Moved In

We moved in on Saturday the 25th of June - one day after handover. Fortunately we were able to find removalists who were available on short notice. In addition to unpacking and readying the unit we were renting in Bentleigh East for handback to the landlord, we have been engaged in a range of activities associated with making the new house liveable. All those things which were going to be more cost-effective after handover now needed to be done.

This included : adopting a kitten, selecting and hanging curtains, hanging mirrors and pictures, installing additional towel rails, fixing a bathroom cabinet to the wall, arranging for the installation of dishwasher, a tv antenna, a fixed internet connection, a letterbox, 3 x split systems for the bedrooms and the construction of a wooden deck for the Alfresco area. The major outstanding item is the landscaping.

Moved In

En Suite 

Family Room

New Deck

New Kitten

Landscaping Required

Handover !

Handover took place on Friday June 24. In the interim, we received the Occupancy Permit, arranged for insurance on the house, and received the final payment bank cheque. The main defect identified at final inspection was that the tiles did not line up with the transom at the front entrance. See picture below. This and other defects were fixed in the week prior to handover.

Tiles Askew

Tiles Aligned

MPR

Alfresco

Rear Passageway

Hallway Cupboards

View from Family Room into Bathroom

Garage

Toilet

Walk In Robe

Final Inspection

We have received the final invoice from Orbit but are still awaiting the Occupancy Permit. The final inspection is scheduled for this Friday. The Independent Inspector has already been through the house. He has identified 23 defects. Most of them relatively minor and a few more significant. The pictures below were taken by the inspector yesterday.

View from the Road

Front Entrance

Bedroom 1

Ensuite Shower

Ensuite Basin and Toilet

Ensuite Mirror

Laundry

Kitchen

Family Room

Family Room - Another Angle

In A Holding Pattern

Our trusty Balwyn 196 appears to be stuck in a holding pattern waiting to land. The Expected Time of Arrival is still uncertain. 

By peering through the front window into the main bedroom at the front I was able to confirm that the carpet has been laid. However I also noted that the en suite basin was lying on the floor of the main bedroom. I'm fairly certain that this position is not consistent with the plumbing or the plans. A further visit from the plumber will be required. As I understand the regulations, it is not possible to obtain an occupany certificate until all the plumbing is complete, including the fitting of the basins. Other items still outstanding are barrier doors and the infills above the doors.

Streetscape - A couple of weeks ago

Streetscape Today - Neighbours appear to be
Entertaining (I hope)

We appear to have gained some Waffle Pods.
I wonder how much I would get for them on ebay.

Infills above Doors still needed.

A new Slab - 2 Doors Down.

Barrier Doors Still Needed.

Drainage - Not so Good

Driveway

Despite the bad weather last week, the concretors have completed the driveway. I think we are still on track for Practical Completion at the end of the month.

Good News and Bad News

The Good News is that the plumbing and electrical fitoffs appear to be complete. The glass splashback for the kitchen has been installed. I have been advised that the driveway and path are booked in for early next week. However rain is forecast for then so I am not too hopeful. 

The following items are still to be done :

Driveway and Path
Shower Screens
Flyscreens and Barrier Doors
Carpet
Appliances : Oven/Cooktop, Rangehood, Hot Water System, Air Conditioner, Central Heating

I would say we on track for Practical Completion at the end of May.

The Bad News is that Telstra has advised that the fixed Telecommunications infrastructure is going to be copper not fibre. On the advice of the developer the house has been wired for Telstra Velocity at a cost of $2,700. Now we find out that most of this expenditure has been wasted. Clearly the developer has decided to save money by leaving it to Telstra to supply the Telecommunications cabling. Very annoying. I believe the developer has left themselves open to a class action but I'm not sure it would be worth the costs involved. Of course, the major downside of copper cabling is that out Internet access will be the significantly slower ADSL. It also means we will now have to arrange to have a TV antenna installed. 

The vacant property next door which has been on the market for the last few months has finally sold. This means we should be in a position to arrange fencing between the two properties.

Kitchen - Now with sink and splashback

Study Nook

You can see through the doorways to the shower niche

Back Bedroom

Portable Toilet has gone. Tradies get to use a real toilet.

Property next door Sold

Recreational Area adjacent to Solsbury Crescent
under development

Tiles

They were commencing the wall tiling of the bathroom and en suite a week or so ago. It is likely that this work is now complete. The floor tiling has commenced but it appears there were problems with the grouting.

Piles of Tiles

Grout Problems

Laundry - Tiles laid but not grouted