Bathroom Disaster

The Main Bathroom

The day before we move in I went around to the house to find this disaster.  Thats right some intelligent person thought putting the heated towel rail behind the bathroom door was a great idea.  Dave (hubby/project manager) left instruction on where the rails were to go (can you see the white tape) but did they adhere to his instruction???? NO!!!  But wait theres more in the ensuite the towel rail was also placed incorrectly, what was this person thinking.  The nightmare about this was, the main bathroom has tiles on the floor and halfway up the wall.  To get this changed meant ripping off the tiles and hoping the gib board isn't destroyed too much. Reapply the protection coat and put two new tiles insitu. The ensuite not so bad as it just meant repositioning it  filling in the screw holes and repainting. 

The Ensuite

Dave being the efficient project manager, was on the phone Thursday night talking to all who would be involved in fixing this error.  Friday (shift day) morning he met all involved at the house and made his instruction clear, then left them to do the job.  I came around after dropping off the children to find a terrible mess in the main bathroom.  The tiler was fantastic I'm not sure if he spoke much english because as I shook my head in horror he just smiled and bowed his head as if to reassure me he would have it fixed in no time.

Whilst the tiler was busy behind closed doors I was beginning the packing/unpacking phase.  As this  was shift day my main objective was to get the kitchen functioning before the end of the day.  Sleeves rolled up I set about on my mission. I was totally impressed with Mr Tilerman because I left the house to go and get more stuff from rented house I was gone maybe a couple of hours.  When I returned Mr Tilerman was packing up his car, was he really finished?  Yes indeed he had completed the job and cleaned up all the mess (regret not taking photo of mess).  I went outside and shook the mans hand and thanked him so so much, he bowed his head smiled and replied no problem. 

With Tilerman gone it was Mr Sparkys turn to put the towel rail in the correct position and hook it up to the power source.  Being that Mr Sparky was the intelligent person who put it on in the wrong place to begin with I felt his uneasiness as my big beady eyes watched him.  I was encouraging though saying thats perfect....... (ok slightly sarcastic).  He had redeemed himself when all was put right.  Following him was Jane the gibstopper/painter she mended the holes and repainted the ensuite and by 5pm Friday afternoon the disaster was fixed.

All in a days work and a job well done thanks everyone

Chapter 3 & 4

Chapter 3

The Letter

For mothers day Nicholas's class made special cards for the mums.  Unfortunately Nicholas misplaced/lost his card for me.  As I was cleaning out his school bag I found this letter.

Yep can guess what I was doing after reading this little beauty.  I am so so grateful to have such a thoughtful son.  Times like these just makes you forget the times when they are not so pleasant.  Thank you Nicholas I love you too.

Chapter 4

The Driveway

The house is technically finished and we have officially moved in, however so much has happened that I need to post leading up to the big shift.  Just a day before moving in Foote Haulage arrived to create and make the driveway which was crucial for the shift.  It had rained for a few days making the ground somewhat muddy and the last thing I needed was mud tramped through the house.  So I did my usual routine dropping off the children at their schools and went around to see how progress was going.  Totally amazing how these men worked and how fast the driveway came together.

The House

Entrance

The house is near completion here are a few pics of the outside.  I can't go inside at the moment due to the painters spraying up a storm.

The Garage

The patio with master bedroom and lounge

Lounge/Dinning & Spare Room

We have officially handed in our notice with the landlord which means there is only 3 more weeks and the Finnie's will move into the new house.

Dave has two jobs to do inside which are installing the kitchen and putting on the skirting boards.  This weekend he will install the kitchen so watch the space for pictures......

Building Inspector Part 2

After my terrible experience with the inspector from hell, my darling husband informed me that he had booked another inspection for Wednesday.  I just cringed and told him please don't ask me to do it.  I really really didn't want to go through all that again. Dave told me not to worry that he had made an official complaint to BI boss.  He then informed me that he had emailed my blog post to the boss so he could read it for himself.  I said you didn't!! how embarrassing.  Furthermore Dave said that the boss man himself is coming out to do the inspection NO!!!! I definately didn't want to meet or do the inspection.  Dave told me not to be silly that the boss man is really nice and that he wanted to come out and meet the author and to apologies personally. 

Putting on my brave face I went reluctantly to meet BI boss man.  He was on time which was a good thing and he looked friendly.  He greeted me and shook my hand and said it was nice to meet the author.  I felt my face warm up and I held Nicholas hand firmly.  I explained my blog post is where I vent and I still cant believe Dave sent you the link.  BM was grateful for the details as he had had complaints before but unless someone writes it down nothing can be done about it.  He then went on to express his apologies and that that particular  BI was somewhat strange.  He left it at that and began the inspections which to my amazement took all of 5-10min. No questions asked just compliments and big tick of approval to carry on and complete the house. Thank you BI boss man my faith in the system has been restored.

That's right hard to believe the building of our home is near completion.  We should move in approximately 4-5 weeks.  Looking back on past post I need to update more photos so stayed tuned .........

                                                                                                                             

The Building Inspector from Hell

Whilst Dave works I am in charge of meeting the building inspector.  The previous inspectors were lovely and friendly and just came to do the job.  Building inspector number 3 ......... well what can I say about him?

I was to meet him at the house at 1.30pm I was prompt and waited, 1.45 no inspector, 2pm no inspector, 2.15 still no inspector at 2.26 the car pulls up. You can imagine I wasn't a happy camper but polite I remained.  Did he come and knock on the door oh no he walked around the house a couple of times and so I went outside to meet him:

Me:  "hello"

BI: "hello, I'm suppose to meet a Dave Finnie to inspect the brick work"

Me: I'm Paula Finnie the wife

BI: "hi but I'm suppose to meet Dave to do an inspection

Me: "he's at work and he told me to come and let you in and give you the consent papers"

BI: "Well it says on my paper Dave Finne"

Me: (in my head) "what part of he's at work did he not get" I smiled

BI: "Well i'm here to check out the brick work"

Now I'm not a brick layer or a builder and he starts telling me things I have no idea about. He insisted that we need some bars under the windows and doors. I asked him if Dave would know this? He should do was his reply and I wont be able to sign it off until its done. He started to notice things that were already signed off and suggested to me that this needed doing and so forth.  Go figure I had no idea what he was on about.  So I said I'm the wife not the builder I have no idea what you mean.  I asked him if he was going to do the pre-line inspection. No was his reply. I asked are you sure because my husband told me you were coming to check the bricks and the pre-line. No he replied. He then opens his planner to show me surprise surprise in the fine print it said brick work and pre-line inspection.  He then went on to say oh I didn't see that there. Funny the print was the same throughout.  I'll just go and get the moisture metre.  Few minutes later he returns I can't do the pre-line inspection I left my metre in Momona. I need to go back and get it you stay here and I'll be back.  I looked at my watch it was 2.55pm. I replied I'm sorry I can't stay I have to pick up kids from school.  I had offered to look after the Mendy clan for Amiee.  He then says well I'm sorry I can't sign it off without the metre. To which I said well I really need to get my kids from school, but I can come back. He then says I suppose that'll be alright then. I was some what hot around the collar by then, was it my fault he was late no, my fault hubby wasn't there no, my fault I'm not a brick layer or a builder no my fault he had left the moisture metre ...no, my fault I was the wife ok yes.

So I left to pick up all the kids thats 6 kids in the car and headed back to the house and waited and waited.  The BI finally turns up and tested the house for moisture content.  Was it over oh no it was just the beginning!!!! He asked me if I had a pink batts bag so he could check the correct size of batt in the walls and ceiling.  I said no we had a big clean up and all that rubbish had gone.  He goes on to say well I will need to see a receipt for the batts. To which I replied well I'm sure its at home somewhere.  Being a BI you would think by looking at the batts he would instantly know they were the correct ones.  He goes on to ask me if I knew what type of lighting we were installing. I told him just your normal lighting I'm not sure again I'm just the wife not the builder. I then asked him if he wanted to speak to Dave via a phone as I pulled out my phone ready to dial. He replied oh no I'm sure he knows what is required when it comes to lighting.  He then went on about the batts how there were some gaps that needed filled and straightened etc ...... By now it was 3.50 amd I was somewhat over him.  So I asked are you going to be any longer as I need to get all 6 children home.  Oh no just need to give you the paper work.  What a relief but you would think the paper work would be as simple as pushing a button but oh no its a much more complicated than that oh yes another 15 more minutes of waiting.  I had put all the kids in the car thinking the paper work would be quick. Six kids in a car not a great combination I opened the boot so the noise could travel to BI car.  As I sat on the bumper one of the kids said I'm bored whats taking so long.  I voiced my opinion loudly I'm bored too sorry its taking so long we are waiting for some paper work.

BI finally gives me the paperwork and then pointed out the spelling mistakes he had made. I smiled and bid farewell. 

I told everything to Dave and he knew which BI it was and so he rang the BI's boss and put in a complaint. The stuff he was pointing out had already been passed and approved from the other inspectors what should have been a 30min job took 2hours 40min.

May I never meet that BI ever again

The Curtains

Chosing the curtains for the house is a process I dread because I've had some terrible experiences.  Once when Dave renovated one of our many houses I purchased some pre-made curtains took them home ironed all 10 curtains gathered all 10 and put all 10 up, only  to have Dave arrive home screw his face up and say "no don't like them take them back". Could you imagine what my face looked like???? I hate gathering curtains its a process that has to look even and when you live with a man who has an eye for detail its tough.  The next house I got pre-made again and was a bit more clever showed the hubby before taking them out of the bag and then I only ironed one lot of curtain and put it up and awaited the approval from him in doors and lucky for me cause he did not approve.  Apparently its another whole look when they are out of the packaging go figure.

Building the next house I did get a curtain expert in and they made and put up the curtains which was awesome however,  when it came to selling the house some of the comments where the curtains were bland and why have the same coloured curtain in every room.

This time Ive gone with another curtain expert and I told her to give me options.  So I went in for a consultation and was most impressed with her choice of fabric and colours.  The greatest thing of all Dave really really likes them too which is a bonus. 

So readers what is your opininon??

Our bedroom

The lounge

The kids/spare room in a Roman Blind style

As we have three large windows in the lounge we are going to go with blinds as this will still give us wall space and not over power the lounge with lots of curtains these blinds will be a dark grey with a stainless steel rod (to blend with the kitchen appliance).  As we await the quote I hope they come within budget as I do not want to go through the whole process again.

The Bricks Go On

On Wednesday I had to meet the building inspector so he could approve the pre-line inspection. All but one thing passed and we couldn't get that passed off until the bricks were three quaters on. I rang Dave to tell him the not so good news. He was on the case and rang the brick supplier who unfortunately forgot to inform Dave that the bricks we wanted were not in the country and weren't able to get any for a couple of months. I would have been a little angry about that but not Dave he just changed to another colour and I must admit I like these bricks way better than the others.

Friday came and the bricks are placed on the section already for the brickies to come and start work. Dave informs me that they will have it done in two Saturdays?????? Really????? I don't think so.

Saturday and Nicholas, Kate and I go off to the soccer tournament. I left at 8.30am and arrived at the section at 2pm. WOW!! these brick layers do not muck around they are a working machine. I think there were approx 8 guys there and they had completed over half the house. If they didn't have to wait for the building inspector to come and inspect the cavity space I think they would have had the whole house completed. IMPRESSIVE!!!

Dave meanwhile is busy inside putting on door handles and starting to line the walls and generally just potting around with odd jobs.  The gibbies and gibstopping should start next week followed by the painters and then the kitchen so stay tuned for more on the Finnie Family Home.

Windows Installed

No windows

Cut Out Windows

Windows In

All doors and windows are in place now and its amazing how much warmer it is inside.  Tonight I bought butter chicken and we went around to the house and had our first meal inside the house. Dave setup the portable light and we sat on the gib-board and ate our dinner. It was very cool and exciting.

The internal doors

This is our ensuite and walkin wardrobe

The Trusses Are In Place

I climbed the ladder to get this shot YIKES

Easter for Dave has been putting up the trusses, perlings & hips.  What an amazing husband I have so grateful for all his hard work. I have been doing my little bit providing food and today I had a hammer and put up some bracing brackets which was fun.  Bradley who has been helping Dave has only half a pointer finger which makes holding little nails very hard for him so Dave thought it would be a perfect little job for me.  Now we wait for the roofers to come and do their job and then its wrapping the house and windows will be next to go in. GREAT EFFORT DAVE!!!

 

Bradley screwing down the perlings

My Awesome boys!!!

Building Update

The house is taking shape its looking awesome. Dave has been working very  hard from morining til dark.  Now that daylight saving is over Im sure he'll be setting up some lighting. 

Driving to the house and in front of me was our trusses arriving.

Now to get those beauties on top of the wall frames

Lucky the crane was on hand

Hope the wall hold up?

The Walls Are Up

On Friday the wall frames arrived, EXCITING!! times. Dave organised his helpers which included Haki, Bradley, Leon and himself.  Friday night Dave did not sleep very well due to nervousness and perhaps a little bit excited too. 

5am Dave arose and went for his 3 hour morning bike ride out to Portobello today, just a casual ride to clear his head for his big day. On his return he loaded up his car with tools which included his brand new nail gun (the best tool ever) and off to the section he went.

Nicholas, Kate and myself headed to town for Nicholas's last game of T-Ball for the season and unfortunately we lost by one run.  We stopped at Carters on our way home to pick up the metal brackets and we headed to the section to see what progress had been made.

Progress was in full swing with a few frames up.  The men were in deep concentration soughting out the big puzzle.  ( I think they needed Nicholas our puzzle king to help them).  I quickly zoomed away to get some bundies and a meat lovers buns for morning tea.  After taking a few more snaps I went home to make lunch for the hard workers.  I made 8 filled rolls and 12 large banana chocolate chip muffins and threw some hot savouries in just in case they were extra hungry. 

This is Leon trying to convince me he's working?

On my return they had put up all the external walls they had definitely earned lunch.  I stayed on and watched the house take shape it was awesome to watch and explain to the children which room was theirs. Kate for the rest of the day walked into her room saying my bedroom. Nicholas thought his room was too small.  The children enjoyed playing in the gravel filling their gumboots with it and emptying them. Somehow Kate forgot to empty her gumboots, because when we went back home the gravel ended up inside.

The patio, Nicholas is standing in the lounge.

The hallway from our bedroom

The Lounge/Dinning Room

The house takes shape

What a wonderful day and now all the frames are up and we have rooms to walk in and now I can visualise how big each room will be and already I'm thinking where to put each piece of furniture plus where to add extra furniture (unfortunately it does not include a hot tub).  Thanks to Haki, Bradley and Leon for all there help (not to mention their spouses who lent them to us for the day).  Over the next week Dave will be preparing the tops of the frames so the trusses can sit on top.  They arrive Easter weekend (oh my gosh its nearly Easter!!!!)

The Slab is Down

Today the foundations of our house was poured.  They started pumping the concrete in at 8.30am and I arrived at the section at 9.15am amazingly they were halfway.  The pumping machine was awesome to watch and they had another machine which blew out air bubbles and stuff and helped spread the concrete out.  I could have watched the whole process but I got the feeling the men were somewhat uncomfortable with me running around like a paparazzi taking photos.

The pump

Nice smooth surface

Screeding the concrete

Floating and finishing

When I went back to the site in the afternoon the man was floating and finishing off the slab.  It was the perfect day because it was cool and damp which meant Dave didn't have to panic about watering the slab at night. Bring on the wall frames they arrive this weekend and hopefully Dave will have his merry men to help him stand them up and so the fun and exciting times begin.

Building Continues

To date the house is on schedule and now its ready for the floor to be poured.  Dave has been lucky enough to have help from Phil, Darcy, Bradley and Haki thanks guys you all rock!!!

Laying the mesh

Ready for pouring the floor

Bring on the concrete

House Building Part 4

The Drains being laid

The house is coming along in leaps and bounds and today is no exception.  I generally go to the section everyday to see what's happening and when I visited today the plumber and drain layers were busy putting in the drains in and outside the house.

The other thing I noticed is the hard fill is in.  The next step is to lay the mesh and the polothene.  On the cladding front we have choosen our bricks and window colour (iron sand), roof (iron sand) entrance door (cedar) garage still deciding.