And finally, we have access!

It fits!

Welcome!

You know that feeling of relief?

It just washes over you, relaxes you and sends all those worries and concerns scampering. 

That's how I felt all day yesterday!

At 9am, we met with the Builder onsite and went over what we perceived to be issues; he too, picked up a few we didn't even notice.  It was a good meeting.  Dear Husband & I have decided to also outsource to a professional inspector prior so that we can ensure nothing has been missed and that any defects are corrected within the 6mth warranty period.  

Our bank is yet to do their valuation and inspection for final payment.  Apparently the inspection involves more than just noting that the house has been built.  It appears that some banks have been deceived by builders/developers in the past, who cut corners (or size, as the issue actually was).  So, the inspection will also involve review of the plans and specifications as well as physically measuring the house.

Heaven forbid if one room is 10cm short anywhere.  I'm not sure what happens then?!

Last night we celebrated by letting the kids in and having fish and chips on the back verandah.  Bliss!

And then the exhaustion set in.  We were all tucked up in bed by 8.30pm.

 

Suz x

Hold onto your hats!

I've got news!

Handover.  Tomorrow.  9am.

*insert hugest grin ever*

I've forwarded my list of concerns and told the Builder we'll adjust the variations owing by the amount of liquidated damages.  The bank hasn't done their thing yet but we've advised that they're to pay the final progress payment.  We've also called the BSA to get some advice and the plan is to have a professional inspector to come through after handover (ideally, one would do this prior to handover!) and we'll modify the defects list as highlighted by the inspector.  The Builder has 6 months to rectify at this point.  

So whilst we won't be moving in just yet, I can start measuring and fitting and looking at furnishings and coverings.   YAY ;-)

Suz x

Déjà vu

Unfortunately my builder was unable to do Wednesday for handover. Or Thursday. So we agreed on Friday (today).  I decided to block out the diary earlier in the week and make myself available to the random meeting-bookers tentatively.  Be buggered if I wasn't going to learn from my lesson, I was not taking the day off!

At 9am, I rang the builder to confirm.  No answer.

So, I sent a text message saying (not asking!) that we'd be there at 12.30pm.  I also made mention that the Bank hadn't sent their valuer yet, so there was no cheque (and based on our previous discussion, had assumed this was perfectly acceptable to him). 

The response I received shocked me  - remember, we were going to handover last week -  the council still hadn't sent through their certification of the property!

*insert expletive here*  

My response was still friendly, but implied that without certification, there would be no cheque to which I was messaged back "keys & bank go hand in hand if there going to stuff around i can have you sign a release form to allow u 2 have keys...."

Are you freakin' serious? If MY bank is going to stuff around??  Release form?  No, just finish my house already!

I didn't bother responding.  He has now suggested Tuesday next week. He's also finally sent me the certification from the Council which happens to note a number of things that are missing (hydraulic reports etc).  Hmm .. 2 things I noted - the Council still requires things to be done; and, the builder was in the office, which.is.not.even.in.Brisbane??!

Suprisingly, even though I saw red when I received that text message, I quickly moved on. 

Dear Husband and I even made the trip over there after work.   Fortunately, we were able to get in so we had a quick perve whilst the kids enjoyed afternoon tea.   And what do you know ... the house is still unfinished and the more we look, the more little things we find.  So I'm off now to update the defects list, recalculate the liquidated damages and figure out how much longer I can survive paying the rent on top of the mortgage. 

My plan this weekend is to go over again and put little red dots on everything and take photos.   And send it to him Monday.

Oh, and attend a dear friend's baby girl's Christening! 

Have a lovely weekend, all!

Suz x

... and there it went

No, we're not moving yet. Handover didn't happen - the Builder was tied up.  So he suggested Tuesday next week.  I've checked my calendar and my day is out. Fully booked. With any luck he'll accept Wednesday.  It just means more waiting ahead. *groan*

But, despite all this I had a truly wonderful day!

After dropping the kids off at school, I went shopping.  I should be honest here - I'm not particularly a fan of shopping, particularly clothes shopping. I'm overweight and everything in my size is simply horrid. I had one thing on my mind to buy, but do you think I could find it anywhere? 

I was after a long flowing summer-coloured skirt, to the ankles (or beyond!), with a top that covered the arms.  Not.a.chance. Darn you expectations! 

You see I had a ladies luncheon to attend (today!) and I didn't want to look like the fat dowdy woman.  Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!  I ended up at multiple stores, with multiple pieces and ended up playing it ridiculously safe but with a pair of killer heels.

Regardless of how I thought I looked, I had a great time with some great women.  And we managed to wrap it all up in time to collect the children from school.  It was well worth having the day off work, to live the good life!

The girls both have swimming late Friday afternoons, so we decided to pick up Dear Husband from work and head out to the land, before swimming.

Unfortunately, the painter had locked up tight, so we peered through windows to try and spot any new works - my hall arches were in! YAY! 

Progress makes me happy :)

So until next week lovelies, have a great weekend!

Suz x

Almost there .....

Last time I wrote, I mentioned that the Builder would be meeting with us to go through what was outstanding.  I am pleased to say, we did meet!  It really was quite overwhelming to see progress and tradies onsite again.

Admittedly, Dear Husband and I are still very concerned about all the work to be completed (and to the standard expected) by Friday.

That is, tomorrow.   So, I have asked to take the day off.  I'll either be ecstatic .. or cranky.  Either way, possibly too disruptive to work with (squealing is really not appropriate in an office environment) or too foul to go near!

My Builder didn't call today to let me know whether they're actually ready for tomorrow (surprised, really?). And I have no idea what time to even turn up (I do have other plans and won't be just sitting about!).   I know our bank isn't ready but there is still a bit of negotiation left to do with regards to the outstanding variations and liquidated damages - being 56 days overdue.  The builder has advised me that this handover is more to do with our acceptance  - reading between the lines: that we're happy enough to accept/pay their practical completion bill. 

It seems it doesn't really matter if we're not though - I re-read the contract the other night and reviewed the dispute resolution procedure and our requirement to pay the total invoiced amount owing regardless - the process being that we pay the builder an amount minus the disputed figure and that disputed figure goes into a trust account until the dispute is resolved.  

Building certainly teaches you a lot!

I will be sure to update you all tomorrow, hopefully with good news and photos of a completed house. 

Suz x

A plan forward

Isn't it amazing how anger can grab a hold of you?


I've been seething now for a couple of months.  But on reflection, I'm not sure who I was more angry at - the builder; or, myself - for not demanding more.  And finally, even though I never received that phone call to meet onsite this week (which sent me into a whole other spin), I now have a clear direction forward courtesy of my builder emailing me today.


And in that moment, I was happy.  Communication, at last.  *POOF* the anger and frustration gone in almost an instant.

So the plan is that we are meeting with him onsite this coming Monday in anticipation for handover.  The builder suggested Friday for handover, yes - this time next week!  I thought it only best to send him my list of concerns regarding what is outstanding.  I've also queried the variations and let him know that some are in dispute.  The communication has all been suprisingly very calm and friendly. 

And, I'm happy. 
I can get back to that place now, of realising our dreams.

Oh, and homewares shopping, much to Dear Husband's disgust!


Suz x

Communication is not a strong point ..

So last week I took a call from the Builder.  He doesn't wish to worry me you see, but the kitchen has been damaged and they're assessing what that means.  He was to call me back the next day......

Now, a week has past and I've resorted to calling him.  It seems it's in hand.  Some drawers are to be replaced and there are some scratches on my wall oven tower - I'm not sure what that means, or what they're proposing, but if there are some scratches to the wall ovens themselves they'll be upset as that model is now superceded! 

And the painter is repainting the skirts because they got scuffed.  Expensive lesson for the floor polisher, no doubt.

But on the positive, my Builder is back in town this week and we're going to meet up today or tomorrow to start talking handover.  I don't think he realises how much I think is outstanding, nor does he realise what state the variations are in - I can't even make sense of them and I asked for the additional works! 

I'll let you know how we go ;)

Suz x