-13T19:21:00.001-07:00

Today 14Aug, its been 3 months exactly from handover.. and i still don't have fence.

I only accept a quote from a fencing company this Monday and they will be contacting my neighbour and see if they accept it.. waiting game again

I hope they will... just can't believe that no one on my street want to put up the fence.. I can fully understand those houses that build next to me (both sides), because they are still under construction, however the back neighbour, they move in already and no fence, they don't even put curtain, i can see them surfing internet in their study and having dinner in dinning area... well... i thought i am lazy already, but they, really surprise me..

Fence properly is my second last items to be done. Once done, it will then be landscaping, properly plus a pengolar...

Just got a replied from Simonds maintenance office that they received my fax (the maintenance list), and they will try to contact me either later this afternoon or Monday for an appointment. The maintenance office sound ok to me, very responsive, hope it is a painless process

Regarding the house, everything seems good, i finally have phone connected last week, a lot of drama for the fibre connection, but we are finally there, TV/Internet/Phone are all working fine now... most 'needed' furnitures/appliances are being bought, the house is being setup nicely, and i can finally feel 'home' of being home. Still need to put up some curtains though... hopefully everything can be done before summer so that i can enjoy the sun in the backyard..

Concrete in backyard

2009-07-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Fibre Optic to the home

2009-07-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

Just some update, a month after the handover, the rangehood ducting has finally been done, however Simonds still owe me a certificate for the mortar re-colouring, still need to chase that up

Other than that, everything seems good except for the sliding doors, i think they didn’t seal properly and therefore i have terrible wind noise coming into the house, have to wait until they come back for maintenance

Free-to-air TV, this is a huge issue, a lot, a lot of issues getting the fibre done..

We have Opticomm came to our house and installed the ONU unit, based on what they said, i would get free-to-air TV automatically once ONU unit installed, however i got nothing.

After so many phone calls and email, both Opticomm & Villawood said that Opticomm would come and fix the fibre.

I finally have my TV back on 14July, 2 months exactly after the handover.. OMG

And internet, finally received the router and get connected 4 days after having the TV.. so i finally feel a bit better now…

Next, still, the phone.. Internode did send me a starter pack but i can’t figure out how to install it.. so properly need another phone call..

This fibre-to-home things just too tech for me, but i must admit that the internet is so fast and so good, i think it worth the wait..

These 2 days (21/22July) is concrete day, they are still working on the concrete at a moment, but it looks good so far.. will post some pic later.. Ronny is good, i would recommend him if anyone interest of concreting..Next on agenda, properly is the fence…

My back neighbour has moved in a few days ago and they start concreting already, i wonder why they don’t start with the fence, i was hoping that they would send me the quote/bill and saved me some work… hehehee

What need to be done...

2009-07-02T23:49:00.000-07:00

Well, its been a little more than a month since we moved into our new house… Finally the rangehood ducting is done.. the only remaining follow up is just some paperworks…

Now, have to start writing up the maintenance list… there are a few things that need fixing (I guess), some paint jobs definitely, and the niche in the ensuite is cracking, some doors not closed properly and i think the main issue is the sliding doors, which have not been seal properly (based on my inspection), so air leak in and i have a surround sound (wind noise) in the living area during windy days… but other than that, everything is fine… i just hope that my neighbour can finish their construction sooner so that i can open the window… i love fresh air…

Have the ONU connection done by the estate nominated contractor, however still cannot get free to air TV & internet/phone, a bit disappointed. The contractor said that there is no fibre connected to my property, but when i called the estate they said that all fibre connection been connected/done, so who is lying and who is telling the true????? I just want my TV/phone/internet, that’s all

Now, have scheduled the concreting (for backyard) and some roller blinds to be done later this month, then will be fencing and some gardening.. then properly air-con, not sure which brand to choose yet, but i can certainly wait as it is still long way to go until Summer… Too many things need to be done and i feel very tired…

Day27 – is new problem coming up?

2009-06-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well, back to work already, annual leave is just too short (2 ½ weeks), haha

Called SS yesterday again regarding the rangehood ducting, he said that the purchase order was sent to the installer however they ran into confusion (?????) so didn’t complete the job. He said that he will chase up again and will ask them to call me before or after they complete it

Well.. what confusion they can have? Such an excuse is not acceptable actually. On the other hand i am still waiting the mortar re-colouring warranty certificate to be sent to me, still chasing that up.. Other than that everything is good so far.
One thing come up 2 or 3 days ago, the house (only in the living area) is a bit noisy if there is strong wind outside.. I can clearly hear the wind noise blowing in the living area even the TV is on, not sure how i can describe it better. I originally thought that the noise is coming from the steel frame (my back neighbour is building steel frame), but i opened the sliding door last night, it was so quiet although it was windy, so i suspect that something is wrong in my house, but not sure what. My colleague suggested that there could be a hole or something not seal properly, so the wind come in (may be from the roof space) and not getting out…

Can anyone shed some light? I am not sure if need to call Simonds/SS for this, or i should wait till 3 months maintenance, i really don’t know what or where is wrong???

Day19 after handover

2009-06-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

Basically i settled down in the new house, hubby is happy, but the bunny not.. have put into a great effort to make her happy

A lot of shopping in the last few days, Big W, Ikea, Myer..etc trying to slow down the cost, just don't want to go red on credit card.. haha

A plumber has put a note in my front door this morning, saying that he wanted to connect the solar panel for me but i was not home, why didn't he call me before he comes? now i have to call the office and book an appointment. But it is good that i don't need to chase Simonds for this.. I did shoot SS & CSR an email on Friday about this and i was also thinking to call them this morning, but look like it is on track now. So now, only the rangehood ducting is pending..

So far so good, everything is working well in the house (except i haven't figured out the washing machine issue yet) and i love the new house.. enjoy it very much, just a pity that there is no TV/Internet/phone, hope that i will get the fabric optic connection very soon..

Day 15 - another week

2009-05-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

OK, time to update again 29th May 2009

Keep calling SS about the phone conduit and the rangehood, they told me that the electrican would be fixing the phone conduit on Tues, but no one shown up, then promised on Wed and again, no one turned up, so called SS again on Thurs (yesterday), he said it should be done by the end of this week.. and today it is finally done (after a week of chasing up)

And for the rangehood, SS said that he has placed the purchase order already, so should be coming to my house very soon - i really hope so

I then mention to him about the new problem - water pipe leak in the kitchen. Well, they acted quite fast this time, i have a plumber into my house in 3 hours and problem fixed

=====

Unfortunately, today i have a new problem.

I tried to wash clothes, turned on the tap and the machine as usual, heard the water coming down from the tap through the pipe, then a few seconds later, my lanudry is flooding with water... argh.. not sure if this is plumbing problem or just my machine (i hope that the machine was not damage during the move)

Also today, i have been told by the plumbing company that Simonds still haven't sent the required document for them to do the connection for the solar panel (for the HWS).. argh, they asked me to follow up with SS if i want that done.. WHY i need to do this????

Probably need to call SS again on Monday, i think he is a bit sick of hearing from me.. and me too, i really don't want to call them but have to

Day 8 after handover

2009-05-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i was at the house from 7.30am, waiting for appliances to be delivered and installed. Can't understand why they can't call you before they come, so i don't need to wait there for a whole day

Never mind, the whole day was full of drama

First, the rangehood guy didn't know that he needed to duct to the ceiling, so he didn't prepare the tool, also there was no order from Simonds that he needed to do the ducting to ceiling, so he has to ask SS to send him a purchase order first then he can come back next week i told SS a number of times that i need the ducting to outside (and in fact i have paid for it and it is on contract), but still.... argh

Second, the location of my hot water system is facing the garage wall of my neighboure house. This morning, the bricke were there and doing bricking for my neighboure house, and they started from the garage side . As you can imagine they put all the ladders and bricks there and blocked the whole area so that my plumber could not get in and install the hot water system... My neighboure is also building with Simonds, so clearly there is no communication internally otherwise they should know that i have applicances installed today. And today, all Simonds SS were attending a conference meeting and not reachable, so i couldn't reach my or their SS either..
Finally we worked with the brickes and they promised to finish the garage side in 2 hours (which they did), so that my plumber could install the HWS, the plumber wasn't happy but he waited, better than coming back next week.. so overall the plumber was at my house for nearly 4 hours...

Third, more problem..... argh, the phone conduit has gone missing, couldn't find it, called my CSR who need to follow with SS on Monday (because of the bloody conference).. So my electrican (also onsite today) couldn't complete the wiring for me...

I suspected that the bricke next door has broken it, but can't be sure, so i went home and gone through all the photos, i realised that the conduit was already missing since the brick time.. so???? look like they hide the conduit inside the brick.. argh, why i never noticed during inspection...

Forth, they put my garden tap on the side of the house... i told them i need it at the back of the house and they still ... they just did it while i was talking to the electrican... @#$$@#@

Fifth, once they tested everything and left, the oven fan off... i asked myself, is this a joke???? It worked when they were here and once they left.. WT???

So overall, i was at the house from 7.30am and i am not home until 5pm... a whole day has gone with appliances installed but too many outstanding issues, I, now, just don't want to think about Monday because i will need to make a lot of @%$#@# phone calls, i feel very tired, when this can be over??

The only good thing is - i sold my house yesterday, although still waiting for the process to complete, but it is in writing.. this is a relieved..

7 days after handover

2009-05-20T16:44:00.001-07:00

A week has gone and i have just cleaned the house.. But we shall start moving a few things today.

Bad news is i may not get internet connection once i move.. Originally Opticomm said that they can do the installation at any time so i can call them a week before I move in and organise the installation. Once the installation complete i can then call any prefer supplier for boardband/phone connection.. but when i called again this morning, they said there is no fabic available, and properly won't be available until the end of this month.. argh, why they give me conflicting information, it seems that i just can't get everything done smoothly, there must be something not going right and worrying me... argh...

Anyway.. just want all appliances installed ok, have been scheduled for tomorrow.. and the heater commissioning is scheduled on Monday...

When i called the heating company, the receptionist tried to talk me out not doing commissioning, she said there is no need but i am not convinced.. SS did say that Simonds has paied them to come and they have to come.. so instead talking to the receptionist, i called again and talked to the service department and they arrange it straight away... wonderful..

Day 5 after handover

2009-05-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy few days..

Handover completed last Thursday, but we didn’t do much to the house on Fri and Sat (only shopping, yeah)…

Sunday, spent most of the afternoon cleaning, but still not completed…

Last night, we went to the house again and put up curtain (we only managed to put up one rod for one sliding door), so have to put rediblind for the rest of the house..

I will start my annual leave tomorrow, can’t wait for more cleaning and moving..

Just a bit sad that i saw some damage to the floor, didn’t see it during final handover, properly cover by duct.. argh…

Finally, hadnover is done!!

2009-05-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

The house is finally mine.. It is a very long journey, everything run smooty up until the final stage, the most stress stage... I have been so stress in the last few days/weeks and now it is almost over...

hahaa, have to say 'almost', not 'all', because still no sign of the mortar re-colouring warranty certificate, and still need to chase up... but i want the key and now i have it now.. I think i can finally sleep well tonight.. and finally can concentrate of organising things for the house, for the move...

Ohhhhhh Noooooo

2009-05-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

I called the finance department today and advised that i would go to their head office and pay the final payment (all fixing has been done). Then when i asked about who i pick up the keys from, they said your house does not have Certificate of Occupancy yet, so you can’t have the key… Ohhhhhhhhh NOOOOOOOOO

When i had the third walkthrough with SS (nearly 2 weeks ago), he did tell me that i have COO already… so WT?????

The finance lady said she will follow up for me today… so i told her that i need it urgently since i was told that it is done, i have now organised the removalist and everything else… I really need to move in..

I then called my CSR who said that it is not her role to follow this up??????? @#$@##$# but she later on saying that she will do her best to follow up for me… argh…

I then rang the council who advised that they are not doing the COO for me, because Simonds is using a private surveyor called NorthPoint… so i found their number on whitepage and called them

They advised me that they did the inspection a few weeks back, but they are waiting for information from Simonds (such as Plumbing certificate, energy rating report….etc) before they can release the COO…. So i called SS again and asked him if he can follow up with the plumber of what’s holding up the certificate…

Argh, i feel so tired of this.. why i have to do the chasing up.. i thought everything has been organised and now, in the very last minutes… ohhhhhhhh

Shopping Time

2009-05-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

Never thought that a custom made rod need 4 weeks to complete and deliver (although the price is similar to readymade)

This properly is my fault, i never look at rod seriously, i always thought that i can get a ready made quickly, but look like one of the sliding door need custom made…

Arghhhh…

Except for curtain company, I have tried bunning yesterday too, which they have the size i am looking for listed in their store, but i couldn’t find it, tried to get someone helping, but they were too busy (i guess its because of Mother day)
So i bought some redishade instead.. properly i need to use it for a while before i can get a rod installed (i already have curtain)

I don’t have a key yet but already thinking of moving and buying things… hahahaa just can’t stop thinking about the house

Update for today

2009-05-08T01:59:00.000-07:00

OK – quick update

Meeting was at 10am this morning, SS shown me around the house, all the internal are done and house inside is cleaned

There are a few outside items still being worked on, and SS has spent the whole morning fixing it (rather than getting tradies to do it, he just do it himself, well done). He assured me that everything will be done by the end of today, so i am happy to sign off… I know that I should sign off after all are completed, but i think it is just about trust, and i trust him.. so i signed off but i won’t pay until he confirm all items are done. And he is fine with it.

There are only 2 items outstanding and will leave it post handover

– 1. provide me the warranty certificate for the mortar re-colouring, and

– 2. monitoring the mortar color through maintenance period
This is tricky. They have done the mortar re-colouring a while ago, and now because Kevin has identified some brickwork issue during PCI, so the brickie has to come and fix, however the mortar color look a lot lighter, I nearly had a heart attack when i saw it.
But SS assured me that it is the same color, it is just because it is not fully dry and still new, so the color not quite blend with the rest of the house. He is also happy to put in writing, if the color is still not settled at the end of the maintenance period, he would come back and fix it
To be honest, the color looks slightly better than a few days ago, so may be true that it is too early to judge the color, so I let it go as long as we have that in writing

So hopefully this is it… All the appliances have booked in and will deliver in 2 weeks times…

Later in the afternoon, SS called and confirmed that everything has been done except for the acid clean for the driveway/garage floor, and it will be done on Monday. I just went to the house and checked, everything are there and only the acid clean remaining, i am quite happy with it… Look like i can finally settle my house on Monday… yeahhhh

This weekend, shopping time… hehehe.. i need to buy some rob to hang my curtains, also need some roller blinds, need to hang them up first so that i can start moving things in…

It is so close but still.....

2009-05-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the comments.. but i don't have the house yet. SS called 15mins before the meeting start, he wanted to reschedule to today, but i couldn't make it, so it will be tomorrow, at 10am...

I kind of expected it, i actually don't think everything can be fixed by Wed, so asked for Friday handover, but he sound so confident last week, and now turn up $@$@#$%

I still went to the house on Wed, a lot of things have been done and thats good

However i saw a new problem, look like the brickie who tried to fix the brick issue (identified by my inspector) but using the wrong mortar color 'again'..... i am so p@ss.. because this happened to my house before and they did the mortar re-colouring already, and now again????? what the brickie thinking????? although it is not a big area, but just annoying, why can't they finish the job and finish it well, so doesn't need to come back again?????

I will go back and check again tomorrow... I hope it is just because the mortar not dry yet (let's pretend that)... i am not sure if i should settle, I am totally confused... NOT HAPPY AT ALL

06May is our handover date

2009-05-05T04:29:00.000-07:00

Should have this updated last week but been busy, there are quite a few things happening for the new house:

Last Friday was my third walkthrough with SS after the PCI, most items have been fixed which i was pleased, however there are still outstanding items – such as water pipe brick work, some paint touch up, gas pipe UV spray, driveway/garage floor cleanup, toilet flyscreen, IXL fan light is still wrong…etc… so still a fair bit of works required

But SS was confident that they can all be fixed by 06May which is tomorrow… let’s hope so.. He also confirmed that the Occupancy of Certificate has been issued, so we should be able to do a handover tomorrow

Last Friday after the site meeting, I also called the bank and organise the final payment. I am quite worried because they need to do an inspection before giving me a cheque, but surprisingly the bank called me in the early morning today and confirmed that the inspection has passed and the cheque is available in 30mins in the brand that i nominee.. woo, how wonderful…

Also called my loan manager today who organise the house insurance for me, done straight through no issue at all

So look like i have what i need for tomorrow, let’s see if they really fix everything..

I just place online order 2 pendants lights and 1 wall light for my dinning/kitchen and lounge room, so happy for it… my annual leave has been approved and removalist has also been booked.. wooo bring on the move as i am soooooooooo excited…

STILLLLLLL no handover, no house

2009-04-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

The completion date on contract is 08 May.. Well, another 2 weeks to go, I am not confident that they will fix everything by this date

PCI was done a month ago, nothing has been done until 2 weeks ago, however only the plasterer doing a partly completed job… then nothing has been done until today. But not the plasterer, was the brickie and concreter doing other fix and partly done again.. argh….

At this stage, they agreed to fix everything including Kevin’s report except one item – the infill above 2 sliding doors. I am kind of disputing with them, but now i properly will give up, because even they agree to fix it now, it may take another few weeks or months (argh).. Basically they need to pull down the bricks above the door and re-patch it, argh… i just want my house now and I am losing patient to wait any longer

I raised my concern to my CSR on Monday, i said i will escalate this further if not improving. SS said that everything has been booked and scheduled.. Well, i know that, i was there when he made some of the calls, however the traders never shown up. Clearly he cannot manager or control the traders..

The house opposite mine has moved in already.. yes, they have moved in, and they actually started building a month and a half later than mine, and THEY HAVE MOVED IN, you can see my frustration… arghhhhhhhh

I don’t want their penalty payment and i just want MY HOUSE….

Pre-Handover Inspection done - finally ...

2009-03-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Finally i have my pre-handover inspection done yesterday. After a few rescheduled, now all done..

The defect list is quite large however most of them are minor, only some paint job/re-patch required, a few holes/cracks need to be fixed, some scratched carpet (but only a very small areas), privacy lock on the wrong door, brick clean again…etc..

Major issue, well, the LINEN architraves is not straight, but they are going to re-do the whole LINEN for me anyway because it didn’t build as per contract, so no concern.. Only the kitchen pantry door is not level, not sure if it can be fixed, it is quite obvious, but at least it is no structural concern.. the main bedroom door is also having the same issue but less obvious, so i just let it go (i won’t even notice if Kevin not pointed to me)

Overall look ok, but yes, still need to wait for Kevin report which should be available on Monday, but as he said, nothing major except the door level problem..

SS is good, i am so glad that i have a new SS now… he is very patient and willing to work with me and Kevin.. especially you know that he is working overtime because me and Kevin are not available till 5pm.. so our inspection occured quite late. And i brought one of my friends there as well, because my husband is not available.. and my SS still ok, and even listen to her when she found something..

Now, SS advised that he will try to get everything fixed in 5 days, although i am not confident of that.. let's see, i don't mind to wait another week, i just want everything fixed and good..

I still need to organise my electrican to complete the rest TV/phone, then i can phone the bank ready for the final payment (the bank also need to do final inspection), hope everything is going to be ok.. fingercross

Positive Move

2009-03-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

A week is passed and things start to look good. SS told me that he has found a company called "northcote"?? that can fix the mortar, so i dont need to pull down the wall and re-patch it.. the company provide 20 years guarantee for the fix.. Basically (i think) they just apply another layer on top and match the color. I am not sure if this is a good solution, but i would want them to try first..

The house is looking better:
- the bricks have finally done.. so next week they can do the render
- carpet is in
- ensuite vanity is in (but the mixer is missing, hope it is not stolen again)
- the missing bathtub is back
- the missing external powerpoint is in
- the cornies in kitchen is completed also, just need to paint now
- the outstanding electrical work is completed also (except the work from my own electrican)

The issues i addressed last week were almost completed, only the mortar and the LINEN remaining now

PCI booked in next Tuesday, however just recevied a call from SS that it need to be rescheduled till Friday, because the garage door and flyscreen won't be able to deliver before Tuesday.. Now not sure if Kevin is available.. he is avaialble on Tuesday but not sure about Friday, hope he can make it, i want him to do the PCI with me.. fingercross

2009-02-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today my new CSR called.. Very wired.. i don't know that i have a new CSR, if my SS didn't tell me yesterday i never know.. And today she called me, it is not because she wants to introduce herself, it is because she wants me to re-sign some variations..

Look like the last 2 i signed have got lost, so she wants me to re-sign.. Can't believe it..

Anyway so i asked her about my handover date, SS told me that it is 10th March, but no one from Simonds has confirmed that.. I only receive a letter saying that i am close to handover, thats it... So do i need to call the bank now? do i need to organise my Inspector now??? is it really on the 10th March???? She said she will get back to me today, but as usual, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.. i tried to call her back in the afternoon, as usual, VoicemaiLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Anyway, here is some pictures..

TAS OAK Flooring

Main Bathroom - basically all done except the missing bath tube.. Cannot believe that it got stolen

My splashback, it looks good..

Meeting my new SS today 26Feb

2009-02-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

Have the site meeting with my new SS today, sound promising and i told myself that i like this guy. Well i think it is still ealry to tell he is good or not, but the first impression always dictate well.

Good news is:
- 10March book in for handover
- Flooring all completed
- All WIR/BIR including pantry/Linen fitout are all done
- Shower Screen and shower rail in
- Vanity unit in main bathroom in, only waiting the ensuite to be fixed
- Lighting nearly complete, only a few powerpoints need fitting
- Kitchen splashback is in

Bad news is:
- LINEN may not be fixed, as we identified in frame stage but nothing has been done. Now it may be too late for it, my new SS has to look into it if we can cut the LINEN with the size i want, because we don't want to cause structural damage to the roof
- Mortar color - as identified a while ago, look like something has been done to fix the color issue, it is less obvious but still, you can see the different. So SS suggest that they can pull down and re-patch, but this may take another 2 months.. oh god ??? i asked him to come back to me with different option
- Bath tube has been stolen and need re-order
- The support bar has finally arrived but still cannot complete the remaining bricks because all the bricks were stolen.... oh god... re-order again, argh..

Oh SS also said that my CSR has left, i only spoke to her on Monday why didn't she tell me????? very very disappointed, have to find out who is looking after my file now...

I am not sure now if i can have the PCI on 10 March.. worried

I have floor

2009-02-23T01:48:00.000-08:00

Oh, the first minute i arrived my new house today, i was so excited, then i started to worry..

They started laying the timber floor.. It is good that things keep moving, but why they layed the floor now? i am worried that it will get damage especially they still need to fix the Linen.. Ensuite vanity unit still not in etc.. i start to wonder, or am i worried too much??

OK, site meeting book for next Thursday

2009-02-20T01:26:00.000-08:00

OK, get hold of my new SS, and book a site meeting with him next Thursday, he sound quite nice, so hopefully i can get along well with him..

But silly me i forgot to ask him about the outstanding issues, i am just not good enough on the phone....

Been to the house again today, seems nothing has been done only the rubbish being tidy/cleaned up, and the temp fences have been up again (I complained to my CSR the other day about the fallen fence)

Came home and found that i have received a letter from Simonds about the handover procedure.. OH... really, is my house ready for handover? i don't think so yet, but good to know that they are preparing for it.. hehe

A new day, a new SS

2009-02-19T00:03:00.000-08:00

Look like the house keeps moving, although i cannot get hold of my new SS yet, but i have not really tried hard today, i just want to give him a rest for the first day, will start calling tomorrow..

The tapwares are all in (except the vanity unit in ensuite), ceiling insulation, mirror, robe fitting, and even driveway... and also a good new is the 'support bar' is finally delivered, hopefully they can get the brick completed soon.. i want a fully brick house...

Tapwares are in

The support bar (hope i get the term right) - for the living sliding door, hopefully i can get it 'brick' soon

Mirror is in

Not Happy!

2009-02-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened but not the house.

Last Tuesday, my SS advised that he will be moving to Northern Melbourne, and i will be having a new SS. But he keen to have a walk through with me and the new SS together and asked me to call him back on Friday to make the arrangement. So i called on Friday but couldn't find him, so i called again on Monday, and he advised to call on Tuesday. I called again yesterday and no respond once again, argh, i am getting a bit disappointed now, since a lot of issues still havent been fixed, i really want to talk to him before he leaves (today is his last day),argh..

The house is moving slowly, one vanity bowl is installed, ceiling insulation installed and guess what, gas meter also installed (i wonder why this quick?).. but all existing issues still haven't been fixed, oh god, when i can get it done!!! not good, just not good enough...

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Forgot to add, i also need to select a new flooring. Trueloc called me yeterday that my Spot Gum Timber Floor is no longer available, if i need it i will have to wait for a few weeks, so instead they offer me Tas Oat (in a higher grade range).. Although i am not sure if i can have a handover in a few weeks time, but i don't want anything to cause the delay any further, so i have chose it... In term of the color, TAS Oat is not as good as Spot Gum, however the quality (it is from a higher grade range, cost more $$$) is much better, so i can live with it..

2nd post of the day - 06Feb2009

2009-02-05T23:38:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled, i posted some photos which i have taken on Wednesday this morning, but now, just went tothe house and found that light points, power points, exhaust fans, smoke alarms installed, benchtop in kitchen & bathroom also installed and the tiles look completed also... I am so happy, so of course more pictures..

New year, new update

2009-02-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven’t updated for over a month, but due to the Christmas/NY holiday and the heatwave, the works have been slowed down a bit, but we are in final phase (although there are still a lot to be done)

Tiling to wet areas have started this week

The 1st coat of paint

The Laundry tube

Most happy is the kitchen & the underbench sink

So far so good, SS said that I can expect handover in approx 6-8weeks

However a lot of things need fixing still, the LINEN, this is dragging on since the frame stage????? The tradie supposed to come and fix it before Christmas but still not showing up

The plumbing pipe (suppose hide inside the plaster) still visible in bedroom 2 even though plaster is up and archivarch is in, still waiting to be cut/fixed

The brick outside the living area and laundry still incomplete (although it is only a small area) because the support bar (I hope I get the ‘term’ right) is missing/stolen, and due to the size it has to custom made and so I have to wait…

And new issue come up with the mortar, it looks like whoever completed the bricks during NY holiday use different color of mortar, so the color is not match.. SS said that it may not be fully dried so will wait for another week and see what happen, but we had a week of heatwave last week, how come it still not dried.. so another thing on my tracking sheet now..

Just an update

2008-12-27T22:47:00.000-08:00

Not much to update since last post..

There are some plaster issues because of the rain before Christmas, although SS and CSR promoise to fix, but it is Christmas, and so has to wait until next year..

Just and still a bit disappointed that the brick still not finish.. its 98% complete and only a small area reminding, why can't they just finish it... keep draging on and on..

Other than that, everything seems fine and i have just received the fixing stage invoice... their account department is real quick

Christmas is coming and things start to move slowly

2008-12-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

The brickie supposed to complete the bricking on Tuesday, they did come and work however had to stop due to the heavy rain… and now I can see that they packed everything inside the house, so I think they may not come back… oh well… properly I have to wait until next year… I hope this won’t affect the colour as some bricks are up and some are still in the pack

Also, the promised carpenter has not turned up either so properly the LINEN won’t be fixed until next year too..

The only good thing is that they do moved ahead of the schedule even though the house is not lockup yet but the fixing stage has started e.g. painting has started, and all doors and architraves are installed.. I want my house…

Not much happening...

2008-12-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

Another week is passed, not much is happening properly because Christmas is coming

Look like they start painting, and also all doors are delivered

Called SS this morning, he confirmed that the defects from the frame report have been done, not sure it is true or not, but he said that I can get a report from CSR, so I will

The Linen, he said that he will try to get it fix this week, let’s see

I feel a bit depress now since the house is moving very slow because of the festive season… I know I can’t complaint, but just can’t help, I want my house

A lot to update and I am not quite happy

2008-12-02T16:32:00.001-08:00

Thursday 27Nov:
Called SS that I want to do a pre-plaster inspection, he seems not happy to hear that because I have just done one not long ago and he said that I didn’t give him enough notices, but he was fine at the end and said that he would arrange with Kevin
So I then called Kevin (the same day) and he is available to do the inspection on Friday 28Nov, so I told him to call SS and arrange it
Then haven’t heard anything since and I thought it all sorted

Sunday 30Nov:
I found that the house is plastered… OMG…

Monday 01Dec:
I called (left him voicemail) Kevin in early morning and asked if he has done the inspection on Friday.
When he returned my call, he wasn’t happy either and keep saying that my SS is a liar, because he was there on Friday and my SS told him to come back this week.. Obviously SS told him that the plaster won’t be up until later this week, so he has plenty of time to do the inspection…
I am not happy either because SS told me the same thing, he said that he couldn’t find trades to put up the plaster, so we still have time to do inspection
Now I keep thinking if they are trying to hide something from me?… why all the sudden, the plasters are up and they know that I want an inspection done first…I become worrying… OMG, I may have some sleepless night coming…
Kevin told me that I now must follow up all defects that he identified from the frame inspection, they must be sorted, then he will do the pre-handover inspection for me, a complete one, not sure what he means but I have to trust him… I just hope that there is no any hidden problem…
I called SS a couple of times yesterday, he promised to review the defect report over the weekend but he didn’t. Said that his computer is having problem blab blab blab.. So I will keep calling him until he find the time to talk to me… the LINEN also need to be fixed as well, the size is incorrect.
Kevin said that he has my SS on the book, and so am I now…

==============
This morning 03Dec, I drove pass and saw 3 (may be 4) brickies have started bricking again… thanks god they come back…
It’s kind of relieve that they come back… but again… I am still missing the inspection, I now just hope that they are doing a good job so not many issue being picked up at a later stage… I still don’t understand how they can plaster before the completion of the bricks

Summary of what happened in the last 2 days

2008-11-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 25Nov, I was excited because the bricking has started

Went to have a look again yesterday 26Nov, and found that the roof tiles are finally done
yeah yeah...
So no more holes on the roof.. and the solar panel has also been installed...

Plumbling, electrical wiring for power points and my star system have all been installed, so i think the next will be plaster

Just called SS this morning 27Nov and advised that i need Kevin to do another inspection (pre-plaster). I actually don't know if i need to do it, but most people said that this phase (pre-plaster) is very important, so i think i will do one just for a peace of mind... Not sure if Kevin is available, just shoot him an email, and and and...... he stil owe me the frame report... he is just a toooooo busy man, but i trust him...

More update for today, insulation is installed also, however still no progress for the bricks... also Kevin has sent through the Frame report, will properly call SS tomorrow and discuss further..

OK, i think it is brick time

2008-11-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

Drove passed this morning (before going to work), saw some trademens trying to unpack the bricks, look like the brick party is finally here
I properly drive pass again tomorrow to see more progress...

EDIT: hahaha, just can't wait till tomorrow, went to the site and found that plumbling is done

However the bedroom 3 still partly un-tiled, not sure when they can complete it, it got wet by rain

The bricks have been divided into groups, ready to be up... yeah..

More Electrical works

2008-11-22T01:44:00.000-08:00

Went to the house today and:

- Looks like Simonds electrican was onsite either yesterday or this morning.. because the wiring for power points have been done

- Cornes has already been deleveried

Not sure when they can complete the roof tiles, really don't want to wet the house (currently only part of the bedroom 3 remainng)

Hopefully the rain won't delay the build....

Pre-wiring

2008-11-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today, it is Thursday 20Nov, things are getting better
Saw some tradies working on site, 2 from DOWELL, look like they are fixing the sliding door that was blown down by strong wind a while ago
Plasters are all delivered, all power points/phone points/TV points location have been marked
But the roof tiles are still yet to be completed

Talked to my electrician (Paul) this morning, he will do the pre-wiring for me, throughout the whole house using CAT5/6
Also installing pay TV point.. and I end up ask him to do all the phone points as well as TV points because the setup for optic fabic/junction box will work differently
Called up Simonds (SS & CSR) that their electrician don’t need to do it
Tried to ask for a refund but not sure if I will get it, but it is just 2 phone points and 2 TV points, not much to lose I hope
Paul is good, he explained to me very details and shown me what system he is going to setup.. and he is quick too, he complete the pre-wiring within an hour..
He will need to come back after plastering and handover, total cost – argh 1926 OMG.. hope it is worth..

Roof Tiling started...

2008-11-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

Monday 17Nov, tried to call SS & CSR to confirm whether or not I should organise my electrician to be onsite to do work on Tuesday 18Nov. Because the promised roof tiles still not up yet when i drove passed over the weekend, I really don’t want to do any electrical work without roof tiles, so called them to confirm and they said it should be done by this Thursday, and this mean that I have to reschedule the work with my electrician as well (thanks god he is ok)

Drove passed the site again yesterday (about noon) to check if the tileing started, and I saw 4 people up in my roof doing things.. yeah… finally they started putting up the roof tiles… and they managed to get most done, so hopefully they can complete it today

Bad luck to me – I originally organised a day off for the electrical work, since it is rescheduled and I have also caught a cold/flu, I end up spending most of my time in bed, what a waste, WASTE, and WASTE…
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Frame Inspection

2008-11-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

First time meeting my SS, he seems fine to me…
Had a first walk through with him in my house this early morning, well, frame is up and completed since the cup day, but nothing happened since
He told me last Friday that the roof tiles should be up, but still nothing yet
He said it again that the roof tiles will be up today.. so I drove by after the work in the afternoon, still…….. nothing…

The plan he gave me sound good – Roof Tiles start to up today, then start bricking next Monday, and then plaster up next Wednesday… ha, but the roof tiling is not happening today already… how good of this plan will be?
Anyway, Kevin did the inspection 2 days ago, I am yet to see the report, hope everything is good..

2008-11-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

Nothing has happened after the cup day, ng ngggggg
Spoke to SS last Friday morning, and he advised that the roof tiles should start to up from Friday onward, but when I went there yesterday, still nothing happened
The house located next street actually has the frame completed a day after us, but now, they have the roof tiles completed… ????
Hope they can get their act quicker otherwise I start to worry
However the bricks are delivered, doesn’t look like the one I ordered (but I checked the name/order sheet which is correct).. RED GUM suppose to show some random black dot in bricks, but this one looks like purely RED to me… hope it wont look too bad after they are all up… my hubby loves RED anyway, he should be a woman
Also happening today is Frame inspection, Kevin will do the inspection this morning and get back to me with a report, hope I don’t see much issue… I also have arranged a meeting with SS this coming Thursday so that he can show me around my house
Hope everything is going well…

Update with no progress

2008-11-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

Looks like they have not done anything today, but roof tiles have been delievered and more frame as well

They are working on Cup Day!!

2008-11-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

Unbelieveable, i don't mean to go on site today, but i have nothing to do anyway, so just drive around in Hopper Crossing, then come back from the new exit (can't remember the road name), then thought that i just go and have a look at other houses, and found that they were on site today and put up the fascia... i am very excited... It is public holiday today and they are working.. OMG.. Are they being paid triple?

The fascia was only delievered yesterday, may be they worried that the fascia may get stolen, so that's why they put it up quickly..

Turning GREEN!

2008-11-03T00:25:00.000-08:00

Just another day, another pics... my house is now turning GREEN!! heheee

I think the frame is nearly finished..

2008-11-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

Heheheee, routine check, i just can't go home without stopping by....

Well, as i can see the roof frame is up already.. the fallen sliding door is back.. yeah yeah.. i can't see any damage by looking at the door, but looks like it cannot be closed.. so properly need to be replaced... not sure when they are going to send me another bill, i need to ask Kevin to do a inspection first...

The fallen sliding door is being put back on

Tiles selection done

2008-10-31T01:41:00.000-07:00

Today, went to Fashion Tiles for tile selection, the whole process is good and smooth, the consultant is very patient as i cannot decide what color to choose.. however i still managed to choose everything within an hour...

Basically i am happy with the standard range, they have some very nice color and pattern, but i cannot choose it (i wanted to) because it won't match my cabinet (slat greg) and benchtop (casestone Latte)... i start to regret the color choice for the cabinet and benchtop..

Late afternoon, went back to the site - i just can't help myself and have to go checking everyday...

Looks like they fixed the fallen frame and the door (partly), and more frames have been delivered also, and they have started joining the frames as well, so hopefully they will continue again and properly complete next week... is this possible? it's only 22sq house, not huge at all

Oh, and forgot to add, the first installment went in today, thanks god the bank didn't stuff up, they did make me worry for days...

Yesterday excitment is gone...

2008-10-30T01:32:00.000-07:00

Just came back from the site, i was hoping to see some more progress today, but looks like nothing has been done, no one even on site at all... Well, i am not too disappointed at first.. because i don't expect them to work on my lot everyday, i know they are busy people, but then when i saw this... OMG @#@$$#

The wind is so strong today and it blow down one of my sliding door and frame wall... When i saw this, i wanted to cry... and keep thinking if they are on site today it can be avoid, but they are not... can i really blame them.. i don't think so.. poor me

I am trying to see if the door is damaged in anyway, but i am too afraid that i will get injuried as well, the wind is just so strong, similar things happen to other lots, so i end up going home... hope they will be on site tomorrow and fix it... but i will definitely check that door when the frame is done...

Frame up, can they be this quick??

2008-10-29T00:09:00.000-07:00

Well, i only saw them delivered the windows/sliding doors yesterday, haven't seen any frames at all, but today it is half completed... i cannot believe it, can they be this quick? Well, i think i did spot something that may not right... but i properly wait and see... will need to chat with SS later...

Windows/Sliding Doors delivered

2008-10-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

This morning, went to Simonds and paid my share, then called up the bank to start drawing the first installment.. so far so good.. I have asked if i paid enough and they just said should be fine.. oh dear, i hope it won't have any issue, i hate dealing with bank sometime...

Went to the site today again.. (hehee can't stop the temptation, just keep checking everyday) and i have got windows/sliding doors delivered.. and they are all double glazing and all sizes are correct... yeah yeah... hope i can see a frame up shortly...

Here we go... Slab Time

2008-10-25T04:54:00.001-07:00

Updated for the last few days

Well, my CSR actually called me on Wednesday 22Oct morning that i should have a slab done by Friday, this is different from what SS said, but anyway i am no hurry to have this done, so i didn't go and check on Wednesday night

When i got there on Thursday afternoon, here is what i see - preparation for the slab

And this is what i saw this morning 25Oct around 10am, seems like they are working on my slab.. yeah yeah..

When i came back this afternoon, here we go, my slab is done (well, i am not professional, but i think it is done)... In fact, i received my first bill yesterday already, from Simonds... they are real quick...

Today we have plumbing

2008-10-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

As per SS, i should have a slab by tomorrow.. although i still havent seen any material being deliveried to the site yet, but the plumbing works seems completed already.. I just hope "NO RAIN"...

First spoke to my SS

2008-10-20T00:02:00.000-07:00

Today i first spoke to my SS, he seems nice but hurry to close the call.. anyway, he said that i should expect a slab down this Wednesday, this is a very good news... but he also said that i should expect a fame up/complete by end of next Friday... oh this is real quick, not sure how the quality will be???

Well, I do hope that everything he said is true, and is going well..

Today i also spoke to Kevin from New Home Inspection, he is a very well known home inspector from homeone, he is saying that he is available to do my inspection.. i just need to call or email him once i receive the invoice, and he can get that done in 3 days... this is great... a lot of people recommended him and i really hope that he can take my case...

Looking forward to the slab and hope everything is going well, i may go and check on Wednesday if the slab is pour... heheee, can't wait

And today we have temporary fence and meter box

2008-10-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

Today went to the site and well, well, well... we have temporary fencing.. + meter box.... Getting excited, excited.. can't wait for a slab...

Pics update - what's happening so far...

2008-10-13T02:45:00.001-07:00

October 11 2009, we have water tap... hehehee

October 09 2008, we have a native plant in front of our house, plus Simonds has started the earthwork...

September 14 2008, the cross over is finally completed and other works.. and we have street name ...

Council approval may be received already.. and we finally settled the land on September 25 2008

August 26 2008, cross over still need to be done, but the land settlement is coming quickly

Another FINALLY.. how many 'finally' will i have???

2008-10-13T02:24:00.001-07:00

Nearly 2 weeks passed, a lot of things happened quietly..

Had the real 'first' arguement with my CSR.. To be honest, i have been quite claim to most of the situations.. A lot of times, for a lot of the things they said/suggested (or whatever), i replied with 'ok', 'fine', 'will do'... I never really try to fight anything, i just let them do it.. But this Sliding Door thing i almost lost it... Really don't want to go into details since finally it is sorted, they give me the door (with the size i expected) back with no charge (** OF COURSE **), but just a bit argh... really can't think of a word to descibe the feeling ..

Anyway, still something good happened.. my loan is all setup.. can be draw down anytime..

Another thing is the earthwork has started too and i have my water tap.. I have been worried for so long, for this water tap, I am so worried that they would place it in the driveway (it happened to a few other people)... Simonds not allow me to specify the water tap location on the contract. See, i should be entitiled to (i know quite a few people do and their builders allow also ), i never argue with them and fine with it... I just keep the worry to myself until i see the tap now, i am relieve...

Another thing is i have got my SS contact details, I am told that he is one of the senior and most experice, and i am lucky to have him... well, i will see if he is that good, i do hope so... will try to call him tomorrow...

Things will be getting interesting and i will be busy of organising site inspection as well as electrical arrangement... will have to handle it when it comes

Building Loan Sorted but how about final drawing???

2008-10-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy day

Received a call in the early morning from my CSR that my final drawing has been fast track/done... well, i am amazed of how efficient they are

Lunch time, went to meet Tanya to sign the building loan, everything seems ok, i also gave her a copy of the building permit, and confirmation of the construcion letters...

Then went to get the final drawing... checked again and found that all updated have been made however the sliding door in the dinning area is getting smaller.. WTF????? ... are they trying to rip me off, giving me a smaller door and hope that i won't find out? and also the window schedule is still not showing double glazing.... i need to make sure that i am having double glaze installed, not standard glass..

A quick call to my CSR again and also shoot her an email, and she promised me to follow up... well, hope she does... i do trust her to be honest, i think she has been quite good so far... hope i can hear a good news next week...

Another update

2008-10-02T02:43:00.001-07:00

Today, talked to my CSR about the final drawing, and she has to send back for re-draw to include the missing pieces, so i should expect to receive it next week..

Also today, received all the PCV bills... Well, i have not even started building yet and has to pay the PCV first.. cannot believe it

Properly call tomorrow and see whether it can be arranged..

Also today received the bank letter regarding the setup of the land loan... everything seems good. i start feeling to be a home owner... hehee

Received final drawing

2008-10-01T03:27:00.000-07:00

Received the final drawing today and a copy of the building permit... yeah yeah...

Just spent nearly 2 hours to check and re-check...

1. OMG, just realised that i never pick up the laundry door is opening in the wrong direction, but it is fixed in this final drawing... how can this be? who pick that up? just want to say thank you to him or her...

2. The master bed window is now opening on the other side, used to open from the bedside, but again who changed it? Well, i don't mind anyway and i think it is better to open on the other side..

3. The render is missing

4. Still no indication of where the water meter and garden tap are installed

5. Still no indication about double glazing

Other than that, i am quite happy...

I have also got the site cost reduced, save approx 2300.. too good to be true...

My CSR has called today (she is finally back to work) that i should expect a site cut in the next few days... Oh i didn't expect this quick... i still have not put up a sign on my land yet... need to get the sign from Simonds first...

All of the sudden....

2008-09-30T02:57:00.001-07:00

Well, how should i post this one...

Last Wednesday, i had my building loan approved and Tanya has faxed through the information to Simonds/CSR

Last Thrusday, i had my land settled too, and my solicator has faxed through the information to Simonds/CSR too

Since then i have tried a number of times and still cannot get hold of my CSR and on Friday, someone has record a new voicemail saying that she won't be back until Monday... OMG

She has been chasing me up about all the documents/approval either from the bank and/or the land/developer... Now i have got everything and faxed to her and she went missing... She indicated that if i don't send through the docs ASAP i won't be able to get a site start in Sept, and instead will be in Dec... because other months are full.. Well, this is not my fault, i suppose to have a site start in Oct, and she put me in Sep instead so now, if i can't start in Sept, why i have to pay the pentalty of not starting on time... it is simply not my fault, and she just makes me very worried and not happy at all

So Monday 29Sep, i tried calling her again, and she is still not back, i called the hotline and they said she will definitely come back on Tuesday which is today, so ok i think i call again today...

But then i received a call from someone (also a CSR) who tried to follow up my case, and i told her everything is faxed... She promised to call me back (BUT of course NOT) and i have been waiting for a whole day, and finally gave her a call again before i left work. She then said that everything is fine and she is about to send me the building permit by express post, ohohohoh... . i thought they cannot submit building permit until after the land is settled... i just cannot believe it... looks like i have wasted all my time worrying in the past few days.. Well, they gave me the worry anyway...

So what's now... i just need to wait for permit and i expect to have a site start anytime, is this real? am i really starting to build? can somone slap me please...

Land Settled

2008-09-26T01:45:00.000-07:00

Finally the land is settled... I was so worried even though my solicitor sent an SMS confirming everything gone through... but i was losing a bit confident of her, so i make sure i checked my bank account today.. and things turn out ok... what a relieve...
But on the other side, i cannot find my CSR, looks like she is on urgent leave.. i was still talking to her on Wednesday and she was saying that she would wait for my fax.. but after i faxed through everything i cannot find her.. and someone has record a voicemail on her behalf saying that she would be back on Monday... OMG, i don't want to delay my site start (i actualy dont mind but they cannot charge me)... hope she's back on Monday and follow up my building permit... i am tired on this

Very Disappointed

2008-09-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

A week is passed, while i thought everything is on track and what i need is just to wait for the bank valuation....

Bad news come:

- the bank said the valuator didn't receive any floor plan and working drawing.. What???? everything is in the copy of contract... where their eyes are?? Thanks god i have a photocopy and thanks god i am working at home today, so i can go straight to the post office and fax through to them... just in case, also another copy by express post... Now please don't come back and say that they have not recieved it...

- my solicator called late afternoon that i need to sign the Transfer of Land again... What???.. they said the first copy i signed was printed incorrectly. Legal document cannot be printed on both pages.. Why didn't she pick up? I signed and send to her for validation, and she then send to the developer solicator.. so WHY, WHY, WHY she didn't pick up?????? And now, the developer solicator refuse to receive the sign copy and i have to re-sign again... WTFFFFF.... the settlement is in 4 days... Now i have to sign and express post to them directly... I am f**** tired...

Finally I have a date

2008-09-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

Received an SMS this morning from my solicator, my land has a settlement date on 25th this month... yeah, yeah, yeah... i am very very happy, so went out straight away to enjoy a good breakfast as celabration.. hehehee... hopefuly everything is going smoothy...

Land Titled Release without my knowledge

2008-09-12T03:56:00.000-07:00

Well, i went to the Simonds office today and paid the 2nd deposit after receiving the building warrantly on Monday
Also sorted all variation, and signed... so all done

I have also gave my CSR my front landscape plan, so that they can submit together to seek building approval.
I am quite happy although my CSR still need to come back to me about the kitchen laminate infill and kickboard color, and the ducted heating model...

As of this moment, i am still working at home (8.50pm Friday night), and feeling very tired, so just checked the Alamanda website and found that Stage 3 is titled... OMG without my knowledge.. what my solicator has been doing? no information from her at all, in fact i have left her an voicemail this morning and checked how's thing and she has not got back to me yet...

I start to worry now... will have to give her a call first thing Monday... But to be honest this is a good news... hope i can make the October site start and no need to pay for penatly for any site delay... thanks godness

Building Loan sorted (looks like)

2008-09-05T03:57:00.000-07:00

Today, finally meet my new loan manager Tanya.. things seem ok, i have got pre-approval for the building loan pending on valuation (schedule for next week)... hopefully everything is going to be fine..

Talked to my solicator as well (finally got hold of her)... very standard, she only want me to look out for the building insurance, that's all... plus if i will be charged penantly if site start delay... brah brah brah.... i am not sure if i should change another solicator... i seem lost a bit confident of her... she is always not available...

I just hope that the land is settled before the end of this month, finger crossed..

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Here is some photos for the land:- seems 90% completed

Things seem moving, but still worry.....

2008-09-04T04:57:00.001-07:00

Recent update is i had signed my contract on 29Aug. A bit disappointed that i cannot bring the contract home... so has to read it on the day, I really feel that i don't have enough time to go through everything...

When home, realised that i didn't pick up a few things, has to chase up with my CSR...

Although she is nice, but quite hard to get hold of... has to call a few times and send a few emails... A week is gone, finally recieved a variation today and still wrong with the external powerpoints... ?????

On the other side, cannot get hold of my solicator either... very disappointed too, i am waiting for her advise regarding the contract, since there is only 5 days cooling off period (tomorrow is the day).. she said she will get back to me this morning, but not... called her again, she said she would give me a call tonight around 7.30pm, but i still have not received a call from her (is 10pm already)... i wonder will she call me if i don't pay her...

This morning the solicator from the land developer has called me asking for a transfer of land (if i have signed or not)... i have not seen it at all.. they said they cannot get hold of my solicator either... i am very worried now, should i change the other one?

The only good thing is, i am looking at land title the end of the month... woooo... hope it is true...

Tomorrow will need to meet the bank manager regarding the building loan, hope that everything is going to be fine... i am very stress already, especially my DH is not giving me much help, i have to handle everything myself... i am tired..

Hope i just hope that the building process will be smoother after all these mess...

Just thought i have a good news, now the bad one is coming....

2008-08-07T21:52:00.001-07:00

While still happy about the quote i received from my CSR, and thought everything is right on track (except the optic fabic setup).. Just checked the Alamanda website today and realised that the land title will be delay for another month... ohohohoh.. nononono... I really don't want to be charged extra by the builder.. please, i need my land...

Received Quote

2008-08-06T03:05:00.000-07:00

Finally recieved the insultion and double glazing quote from my CSR (the first email i have received from her)... the quote looks good... only cost approx 5000 to get what i want... unfortunately they dont upgrade wall insulation... anyway i do have a budget to stick...

However they still cannot come back to me with a solution for the optic fabic setup... argh..

How difficult it is, just yes, we can do it, or no, we can't do it... that's all i want from them... i don't think i will sign the contract if this drag on continually...

On the other side, no good news for the land at all, title is delayed 'again'.. although they still said August is the latest... wait, and wait, and wait...... my goodness

Still no news for the land title, but....

2008-07-30T05:03:00.000-07:00

Although still no news about the land settlements, but this morning, finally recieved a call from the electrical lady (Simonds Gallery) regarding my 'updated' electrical plan.. i ran through with her again regarding all my new addition and things that i want to remove... happy at the end.. then realised that i still forgot the phone point for the security system.. @@#$#%#$##$, such a fool of myself..

Although, still no news about the land title...

2008-07-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

We are out whole day today, went to yum cha with friend from Adelaide, then visited some furniture stores to get some idea...

On our way home, around 5.30pm, decided to have a look the land

It was getting dark, don't think we can see much..

But wooo... our future neighbour were there too... hahahaa... the one from next door actually...

We all laugh, and share the happyness... we happy to see that a lot has been done... the road is already completed, the driveway in opposite have been done also... the excess soils have been removed from our side... light poles alread there (thanks god is not located in front of my block).... electricial/water/gas are in progress...

Feel so good... hope that our drive way and the rest will be done in the next 2 weeks... and we can have the land settled without delay... let's prey

A busy week.....

2008-07-09T02:18:00.000-07:00

It has been so busy at work these few days (nearly has a critical patch, mean more works), also mum is here too...

Finally talked to Tanya (my new loan manager) who advised that my land loan is all set, just need to wait for the settlement... that's good news

Also get hold of the electrical lady from Simonds and finalised my electrical requirement... The only thing is - Simonds cannot do the prep work for optic fabic connection, so i need to organise with the contractor who employed by the land developer. More work for me... to bad... and now they have to put it in writing that they allow me to bring my own contractor..

Another thing happening this week is, i have been trying to contact my 'new' CSR, a number of phone calls and emails, and finally she called back... She seems ok, quite nice, but still don't have the quote that i have been waiting for. Ask about the optic fabic setup, she said that she will be having a meeting with the construction manager tomorrow and figure it out... Looks like we are not the only customer building in Alamanda, so they have to deal with this issue anyway...

Hopefully this can be resolved, and of course i need this in writing...

If they cannot do the work and also not allow me to get someone doing it, then there is no point for me to build with them, optic fabic is the main reason we bought the land there, no way i will give it up...

Just another day...

2008-07-04T01:12:00.000-07:00

Today, just asking my CSR whether or not, he has the quote ready for me... he didn't has anything for me but advised that it is his last day being my CSR and my new CSR is a woman

Now this make me worried because someone on the online forum just talking about how bad their CSR (a woman) is and they are building with Simonds, i just hope that i am not that lucky to have her

At least i have one good news, called the land developer today that my land should be ready by the end of this month (July), yeah, yeah...

Then i called my socilator who actually advised that she is ready, i am quite happy that things turn out on track, just a bit worry about my land loan.. I know that it has been approved but becauase my friend (my loan manager also) actually is giving birth next week, so i have to deal with the new loan manager, so just make me a bit nervious.... trying to called her and unable to reach her at all... have to try hard on Monday...

Contract Date set

2008-07-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

Received a call from my CSR that my contract will be ready by 22 Aug, which is good and my house has already reached 5 stars (although i have not seen the report yet)..

Later of the day received another call to book in Contract appointment, will be 29 Aug (because i only available on Friday)

Well, there are a few things still unsure, although they said they will put into the contract first and i can remove it later, but i still want to sort it out first

- Optic Fabic installation setup

- Additional inclusion of electrical requirement, still haven't recevied any feedback from the lady

The other thing is my land is still not settle, still no news from the land developer, i think i won't have the land this month, it will be delayed most likely

But i think it is about time to see my loan manager again, unfortunately my friend is no longer with me who is on maternity leave... hope i can get along well with the new loan manager

Tender & Color Selection done

2008-06-20T02:37:00.000-07:00

Stress, Stress, Stress.. have had a stressful (few) weeks

Had a car accident a week prior to the tender appointment... that made me very nervious...

Tender day on 13 June, bad Friday, it tooks us 1.5 hours arrived at Simonds office (by train because of the car accident i have had no car now), i was tired when i reached the Simonds office.

Overall the tender went ok, I am surprised that most are documented correctly, just tiny little mistake on the wording, and all my inclusion and even late variation are included as well..

Only a few things need to be fixed:-

- my current address is incorrect

- site cost not fixed, i advised them that i won't sign the contract unless they can fix the site cost

- some pages on my plan still saying that i am having a traditional facade

- sliding door @dinning face the wrong side (plan is correct, only the tender doc is incorrect)

They also put the raised island bench in the kitchen, but we end up remove it because it looked ugly, it is not what i want anyway, i hope to get a piece of glass in the sink areas rather than a whole piece of stone island

I also advised them that i want to see the 5 star report before signing the contract, so that i can have a option to upgrade the insulation or glazing... And they are all ok

They have also provided me a sample copy of HIA contract for reference, good that i don't need to ask for it

.....

Color selection day on 20 June, not a good day to start because has an arguement with my husband, so i end up going myself

The experience with them is good.. although the electrical lady is not a technical/electrical person, so not much help from her when asking technical question.. But overall they are very nice to deal with and willing to help, also very honest and no hard sell. As most standard inclusions are quite good quality already, i don't want to upgrade and they never ask or pressure me in any ways..

We start choosing color for external first.. and it was easy because we already know which brick to choose - RED GUM, and i choose grey color for gutter/fascia/pipes/windows/sliding doors.. Roof Tiles is Barramundi. Front door, render and garage panelift door is Paperbark, driveway color is gun metal. Internal Wall Finish is Moon River, a warm creamy color..

Kitchen is gloss white vinyl cabinet with clear glass grey splashback, and stone benchtop Ice Snow color. Bathroom with a darker color, with latte stone benchtop, and slate grey cabinet. Shower screen/basin/bath/taps are easy, and only upgrade to have a shower rail. All door handles, locks are standard, also adding the door steps.

Hope this good feeling with Simonds continue...

Finally, color & electrical appointment is made

2008-05-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

Finally, received a call from Simond this afternoon regarding the color & electrical appointment... Wooooo...

Due to the fact that i am only available on Friday, therefore i book in on 20 June, about a month away...

And my tender appointment actually happen on 13 June, cannot beleive that i have the tender before the color selection, but think a lot of people do anyway... hopefully everything is going to be fine...

At least i am happy right now

Pictures & Floor Plan

2008-05-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just think that i never post the floor plan.. so here we go...

Milan 2200 - here is some pics at displayed. It is not a big house but it is good enough for me, my husband and my baby rabbit...

Still waiting for the gallery appointment

2008-05-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Contact my CSR today regarding the gallery appointment (although i know that Joe (Sales Reps) has followed up), he advised that my drawing is still not completed but expected to complete either this week or next week... and once the drawing is completed, i shall expect a call for the gallery appointment. Hope this is true, because my tender appoinment is set on 13 June.. i do not want to delay.. although i have plently of time as the land is still not titled

Variation & Facade

2008-05-10T00:37:00.000-07:00

Received a call on Monday from Joe (Simonds Sale Consultant), saying that i cannot have the facade that i chose because of the building guideline @alamanda... this is not good.. because i have to upgrade and this means EXTRA CASH..

As i do not want to make the deicsion over the phone, therefore they have to put the drawing on hold until i speak to them...

Today i went to meet Joe and discuss the new facade. Joe is in a new display now (move from Manor Lakes) and there is a facade that I am going to upgrade, so he can show me exactly the render position and it is great.. i have also used this opportunately to put in a variation of upgrading the kitchen pantry door and the linen as displayed

Joe has been great to me and he has followed up my case, to be honest i am glad i am signing up with Joe and have a positive start with Simonds

Joe has also advised that if i don't hear anything regarding the color appointment by the end of next week, i can always give him a call and he will definitely follow up for me..

Hopefully i will have all the selection done shorlty and then signing contract and then starting to build.. hehehe, can't wait

Have to wait for a long long time

2008-04-29T02:16:00.000-07:00

Tender date has been determined - 13 June (black Friday.. haha lucky me)

But color selection appointment still..... wait, wait and wait...

Called them today and was told that color selection won't happen until close to the contract date (approx 2 weeks prior to the contract date)... argh... have to wait for another 5 to 6 weeks... too bad... i really want to get everything done ASAP...

Let's think this is another good news

2008-04-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

Just signed the loan contract last night and today, recieved a call from Simonds that i should be expecting an a gallery arrangement in 2 weeks time... let's start counting...

Also being introduced to someone who will be our main contact moving forward... my CSR seems like a nice guy, hopefully this is going to be well... let's prey first...

Good and Bad things come together

2008-04-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

Bad thing: first day going back to work after 2 weeks holiday...

Good thing: received a call from the bank that my land loan has been approved (just need my signature)... hahaha... too good to be true...

Hope everything is on track...

My solicator has advised last week that i may be looking at land settlement in June... (although i personally confirmed with the estate agent that it is still July as originally planned), but either is good to me as long as NO DELAY TITLE....

Bricks, Bricks, Bricks

2008-04-14T00:51:00.000-07:00

While still enjoying the 2 weeks holidays.. We bought a new melway (2008 version) and decide to drive around and check what color/material we will be choosing for our new house

We went to Austral Bricks and have a look at the bricks.. get some addresses from them so that we can see some 'build in progress' house

First choice, Buff, looks ok, but not impress

Secnd choice, Red Gum, seems better... but i don't really want Red to be honest.. but my husband seems like it a lot

Third choice, Macadamia, OMG, the color is not even what i have expected... but still better than Buff

So finally, since we are tired and don't want to keep going, so we decide on Red Gum, hope we are not rushing to have this choice... i think it should be ok

Next on agenda, properly go to Springvale and see some roof tiles in the next few days...

Checking things

2008-04-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

We went to Richmond visiting Trueloc (the timber floor company through Simonds), the sale guy was very helpful and very honest about the pricing (if going through Simonds or not)

We love one of their latest series S1000, although it is the cheaper range, but the quality is still quite good... so i think we have pretty much made the decision..

We then go to Carpet Call, look for the standard range carpet which is crap... so i think we may need to upgrade it... also have a look their timber floor and turned out they are more expensive then Trueloc

Then we went to Austral Bricks... found some good color... have asked the sale guy giving us some addresses, so we will look at it in the next few days...

Too many things to look and take into consideration... thanks god we take 2 weeks off from work at the right time, so we can relax and do some more researching...

First time writing blog

2008-04-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

My story so far -

- 04 Aug 2007 - paid deposit to a block of land in Point Cook Alamanda, the estate is taking shape and looking great, hopefully the July title is scheduled as expected. Here is some construction pic for the estate

and i am at stage 3

Since we paid the land deposit last year, we are still a bit unsure whether or not, we should be building... As the land title is getting closer, we decide to look around first, and we went from first preference PD, to Carlisle, then DFH....etc

We have found this house in Manor Lakes - Simonds Milan 2200 and fell in love straight away... so yes, we are building... paid deposit on 23 Mar 2008

Finalising all paper works and provided pre-approval loan document on 29 Mar 2008, now i am just waiting for all the appointment for color selection/brick/tiles/flooring/contract...etc

Hopefully this is going to be a smooth and painless journey