Splashbacks - At Last !!

After waiting 4 weeks, and a number of false starts, we have the splashbacks installed, not much else has happened since our last post.

Splashback Colour - Paris



Butlers Pantry

 

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Today we had Kev from New Home Inspections inspecting the home and a number of new issues were pointed out, these include:

• Uneven ceiling in the Master Bedroom
• Installation missing from parts of roof
• Plastic strips on windows not BAL compliant
• More scratches to glass
• Exposed MDF in garage
• Entrance light switch behind door

The biggest issue is the base of the hebel. Some of the panels extend below the slab, and hebel cannot have soil against it.

The problem is how can the Hebel base be finished and look acceptable without compromising the panels. Kev suggested a number of solutions but it will be up to Metricon to solve the problems.

 Other activities include:

• Water tank connected and pump installed
• Septic connected
• Grass planted

Meanwhile the vegetable garden is starting to spring to life.

And the driveway is beginning to dry out.

Close , but not sure how close? Updated

Progress might be slow but we are inching closer to our first opportunity to comment on the quality of the build. Cleaners have been busy washing windows, tiles and mirrors.

The large number of scratches on the windows are even more prominent when they are clean. We have learnt that the toughened glass we were required to install for our bushfire BAL 12.5 rating scratches very easily on one side, pity the painters were not made aware of this.

The render has a number places where water has caused damaged and the  finish is also patchy which will require re coating.

Despite the issues the majority of the house looks great and sits well on the 1 hectare block.

Reflection In The Dam

Rear Of House

The kitchen benchtops and fire hearth (Caesar stone - Ivory) have been installed.
Glass Splashbacks should go in this week.

Kitchen Ivory Ceasar Stone Benchtops

Butlers Pantry.
Waiting for Paris glass splashback

The bathrooms are complete with the En Suite bath being installed.







Karen's Bath

En Suite

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Bathroom

Powder Room

The Garage Door installed

Meanwhile we are building a fence around the house to keep the Kobe from wandering too far during the summer months. (snakes also like to live in a rural stting)



Metricon Slowing

The days of something new happening everyday have gone. We haven't seen many tradesman this week and when they have turned up they have done little, or nothing, due to other issues.

We made our second last payment a couple of weeks ago and since the last payment is relatively small percentage Metricon have lost interest in completing the project.

The plasterers turned up and were going to plaster above the Gas Log fire until we advised them that the studs were not as required by the building permit and I guess building standards. If we were not on site we would never had known until we tried to hang a picture, or the walls cracked. I'm certain Metricon were trying to take a short cut.

Water tank is now installed.
We hope the rains come once we have connected to the house as we have 80,000 litres to fill for summer.

Sewage Treatment Plant (Worm Farm)

Texture Completed

The texture was completed yesterday and the colour looks great, enhances the merbau doors and windows.

Other progress continues slowly, the gas log fire was installed, the kitchen cabinetry was completed and the en suite vanity cupboard doors were replaced.

The mirrors continue to be a problem with the second attempt to complete the powder room mirrors being installed incorrectly. As they couldn't be removed in one piece it was necessary to break the mirrors and replace them again.

Barnfloor Coloured Texture

Barnfloor Texture Enhances Merbau Doors




Gas Log Fire in Family Room and through to sitting room

 Example of finished see through gas log fire



En Suite Vanity

Mirror Doors To Master Bedroom Robe

Mirror in entrance

A greenhouse has added to the vegetable garden to increase the growing season. Erecting the kit greenhouse was a challenge with the limited instructions.

Rendered Speechless

The base coat of render has been applied giving us a light at the end of the hebel tunnel.

Hoping for some dry days ahead so we can see the coloured texture applied.

The final render colour will be darker (Dulux Barnfloor)

The Vegetable Garden has begun to take shape and winter crops are already in the completed beds.

The more we read about raising our own veges the more confused we get about soil type, water requirements, when to plant and what to feed. I guess it will be trial and error.

We have also started work on a greenhouse to get the seedlings started and extend the seasons.

The raised vegetable garden will be surrounded with lavender to attract the bees

Progress Continues

Some of the the bathroom fittings and taps have been installed.
Metricon changed from tap sets to mixers in some areas, which caused some distress,  we have agreed to settle for the mixers.



Guest Bathroom

Guest Bath

Master En Suite

Laundry

Still waiting on the render to be started which is due to start this week, but the weather hasn't been favourable to render application.

Mirrors arrived today for the Powder Room but didn't fit so will have to be replaced.





Other activities continue:

• The raised vegetable garden is nearing completion and work has started for installation of a greenhouse.
• The worm farm treatment plant is ready to be connected to the house.
• The water tank pad is ready for tank installation next week.

The lights are on but no ones home

Activity has been slow but progressing, tiles to the wet areas are 75% complete, lighting and power points are fitted. (lighting is just batten lights, we will install our own lights after handover).

The Hebel installers were back today repairing most of the problems identified and the render is due to go on next week, weather permitting.

Painters still have a lot of repair work to do and some windows will need replacing where the painters have scratched the glass while cleaning off excess paint.

Dining Room and Bi Folds

Bathroom

Powder Room (Wrap Mirror o be installed)