Drew and Renee - Building our home at Glenmore Ridge

No Phones.... NBN in limbo

2011-11-10T21:17:00.002+11:00

In the simple attempts to connect STANDARD services in out new home at Glenmore Ridge we have run in to some major problems.

We have called Telstra to connect the phone line and they gave us a new number on the spot. They took a booking to come and connect the telephone line to the street on Monday.

I got a call today and they have cancelled the installation because.... wait for it.... there is not services in our street and probably for most of the Glenmore Ridge Estate.

WHY??

I will attempt to outline below

As part of the Governments plan for the National Broadband Network (NBN) Fibre is to be rolled out across Australia - This is to be done by NBN Co Ltd
Telstra normally roll out copper underground cables in the pits/tunnels that the developer lays in new estates
Because fibre will eventually be rolled out by NBN Co Ltd, Telstra have decided that installing copper cables in the ground is not a good commercial decision as it will be ripped out and replaced with fibre in the future
So with NBN CO Ltd being the people responsible for providing our servives Telstra has absolutely no responsibility to provide and copper services whilst we wait for the fibre rollout across Australia
Telstra do however HAVE TO provide houses with a home phone SO with no copper cable you could demand a satellite phone from them - I am sure at massive prices
This means that you cannot get a normal home phone, ADSL internet, back to base alarms or anything else that goes over a standard phone line
This means that the online internet that you can get is either 3g i.e a usb dongle OR Telstra's more expensive 4g

After speaking with Telstra they advised to call my local MP (which is David Bradbury) to advise him of the situation. I sent an email yesterday and they advised they would get back to me.

I also spoke with Stockland who appeared to already know that this was an issue and would also get back to me.

I will be calling NBN CO tommorrow to see when they plan to roll out services into the area. After I speak to the NBN CO I will find out how far services are from being installed. I have read other blogs and there are 1000's of other people in new estates in the same position as us.

I am also keen to know how long Stockland has know about this and why this is the first I have heard of this issue. Considering I paid full price for my land and dont even have standard services I am FAR FROM IMPRESSED....

What an absolute GARGABE situation ..... updates to follow

Welcome to Mulgoa!!

2011-10-28T09:26:00.000+11:00

Ok so here is the story...

Got my rates notice in the mail and appears that there is a change to the suburb we live in.

We were.... Lot1007 Gullinulla Place Glenmore Park NSW 2745 but are now 7 Gallinulla Place Mulgoa NSW 2745.

I called council this morning and they have confirmed it.... Our suburb is now MULGOA

That being said and seeing we are Mulgoa residents and not Glenmore Park residents I would love for Stockland to hurry up and open our new entrance from Bradley Street so I dont have to keep going through Glenmore Park to get to our block. Its annoying driving 1.6kms down the northern road, and then having to drive back when its closed....

Handover 11/11/11

2011-10-26T20:30:00.000+11:00

Well handover is supposed to be 10/11 or 11/11 depending on a few things.

There are final painting touch ups, shower screens, walk in robe, water tank, appliances, turf, external ceiling fan and a few other little things that need to be finished.

We can't wait but I am sure that the next 2 weeks is going to be the slowest that we have experienced.

Any no pics to update but things are looking good and will post some more pictures when we have something new to show.

House Pictures

2011-10-15T18:22:00.001+11:00

I have been meaning to take some photos for the past week or so and finally got around to it. Below is where we are up to so far.

Home Stretch...

2011-10-10T21:43:00.001+11:00

Well things have been going to plan and thought I would post an update. Lots happened last week and we are hoping that the same happens this week.

We have been told that we should expect the following this week

Front portico pillars will be rendered and painted
Front driveway and path to be poured
Wardrobes and showerscreens to be installed
Tiling to be grouted
Site cleared and levelled ready for topsoil and turf
Concrete floor polishing finalised

After the above is done I think that all we have left to do is the following

Install bath, toilets, mirrors and bathroom accessories
Painting touchups
Front entrance and kitchen splashback tiling
Plumber and electrical final fitout
Carpet
Kitchen appliances
Water Tank
Blinds
Ceiling fan in alresco

We can't be far away from keys now.....

Enter October

2011-10-03T22:59:00.001+11:00

Well we are now starting the first week of October and things have been going along well.

We are pretty excited that we might get to see some cool stuff happening this week.

I think the tiler will be on site to do the bathrooms, laundry and kitchen splashback. We can't wait to see how they turn out when they are done.

If the tiler is there I would also expect the kitchen benchtops to be installed so he can do the splashback - fingers crossed.

I will post an update later in the week...

UPDATE: Kitchen Benchtops installed.... Bathrooms and Laundry tiling 50% done..... Painting 80% done.... internal doors hung/painted and handles installed.... Apparently they are going to cut the driveway and clear the site this week as well... cant wait...

Sucks being locked out thought! wish we could have a look inside!!

Looks like our Ivan is back to finish the floors so might be able to have a look over the weekend!!! Fingers crossed!!

Some Photos

2011-09-30T23:34:00.003+10:00

Here are some internal shots of the house that we took this week...

Busy week

2011-09-21T22:27:00.001+10:00

The house is locked up but had a peek through the window tonight only to see lots more has been done this week......and its only Wednesday!!!

- Kitchen installed

- Internal doors hung

- Skirting boards

- Architraves

Everyone has been telling me that things slow up at this stage... but like our experience with everything else its all gone quite smoothly and quickly.

I am not to sure what to expect from here but assume that painting is next?

Update: What a week...! to add to the above we have a garage door, front door, ceiling painted and walls painted. Its all starting to come together...

Bathroom and Laundry Tiles

2011-09-21T21:58:00.001+10:00

We made the laundry and bathroom selections last week and it proved to be one of the hardest decision that we have had to do. You have to keep within the budget yet still get something that looks good. You also don't want to get anything that will date to quickly.

So seeing our budget was already "at the limit" we went in with an open mind and came out with a sore one!

We used polished porcelain in our last bathroom and they were great so we really wanted to get similar tiles this time around. Here was the first issue as they started at $49 p/m, and the allowance from the builder was $25. Determined to get what we wanted we went searching through the displays trying to find something that we both liked - and we found it..... and it was discontinued!!

After some more backwards and forwards we could not find anything that was within the budget that we liked and were getting quite frustrated until.... We came across a 600x300 white polished wall tile in porcelain for $18 p/m on special. Seeing that most of the tiles that you use are on the wall it saved us $7pm that we could allocate towards a more expensive floor tile.

We then found an awesome looking charcoal/stone/grey looking porcelain tile and it was $38pm - and what we saved on the walls we used towards the floor. We also managed to get some square floor wastes as well which we have used before and look great.

After the long task of the bathrooms we went with a lighter coloured laundry floor tile (again in porcelain) and used it on the walls as well. We are now really happy with our selections and cant wait to see the result.

Bathroom - wall and floor tiles

Bathroom - floor tile

Floor wastes - with tile insert

Laundry - wall and floor tiles

Locked Out

2011-09-19T20:36:00.001+10:00

Its official... we are locked out of the house!

Renee drove past and called me excited to see the garage door on and the front door boarded up. The laundry door was also on. She had a peek through the windows and all the internal passage door, bedroom doors and wardrobe doors were put on as well.

Hoping to see the kitchen sometime this week as well!!

Wonder what else we will see this week?

House Pictures

2011-09-10T15:26:00.000+10:00

Ok so here are a few updates... went over to the house to clean the floor the best that I could for Ivan as he is there tomorrow to finish the corners and the final polish. I will then have to go back there and cover the floors in plastic ready for next week. John said the fixing will be done so that probably means cornice, skirting, architraves etc. Also they have delivered was the front door and the laundry door.

Really starting to take some shape now and you can see where everything is going to fit - Renee started talking about where the lounges and beds will go!

It was good to see the light that the skylight was throwing into the the house - If you are considering one the do it... they look great and will save $$$ on lighting bills - and the natural light is great.

Mind the floor condition as its covered in gyprock dust and plaster.

Gyprock Starts

2011-09-07T19:09:00.000+10:00

Ok so after a speed hump earlier in the week, gyprocking has started and in full swing. I drove past this afternoon and in 2 days the whole house seems to be done and they have also set the first coat as well.

I am sure they will be close to finishing all the roof and walls by the end of the week and assume that they will get into the cornice next week. Also had an email from Fairmont to confirm our colour selections for the paint - but no later than next week so that cant be far away either.

The house looks so different when gyprocking starts... I think its because you cant see through the walls and you have a better sense of the space.

We will take some photos this weekend when the sun is out.... Also have to re-cover the floors

Dirty Thieving $*&^ers

2011-09-05T23:53:00.000+10:00

Very upset because some low lives decided it would be a great idea to go into our house and cut out electrical cables after it had been roughed in - the day before gyprocking was meant to start. They decided to cut the power cables at the back of the meter box and all the light switches and for what....?? A few meters of cable.

Seriously upset and cranky and feel bad as well for our builder as this is sure to have cost them some extra money to the sparky. Anyway called Fairmont and they had the sparky back the next day to fix it. I even emailed Fairmont a few weeks ago to warn them as another house was done over on Ridgetop Drive and they did the same thing.

I am venting but some people..... seriously get a job!

Floor Pics

2011-09-01T18:58:00.003+10:00

Ok so these are taken from my phone so the image quality is not good..... But the floors are coming along well and look awesome. These pictures are taken at 800grit finish. They will be finished tomorrow and will be at 3000grit finish which will look amazing by what I have seen today.

I will post some better ones with the good camera and in some good light.

Also the electrical, insulation and skylight was done as well.... Gyprock Monday!

Thanks Fairmont

2011-08-31T21:42:00.002+10:00

Just want to say a THANKYOU to Dan and John from Fairmont.

Made a call as we wanted a dwarf wall on the inside of the house(which we discussed before we signed up with Fairmont) and also some noggings for the plasma tv.

John called me to say that he organised the dwarf wall and to go and have a look to make sure we were happy with it. I drove out to check and it was fine. The carpenter was there and had also done the noggins in the media room for the plasma TV. He even wrote the measurements on the concrete floor so we knew exactly where they were for when we put the tv in - HOW GOOD IS THAT.

I have said it before but dealing with Fairmont has been great and they are a great family company to deal with. Nothing is to hard and they are only to happy to help when you ask for it. Thanks for making it so easy!

With so much going on it keeps bringing me back to the excitement of building... which is how it should be!

Pictures as promised

2011-08-28T13:25:00.001+10:00

Well the roof is on so we had to go and pull up the black floor covering this weekend and broom out all the dust. We are now waiting for Ivan to get on site to get the floors grinded as electrical, insulation and gyprock starts this week.

Roof Done

2011-08-24T19:03:00.005+10:00

Wow... a week later its all happening again.

Monday = Roof tiles arrive on site

Tuesday = Sarking, roof battons and all tiling was done - all in a day was an amazing effort

Wednesday = Roof capping done and most of the eave lining installed

Seems like we are flying ahead after this week. Also been told that next week... wait for it..

Tuesday = Electrical

Wednesday = Insulation

Thursday = Gyprocking

Also noticed that the cavity doors were installed in our bedroom and the linen cupboard. There is also a beam that was installed in the rear alfresco to hold the roof up.

Ivan is back from Perth and doing a floor across the road from our house. I have to squeeze him in to get the job done before the gyprock goes up next week. Now the roof is done I also have to go to site on Saturday to take the floor protection up and clean the inside of the house ready for the floors to be polished - Dirty Job but someone has to do it!

Seriously cant wait to see these floors finished.

Better photos to come this weekend... PROMISE

Fascia and Gutter

2011-08-18T22:36:00.001+10:00

Well we have had some more action this week. Fascia and gutter have been installed and we are waiting for the roof tiles to be delivered as Monier is out of stock of the Traditional Barrumundi - their most popular tile and colour.

So hope that they are delivered on Monday and we can see a roof next week and be one step closer to lockup.

Weather is holding up good so far so lets keep hoping that we have good weather for next week as well.

I suspect after the roof is on we wont be to far from a front door, garage door and laundry door..... LOCKUP wont be to far away......hopefully....

We are keen to see the roof get done so we can get Ivan back to finish the floors and see how they come up..... cant wait

Update: Roof tiles delivered today.... should see some action this week and some awesome floors on the weekend!

Brickwork Complete

2011-08-15T16:45:00.001+10:00

I hadn't been out past the block last week as was super busy at work. I had an annual leave day today so we went out this morning to see that the brickwork had been completed and the bricks were in the process of being cleaned down.

We are both really happy with the colour we have chosen and like the look with the flush finished mortar as well. Have been told that the fascia and gutter and roof will be happening this week - from there we would only need a front and laundry door and we would be locked up.

I hope that this is the case because Ivan is planning to come back on the weekend to finish grinding the floors.

Should be an interesting week.

Rear Alfresco

Rear Alfresco & Side

Side

Front and Main Bedroom - Pillars to be Rendered/Bagged

Front and Garage - Pillars to be Bagged/Rendered

Front

Side

Laundry and Rear Bedroom

Paint Colours

2011-08-06T20:35:00.001+10:00

With so many decision to make its really easy to second guess yourself. We see something we like then wonder if it will go, if it will work with out colours, if we will like it. Things look very different on a paint chip or a sample door colour then they do in real life.

Was searching the internet tonight and stumbled across this page from Dulux that lists their top selling white and feature colours. Helps that 3 of the colours that we like are the ones that are their best sellers.... Just helps to re-affirm that we are making the right choice.

Hope that this helps anyone else that is debating what colours to use.

Dulux - Award Winning Colours

Anyway... We are using the following colours.....

Main: Hog Bristle 1/2
Trim: Antique White USA

Kitchen Colour Selections

2011-08-02T00:34:00.003+10:00

Finalized the kitchen colours today - had to be one of the hardest decisions we have had to make.

Like most of our other decisions we decided to only pick colours that we had seen in built kitchens that were on display... so after lots of looking we went with the following.

We will have the Alabaster as the main door colours which is 80% of the kitchen. The Artisan Oak will be on the front if the island bench, the overhead cupboards and the wine rack

I wanted another colour as the feature called Ebony Macassar by Laminex.... but happy wife happy life!

Door Main Colour
Polytec Createc
High Gloss - Alabaster
(off white gloss)

Benchtops
Caesarstone Glacier

Feature Door & Wine Rack
Polytec Artisan Oak

Also cancelled the builders sink and bought a nice square one with a double bowl which we really like. Love the square look of the sink and we don't want a drainer on the side either - straight in the dishwasher!

Bricks Start

2011-08-01T17:12:00.001+10:00

Busy day today - out picking kitchen colours (will post selection later)

Swung past the block late in the afternoon and we have bricks and windows! Just a few few pics but so happy with our selection and can see the blue tones in the brick already. It should look 100% when the mortar goes whiter and the bricks are cleaned.

Floors Protected...

2011-07-30T18:56:00.000+10:00

Spent a few hours putting down the floor protection that Ivan left us in the polished areas. Should have got some knee pads because my legs are aching!!!

Got some much needed help from the father in law - thanks heaps Bobby

Anyway 4 rolls of duct tape and 40 pieces of corflute we got it all covered. Also got a few sneak peaks of the floor now its been half polished so we can go looking for kitchen colours tomorrow and Monday - very happy with the results!

Kitchen & Laundry

2011-07-29T22:24:00.002+10:00

Decisions Decisions...

Got our kitchen and laundry plans and have to pick out colours and make sure that we are happy with everything. I asked Fairmont how long I had and they said 2 weeks would be fine to get back to them... we want to wait until we see the floors finished before we pick the colours we want.

We are not making any changes to the design as we are very happy with the layout. We love the island bench and its about 3.5m long. Also added the wine rack next to the fridge with a bin draw at the bottom. Also has 19 drawers which is good as well.

Got a couple of downlights under the cupboards and a concealed rangehood.

Below is the layout of what we are having

arial view of the kitchen

front view of the back area and inside/outside of the island

3d image and the fridge/wine rack

laundry cupboards/bench

Frames Up

2011-07-28T20:07:00.000+10:00

Well it is starting to look more like a house now... We have frames going up and suspect we will have a roof as well tomorrow. Only swung past this afternoon for a quick look and pretty impressive to see what can get done in just a day. Makes a difference when you can see walls as you can visualize where everything is now.

I have to go to site on Saturday to place all the floor coverings down on the slab to protect Ivans work. He dropped over the coverings at our house tonight before he flew back to Perth.

view from the front

windows

centre of the house - kitchen left living right

this is the doors to outside

garage