Benchtop beauty

Just a quick update as our gorgeous benchtops have been installed. The place was all locked up (as it should be) so we couldn’t get inside, but we had a quick peek through the windows!!


This is the colour of our Benchtop; New Diamond White
Our front and back door have had their first coat of paint as has the walls and doors inside.

Skirting and architraves have all been installed too.
Our tiny back step area has been tiled, but I can’t remember if the front step has been tiled yet

Tiling looks to be complete in the bathroom/ensuite/WC/laundry as far as we can tell. We love our mosaic tiling along the bathtub and can’t wait to see the strip above the vanity in the ensuite

Our vanities have also been installed

Our downpipes have finally had a coat of paint! We are so relieved as we were anxious as to whether or not we had made the right decision to go with a light colour for downpipes/water tank/fascia rather then something to match the roof. We are super happy we stuck to our first choice.

So we’re thinking that the electrician should be onsite next week to wire up everything then painters will come back and do their bit, Splashback will be installed, carpenter will put on doors and install shelving and then hopefully the plumber will do his part and move the stormwater pit and sewer vent.

It’s an exciting feeling to be so close to handover, but I also felt a little sad leaving the lot today; We won’t be visiting on site anymore unless we have scheduled inspections as there really isn’t anything else we can physically see without having access to the inside. Praying we’re still on track for August handover (or sooner!!!!!)

Bathroom & laundry tiling

Last Saturday we did a quick drive by the lot  just to see if we could peer in a few windows and check out if anything had been done on the bathrooms. When we arrived we saw the front door was open!!! We called our Site Supervisor and left a message just to see what the dealio was. There was work going on at other Clarendon sites in the estate so we perhaps someone had left it open and was coming back; either way we wanted to follow it up with Shrimpy so he was aware.

We took the opportunity to pop inside and show one of my little sisters the place.

Things haven’t progressed as much as we thought they would. Tiling is underway, our stone bench tops were due to be installed today along with shelving for pantry etc, the tiler will then be back to install our metaline splashback. The painter is meant to be out some time this week too for the first coat of paint followed by gyprockers inspection and then final coat of paint. So SS said there should be someone onsite everyday, which is what we’ve been expecting since lock up anyway. Surely they are as keen to get things finished as we are?

Here is a shot of the main bathroom (tiles still need to be laid around bath area and next to the window)

Toilet floor tiled (wall tiles to be laid)

Ensuite (mostly finished; mosaic still to be laid above vanity)


Laundry floor tiled (wall tiles still to be laid)

Most of the doors in the house have been installed too, including the wardrobe doors

We got a call from Wynstan last week to confirm SS’s number so he could get onsite and do final measure up for our plantation shutters and get them ordered in. South Coast Floor Coverings were onsite last week to measure up for our carpets and tiles and today they sent through the invoice for around $10k. Our tiling job has been tentatively booked to be installed in the second week of August should we have the keys by then.
AHHHHH it’s so close now, hopefully on the homestretch. So ready for moving day!

Locked up, Lockin’ good!

What is up with this weather? Crazy storm the Illawarra is having. A timely reminder how thankful we are that our house has finally reached lock up stage Rain can’t keep the builders away now!!!

Hubby and I did a quick trip out on Sunday to visit the lot and confirm that we had reached lock up stage. Happily (or is that sadly?) we couldn’t get inside but here is a lovely picture of our front door
(It will be painted Colorbond ‘Bushland’)

On Friday Shrimpy advised us that wet floor tiles are due to be delivered this week. Carpenter has been in wet areas and installed doors so that the tiles can be laid when delivered.

• Second and final stage of waterproofing has been completed (this relates to nail penetration, angles across pipes etc)
• Carpenter will install skirting and architraves sometime this week too. Today I confirmed a time with Wynstan to meet onsite this week for the check measure for our Plantation Shutters! Hubby will attempt to arrange a meet up with South Coast Floor Coverings for the same time so we can get it all done at once.
• Other internal doors have been delivered and are currently in the master bedroom waiting to be installed this week.
• Kitchen is being installed Monday/Tuesday (this is what I am most excited about)

Hopefully we’ll be able to snap some photos when we’re onsite.

With a rooftop over our heads

That’s right, the roof is on!!!! The corner pieces are still to be laid but that won’t be til later in the build. There is some nice shiny stuff on the inside of the roof though.

Downpipes have been installed (still to be painted though) along with gutters and fascia.
Hubby and I are still trying to decide if it was wise to go with Sandbank for our downpipes or if it would have been better going monument. What do you think? Let me know in the comment section below.

We have Howard Ryan (HnK Ryan) going through the house with our SS tomorrow for the first of two private inspections. This one is the lock up / Pre-plaster inspection and Howard will be onsite between 7am and 8am take photos, record any issues and send through the report to us later in the evening. We then have to forward this report onto our SS.

Weather is dreadful outside right now but forecast for the week is mostly sunny. Praying for a little more sunshine so the tradies can finish everything they need to before moving inside!

Branden in the bath… Stop looking, you pervs!

Chef Ruby in the future kitchen