Things to do while still building

Is it obvious on this title that we are getting impatient with our build? haha

We are a week away ’till we mark our 4th month building. We are at the final stage and this I say is the longest to finish. My friend is saying that with the builder only waiting for the last 10% of the payment, why would they rush. There are changes almost everyday but they are very minimal. Also, the house is locked and you can only peek through the window. But we would prefer them to finish the build slowly ensuring quality. Now while waiting for the house to look like this..

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1. Prepare for the Pre-Completion Inspection

Aside from hiring an independent inspector, we bought a PCI checklist from Brian of anewhouse.com. Highly recommended thorough checklist and for 4$. What can we lose?

2. Prepare for the move in

We packed some of our stuff, mainly clothes, estimating we will move before the winter time. All thick clothes and beddings are packed along with items we bought that we’ll be using in the house.

3. Save money

When our land was titled and site start date for the build was scheduled, we received our first bill related to the house and it is our council rate. Then after the slab was poured, we started paying interest on the first progress payment. And as the build progresses, payment also progresses, and also the interest that we have to pay every month. We are well aware that once deposit for your property is paid to the vendor, expenses will only go up from there.

4. Have a little bit of fun

Window shopping or legit shopping haha, road trips and spending time with family! List goes on, just don’t put all the attention on how it is going soooo sloooow.

5. Plan

And if you’re a bit of a control freak like me, schedule the items you’ll have to do after handover and also make a budget for them. For us, it’ll be curtains/blinds, fence, driveway, clothesline, mailbox and antenna. There’s a lot more to think about and a lot more reason to save money for.

And also decors, decors that will replace you clothes shopping money!

Savings on Mortgage

Interest rate cut was passed on to us! You know you’re an adult when you get excited on these stuff. Continuing our current repayment, this gave us 2 years off of our mortgage. Paying it off in 28 years instead of 30.

We are currently on 3 year introductory variable rate with our bank at 4.64%. Some people might have lower rates, but for our situation this is the best rate we could get. If you’re on variable rate and have higher interest than 5%, consider talking to your bank and refinance.

How many shades of white?

Colour selection is fun yet draining. (Actually, all processes that involves deciding for your house is draining.) But what I found the hardest is deciding what shades of white paint to use inside the house. I also didn’t know that ceiling, mouldings and walls should be in different shades and finishes.

As a guide, ceiling should be the lightest in shade, in flat finish; trim and moldings in semi-gloss finish and the shade will depend if you want it to stand out or blend in your walls. But you can definitely have a glossy black ceiling if you like.

Colors have different undertones and all shades of white that you picked must compliment each other. This part I wasn’t quite sure. Lighting (artificial or natural) will also affect how you’ll perceive the color.

 

I tried to apply those things we know. And below is the result. If it’s successful or not, let me know! haha

Wall – Dulux Antique White USA
Trims & Mouldings – Dulux Whisper White
Ceiling – Dulux White on White

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Eight Homes’ Stages of Construction

Base Stage

The concrete waffle slab is constructed

Frame Stage

The timber frame is complete. All wall frames and roof trusses are erected. Windows are not installed at this stage.

Lock up Stage

The homes external brick walls, roof tiles/coverings, windows and front door (or temporary door if applicable) are installed. Internal lock up is complete.

Fixing Stage (Click for our fixing stage photos)

Plaster, architraves, skirting, doors, cabinets and cupboards are fitted and fixed into position. The internal garage wall will be clad with plaster. Eaves and cladding are complete.

Final Stage

The painting, tiling, plumbing fit off, electrical fit off, carpet and other applicable items will be installed to complete your new home. All metal capping and all external rendering are complete.

Stone bench tops, glass or tile splash backs, linen, wardrobe, pantry shelving and small sections of ceiling cornice are complete.

Handover Stage

Includes Final Inspection and Final Payment

Settlement

Keys!