Well things are moving ahead full steam and it looks like we may be in the house by Christmas. It won't all be finished of course as there is still so much to do but it does feels like we may have the major construction items completed.
Over the last few weeks, we have been busy choosing materials and making sure everything is just right.
I often wonder if some of the guys on site think we are a bit extreme when it comes to design. When they hear us discussing which colour to use, or which way this piece of timber should sit, or if this light fitting should go one metre this way or that way, I secretly question if it all really matters. I wonder if they feel we think about it too much. But to us, it does matter. We have been dreaming about this house for so long and have been ready to build it in our minds, but our lives have been so filled with study and work, running and developing our business....and having a baby, that its been put on the back burner out of necessity. Particularly the last three years. For a long time it felt like it was only ever going to be dream.
Our guys have been busy with lots of finishing works including skirting, cornice, rendering, air-con vents, installing doors etc. The Gyprocker has been setting and sanding, the Electrician's have been pulling through some of the wires. The Tiler has started waterproofing and laying tiles. We now have the painters here, both internally and out. The Plumber has been finishing off and pulling through pipework and installing in wall toilet cisterns. So there has been lots happening.
We have also been working on getting the storm water run off and pipes just right (this is still a work in progress as its a big job). I have been looking at getting prices for corrugated rainwater tank. Who knew these were so expensive? Looks like we may have to wait a while before getting these. We wanted to get 2 tanks at 5000 litres each, which will cost in the vicinity of $6,500 before installation. The problem is with the freight to our location. Catching the water is obviously important in terms of saving water and reducing household water consumption, but it is also crucial for effective storm water management.
One of our Apprentices also built these custom timber stairs in Jarrah. Another one of our guys built the steel stair case for them to sit on. We had them powder coated black. They have been covered for protection during building process. With guidance, both guys did an amazing job.
All the glazing and glass bi fold doors have been installed as well. We are just waiting on the kitchen bi fold window.
A couple of months ago we were advised that we would need to upgrade our power to 3-phase. After getting a price from the local Govt Power & Water Supplier, their price came back at close to $18,000. This was not something we were expecting so it was a huge blow. After lots of negotiating, we managed to get their price down to around $14,500, which although is still high for such a minor task (trust me they don't need to do much and it will probably only take them 2 days at most), we are thankful we managed to persuade them to re-assess the quote. This means that we will be able to use power for air conditioners etc as we need them, without short-circuiting the power. This is imperative for us as we run a business office from home and we hope to have family come and stay regularly (particularly over summer). We do intend on installing a Solar Hot Water System as well as Solar Power Panels but we will still need our power board to cope with above average residential power usage.
