The writing's on the wall...

... literally!

Scribbles

The walls are covered with pencil scribbles.  The site supervisor mentioned that the plasterers would be out this week preparing the plaster for painting, so perhaps it's to do with this - we have no idea!

Generally, Saturday's visit was a bit disappointing.  Last week was definitely the slowest progress we've seen.  Fixing stage was scheduled to be finished last Wednesday, but it was held up by a trailer losing a wheel (at least that is what we've been told).  As of today it's still not done, so I guess we're at least a week behind schedule now.

Kitchen

Bulkhead

Progress in the kitchen was limited to the addition of the bulkhead.  It seems strange to us that they would do this after the cornice had been fixed, but as long as it gets done.

In the kitchen are a few extra cabinet doors.  We can't figure out what they might be for, I suppose time will tell (or they'll disappear).

Architraves

Architraves

The architraves are almost complete.  Unfortunately the wrong architraves were delivered so they will all have to be re-done.  Somehow we missed this last week.  The site supervisor has said that this will be fixed this week and shouldn't hold things up.

Bricks

What's going on here?

Bathroom window

Fence

Fence

The west boundary fence has been completed.  We also have confirmation that the rear fence will be provided by the developer, which is a nice bonus for us.  Technically we can be organise it once we have the certificate of occupancy, but hopefully we can at least get on the waiting list before then (a toddler and an electric fence don't seem the greatest combination).  We also discovered that the block on the east side has been sold pending settlement, which explains why the developer says it's sold but the council tells us the developer is the owner.  We will have to reapply for the owners' details at the end of the month.

All in all it looks like the dream run is over.  However we're hardly at panic stations, and hopefully our meeting with the site supervisor on Friday will set our minds at ease.

Looking like a house - inside and out!

On Saturday we made out weekly trek out to the site, and were pleasantly surprised with the progress. 

Plaster

Since Robert visited on Monday the plaster has almost been finished.  With the frame covered, it feels like a house inside for the first time.

Master bedroom

Study

Living room

Dining

Kitchen

Ensuite shower

Garage

Exterior

The only obvious change to the exterior between Monday and Saturday was a big one - render!  It is unpainted, but it has made a bit difference to the look of the facade.

Exterior

Render

Front Door

We love our front door size.  You can only get a sense of how big is with a person in it.  I can't wait to see the real door in the frame.

Front Door

Bricks and Roof

Yesterday we visited the site and were welcomed by the sight of a wall of bricks and most of a roof.

A week's work

Bricks

Last Monday, before the bricks were delivered, we recieved a phone call from the site supervisor to ask us about our selected mortar.  We had selected raked mortar, in off white.  At Hopetoun Interiors we were told that the only option for these bricks was raked mortar, and we (the most indecisive two people on the planet) were pleased that that decision had been made for us.  However the site supervisor was calling to tell us that in his opinion, raked mortar was not the best option for our bricks, and that we should consider ironed (or rolled) mortar.  His opinion was based on the shape of the bricks.  We thought it over and decided to go with his recommendation.  We were really pleased that he called us when he saw something that he thought could be improved.

Our bricks were delivered on Thursday, and by Saturday the external wall of the garage has been layed and the eastern wall has been started.

Our site supervisor is very happy with our bricklayer - he told Robert that he is one of the top 3 bricklayers in the western/northern region.  We're not experts, but the work looks very good so far.

Garage Wall - External

Garage Wall - External

Garage Wall - Internal

East Wall

East Wall - with window frame

The bricks are Boral "Mocha".  Unfortuately I don't think any of the photos show the colour of the bricks especially well.  Perhaps the last one is the best.

Roof

We also found that our roof is well underway.  The roof is Colorbond Woodland Grey.

Roof from the front

Roof from the rear

Roof from the rear

Roof from the rear

Hole in the roof from inside

Roof from inside

 

Plaster

Sitting in the middle of the family room we found a giant package of what we assume to be our plaster.

Plaster?

 

Repairs

The carpenter had been to fix the internal doors which were not the correct height.  All internal doors are now the correct height.  Walking through the door frames gives a real sense of the high ceilings; it's very impressive.

Corrected door frames

The dodgy nogging in the theatre room had also been fixed.

Theatre room nogging