Day 128: Building Update

Temporary fences are gone! From today, site supervisor gave his go signal to put up our fence so we got our fencer booked and he’ll start in 2 weeks. Also contacted our future neighbors to give them notice about it. Site supervisor said the house needs about 2 more weeks before it is ready.  Just in time to what our admin advised that they might be able to receive the occupancy permit by the end of the month.

They’ve been slow but when we got there yesterday, we saw that electrical and plumbing fittings are 80-90% done, carpet is in and few more small things are left to be done. And surprise surprise, doors are not locked so we were able to peek!


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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!

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!

Things you see on a weekend

Currently at fixing stage, we are guesstimating that there’s still two more months to go before moving in. Just in time for the Easter break and my birthday! With all the furniture and appliance sale deals going on this month, we are always around shops looking for the essentials on the first few months in the new house. Essentials for us will be the fridge, washing machine, lounge, dining set, bar stools. Once we’re home all I do is check these shops’ websites. Then this thing happened when you just realise that you’re trapped on the internet’s retail side. Checking one online shop to another. Finding things you should not think about spending your money on yet because you’re saving for these essentials. But still doing this post for future reference!