We got ours done the day before we moved in. M put through a urgent request and they were pretty quick to get here.

So a week and a bit since we moved in.
Move went relatively well, nothing broken at least.
Landscaping has started, should be finished in around 4-5 weeks.
Had tradies in and out…

Aaaand done. Now the moving begins!

1pm tomorrow we get handover
Finally phase 1 of the nightmare is over, now begins the illustrious duty of finishing off and moving

Finally some good news!
Final accounts have been done, SM is going to pick up keys this afternoon.
Just have to wait for one bit of carpet to be done and we…

Today’s update
M’s QA is all done, all went well, not a huge amount of things that came up, mainly just rattles/squeaks etc
Waiting on final account to get completed then we…

Finally had our PCI today
Went well, only had about 7 or so defects listed, plus probably 15 places for painters to touch up/repaint
Full QA will be going ahead on Friday…

So finally a update:
Carpets got mostly installed yesterday, still haven't done one room. Apparently the SM and the carpet installers ended up in a argument and they threatened to walk…

From what I can tell its just a few things that need to be finished off, a whole downpipe has to be installed (they had to wait for render to…

So PCI had to get cancelled as the painters who were supposed to turn up last week didn't until Tuesday
They did however get finished yesterday.
We also got our appliances installed…

They are just the standard black/grey external tiles from National Tiles, 400x400 in size (https://www.nationaltiles.com.au/simpli ... ernal-tile)
The arguments that were had due to the 2 tone…

I’m building the Chelsea 37, and with all our upgrades its $525K and we could of easily added another 50 to that. Your figure sounds about right, if your’re…

I think Shokel pretty much sums it up. There are far too many variables with any builder to pin problems down to a specific thing. Not to mention the internet…

We finally have some lights and action today!



Cleaner is meant to come tomorrow, followed by the Sealer and external carpenter on Friday
Still on track to have PCI by EOM with…

It's more the fact that such a thing is going very out of spec for volume builders. They work on churning out inherently the same designs over and over again,…

You can ask for a Raft slab during the tender process, if your block is sloping or your doing a split level home they may even suggest it. Do expect…

Not really no, its a structural/engineering thing. Whilst im sure there might be a way to do it, it will cost too much or require a complete re-engineering of how…

They cant always do the brick, there has to be usually at least a minimum 85mm to fit one, plus add mortar etc.
They also cover themselves, on the contract with…

This is with the stain, still needs a final coat but it will just deepen the colour somewhat
We might be in before xmas if we're lucky

Thanks Ill take some new ones with the Cabolts Charcoal stain over it, really sets it off
It's alot of black, and you do lose the wood effect, but the black…

Update 27/08:
All internal painting has been 95% finished, just waiting for trims etc to be done, then that will be finished just prior to PCI.
This week we are supposed to…

For my inspections, I just informed my SM that we had engaged Housepect for our inspections. Housepect then took over and liased with the SM for appointments etc to get…

Sigh feels like deja vu once again.
SM rings last week, all frantic on the phone saying he wants to get the house down in the next 2-3 weeks and that…

Thanks Dulie, they would want to be for the price they are!

Update 02/08/18:
Tiles have been laid down inside and out. The tiles on the outside still haven't been grouted as they run out of tiles and haven't been back. (The wrongly…

Same here we had no issues with Post Contract Variations.
Just make sure you get a signed copy emailed back to you and keep them all together. The Variations will also…

Usually around 2-3 weeks after PCI, but it all depends on any defects picked up plus getting OC paper work through, but the rough guide is 2-3 weeks

Yeah we did, the slab is to design spec and standard. It just seems its more the levels etc that are the issue with the Tilers, so the slab itself…

Update 12/07:
So hows this for a good one. Tilers were meant to start this week but....
Apparantly there is a problem with the floor surface, the slab has been done to…

I'd also then argue the opposite, that by giving them a budget, they will miraculously find a way to spend every single bit of it...
Catch 22 situation really