.... nearly finished....

Here we are at the end of the building process and I have hardly posted at all. I would've loved to have kept up-to-date with the blog, however it seems as though I have been inundated with work, which had to be a priority (given it's part of the reason we have the house). In saying that, I am disappointed that I haven't posted even just a short update regularly to be able to show the progression. We do have a gazillion photos that are dated, so in time I'd like to make a photo book to display the images. 

Next week (30/7) we have a pre-handover walk through. I am unaware of what this involves, however I am assume we check the place out to see if it's up to our standard. Fortunately we have been able to regularly get inside the house and there are just a couple of minor details that need attention (and I dare say they'll be fixed before we arrive next week).

In terms of the timeline, we're now at the end of week 24 (of a 34 week contract), so it looks as though it'll be about 8-9 weeks ahead of time, which is incredible. We had to bring our tax appointment forward this week to ensure we had the funds in time to finish the house (flooring, fencing, driveways, lights etc. etc. etc.!)

Below are some images - a bit of a catch up really! I'll post more soon (I promise)!

Entrance

Kitchen (without the actual kitchen)

Kitchen

Laundry

Laundry

Bathroom

Walk-in Robe

Deck

The end of week 8... Day 55

I'm losing track of time. We're coming to the end of the 8th week (I've just marked it out on the calendar)! There's been so much happening - frames, windows, bricks, beams and now the joists - ready for the second level to commence. All this in just THREE weeks! Along with all the action has come another payment - the mortgage is creeping up! The process to date as been smooth sailing (touch wood). Despite having a few days of questionable weather, the workmen have been determined to continue on!

Bricks delivered - 17/3/14

Frames erected 19/3/14

 The boys are loving spending time on the site - there are so many discoveries to be made. Now the frames are up, they know where the bedrooms are and enjoy spending time splashing in the 'muddy puddles'!

Reading the paper on the toilet ;)

Brick work commenced 21/3/14

"Hello!" The windows were put in on the day brickwork commenced.

Back of the house - Ashton's room, bathroom, laundry and rumpus

FRAMES 

Our first family photo in our new house 

Attempt #6574 at getting a family photo in our new house (rumpus room)

The beams were put up on the 24/3/14 in preparation for the deck.

2/4/14 - Joists to the deck

Downstairs brickwork completed on the 2/4/14

"Ryan's Bedroom" 

Ashton playing with his brand new Ninja Turtle in his bedroom

Joists and commencement of the flooring 4/4/14

The house as it stands on the 5/4/14

We have virtually furnished our house now (thanks to Gumtree) with the exception of a fridge, dishwasher and microwave. We have a layby with Beacon lighting and Harvey Norman for our flooring that we'll continue paying off until we're ready for it! Matt's been measuring the plans again today to see how all our furniture will fit in, and most importantly the BBQ! It's been a long time between posting, so I'm going to try and be a little bit more regular with my blogging efforts. We're extremely happy with the progress that has been made in the past 8 weeks! I hope this week brings about the second level of frames... we'll soon see!

Week 5 - We have a SLAB (of the concrete variety)

Wowzers!! A slab has been poured! We're so super excited!

Concrete doesn't get much better looking than this! The frames have now been delivered and week 6 should see the erection of the walls downstairs!

Week 4 - Form work

We've had a busy time on the block recently (well not us so much, rather the workmen) with form work being completed!

Last Sunday (9/3) we spent some time on the block with the boys looking at where their bedrooms will be. As Matt showed Ashton where his room would be located he responded by saying, "but I don't want to sleep outside!" Perhaps we needed to be more specific that walls and a roof will be in place before he actually sleeps in there! Ashton and Ryan enjoyed 'working' on the site, playing in the dirt and rocks and climbing the hills.

We decided to take a walk to the top of the hill to look at the gorgeous outlook!

 Ryan was so exhausted when we returned he decided to have a lay down in the rocks!

Week 3 - Piers

This week we had some more movement on the block. Piers and lots of them (an extra 2K worth) were poured. We can see where our house will sit and where the patio/deck will be, despite just still being holes in the ground. Lots and lots of rain teamed down after the piers were poured, but I am assured that they had enough time to set. Fingers crossed the rain stays away for a while so we can move onto the slab sooner rather than later!

Weeks 1 & 2

The 11th February 2014 marked the first day on site! We met Rodney Tullipan at the block and were very excited that our construction will be in more than capable hands. The excavator was ready to go and in 2 days the site was transformed, giving us a good idea as to where our house will sit on the land. On day 3 we drove past to see the fence erected and day 4 the signage up. In 34 weeks (7th October) we will have a home - a big Happy 5th Birthday to Ashton :)

After

Before

Ashton and Ryan were most excited to finally see some action on the site, considering the hundreds of times we've driven past with the only difference being the length of the grass. Unfortunately there were no changes in the second week due to rain. Our fingers are crossed that the rain will not hinder our timeline too much!

The boys excavating (with a little help)

Dirt... and lots of it!