Long awaited update

The news is not good I'm afraid and yet not unexpected also.

PD are behind in their expected work schedule with the slow progress since the start of December continuing.

Our SS arrived back from holidays today to declare work had not progressed as he had hoped during his leave and there was no way PD could complete our home by our scheduled PCI inspection date. In addition, the heat of the this week has slowed everything down (us included I must admit) AND they are experiencing a delay in rectifying our staircase.

So despite our Administrator's very definite " We are PD and we never miss a PCI date", we have been informed our PCI date will be delayed at least a week.

Must admit, we have no problems with weather related delays and do not expect the tradies to work in such extreme heat. However, if PD had worked just that bit harder during the last 8-10weeks, all would be completed by now.

Lets hope they can stick with the new PCI date of 12.2.09 and handover on 19.2.09 or we may well be without a home as we have to move out of the rental by 26.2.09! Fingers crossed.

AS for the progress that has been made on the job during the last 4 weeks:

- downpipes have been completed in the last couple of days. Unfortunately there are a few faults that will need to be rectified. Photos to follow in next post.

- Tiling has been completed. We actually met the tiler and were able to ensure our shower tiles were layed diagonally (like we had requested). This was lucky as apparently now that the various PD depts have merged, all shower bases must be layed "horizontally" in accordance with the Prestige layout! Something for the Lifestyle people to keep in mind.

- Plaster has been added to alfresco and garage roofs but cannot be stopped until the weather drops below 35 degrees.

- Heating and cooling ducts in.

- Electricals have been fitted but some lights are in wrong spot and some are still missing. Will take this up at PCI.

- Have received final invoice from PD - of course.

- Have received driveway and fencing quotes.

- Have ordered a couple of couches.

- Have ordered the carpets.

- Site has been cleared and house has been cleaned - well sort of anyway.

And to top it all off, the rental we are staying in is now up for sale so we have to keep the house spick and span and be ready for inspections, photos, etc. etc. Gotta luv it. Hopefully next post will be better news.

We have PCI scheduled

We can't believe it! We have had a call from our administrator and received the holy grail of all letters - our PCI is scheduled for 5.2.09 and handover a week later!
Have to say my DH was sceptical - there is a hell of a lot to do before then and we cannot see how PD can get it all done in time. However, when this was mentioned to our administrator she said she has never missed a date yet and handover WILL go ahead on 12.2.09.

So - OMG do we have some work to do now. I thought I might write myself a list and share it so those who have handover ahead of them can double check / add to this list. The list goes something like this...
- driveway quote (if anyone can recommend a contractor in SE Suburbs that would be great)
- finalise fencing and gates
- insurance
- curtains quote (and organise temporary paper curtains)
- notify carpet supplier of date
- gas and power connection
- telephone connection
- confirm final payment with bank
- aerial
- order couches for theatre room and lounge room
- clothesline
- obtain permit for extended crossover
- letterbox
- seal garage floor prior to moving in
- purchase paint for feature walls
- finalise list of items to check for PCI

A bit to do but all manageable.
Will let you know how things progress and whether PD meet their target. Either way, very exciting times.

Happy New Year

Just a quick note to wish everyone a happy new year. Hope you have all enjoyed the break.

We had a call from our SS this week to let us know what we knew already - not much has been happening but the tiling should continue this week.

He said we are experiencing delays due to the plumbers not coming back to finalise the flashing on the garage and alfresco. Come on plumbers - come back you are holding everybody back.

Once this is done, the plasterers can then come back to finish the plaster and this then enables the electricians to come back. Once this all happens things should then move along fairly quickly - I guess we will believe it when we see it. SS says he has booked in all the fit offs but doesn't expect PCI until mid Feb09.

We visited the site the other day and found the back window was open. Of course this is bad security as we had problems with this window before with the break ins and DH had placed a piece of wood to stop this from opening. Seems someone had removed the wood. On the plus side, we were able to gain access ourselves and check some of the "progress". All painting is done and looks terrific. Very happy with our colours except for overall kitchen view. Seems all a bit dark so we may have to touch this up ourselves when we move in. Will just live with it for a bit and then make a decision.

Unfortunately the biggest disappointment is still the plaster. It really is a lousy job with problems still existing, some minor and some major. The most disappointing thing is the major ones are the same major problems pointed out by our independent inspector weeks ago. Must admit we don't understand why PD don't just rectify these issues as they arise. At this late stage, the issues raised about the frame have now become plaster issues that of course are now painting issues! Lots more work for PD to fix now?? PCI will be interesting.