HANDOVER - you won't believe it

Like clockwork, handover has unexpectedly happened on D-day, 15 weeks to the dot.

I received a call from the SS who said he could be there in half an hour to give me the keys and remotes. But as I work in Parramatta I asked if my Mum could go instead as I know she can get there. Not a problem.

My Mum calls me back and says "you won't believe it!" and lo and behold SS is two streets away building a knockdown new home. So he arranges to go to my Mum when he is finished and within 5 minutes there he is on the front porch!

So frantically I have signed up for house and contents insurance through CommInsure online and am waiting to find out when Lockwood's can start the tiles and carpet.

I'M SO EXCITED, AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT.

I'M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK I LIKE IT!!!

PCI set for Monday 18 October!

The practical completion inspection has been set for Monday lunchtime. The specific time is in flux as my independent inspector arranges a convenient appointment with the SS.

Conversation with BM yesterday revealed that SS was asked to make contact at least once at the end of last week and then again this week, so I hope Allworth does something to establish a better culture of communication amongst its team.

Good news however is that this is the home stretch and pending CBA completing an inspection as soon as is humanly possible, i.e. this week, and the payment goes through on or by Monday, the house keys may be handed over at Monday's inspection. Allworth would remedy any defects in the coming week but this would allow the floors to be laid as soon as possible. Otherwise handover is likely to be Wednesday afternoon.

Allworth can go jump off a cliff!

Seriously sick of the attitude of this company. Have been trying to contact SS2 as he is apparently back from sick leave. Nope, not happening as the answering service isn't switched on and no one picks up during his office hours, which are a brief couple of hours leading up to 5pm. So call I Building Manager, rude, rude, rude. Because the front of the house and the laundry entrance will need stairs and the letterbox is going to be bricked in I ask can the left overs be moved behind the house into the alfresco so they don't get stolen. THEY AREN'T YOURS, THEY BELONG TO US is the reply. I should have hung up, but didn't. So he is going to find out, but as far as he knows the answer will be no.

I also ask when SS2 will be back on the job. He is apparently, so I inform BM of the ongoing problem in contacting him. He's going to ask him to get on to me.

If this rubbish keeps going on I'll be making complaints left, right and centre, rude excuse of a man to talk to a woman like that.

30-08-10 Electrical Wiring

My late night inspection revealed that the electrical wiring has been started, and I think also finished as the gate was left open so I was able to go in and have a look. This includes the meter box on the outside of the house. Currently it is silver, so I hope it gets painted.

Going to try and get in contact with SS2 this week as I'd like the leftover bricks to be moved into the backyard so they aren't stolen or disposed as these are needed to build the letterbox.

Also have a meeting arranged this weekend with a landscaper.

What a joke!

The Building Manager contacted me to tell me that an Independent Inspector is fine, but that they need to provide copies of all insurances, policies and cards, AND consult with the SS before going on site to arrange access (pfft the gate is never locked anyway which is why people keep dumping rubbish on the pile at the front).

I raised the issue of SS2 being uncontactable to which I was told he has been off with pnuemonia. And that's my problem how? They can send out a letter because of rain but can't have the same courtesy to say "Hi. Your SS is sick and please direct all contact to so-and-so until further notice" ???

The rain is my problem because even though I think everything is going swimmingly it may be that a painter was off work last week and therefore may have to catch-up and this has a ripple effect to me in about 4 weeks. So if a butterfly breaks wind in Tibet...

And he tells me that there is a limited supply of contractors. Again how is this my problem? I have seen them working weekends in Spring Farm, don't kid me. But unless I want to put a complaint in with Fair Trading he's not budging, but its only a letter to say there MAY be a delay, not that there WILL be.

Also the contract is deemed to commence from the end of the 4 week lead-up period, so if thee take 19 weeks, they take 19 weeks, if they need another, they can take that too. He only handles construction and isn't responsible for delays from other departments to date. Great.

So do you think I got anywhere on the concreting and retaining? NO I didn't. Apparently other builders or trades on their site will sue them if they have an accident. Well why does anyone bother to have insurance, seriously! They haven't allowed anyone in over 20 years of building to do work of that nature, maybe pools but not concreting. Well why have 'unless written approval from the builder' if you are never going to allow it? He never said never apparently.

Somebody get me a sedative.

Allworth want an extension

Allworth wrote advising that due to the rain they are entitled to extend the contract by one week. I have emailed back saying this is not accepted as they commenced building two weeks earlier than planned and therefore have 17 weeks to complete instead of the usual 15 weeks, an therefore an extra week is not reasonable.

Also since I go out there so frequently I agree they lost a few days but not 7 days to the rain, and since I am satisfied that progress is proceeding at a normal rate based on what I read from other Bloggers, I disagree with them that they need an extension.

In the email also complained that SS2 is not answering phone during his office hours and not leaving his answering service on so I haven't had contact in a week, and therefore had to let them know in the email that I have organised an independent inspection for progress and PCI checks.

Just to try my luck I also sought permission to lay concrete in the driveway and entertainment area and then retain the backyard after the security fence comes down, but before PCI as the remaining vacant block to the rear is now the only easy access to the yard.

Drove past tonight after TAFE and the long bedroom wall and the rear wall is about 3/4 bricked up, so really can't figure why they need another week. I'm thinking at this speed end of next week the bricks will be finished.

Gutters up and Roof Tiles delivered

On Thursday night I went for my now usual drive after TAFE class and saw that nothing new had happened. Went again on Sunday and saw the gutters were up, so this must have happened on Friday! Sunday was also lovely weather.

The skinny window in the middle is the main bathroom and shows the plumbing.


This is the alfresco area, which will be concreted later as Allworth was quoting far too much for the work.


I went again this afternoon as I rang SS2 yesterday and have not received a call back. But last night's trip was cancelled as I injured my back on Sunday and was resting yesterday. This is the view out the front window. Ignore my car but if you look out towards the port-a-loo across the road you can see the townhouses being built at the bottom. This is the last row of houses before the Camden Bypass. Across the road will be single storey homes, and beyond that is a gradual downhill slope, so fingers crossed the view of the skyine will not be completely obstructed from this position. Also I am 5'3" and standing at the far end of the room so I taller person would be able to capture it a lot better.


The excellent news today however is that the roof tiles were delivered, so this indicates that the roof will be done first. I have a feeling that it is the team one block down that are currently completing a roof that will be doing it as the conveyor belt is in place and will only need to be swung around and the scaffolding relocated tomorrow when they finish. It was very hard to take a picture of the colour due to the late afternoon sky, but the sample photo in the slideshow displays it much better, these are really just evidence that I am not seeing things.




The weather outlook is good despite being overcast, so I am looking forward to the roof being done this week if progress continues going in my favour.

Frame pictures

The frame was delivered on Wednesday last week but having spoken to SS2 it is not scheduled to be put up until Monday >:o(
SS2 is not yet familiar with my incessant need to know when, where and everything in between, but I anticipate that he will learn of it very quickly commencing this week coming. On Monday I am ringing to confirm the frame went up and when the windows and bricks will be delivered and installation commenced.



T-R enjoys riding with her head out the window, even when it is below 10.

Frame Delivered Today

The frame was delivered today but I struggled to negotiate the public transport system from Liverpool to Parramatta as well as the new my-multi ticketing system so I didn't get home until a bit too late. So I waited to go out to SF to check what happened today until 9pm so I have pictures but not sure about the quality.

Not happy though, as the house across the road and up a few was started later and now is a steady day ahead. Their frame went up today so I am hoping that when I check it tomorrow night after TAFE my frame will be up.

Tomorrow's task is to contact SS2 to confirm next weeks activities as I am away at a work retreat Tuesday and overnight, so will not be able to check until afternoon or evening Wednesday.

Upcoming Work and change of SS

The other revelation I got out of the SS is that SS1 handles all front end preparation until the frame is delivered. SS2 handles construction and fit-out. I think he told me this so I didn't make the mistake of hassling him after next Wednesday because he also told me that the plumbing of the drains will be done on Tuesday and the frame delivered Wednesday, hence the reason the dirt needs to be gone on Monday. This is good because other than a bit of rain expected Monday it will be fine for the rest of the week. Framing should hopefully be finished by Friday in that case.

I asked him about the availability of bricks and brickie teams as well. He said I'd have to ask SS2 but that a week delay is nothing to get worried about as it is reasonable. I said I'd been talking to other people (hello to all those bloggers out there) and delays had been 3-4 weeks and not related to weather so I wouldn't call this reasonable. He said to talk to SS2 about it. That might be a call for Monday.

The Saga of the Dirt continues

So after some nice tradies got back to my online queries at about 7am this morning I anxiously waited all day to hear back from Allworth after I emailed some pictures and a request for the land to be leveled last night. Well about 2pm I called the Construction Clerk and she said it had been handed on to the Construction Manager and SS and to wait to hear from either of them. After waiting some more it turned 430pm and so I called the SS.

Long story short he says its clay and not worth leveling and Allworth aren't going to level it.

I disputed this as what little I know of laying turf is if you try to smooth it over using the underlay then when you walk on it you'll easily know where all the ruts are as soon as you step in them as you'll likely break an ankle. This is because the underlay is pliable and gives underfoot. So even though clay isn't ideal I can work with this by throwing gypsum around over the next few months to give it time to be worked in and break down the clay, but it will still provide a firm base for the underlay. Ergo I want it leveled out some.

Monday 7am a guy will do it. He's charging $350 for the bobcat and he will level it. Then $350 for every load taken away, approx. 1-2. This fee seems on par for all earthmovers. I found them all on the Fairfax Classifieds online, which was good as you can search for all trades and services advertised in their large NSW publications as well as the local newspapers.

Now I come to think of it I might run around the block with some gypsum this weekend.

Booked in for piers

Writing after midnight so have to remember that I called yesterday afternoon to start with. When I did call I spoke with SS1. After a bit of persuasion that I need to know when things happen and not be advised last minute, an appointment was made for pier hole measuring on Monday 5 July at 11am. I understand this to be the time at which holes will have been drilled about as round as a bin lid and I walk around with the SS or some other person with a tape measure and confirm that the various piers have been drilled to the depths recorded. I guess this must be due to someone being sued at some stage.

Fingers crossed for no difficult rock extraction though as that will be an extra fee. Feeling confident so far as the cut and fill showed no evidence, and when driving around I have seen what appears to be sandstone after cut and fill, particularly in those blocks down near the creek. Speaking of, if the fence goes up next week, I might go help myself to some abandoned rock if I can find it because the backyard is going to have a rainforest/tropical type landscape adjacent to the entertainment area. This includes a cascading water-feature, pond type installation, so some manageable sizes will be handy.

In re-reading my Allworth info however, I found out that SS1 and SS2 are only contactable Monday to Thursday after 3pm!!! For anyone who has been reading the adventure to date you will appreciate that I like to keep my finger on the pulse (if for no other reason than stuff just doesn't progress without nagging), so a maximum of 8 hours during the week in which to contact these guys is fairly restrictive. Also, when considering that I rang SS1 and went to voicemail, then SS2 and that rang out, so then rang SS1 again to leave a message and lucky he picked up, this instills in me little confidence that communication will be easily achieved during those 8 hours.

But looking at the bright side, Monday is booked in for piers, pending no rain on the day. If it is raining that morning he said don't bother coming, which I guess is a fair call if it were torrential, but in the event of a light sprinkle I will be there with my umbrella and gumboots in tow because what little I know of concrete is that a little dampness is good for allowing it to cure. You just wouldn't want the ground so wet that the pier holes cave in before being filled.

Looking at another blogger who is building the same design with Allworth I anticipate the initial plumbing and slab to be done by 20 July, with lock-up achieved by the end of August!

Whatever you believe in people (so long as it is not malevolent) ask it to go easy on the rain over the next couple of months, even if you cross our fingers, and then once we have lock-up it can rain all it wants :o)

Completion Date - 21 October 2010

On the way back from the picture taking session this morning I called the Customer Service Officer to ask my vague "what's happening question?". The response was that the kitchen pack had been received and has been passed onto Construction. I was put through and left a message for the Construction Assistant. I did say that I knew work had commenced just to put them on notice because I want a completion date.

She called back to say the Site Supervisor has been delegated, and is therefore the best contact for any future queries, but that she would email through the timeframe and details.
Instead of having one SS, there is two, as Camden is currently being picked up by the Southern Highlands team, and they job-share. Whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen.
The completion date is apparently the date from the end of the 20 day period, so that is still 21 October 2010. But she acknowledges they have been able to commence two weeks early so construction may be earlier if possible, but as the weather has not been great we also have to be prepared for rain.

So a quick check of BoM reveals:

Forecast for Wednesday
Fine and sunny. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Precis:  Fine. Sunny.                 
City:          Max:   15  Parramatta:  Max:   15
Terrey Hills:  Max:   13  Penrith:     Max:   16
Liverpool     Max:   15  Richmond:    Max:   15

UV Alert:  Nil , UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]

Forecast for Thursday
Fine. Mostly sunny day, cloud increasing later. Light to moderate
westerly winds.
Precis:  Fine. Mostly sunny.          
City:  Min:    7  Max:   15
West:  Min:    1  Max:   15

Friday    Chance late showers.
City:  Min:    7  Max:   16
West:  Min:    1  Max:   16

Saturday  Fine.
City:  Min:    9  Max:   16
West:  Min:    3  Max:   16

Sunday    Fine.
City:  Min:    9  Max:   15
West:  Min:    4  Max:   15

Monday    Chance showers.
City:  Min:    9  Max:   16
West:  Min:    4  Max:   16

Tuesday   Fine.
City:  Min:   10  Max:   18
West:  Min:    5  Max:   18

So looking at other bloggers, I think I may have a slab by end of next week?