20. Lock Up!

This week we reached "lock up" which is an exciting milestone..but also means that we can't just

"pop in" whenever we feel like it!

The front doors were fitted on Moday but unfortunately it was dark when I tried to take a picture so it is a bit blurry.

The following photos are from the last week.

The front doors, stacked ready to go on.

The plastering has all been finished now..they did a lovely job too!

Everything is looking so much lighter now with the white walls.

The family room.

Although this photo was taken about a week ago, things have already changed in the kitchen.

The cornices around the bulkead have been done and everything looks neater.

Today we delivered the bathroom sinks, rangehood, butlers sink etc to the cabinet maker, 

(the ovens and cooktop should arrive soon).

He has already made the carcasses for ensuite, bathroom and laundry cupboards do things are progressing quickly. 

Next week the plumber will install the baths etc!

The end is in sight!

19. We Have Windows!

A variety contractors of have been very busy on our house this week.  The electrical wiring is done, the plumbers have put some strange fittings on some of the taps and even the aircon controller has been wired in.

The gang in charge of rendering the outside was hard at work on Sunday (hope they got overtime!) and so now this is almost done as well. 

Apparently we will have to wait until the weather warms up before the texturecoat can be applied, evidently it needs to be over 16 degrees with no dew. 

This being Perth, shouldn't pose too big a problem!

The ceilings are in and today (12/7/11) the boys were hard at work on the cornices. 

We have chosen the feature cornice "Sydney" and it looks lovely.  Well we think so anyway :) 

Another day or two and this will be finished and the plastering can begin.

The kitchen with bulkhead over the island bench.

The lounge, can't wait for the fireplace to be finished!

The entrance ceiling, with Dad looking on.

Things are all starting to fall into place with just the driveway and pool surrounds to be organised now.

We have windows with glass!!  Yay!

The stacker on the alfresco..hmmm this is not quite how it should look...the movable panes should all go to the right..will check this out!

The bulkhead over the kitchen bench..what a difference a day makes eh?  All plastered today.

The laundry door and window to "Craig's toilet". 

 Lock up just a fortnight away now :)

18. Let it rain!

Well the weather man is forecasting a very wet week but thankfully our roof and gutters are in place which means the wet shouldn't hold things up at all. 
We certainly need the rain that is for sure.

Last Friday, Perth experienced some pretty wild weather and this was the first test for our new roof, everything was great and now the floor has basically dried out.

Today (27/6/11) work began on the beading or whatever you call the metal edge strips of the walls and windows.

Craig spent time on the weekend sweeping inside only for us to to find a big sandpile in the family room, ready for work tomorrow.  I guess this means the guys doing the render can stay dry inside while they work and not have to trudge utside into the rain.  Good thinking really!

Those are not cobwebs hanging down but wires for our lights!

The ensuite, one of the things I am looking forward to most about the new house is having a bath!

17. The Roof Is Almost Done!

Well the end of May arrived and so did the wood for our roof and the rain! 

For a couple of days the wood sat there getting drenched until the crane came in to lift the enormous metal griders/trusses...whatever they are called..into place.

Undeterred by the wet, the roof carpenters have worked through the showers.

The ceiling in the alfresco features a cofferred recess..the huge girders/trusses make up the frame for this.

As this is right at the back of the house, apparently it was touch and go if the crane would be able to reach this far. 

Glad we weren't there to see that!

The outline of the roof is visible now and the verandah posts (temporary and crooked at this stage) are in.

After agonising for weeks over the fascia colour we are pleased with our selection- Loft.

The wet weather has been great for the gardens but has left big puddles inside, so we decided to try and sweep some of the water out so hopefully the pad can dry out a bit before the actual Colorbond goes on.

Expecting the roof to be finished by the 17th June.

16. Brickwork Almost Done!

Our house is progressing nicely and everyday there is more to see. 

We have had a few minor things that needed to be addressed like the fireplace and a couple of doors but Dino and John have been fantastic (and very patient with me) so this has all been sorted. 

 I am sure that they will be very happy when we reach lock up stage and they can keep me out.

There is still so much to do and we have been running around trying to get quotes for flooring, airconditioning, driveways etc ..as well as finalise our colour selections. (what a dilemma...what to choose??) 

 The school holidays were a great break for us but with so many public holidays because of Easter and ANZAC Day it meant that the opportunity to browse, shop and get quotes was pretty limited. 

 I do like it when we get the school vacation AND the public holidays.

The parapet wall to the end of the garage has been done, it looks great and now affords our neighbours some privacy at last.  Finally our block is totally fenced. 

Once our driveway has been done we will then install the rest of the colorbond that is stacked up on our patio at the rental.

The front door, can't wait to see the verandah complete the picture! 

Looking down the hallway  towards the front door and into the garage.

Craig cleaning the pool, again.  We are trying to keep it clean and mozzie free so we don't kill the neighbours with Ross River Virus.

The mudlarks enjoy the pool at least!

Looking across the pool into the alfresco.  The huge lintels were lifted in by crane last week. 

Having a "roof line" gives this area some dimension.

Another shot across the pool.

Looking out from the family room, sorry about the mess!

On Friday the internal collumns went into the garage and more lintels were lifted into place. 

Wish we had of been there to see that!

The front..again...I am loving this elevation!

Well that should do it for now...next update will be when the roof goes on, which will hopefully be before the wet weather arrives.

 We are getting excited now and have a potential handover date of September.

Start potting plants please!

15. The Walls are Taking Shape

The Easter break has meant things slowed down for a week or so on site, but this also gave us a chance to get a few things done too.

First up, Dad and Craig installed boards under the colourbond fence. 

This should stop plants, pets, weeds etc from coming through from the neighbour's side.

The garden bed was then topped up with ten bags of sheep manure..ready for planting!

Our next job was to paint the concrete wall surrounding the front house. 

Two coats of  "Terrace" and it looks good. 

We will probably have to do another coat later, closer to moving in but at least most of the hard work has been done now...and it didn't matter if we dripped a bit.

 (I am a notoriously messy painter !)

The front door frame is in and the aluminium sidelights replaced by the wooden frames.

All the windows on the front verandah are in so the front of the house has some shape now.

Our bedroom still needs some more walls but the WIR is done. 

Can't wait for some more internal walls so we can get a better idea of room sizes, especially the laundry and pantry.

Looking into the loungeroom from the entrance, they have started on the fireplace too.

Well, hopefully the weather holds during the day so Fred and crew can finish the brickwork this week.  Looking forward to seeing the garage unfold next!

14. The Walls Are Up!

Things are happening really quickly on site now.
Two weeks in and the external walls are about 3/4 along and now Fred and crew have started on the internals.
Our house is beginning to take shape and we can at last start to picture ourselves living there. 
It is surprising how much we miss the area after living in the same street for over 10 years.

Not quite ready to welcome visitors at the front door.

The fences are almost done as well...if only they would take the rubbish!

Jake's bedroom has three walls!

I am loving the size of that linen cupboard!

Niki in her bedroom...the room with the view! 

She is going to kill me for this pic..oh well!

The gang, unfortunately we haven't had a chance to pop the champagne yet as we have been waiting for the fences..and some privacy!