PCI

Well we are at the very exciting stage now. We had our PCI last week and were very impressed with how our PD SS handled the inspection, he agreed to pretty much all our requests. We had our independent inspector there at the same time as well and the SS handled that quite well too. Although I am sure the SS would have been happier without the inspector there. Our wonderful inspector - Andrew Forrester of Armaggedon Property Inspections (plug plug!!) - assured us that in his opinion the house was very well constructed, apart from some plaster issues. I can't say how pleasing that was to hear. It appears our money has been well spent after all!

It was a bit of a marathon effort though and we were there for over four hours going thru the issues. We had a very comprehensive list ourselves which helped ensure we didn't miss any of the little things. Most of our problems focused around the poor plaster but our SS has ensured us it will all be fixed by our handover tomorrow!
The other issues outstanding included
- painting
- crooked doorway arch
- crooked mirror
- broken door handle
- crooked power point
- very poor finish on all the grouting edges to showers and laundry tiles
- poor finish to the woodwork around the foyer
- broken base to front door
- unstable SS ballusters (some needed to be replaced with longer ballusters and needed to be glued in). Have to say our SS picked this up himself, we didn't even notice - thanks N
- very poor plaster to roof of foyer void - SS suggested we live with this for a while and he will come back at 3mth review and fix ALL of it. (..and yes, we believe he will come back)
...and a few other minor issues.

..and yes, by the time we finished the house did have the multicoloured measles! Pink for plaster, green for paint.

In the last week we have also had the fencing completed by Mick Anthony who has done a terrific job. Great price, great workmanship and prompt service.

We have also organised the window furnishings which will be installed on Monday. At this point we would have to thoroughly recommend Interlux Designs in Berwick. They are so helpful and professional with great supportive ideas and a very prompt service. We had the measure on Monday and they are going to fit a week later! You couldn't ask for more.

Carpets are booked for Friday and Saturday (Glendale Carpets Hallam) and antenna for tomorrow afternoon (All Aussie Antennas). There seriously is SO much to organise!

And finally, just to make things interesting we had a bit of a stress out today when the bank incorrectly posted our final cheque in the mail instead of letting us pick it up today at the bank. After a quick check of the mail box by our dear neighbour, we realised there was no cheque in sight! Of course it was then back to the bank for both of us with our grumpy faces on. After first being told we could get a replacement cheque in, wait for it, 10 DAYS!!! common sense prevailed and we were given a replacement cheque. You really don't need that the day before settlement. Our advice is to make sure you organise your final cheque two weeks before handover. We left 9 days but this obviously was not enough time!!

So it is one more sleep and dream home here we come. It seems to have been a very long wait and we are so glad it is coming to an end.

Will post some pics tomorrow when it is officially ours!

Certificate of Occupancy

Had a call from our administrator on Friday to let us know we have the certificate of occupancy. Yippee! Will take this to the Bank together with Insurance notice so we can organise final bank cheque for PD.

We went by the house on Friday and found it was left open, again. This will be no surprise to those who are building, the tradies just don't seem to care if they leave the houses unlocked do they? At least it enabled us to get inside and have a look again. We were able to note the electrical fit off is now complete and the lights all work. It was very exciting going around and turning on all the lights. We have already noted a couple of silly light switch placements! We will do better next time (did I just say next time? I must be mad). Couldn't understand though why some of the downlights gave off yellow light and some white light. Regardless of the colour, they all seem very dull and do not light up nearly as well as we expected??? Will have to look into this as I suspect the globes are low quality.

Have included a couple of pics of the bathrooms below

The Brady Bunch bathroom upstairs between bedroom 2 and 3.

Our ensuite bathroom.

During our look through we also noted the missing light from the upstairs study is still missing, despite notifying our SS of this a few days before the sparkies were to come back!

PD have been busy and have also installed the alfresco fan and completed all three bathrooms, including the bath connection. Remind me again why I wanted three bathrooms to clean!
I even tested that the bath was hooked up properly as my sister built with PD and had a massive flood the first time she used the bath! Pleased to report all in working order.

We have a bit of a query too regarding the door handles, they have space for four screws but PD have only used two screws and the powder room door handle is already falling off? Any ideas?

And finally, a pic of the portico tiles and render.

We have stairs!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE
AFTER

Yes folks - PD have been true to their word and have fixed our stairs. We are really happy as it makes a huge difference to the entrance and is as we had pictured it should be. The above before and after shots show the difference - and don't forget all the wood had actually been painted in off white subsequent to the "before" shots above which made the old version look even worse. Thanks PD for fixing this.

DH had a site inspection yesterday - a bit like a pre PCI with the SS. The meeting actually went for 2 hours and the SS walked away with a list as long as your arm of things to be fixed such as:

- problem with the gutters and downpipes, the SS too was somewhat surprised at how bad they were. The plumbers have let him down badly but will have to come back to fix their shoddy work!
- missing and misplaced lights

- bad plaster

- incorrect size mirror

- incorrect glass in the bathrooms

- dented window frames

- fixing roof tile gaps

- splitting alfresco door panel

...just to name a few.

Went by today to meet with driveway contractor to get a second quote and noticed they have already replaced alfresco door so good to see such a quick start.

Started packing old house and OMG what a nightmare to be doing it again so soon. I thought I had thrown out enough junk with the last move and would love to know where it has all come back from! We are trying to follow DGs advice and be ruthless when packing - maybe he could explain that to the kids?!? I am sick of the "Oh Mum, I can't possibly do without that" or "I might play with that again". Ugh!

I can feel a bourbon coming on......