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.

30-08-10 Independent Inspection Invoice 1

The guys from David Hall Building Appraisals conducted the independent inspection on Friday 27 August and found no defects. Excellent news. I think these guys charge a reasonable fee, $275 per report, when there is no excessive effort in completing the report. Their website can be located from google and explains how the fees work. But from those I contacted these were the most cost effective.

Nice pic that they took too, which shows the tradies doing the last bricks in the portico.

Bricks about 75% complete

Nothing exceptional to report but bricking appears about 75% complete and progressing nicely. Hoping for it to be finished this week.

Looks like the independent inspection will happen next week.

Funny thing is I felt the rooms were smaller than I imagined they would be when it was just the frame, but now the bricks are up, with most walls being at least 3/4 up to the eaves except for the front of the house, I feel quite happy with their sizes. Only problem may be changing which rooms lounges are planned for but that will have to wait.

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.

Roof looks done, Bricks started!

The roof today looks almost complete except for te points where the scaffolding is attached, and maybe along the peaks the flashing looks like it is yet to be done. You can see the hole in the roof where the scaffolding is still attached.. The view is also from the front porch and because the neighbour in between won't stick out any further than my portico I am confident I'll keep this view to the south-west. The 4x4 is only temporary but a brick column will be built in it's place a little further towards the front of the property because the gutter juts forward over the portico. See the third picture down to get what I am talking about.


But what I am very happy to say is that the bricks have seen activity.


There is a nice big pile of bricking sand in the front yard.


Most of the way around there is two or three courses in place.


And the necessary mixed up piles of brick all the way around the house to ensure the batches are split up and colour variations are balanced all over.


I tried to call SS2 and leave a message to say I need to know when the bricking is expected to be finished because of bringing in an independent inspector, but the message bank was switched off, so that call will have to wait until this week.

Second payment due and roof tiling started!

Wednesday afternoon I had the delightful call from Allworth to say the frame is finished and the second installment is due. The authority to pay went off in the post today.

My spy on the ground tells me that roof tiling looked like 80% complete at 5pm with just the corner capping to go. Therefore he predicts it should be finished tomorrow!

Going to organise an independent inspection next week for pre-internal linings as I was able to get inside construction the other day and noted a few split pieces where the nail has come through on a bad angle and my knowledge of poor construction is that those nails might be trimmed but the strut not replaced therefore not 100% integrity. Also not likely to spot the irregular bricks and the like so would prefer to get the professional in. Hopefully if the roof is finished this week a brick delivery should be planned for early next week.