It just couldn't be easy could it?

Given the recent dramas,emails and phone calls to bring this house over the line we couldn't have expected something as simple as being sent our final invoice to be easy could we?

At our presentation which was Thursday week ago, our SS said he would organise the final invoice on Tuesday when he was in the office. In hindsight I should have insisted he do it then and there.

Come Tuesday I sent him a 'gentle reminder' to have the invoice issued.

Wednesday - no invoice.

Thursday - no invoice.

By Thursday night I started to panic and we sent him an email and phone and sent him a text - all of which he chose to ignore.

So we emailed our Customer Service person - who replied telling us the invoice had been requested and we would get it at our presentation. Doh. Told her that happened a week ago!

So with much panic, emailing and phone calls we got it at 4.45pm yesterday. I was straight on the phone to our bank to see if indeed it was possible we still may be able to settle late next week.. I was told yes - might be by the skin of our teeth but it was possible! So, invoice and request for payment have been faxed, with a cover letter requesting urgent attention and all is in the hands of the bank now!

And our SS, of course - if he ever replies to our attempts to contact him.

Big props to our contact in Customer Service, without her help who knows when we would've got that invoice!

Another stalling tactic from our SS perhaps??? Hmmmm....

Stay tuned folks!

Getting closer!

Wow - quite a while without a post, unusual for me to have so little to say!!

We were in the stunning Southern Highlands over the weekend for the wedding of Jason's best mate - they met on the very first day of Kindergarten and have been firm friends ever since. It was a stunning setting and a beautiful weekend, the wedding was wonderful and a brilliant time was had by all (too good a time by some, judging by the tales overheard at breakfast on Sunday, LOL!).

Then we came back to reality with a sick son, me getting sicker after already being sick for two weeks, days off daycare and my packing schedule thrown into disarray!

C'est la vie!

We received our report from Tyrells on Friday (very promptly the day after the house was inspected) and I am very pleased to report that it was actually very good. A number of small items to be rectified - most of which we knew about and were earmarked for completion or rectification before handover anyway, which is fantastic!

The inspector went crazy marking the house which was fab :)

Since presentation last week there has been a steady stream of work taking place, plaster patching, painting, minor brickwork fixes etc - good to see.

I've been making lots of calls and scheduling flooring, carpets, blinds & shutters and landscapers to start ASAP - so heres hoping we have handover late next week as anticipated!

Now we just need a final invoice so the bank can start their part in this process :)

I still can't believe its now so close - and I haven't packed a single box yet!!


Here is the house as it looks today! Look Mum - the lintel has been painted! Looks good now :)

We are going to render the Portico soon so I need to choose a colour to paint it. I'm thinking something a few shades darker than the upstairs cladding?

We will also be decking the portico and steps which will tie them in with the front door and garage door nicely I hope.

I forgot to mention our site fence came down last week - so exciting!! Bet the neighbours are happy about that!

And a few pics from the wedding for good measure!

Presentation done and dusted!

We are very happy to report that presentation did indeed take place today and given the recent stresses surrounding the house it is looking really good!

Our independent inspector arrived an hour before us and was well into it when we arrived at 2pm. We found him and  had a quick chat and he said it was looking really good.

I was SO relieved! He pointed out a few small issues I already knew about then continued on, finishing at around 2.30. We should receive the report tomorrow, so we are keen to see what he found :)

As I had already spent a fair bit of time poking around the house I was able to point out a number of small issues and of course there were the usual small areas of patchy paint, the odd bump or nick out of a wall and the like.

I made our SS note the condition of the bottom of the poly kitchen doors - he seems to think they are dirty rather than scratched, but he said if they don't clean up they will be replaced.

Our pantry and linen cupboards are missing shelves (which I notified him of weeks ago!), and our front door still has clear glass - which I notified him should've been translucent back in the first week of Feb...
Back then he said he'd have it reglazed - now he is saying he will order a new door.. And he said "oh you told me about that didn't you?" Doh!
SO - 3 weeks for a new door (custom made, very pricey), so we agreed we were happy to handover with that door and have it replaced when the new one arrived.

There is a dent in the roofing over the side study projection (also something I notified him of months ago!) so that will be replaced - and may also not happen before handover although he seemed keen to do his best to get it done beforehand.

Yesterday I mentioned our 3 sets of stacking sliders had been lowered, and today our SS told us this was something he decided to do as he didn't like them sitting as high as they were - and to get them more in line with the level of the flooring we will be installing. Props to him for that - much appreciated. That means we will only have about a 10mm change in level between the flooring and the tracks of the doors - win!

Our site fence and portaloo have been removed - its amazing to see the place without that fence!!

So, handover should be in two weeks. Lets hope the final invoice is organised quickly and our bank sorts out their end and pays up!!

Inbetween now and then there are a number of finishing touches, lots of cleaning and for me - PACKING!!!

We are off to a wedding over the weekend in the Southern Highlands so are rugging up and getting our drink on :) See you all next week!!

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Nearly...

After checking on the house yesterday and finding the only thing that had been done was the cabinet doors in the kitchen and laundry (that had been sitting on the floor for 6 or so weeks), had been rehung, I was not a happy camper.

The bottoms of the ones in the kitchen (poly) are scratched, which I have informed my SS of weeks ago - so of course I will be noting that at PCI.

We called the construction manager who told us he was having a meeting with our SS today and after that he would confirm presentation.

I was happier to see the carpenters vehicles outside this morning.

This afternoon it was confirmed presentation is set for 2pm Thursday.

I went by at around 3pm and the place was empty but lots had been going on.

The Tassie Oak lining has F I N A L L Y been completed on the Outdoor Room. It looks like our 3 sets of stackers have been lowered closer to the slab as the architraves have been removed and replaced and you can see where the old ones were - a good few cm's higher than they are now. Could explain why the doors needed so much packing under them!
They finished off around the doors finally too and the electricians have been back to install the ceiling fan and lights to the Outdoor Room and lights to the portico.

They still have to rectify the missing shelf to both the pantry and walk in linen but clearly that isn't going to happen before Thursday!

Apparently painters are back tomorrow - they will need to put in a LONG day if they expect to finish by Thursday..

Some pics:

Lights and eyeball motion sensor installed

*cue angels singing* - TADA! FIIINNNNAAAALLLLYYY!

Riveting stuff eh? Nice to see things finished off here..

And up there..

Evidence of moved doors/architraves

Ok thats a ridiculous amount of pics of the Outdoor Room ceiling - I feel after causing us SO much grief it is deserving..

Will report back on Thursday night!

Happy Mothers Day progress update!

Firstly wishing all the Mums out there a Happy Mothers Day - hope you have all been spoilt :)

I was woken with a lovely bunch of flowers, chocolates, a day spa voucher and my gorgeous son (who has only recently started talking properly) wishing me a very clear Happy Mothers Day and showering me with kisses and cuddles. Priceless!

We had a lovely breakfast out then went to the house to see what progress had been made.

Of course first thing I saw was the lovely garage door in all its splendor :) Look much better in person than in the pics, thankfully!

Also the portico ceiling is FINALLY fitted. Can't say the same for the Outdoor Room Tassie Oak lining - it was apparently supposed to be done yesterday, and obviously they did the portico but not the Outdoor Room. They had better be back tomorrow...

The second shower screen and all mirrors are still missing, despite us being told they would be fitted Friday.

Kitchen and laundry cabinet doors are still missing. However the laundry wall in FINALLY patched and tiled - could hardly believe my eyes!

We noticed today a lot of our door handles are scratched/marked in some way - all in the same spot funnily enough!

I'm still perplexed about our portico steps - there are two in our contract but now, seeing the levels there really should be 3 - its too high to actually step up onto the first step! Maybe one site has been filled slightly it will help.. I'm planning on decking over the steps anyway so I guess they can build an extra one :)

There are still lots of small things to be done, and a few largish, but on the whole it is looking pretty close to completed now. WOOHOO.

We will be onto our SS and Construction Manager Monday morning to get a day/time for our presentation :)

Not sure why they bother paying for that portaloo anymore..

Note the height of that first step?? Not sure if/what level they backfill the site to on completion - might turn out ok..

Colourbond Timberlook Caoba up close

FINALLY - a ceiling!

Ensuite - practically complete bar another clean, mirrors and touch up paint in toilet - oh, and heated towel rail & control for underfloor heating :)

Love the colour combo :)

Main bathroom. Also love this colour combo :)

Complete except for shower screen, mirror and underfloor heating control panel.

View to study/front door from stairs. Front door glazing STILL incorrect 3 months after I alerted our SS to the issue.

Powder Room - complete except for door handle (which is sitting on bench ready to go.)

Laundry - needs cabinet doors fitted again, and powerpoint to be screwed in. (not shown in this photo)

There it is :)

Family Room

Dining Room

Hallway

Looking into living room/playroom

My view while washing up! Just FYI - I will eventually be getting this tap :)

L O V E

Lovely and airy with all the sliders open!

So sportsfans - there we have it!

Let's all hold hands and cross fingers that this week brings no more let downs and disappointment's at the hands of Metricon. Will update when there is news!

Some signs of progress..

STOP PRESS: We have a GARAGE door people!

Only 2 months after they measured up for it :) Ha!

Apart from that the house has had a "small clean" in the words of Jason (I haven't been there - not sure my blood pressure can handle it!) and thats about it..

Metricon QA is due there today..hhmmm

We will be chasing up either our SS and/or Construction Manager today to find out what is going on and to keep on their backs..

And some pics:

The garage door is - Colourbond Timberlook Caoba

Hoping to have more to report soon, until then..

Guess what? Go on - you will NEVER guess?? *sarcasm*...

Surprise surprise - "presentation" will NOT be this week. Shocking I know, that our SS has again told us one thing and the opposite is the actual truth.

I went past the house yesterday - to find not only the gate unlocked and unchained, but one of the rear sliders WIDE open. Ten points for security big M.

Of course, as expected, almost nothing has been done and another week had gone by.

ONE shower screen had been installed. Good Work.

Yesterday I started the ball rolling on having our independent inspection done so we would have the report to refer to during this elusive presentation. That was met with resistance from our SS who argued that there was no point as the report would be huge. Really?? Maybe then you should get some things DONE on site.

My argument was if we were to wait weeks to have the inspection done (as suggested by our SS), then it was likely to bring up issues we would not notice (or know about due to not being building professionals) - that would then hold up this house even FURTHER.

He said we had to ask our Construction Manager for permission. Fine with me - maybe I can get a rocket up him and get this place finished then.

So I emailed him explaining the situation, again reiterating my displeasure at the way the build was not progressing. We received an email back within minutes (points for him), stating that of course organising an inspection was not a problem but he could not grant access to the inspector until Metricon's QA inspector has gone through the house this Thursday. Fine, no drama there.

He also said he was meeting with our SS today and would discuss what was still to be completed and would get back to us afterwards.

First thing this morning we received another email stating that the QA report would not be received by him until next Monday, therefore "presentation" could not go ahead until next week.

Why am I not surprised??

He also said he will be assisting our SS in completing the home as he understand we are keen to settle ASAP.

More points to him but this action could've come weeks ago when we first started voicing our displeasure. Or even last week after my LONG email.

I'm happy it has finally come to this but annoyed its taken so long for it to be escalated.

Jason called him and gave him some choice words about how annoyed we are, and that we are sick of being told things are happening when they are not, and that nothing has happened on site for 3 weeks. Not good enough.
He is going to the site tomorrow to assess the situation.

Isn't it sad that despite being booked in for PCI this week I KNEW it wouldn't happen?

Door wide open..

Does this look like a kitchen ready for presentation to you??

Or a laundry ready for that matter??

Wow - a shower screen - two weeks later than scheduled (as per the rest of the build.)

I can see that water is going to end up everywhere and we will end up changing that!

Oh look - a rotting apple - is that a freebie??

Sorry to have to write another cynical, sarcastic post folks - trust me, I wish I had happier things to report..

Oh - just received a call, our blinds and shutters are ready for installation now too - so thats every piece of furniture we have ordered plus window coverings ready and waiting for the house to be finished..TICK TICK TICK..