And then there were pegs!

Got an email from our CSA that pegs were completed yesterday.  The email made my day considering that those are just pegs!! lol I'm not sure when construction will start though, according to our CSA there were so many files released for construction this month so ours will be released early August.  Well, it's 3 days till August so I guess that's fine.  =D

Anyway, I thought I'd drive straight to our block from work despite the pouring rain.  I didn't wanna miss anything in the building process, even those little pegs that signals the beginning of the entire construction process.  Photo of one of our four pegs above.

Spam on my blog

I had to change my comment moderation setting to allow me to review it first before posting only because spammers have started posting on my blog.  :(

Final Building Plans

I'm so excited to see construction going on our site.  While waiting, I thought I'd post some photos of our building plans

Changes we made:

• Main door will be Timber with 2 sidelights with obscure glazing.  The 2 main panels will have 3 obscure glazed glass on each.  I really want the "grand entrance effect" that's why I changed it to this.
• Since the house will have massive windows, some of the ones on the first level were changed to be open-able to meet BASIX requirements.
• Balcony will have 1.5m privacy screen as well to meet Council requirements on protecting the neighbor's (property adjacent to us) privacy.
• We'll have step down to the kitchen (and in between formal lounge and dining area) due to the small slope we have.  I think Bede Schneider (EB's sales person) did a good job suggesting that instead of filling.. it will be an added feature instead. I'm quite happy with it.
• Because of the step down we have to put a corbel in the formal lounge which again will be an added feature.. great job Bede!!

Those are the minor structural changes, other than that we're quite happy with the design.  We upgraded the kitchen, and the electricals heavily, the facade, and a bit on the floor tiles.  I'd probably render the front side in a couple of years or so, and change the floor tiles to a white porcelain which is what I really want - these I consider my room for improvement.. just so I have something to look forward to again in the future  :D

I have also selected all those timber feature screens (in the powder room and the rumpus room) that the display home have, I think those are part of the reason why the display home looks so appealing - for that I've decided to keep it.

We've also selected our window coverings from Abbey Shutters and Blinds and is now in the process of lay-bying it.. :D  I've picked double roller blinds for all front windows on the ground floor (and where it's sunny at some part of the day) just so we have an option to see through when we want too.  We've also picked a motorized sheer blinds for the void just because there's no way that window could be reached without a remote control!

I also love the doors that I picked, the laundry door (from kitchen) is bi-fold with obscured glass panels as well.  We did the same thing for the main bedroom door.  I love obscured glass doors with timber frames!!  We've also upgraded doors for all the other rooms except that they won't have any glass at all.  And speaking of glass, for the kitchen, I've picked a red glass splashback and made all doors poly.  I removed the soft close mechanism as it could be added in the future anyway.  So for now, I'm going with a normal close for my kitchen drawers.  :)

Yep, I did all the selections and didn't let the husband pick any to avoid a "mismatch" lol!!  He basically just went with me for moral support.. lol

Final Documents Signed!

Yeeepppeee! we had our site start appointment last Wednesday and have signed all the documents.. I've found out that our colour consultant forgot to change some colours on our sheet. Gutter is changed to Jasper however, Balustrade and parapets were still Monument which was actually complimenting our very first selection. Anyway, it's just a minor mistake, good thing I always frantically review all documents.. LOL I don't wanna see a black parapet roof on my white house that has a mocha choc tile roof.. hehehe...

I got really excited seeing the plans having all our variations and upgrades.. I will post them when I get a chance!

Site Start Appointment

Got an email from Sue, our new CSA, our DA Check was completed yesterday and we've been booked for a site start appointment on 21 July 2010. This is getting more and more exciting..

On another note, I've got another PCV about retaining walls, saying that council approval for other retaining walls that are not approved as part of EB's construction will be our responsibility. I wonder what part of construction will it be... hmmm will it be part of the landscape?

Engineers Details are back (and our CSA)

I was informed last week that our engineers details were due back on 7 July, for some reason our new CSA just got it this afternoon, EB's really very busy these days I guess.

Yes, you read it right. Our CSA has left the company so I'm dealing with a new one. All good though, cause the new CSA is as responsive (and a lot more approachable) She has already booked our file for a DA check which is due for completion on Tuesday, 13 July 2010. Once this is done she can then book us for a site start appointment.. Yay!!! Can't wait...

Bank authorization and progress payment kit

Wow, talking about "when it rains , it pours!". We just keep receiving news that puts a smile on our face! Thank God!! Considering that I was in so much stress few weeks ago. Well, I just hope it will continue to rain good news.

I saw an A4 size envelope waiting for me at home. I knew it was from the bank because of the colour of the envelope. What I didn't know (and not expecting) is what's inside (cause I just forwarded them a copy of DA approval and construction certificate)! The progress payment kit, and a copy of the consent they sent Eden Brae. We're getting a lot more excited!

DA approval, construction certificate, and Bank's consent. All we're waiting for now is the site start appointment. I wonder when it's gonna be? How long after DA approval do they normally complete the DA check? Anyone?