Met the SS on site this morning. Everything was pretty much rectified. 1 of the window that they have to replace hasn't been replaced because they brought the wrong type of window. They brought in normal window while the one we have is double glazed.
Didn't check the ceiling insulation. Only went to the roof cavity after the hand over, they still haven't put additional insulation, the insulation stops about 20-30cm from the side top plates. Emailed the CSC & SS, they said they'll get CSR to fix it in the new year.
Hand Over went smoothly. We gave them the bank cheque & they gave us the keys.
We put up the temporary blinds today & I also managed to do the grout seal for the showers in the ensuite & bathroom. Have to do the rest of the tiles area next time, it took me much longer than I anticipated.
Removalists have been booked for Monday, 27 December 2010. The landlord has been notified that we'll terminate the lease 3 months earlier. Hopefully they can find a new tenant very soon.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Day 147: Notice to PD of intent to claim Damages
Hand over is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I went to check house & found out the windows haven't been fixed & there's no traces of insulation been fixed.
Sent my CSC an email notifying them of my intention to claim damages if hand over doesn't happen tomorrow:
"We refer to your letters dated 28 July 2010 and 10 September 2010.
Based on the above mentioned letters, the building works is supposed to be completed in 140 days. Calculating from the start date of 28 July 2010, 140 days would fall on Tuesday, 14 December 2010 (inclusive of both 28 July 2010 & 14 December 2010).
We refer to the signed HIA Building Contract Schedule 4 'Special Conditions' and Clause 1.0 'Definitions' which define the meaning of "Completion".
During the hand over inspection on Thursday, 16 December 2010, we have discovered the building works had not been completed as per definition of completion mentioned in the above paragraph. We have therefore decided to defer the hand over until the building works is completed, which is supposed to be Wednesday, 22 December 2010.
A hand over inspection has been arranged for Wednesday, 22 December 2010 at 9.00 am. We are hoping that all the items to be rectified have been rectified so that we can have a completion of building works.
We refer to the signed HIA Building Contract Schedule 1 '9. Agreed damages for late completion of Building Works' and Clause 40.0 'Owner's Claim for Agreed Damages'.
We wish to advise that should the building works is yet to be completed by the hand over inspection tomorrow, Wednesday, 22 December 2010 at 9 am, we are going to claim for damages for late completion of building works with effect from 15 December 2010 until the completion of building works.
We will deduct the amount of the damages from the Final Payment as per Clause 40.1."
And the following is the reply I received from the CSC:
"Please be advised that the final cheque must be the same amount as your final invoice.
We can raise a Variation for you if we do go over Construction days when that so occurs."
And the following is my reply to the CSC's email:
"You've gone over the construction days. As per my email, 127 + 13 days = 140 days which was Tuesday 15 December 2010.
And as per signed HIA Building Contract Clause 40.1 the damages is to be deducted of the Final Payment."
And finally this is from the CSC:
"I will ask Management if we are able to process your payment in this way and get back to you tomorrow."
Will be an interesting day tomorrow. I do intent to claim the damages & if they are asking for extension of time, I'll object to that.
Sent my CSC an email notifying them of my intention to claim damages if hand over doesn't happen tomorrow:
"We refer to your letters dated 28 July 2010 and 10 September 2010.
Based on the above mentioned letters, the building works is supposed to be completed in 140 days. Calculating from the start date of 28 July 2010, 140 days would fall on Tuesday, 14 December 2010 (inclusive of both 28 July 2010 & 14 December 2010).
We refer to the signed HIA Building Contract Schedule 4 'Special Conditions' and Clause 1.0 'Definitions' which define the meaning of "Completion".
During the hand over inspection on Thursday, 16 December 2010, we have discovered the building works had not been completed as per definition of completion mentioned in the above paragraph. We have therefore decided to defer the hand over until the building works is completed, which is supposed to be Wednesday, 22 December 2010.
A hand over inspection has been arranged for Wednesday, 22 December 2010 at 9.00 am. We are hoping that all the items to be rectified have been rectified so that we can have a completion of building works.
We refer to the signed HIA Building Contract Schedule 1 '9. Agreed damages for late completion of Building Works' and Clause 40.0 'Owner's Claim for Agreed Damages'.
We wish to advise that should the building works is yet to be completed by the hand over inspection tomorrow, Wednesday, 22 December 2010 at 9 am, we are going to claim for damages for late completion of building works with effect from 15 December 2010 until the completion of building works.
We will deduct the amount of the damages from the Final Payment as per Clause 40.1."
And the following is the reply I received from the CSC:
"Please be advised that the final cheque must be the same amount as your final invoice.
We can raise a Variation for you if we do go over Construction days when that so occurs."
And the following is my reply to the CSC's email:
"You've gone over the construction days. As per my email, 127 + 13 days = 140 days which was Tuesday 15 December 2010.
And as per signed HIA Building Contract Clause 40.1 the damages is to be deducted of the Final Payment."
And finally this is from the CSC:
"I will ask Management if we are able to process your payment in this way and get back to you tomorrow."
Will be an interesting day tomorrow. I do intent to claim the damages & if they are asking for extension of time, I'll object to that.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Day 146: Feature Walls Painted & Hand Over is Schedule for Wednesday, 22nd December 2010
Feature walls were painted over the weekend. The colour didn't turn out the way we wanted, way too light & almost can't be seen as feature walls, might have to repaint it ourselves after hand over.
I emailed the SS yesterday asking him whether we are still on schedule to have the hand over on Wednesday. Received his reply this morning & he said that everything will be rectified by Wednesday & we'll have a hand over on Wednesday.
I emailed the SS yesterday asking him whether we are still on schedule to have the hand over on Wednesday. Received his reply this morning & he said that everything will be rectified by Wednesday & we'll have a hand over on Wednesday.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Day 142: Hand Over Day - Delayed
Hand Over is supposed to be today but it has been delayed because PD cannot rectify everything that were listed in PCI & Independent Report. Hand Over will now be on Wednesday, 22 Dec. They can't delay it again this time because if they do then they'll be responsible for the house during the holiday period & it seems that they are trying hard for that not to happen.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Day 139: Garage Door
Garage door was installed today.
Nothing else been done to rectify the PCI, makes me wonder whether we'll on schedule for the hand over on Thursday.
Floor Board was installed last Friday
Nothing else been done to rectify the PCI, makes me wonder whether we'll on schedule for the hand over on Thursday.
Floor Board was installed last Friday
Day 139: Floor Board Installed & Hand Over is scheduled for Thursday
Floating Floor Board was installed last Friday,unfortunately we cannot get in to take photos of it.
Hand Over is scheduled for this Thursday morning. I've informed the bank last week & they are going to get their valuation done early this week. Hopefully they have enough time to process the bank cheque & send it to us from Sydney. Unfortunately our bank doesn't have a branch in Melbourne & they are pretty slow in the first place when it comes to home loan.
Hand Over is scheduled for this Thursday morning. I've informed the bank last week & they are going to get their valuation done early this week. Hopefully they have enough time to process the bank cheque & send it to us from Sydney. Unfortunately our bank doesn't have a branch in Melbourne & they are pretty slow in the first place when it comes to home loan.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Day 135: Pre Hand Over Inspection & PCI
Had our Pre Hand Over Inspection at noon today & everything went well. No major problems & nothing that can't be fixed within few days. Will get the report tonight.
Then later on in the afternoon, we had our PCI. Lotsa paint touch up to be made, I won't even bother with 75% of it but the SS put the dots everywhere & wanted to make sure they are fixed. Other things to be rectified are:
Chip to Pot Drawer
Rangehood not level
Window glazing is short to the dining room window
Bathroom window rubber is coming off
Toilet is not working properly - can't refill the empty tank.
Overall I think the quality is pretty good.
Hand over is scheduled for Thursday next week. Hopefully the bank will be able to issue the cheque in time.
Then later on in the afternoon, we had our PCI. Lotsa paint touch up to be made, I won't even bother with 75% of it but the SS put the dots everywhere & wanted to make sure they are fixed. Other things to be rectified are:
Chip to Pot Drawer
Rangehood not level
Window glazing is short to the dining room window
Bathroom window rubber is coming off
Toilet is not working properly - can't refill the empty tank.
Overall I think the quality is pretty good.
Hand over is scheduled for Thursday next week. Hopefully the bank will be able to issue the cheque in time.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Day 131: PCI & Hand Over Dates
Got an email late Friday afternoon from the CSC informing us that PCI will be next Thursday & Hand Over will be Thursday Week.
Will have to contact New Home Inspections tomorrow to find out whether they can make it on Thursday.
The only thing outstanding now is the floating floor board.
A car must have driven across the footpath & hit the down pipe. Broken glass is laying next to the down pipe. Emailed my SS & CSC to inform them of this. Might the the electrician that has done it, they were the only one onsite on Friday.
Will have to contact New Home Inspections tomorrow to find out whether they can make it on Thursday.
The only thing outstanding now is the floating floor board.
A car must have driven across the footpath & hit the down pipe. Broken glass is laying next to the down pipe. Emailed my SS & CSC to inform them of this. Might the the electrician that has done it, they were the only one onsite on Friday.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 127: Still Waiting
Floating Floor Board is yet to be done. SS told me it would be done by Monday this week, but it is still not done yet.
They have fixed the down pipes. They replaced the one above the meter box so that the spout aligned correctly to the down pipe.
They are still to do the electrical for the theatre room & living room.
Not long to go now, only 2 weeks to go before the 140 building days is up. We've received the final invoice & was told that the SS & CSC will contact us re PCI. Will get the building inspector to go through the house as soon as the floating floor board is installed.
Fencing will be done in early January & Driveway will be done in mid January. Can't do it before Christmas, everyone is busy in December.
They have fixed the down pipes. They replaced the one above the meter box so that the spout aligned correctly to the down pipe.
They are still to do the electrical for the theatre room & living room.
Not long to go now, only 2 weeks to go before the 140 building days is up. We've received the final invoice & was told that the SS & CSC will contact us re PCI. Will get the building inspector to go through the house as soon as the floating floor board is installed.
Fencing will be done in early January & Driveway will be done in mid January. Can't do it before Christmas, everyone is busy in December.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Day 118: Inspection & Cross Over
Had an on site appointment with the SS who didn't turn up until I called him & the office numerous times. He thought the inspection is tomorrow. He turned up more than an hour late.
Most things have been done except the feature walls, garage door, home theatre cabling and floating floor board. The supplier ran out of stock of the floor board that we chose, so they gave us an alternative & we took it rather than delaying the completion of the house.
View of the house from the street
David from Whitehorse City Council came to check the cross over. We requested a slightly wider than standard cross over & he was fine with it. Now all we need to do is find a concreter to do our driveway & cross over.
Most things have been done except the feature walls, garage door, home theatre cabling and floating floor board. The supplier ran out of stock of the floor board that we chose, so they gave us an alternative & we took it rather than delaying the completion of the house.
View of the house from the street
David from Whitehorse City Council came to check the cross over. We requested a slightly wider than standard cross over & he was fine with it. Now all we need to do is find a concreter to do our driveway & cross over.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day 117: Portaloo has been removed
Portaloo has been removed today. Not long to go, they just need to install the garage door & do the floating floor board.
We wanted tasmanian oak for our floating floor board, the CSC called on Friday & told us they don't have any in stock & asking whether we will accept spotted gum instead. I wonder what will they do if we insist that we want tasmanian oak. Will speak to her tomorrow.
Will have a site meeting with the SS tomorrow afternoon just to go through everything & make sure nothing is forgotten. They still haven't done the feature walls & home theatre cabling, will be interesting to see what he has to say about those, been telling him those in the last month.
Found a frog where the portaloo used to be. Not sure where she comes from & what she is doing there.
Think this is the termite protection thing, not sure how it works or what are they going to do with it.
Been trying to get quotations for fencing, most of them are too busy to even return calls, I guess everyone trying to fix their fences before Christmas. We want to do at least the side fence before we move in, because our house is a corner house, it will be very exposed without the side fence.
We wanted tasmanian oak for our floating floor board, the CSC called on Friday & told us they don't have any in stock & asking whether we will accept spotted gum instead. I wonder what will they do if we insist that we want tasmanian oak. Will speak to her tomorrow.
Will have a site meeting with the SS tomorrow afternoon just to go through everything & make sure nothing is forgotten. They still haven't done the feature walls & home theatre cabling, will be interesting to see what he has to say about those, been telling him those in the last month.
Found a frog where the portaloo used to be. Not sure where she comes from & what she is doing there.
Think this is the termite protection thing, not sure how it works or what are they going to do with it.
Been trying to get quotations for fencing, most of them are too busy to even return calls, I guess everyone trying to fix their fences before Christmas. We want to do at least the side fence before we move in, because our house is a corner house, it will be very exposed without the side fence.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Day 114: Downpipes Installed, Front Door Painted & Temporary Fences Removed
It seems we are very close to completion. Temporary Fences have been removed.
Looking good, I like the brick & roof colours.
Door has been painted, not really what I want but it does bring out the colour of the brick.
Makes me wonder where will this downpipe drain to???
Or this one, why bother installing the pipe if it's not going to connect to the gutter.
Caulking has also been done.
Nice of you PD, don't dirty the carpet boys :)
Splashback has been installed, didn't remember what colour we chose but doesn't look like what we expected.
Will have an onsite meeting with the SS, he said to make sure whatever need to be done have been done & to make the hand over easier.
Looking good, I like the brick & roof colours.
Door has been painted, not really what I want but it does bring out the colour of the brick.
Makes me wonder where will this downpipe drain to???
Or this one, why bother installing the pipe if it's not going to connect to the gutter.
Caulking has also been done.
Nice of you PD, don't dirty the carpet boys :)
Splashback has been installed, didn't remember what colour we chose but doesn't look like what we expected.
Will have an onsite meeting with the SS, he said to make sure whatever need to be done have been done & to make the hand over easier.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 112: Where Are You SS??? Carpet & Fly Screens installed
Had an appointment with The Blind Factory for them to measure the windows. Informed the SS yesterday & he said there would be no problem, he would leave the door opened. Guess what... all the doors were locked!!! Called him & he didn't answer my calls. Texted him & he finally texted me back & told me the front door was not locked. It was locked. Wasted my time again!!!
Went around the house & looked through the windows, the carpets been installed. The fly screens have also been installed.
Went around the house & looked through the windows, the carpets been installed. The fly screens have also been installed.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Day 111: Evaporative Cooling Installed
Evaporative Cooling has been installed. The only thing is I'm not sure why they installed it on the street side of the roof. A good promotion for Bonaire is the only reason I can think of.
They surely need to paint the white coloured pipe to the roof colour, it just doesn't look right with a white coloured pipe running accross the roof like that.
They surely need to paint the white coloured pipe to the roof colour, it just doesn't look right with a white coloured pipe running accross the roof like that.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Day 110: Shower Screens Installed
Shower screens been installed. Both the Ensuite & Bathroom look very much the way they are supposed to be.
Rangehood has also been installed.
No idea why the plank of wood is up there. Will have to make sure it isn't there when they hand over the house.
The view from the laundry to the garage. There's a conduit on the wall in the left hand side of the picture. We added a power point outside the garage & they forgot to do that so they had to do it using a conduit.
Rangehood has also been installed.
No idea why the plank of wood is up there. Will have to make sure it isn't there when they hand over the house.
The view from the laundry to the garage. There's a conduit on the wall in the left hand side of the picture. We added a power point outside the garage & they forgot to do that so they had to do it using a conduit.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Day 106: Bricks have been washed & a big stuff up
They washed the bricks today & it comes out better than we expected. Glad we chose this instead of Mocha.
A big stuff up with the power points in the bathroom, didn't check this during electrical appointment, expecting them to put them as per normal, i.e. next to the bench, but somehow it was wrongly put inside the cabinet 600mm above the floor. Only realised this last week after I didn't see any power points during the walk through with the SS. Checked the electrical plan again & it is indeed put where it is shown in the plan.
A big stuff up with the power points in the bathroom, didn't check this during electrical appointment, expecting them to put them as per normal, i.e. next to the bench, but somehow it was wrongly put inside the cabinet 600mm above the floor. Only realised this last week after I didn't see any power points during the walk through with the SS. Checked the electrical plan again & it is indeed put where it is shown in the plan.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Day 100: Meeting with the SS
100 days have gone since start of the construction, 40 days to go.
Had a site meeting with the SS this afternoon, he said they'll most likely finish the construction work by end of the month & we can expect hand over early December.
Went through the house with him, few things to be done:
- Leaking front pipe still not fixed yet.
- Home Theatre cabling are not done, he'll have to get the final drawing to fix this.
- Door handles for laundry doors are omitted from drawing.
- A couple of outdoor wiring not done.
- Electrical for ceiling fan for Alfresco is not done.
Tiling has also been completed, so it seems we are on track to have Christmas in the new house.
Will have to organise quotation for Fencing & Blinds/Curtains so that they can be done just after the hand over.
Had a site meeting with the SS this afternoon, he said they'll most likely finish the construction work by end of the month & we can expect hand over early December.
Went through the house with him, few things to be done:
- Leaking front pipe still not fixed yet.
- Home Theatre cabling are not done, he'll have to get the final drawing to fix this.
- Door handles for laundry doors are omitted from drawing.
- A couple of outdoor wiring not done.
- Electrical for ceiling fan for Alfresco is not done.
Tiling has also been completed, so it seems we are on track to have Christmas in the new house.
Will have to organise quotation for Fencing & Blinds/Curtains so that they can be done just after the hand over.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 98: The Race that stops a Nation
Melbourne Cup day is dubbed as the race that stops a nation. However it didn't stop the tiler to continue working. Not much else happening, still waiting for the plumber to fix the front water tap leak & still waiting for the SS to get the tradie to install the still flashing for our front door.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Day 97: Tiling work continues
The tiler is in to do more tiling work. Most of the floor tiles have been laid, with the exception of the kitchen. All tiling work will be completed by end of the week.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Day 95: Painting Continued, Tiles Delivered & Pipe Leaked again.
Painting continued during the week, they started painting the gutter yesterday & the eves were given 2nd coat of paint.
Bifold door has been stained as well, looking good.
Tiles were delivered on Thursday.
They started to waterproof the ensuite & bathroom, I wonder why they didn't do the whole ensuite/bathroom at the same time.
Interior painting has been completed
Supposed to have an onsite meeting with the SS to go through the lockup & fixing stage completion. He cancelled the meeting & rescheduled for next week. I'm still refusing to pay the fixing stage until the Sill Flashing on the Front Door is installed. The SS insisted that it's been done, he must have thought that I'm blind not to be able to see whether it's been done or not.
Our front tap water leaked again on Thursday, texted & emailed the SS to let him know about it & he said they would send the plumber first thing Friday morning. Went to check on Friday evening & nothing was done. The neighbours are not happy with the water wasted & how PD been handling this, the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
Bifold door has been stained as well, looking good.
Tiles were delivered on Thursday.
They started to waterproof the ensuite & bathroom, I wonder why they didn't do the whole ensuite/bathroom at the same time.
Interior painting has been completed
Supposed to have an onsite meeting with the SS to go through the lockup & fixing stage completion. He cancelled the meeting & rescheduled for next week. I'm still refusing to pay the fixing stage until the Sill Flashing on the Front Door is installed. The SS insisted that it's been done, he must have thought that I'm blind not to be able to see whether it's been done or not.
Our front tap water leaked again on Thursday, texted & emailed the SS to let him know about it & he said they would send the plumber first thing Friday morning. Went to check on Friday evening & nothing was done. The neighbours are not happy with the water wasted & how PD been handling this, the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Day 87: Painting Started
Painting job started today.
The tradies were clearing the front of the house yesterday & hit the water pipe. Water was leaking all afternoon. Called the SS & was told it would be fixed this morning. Went onsite this afternoon & it has been fixed, but hate to see all those water got wasted.
The tradies were clearing the front of the house yesterday & hit the water pipe. Water was leaking all afternoon. Called the SS & was told it would be fixed this morning. Went onsite this afternoon & it has been fixed, but hate to see all those water got wasted.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 84: Fixing Stage Completed
Got an invoice for Fixing Stage. Things are going on very quickly, they are working inside now & the doors been locked most days, however they didn't lock it today.
Roof Capping was finally fixed.
However, the damage is already done, the heavy rain over the weekend has damaged the ceiling plaster in the ensuite. Water Damage as marked by the plasterer
It seems they are going to replace this panel of plaster.
View of the kitchen from living area
Laundry cabinets done
View of the living room & rumpus from the kitchen
Ensuite cabinets done
Bathroom cabinets done
Roof Capping was finally fixed.
However, the damage is already done, the heavy rain over the weekend has damaged the ceiling plaster in the ensuite. Water Damage as marked by the plasterer
It seems they are going to replace this panel of plaster.
View of the kitchen from living area
Laundry cabinets done
View of the living room & rumpus from the kitchen
Ensuite cabinets done
Bathroom cabinets done
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