PCI & Handover - Firming up dates

With the completion of the tiles, we have been given a tentative date/time for our PCI (Practical Completion Inspection).

We have lined up our private inspector to visit the house prior to our inspection, as per our SS (Site Supervisors) requests. The idea behind this is for things to be flagged in a timely matter to be resolved and to allow the private inspector to work in his own time/space. We will have the report for when we have our PCI days later.

I have also invested a few dollars ($4) in getting a PCI checklist from a website (Member on Homeone)
http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/01/practical-completion-inspection/ 
I will post after the PCI a small review as to how useful we found the guide in our situation, however it is looking like it will be a great help and we will just write up a small list to compliment it - $4 is great investment to do most of the leg work!

This should also keep us focused on checking items (that we may not have even thought of), that may skip out mind in the excitement / scrutiny applied to specific problems or getting bogged down in them and distracted.


Our handover date is looking to be 2 weeks after the PCI. We are hoping it is sooner if possible and will be arranging the bank cheque (which takes 1-2 weeks to happen with the way banks process things) ready as soon as possible.

Once the date is booked/happens, it will be straight to fencing and concreting! I will detail these more in future posts.

Caesarstone, downpipes & Corking (Bricks)

Downpipes

Externally of the house, the downpipes have been attached to the house and the bricks filled with corking in the gaps (expansion joints), leaving just the cladding to be done outside. (Front facade)

Corking

Inside the house, the caesarstone bench tops have been fitted to all bench areas (excluding laundry). It has come up very nicely and better than the laminate finish in the bathroom areas  (20mm in areas, slightly thicker in the kitchen).

Caesarstone - Powder Room

Caesarstone - Bathroom

Caesarstone -Ensuite

Caesarstone -Kitchen (Island is thicker)

Finally a picture of the bathroom, that was missed on the last post: (Shower to right, out of the image)

Tiles, Eaves panels & Data

Starting to get a bit granular with the blog - we are eager to move into the house and it looks fairly complete at this stage (still a fair bit to do - mainly flooring and plumbing).

The majority of what little eaves we have had the panels and insulation installed.There is only a small section at the front to be done and the cladding (should be next!)

Eaves

The tiling is in progress so they are yet to be cleaned for a clearly look at them, but this is how they have turned out. The tiles are a darker brown color, which we have been waiting to see how they turn out. Seems we may need to wait until the excess grout is cleared to see final results.

We were also able to get a 'white' feature strip at no cost - as the tiles where the same make/size - just in a different color. 

Spa bath (space!)

Shower base

The powder room has also been fully tiled, the Ceaserstone bench tops should follow soon, along with the mirrors.

 

The central heating items have now been fit off as well - we have been advised that after hand over, the company will come and configure/explain the system to us.

 

The laundry has also be done, with the large tiles on the wall looking good. My preference is with large tiles on the floor and the walls, instead of many smaller tiles. 

Data (Cat6, Coaxial) for data/pone & TV/pay TV have been terminated now, with the face plates attached, giving the rooms as much more finished look. 

Unfortunately in my haste, I forgot to grab some photo's of the bathroom, however the overall look/theme should be the same as the master bathroom (minus feature strip).


Color selection - below is a shot of the selection from our color appointment for reference:
Wall tile:  River Charcoal (200 x 300) Laid Vertically
Feature Title: River Ice Grey (200 x 300)  Laid Vertically 
Floor Tile: Star Stone Gloss (400 x 400) Laid Straight

Electrical Fit-off

 

Back twice in one week to the house - seems at the end of the week, the sparkies have managed to fit off the power points, light switches, lights (baton), ducts & exhaust fans.

It seems that a mistake has been made with the electrical fit-off, which we have flagged with Carlisle, as standard power points have been installed, instead of the slimline power points we had paid extra for. We are waiting their response.

The coax & data points are still awaiting termination - presumably will be done early this week.

Slimline light switch & power points

We are still waiting on the external paintwork (Garage rear door, Alfresco ceiling and beams) - seems these come a bit down the track. The tiles are still sitting in the master bedroom, hopefully they are installed promptly this week coming up. Plumbing fit-off should occur as well

Painting, carpentry & Pre tile

Painting is still in progress, with the painters between multiple sites & the coats/surface area to complete. The front door has been stained the Jarrah color

Hopefully they are done very early next week, as to not hold up the tiler, sparkies and plumbers for their fitting of items. We are eager to see things progress and keep pace to ensure that the house is completed before the end of November.

Awaiting Tiles!

The tiles are onsite and ready to go - pending the painting/waterproofing. Once the tiles are fitted, the glass for the showers & mirrors can be measured for order. Apparently it's all custom made, exactly to specifications (I guess to factor in tile width and other variables!)

Tiles (Wet areas only)

Further carpentry work has been done inside, with the shelving for storage locations completed. The pantry is looking pretty spacious even with shelving and the first time we have seen it (Display has walk through with cabinetry. The feature cupboard doors have been fitted to the kitchen too.

Perl Perspex 'feature' cupboards fitted

Painting & Render

Progress!

The brickwork has finally finished, after the delays of bad weather. The brickwork is looking great and appears to have been cleaned now. The render has been applied to the three front pillars as shown above.

Brickwork Completed

Painting has started on the inside of the house. The ceilings have been mostly completed, along with the gloss on door frames / some doors.

Builders white ceiling, cornices & beige walls

Painting underway in the living/dining area.

Depending how far the painters get (Other jobs call them offsite to do touch ups/fixes), the plumbing and electrical fit off should be starting next week.

The down pipes should be added soon, as all the brickwork is done, they will be a grey type color, as you can see below.

Tiling will come after them, at which time a firmer completion date can start to be locked in, as well as booking days for inspections and agreed works. We are looking forward to a detailed tour and hoping the defects list remains small, as it has been throughout the process.

Alfresco - Still work to be done

Colors are below for reference if of any interest. Still awaiting the front door to be stained (done by painters), cladding (above porch area) and one of the last items, the garage door.

Fixing

Our House!

The brickwork is now done (many delays due to weather - poor guys had been working several Saturdays and Sundays!) and things are progressing inside. The big pillars at the front have been completed and they look massive per-rendering. As our facade is new, our home will be one of the first to have the Ashton facade. Cladding will go in the open space above the porch.


The internal has had the wet areas prepared and all the windows/cabinetry has been covered over in preparation of the base coat being applied.

Wet Area (Large shower)

Windows masked for painting

This week should see the first (after base) layers of paint going on over the base coat and soon the fixing of plumbing and electrical. We are looking forward to seeing the house with paint on the walls - will start to look like the finished product.

Colors - walls are due to be painted a Beige Royal color (quarter and half I believe), with skirting and doors one of the strengths as well - apparently this will give them a white look, instead of a blue tinge that pure white gives on walls? (I'll leave colors to the experts - see partner & color consultant!). Ceiling is builders white.

Beige colors from color selection