.. and right up to Christmas...

...the progress continued. We couldn't believe it.... the weather was stinking hot.... and our Builders managed to get out roof on..... so not only do we have the bricks going up.....we now have a complete roof as well. Its taking shape and looking fabulous.....we have also had our kitchen and vanities measured...and have had the fun part of choosing all our colours.....I cant wait to see them finally installed..... we have chosen an off white for all the cabinets......a black granite bench top in the kitchen.....and some lovely pale stone looking tops for the bathroom vanities..... lots of drawers in the kitchen.....and nice big stainless steel handles.... this was definitely the fun part.

Im guessing the progress will slow now throughout January as most tradesmen take a well deserved rest.....but our Bricklayer is planning on continuing....so it will be nice to watch the walls grow throughout this month....

so far....Ive loved every minute of the process...and cant wait to see what takes shape next.

windows....bricks and wiring...

...I haven't updated for a few days and so much has happened.... first the mad rush to buy tap fittings as the plumber was installing the shower taps ect....I hadnt even given thought to whether I wanted taps or mixers..... so as they say....." a quick decision is a good decision"....and we have mixers!
The plumbers finished up yesterday I think..... all the pipes are in....the shower fittings....the outdoor taps..... you name it....its plumbed. Once that was finished they used a bobcat to level the site and fill the trenches......it looks so flat and clean there now.

....the next bit of excitement yesterday was the windows were in....and we are really pleased with them.....they slide well....and look neat.....very happy!
...then this morning the bricks were delivered.....and I met the electrician at 8am to work out all the power point placements.... that isn't as easy as you imagine either....there is lots to consider.
so it was exciting tonight to walk through and see all the wiring snaking its way through the walls....and the kids role played their rooms.....imagining where they would have their beds...and how close to the power points and fan controls they would be.

Then it was time for a quick site clean before it got dark.....this is our neighbors house in the background.....she would be very excited as the brickies and painters are at her house today.
...so I think that is about all the progress this week to date.... and it is really taking shape now... ohh...and the brickies begin next week....our roof is ordered...and our tank is ordered....I guess it will soon be time to choose our kitchen....tiles....bathroom fittings....who knows?

Friday and Saturday...

Friday was the day it really sunk in.....we are building a house!

The block was a hive of industry..... we had builders working on the roof.... plumbers running pipes...a trench digger digging trenches.... the septic was in the ground.... outside taps on risers installed..... Ians Dad...my Dad...Mitch and Ian (and Brent) all working on the shed.... and decisions needed to be made.
Where was the tank to go?.... what size?...what colour?...where was the rain water pump to go?...where did I want the outdoor taps?....how many did I want?... eeeeekkk....so many things I hadn't given any thought to....
SO heres the progress in pictures.... the view this morning of the front of the house.... all the trenches are yet to be filled.....as the plumber has more work to do next week.
... just a view of the back yard.... the new shed...and our family room.....this view taken from the shed...looking out toward the front...the side of the family room....my scrap room...and the carport....the septic tank in the ground...it looks like 'Thomas the tank engine'....lol...oops double up...
...the new shed...very nearly complete.... (thanks Dads..xx)
...and today just before lunch...the last of the iron was being put on the roof of the shed...
...Briony out the front.... the front door visible right behind her..... taken this morning ..

so.. what else do I know....
the bricks should be delivered Monday or Tuesday
The roof has another two days work until its complete...
the plumber has another days work.... Monday
the shed will be completed tomorrow...and Ian will need to order concrete for the floor.
our tank is ordered... and we up-sized it..... and changed its location on the block.
We need to mark out the placement of lights and power points for the Electrician...
...all in all its been an amazing week....and I cant wait to see what next week brings...

6/12/07 - Thursday

...things are moving so fast this last week.....I cant keep up!
..its a good fast.....every visit to the block there is more progress ...and I keep clicking away with my camera...and then I get behind with blogging the progress....and I have to have a big catch up like tonight.....

Well.... by Thursday the roof trusses were starting to look far more like a roof.....still more work to go yet...but its looking larger all the time.
The shed is also progressing incredibly fast....the Dads..Mitch and Ian have the frame up....and are beginning to out the iron on the sides.....its taking shape fast.

roof trusses...

...woohoo!! ...today the roof trusses went up.....
...and both my Dad and Ian's Dad....along with Mitch...and Ian (after work) have got an amazing amount of the shed up and looking good.
Its a real hive of industry around there today..... and I just thought Id add in this photo from our backyard....looking down the line of newly built homes... 5 in total.... all in various stages... none finished yet.... I bet this view will change as fences go up... (oh...and don't you love our septic tank...that'll hold a fair bit of cr@p I think...lol)Well...after talking with Neville (our Builder)today.... our roof iron is about to be ordered....the plumber comes the end of this week.... the bricklayers in the next few weeks...and we are to plan power points ect...as that is the next decision needed from us....

4/12/07

...another quick update....(oh...and its so cool...actually walking through the house now.....I love it.) ...well the frame is complete...the wrap is on the outside... and its looking very like a house.
Ian, Dad and Mitch have begun the shed.....


...its all happening.....

...and today...more rooms...

...its really taking shape today....almost all the walls are up... and we can start to imagine what it will be like to live there... oh...and we have had wonderful storms and rain this afternoon.... beautiful!!

...and then tonight....

..we have the beginnings of walls!!
We have a main bedroom.... en suite...walk in robe...Brionys room....bathroom and toilet...to be exact! Briony is standing in her room here.... she is slightly peeved that her wardrobe is small...and already made the announcement she is having Brents room when he moves out....lol
(and we aren't even IN yet!)

This is a side view...

...and a view form the front....
I cant wait to see how much more they get done tomorrow....

... something feels good...

...about being here....seeing the slab....watching Ian dig holes for the shed...it actually is beginning to feel real!

... shed preparation....

Ian and Mitch start digging the holes for the shed.... the 'Dads' will both be here next week to help Ian build it.... so Ian is trying to get as much preparation done as possible.... and this ground is so hard.... I don't envy him digging those holes.

...and the timber arrives...

.... this now feels like progress....the timber all in a pile alongside the slab.... I think it arrived on the 23/11/07...the same day as the shed.... and then to see the plastic off and the slab swept clean was another little bit of excitement....

23.11.07

...the shed arrives... finally.... it doesn't look much all piled up in a heap.....but Ian is really excited that its finally here.

.....I wish I had something to report..

...there has been no more progress so to speak......

BUT

Ian's long awaited shed is being delivered today.... AND we received the bill for our back fence.....so thats two house related excitements this week....lol

...new pics

Well.... there isnt much to report...but I took a few more photos at the block this week...so I thought Id share.
... oh...actually there are a few differences....the back fence is up.... and looking very spiffy....which means the porta loo is now sitting on our block instead of the neighbors.....and our power is now connected (or at least we think it is...Pat phoned to check some details as it was being connected)....and we think that our septic tank is sitting there ready to go in.... so thats progress!!

It was funny....the first time we showed Ian's Mum and Dad the slab and its pouring rain.....the only rain we have in months and we had to cut short our tour as we were getting drenched.....but thats ok.


This photo is for you Dad and Mum..... check out all the other houses down the street!!! there are about five with frames up since you were visiting....and that blue wrapped one is what ours would be looking like if I hadn't changed the plan....and you don't think Ian doesn't keep reminding me of that...lol

Just for the record...
Shed is arriving either Wed or Fri next week...
Air Conditioner is ordered...deposit paid
Blinds for all the windows are paid and sitting in our family room...

Have a great weekend...

Mmmm...

...it would seem my little change of the plan...has put us further behind than I first thought.

Ian spoke with Pat yesterday..... and unfortunately our house will now be delayed for a little while longer.... bricklayers are in short supply....and if I hadn't changed the plan...it would have been being bricked about now as our bricks are ready.....but because we changed the plan we missed the bricklayer time slot.... and so now go further down the list....

I can understand this totally....and I'm glad I changed the plan....BUT I'm still disappointed that I didn't change them earlier so that we could have now been seeing bricks go up...

...but it WILL happen.... so back to being patient...

we have a slab!!

I was even lucky enough to catch the concrete being poured.....

...and we nearly have a floor...

Cool!!