Wow, funny how it feels like not much has been done, but when I look back at my last post realise my build is really quick.  I must say though, my build was very quick until lock-up stage and then slowed a little.  There was actually a period about 4 weeks ago, where nothing was done for over two weeks.

Okay since my last post these things have been completed;

Bricks
Gyprocking or is it Gybrocking.lol
Cornices and Skirtings
Doors
Painting, except for the staining of the Portico
Kitchen cabinets and benchtop
Vanities
Rainwater tank delivered

Today the tiler is there and says tiling should be finished on Monday and also our garage door was installed today.

I'm starting to feel now we are close to the end.  It really can't come soon enough.  I really hate renting!!

Here are some photos, will take more this week of the bathroom.

Looking Like a House!

We have had so much progress in the last month.  Masterton have been fantastic!  Can't fault them at all.  The frame, gutters and roof have been completed and bricks were started last week.  I just wish the rain would stay away so they could finish.  Also our data, phone and gas points were installed as well as air con ducts and I think the alarm as well.  Here are some photos from the last month.

Slab Complete

It has been a few weeks since my last update and so much has happened.

On the 20.4.12, we were told Masterton had 20 business days to begin construction on our block. On day 5 they did the site scrape.  We were wrapped.  Could not believe how fast it happened.  Since then they have been working almost everyday at our block and today we got a slab.

I am very happy with Masteron's progress.  I really have nothing to complain about.  Not only have they been quick since construction, but so far the workmanship is great.

Update

It's been a while since my last update.  I was a bit down about how long the process was taking that I couldn't be bothered blogging, but now things are looking up again.  Progress is happening. Yay!!

At the beginning of March we went for our Electrical Appointment.  We had Marissa as our Consultant and she was great.  We didn't go overboard with extras and will be doing our downlights after handover.
We added 7 extra light points, 14 extra indoor power points, upgraded meter box to 3phase for Ducted Air Con, added 20Amp Circuit for Pool, changed 6 light points for fan light points and a few other things.  Total $3868

After we had the Electrical appointment, it seemed nothing else was happening. We had a few extra costs added to our tender, such as Sewer Report $800, provide a Bal Certificate an extra $220 on top of the Bal Report which was $540, provide a garbage bin for the tradies on site $220 and $995 for council costs. We weren't very happy and were starting to regret our decision to build.

Then on the 27.3.12 our plans were approved. A few days later our block was pegged.  Who would have thought four red pieces of wood on our block could make us so happy, but that day was a highlight for us.  Now we are just waiting for the bank to approve our construction loan, which should happen this Friday and then Masterton will have 20 days to commence work on our block.  Exciting days ahead now.

Sentinel Alarms

Had our appointment with Sentinel Alarms earlier this week. Before we went in, I had budgeted about $1000 to $1500 but we ended up spending $2717.  We did get a 7" digital Video Recorder with a Camera for the front door which set us back $800. Also the Antenna, extra data point, all the windows protected with sensors and a few other things.

Currently we are still waiting on a call back from Masterton, to let us know if Sydney Water will accept the Sewer Plan that we provided to them. It seems we are always chasing them to find out what is happening otherwise they just take their time chasing things up.

Colour Selections

Arrived at the office at Warrick Farm for our colour selections and was advised by Karina that they don't have a copy of the sewerage plan for CDC and we will be up for an $800 charge if we can't get a copy from the developer.  Not a good start!!

We were then greeted by Debra who took us in the office for our colour appointment.  I found her to be great.  She didn't try to upsell anything which is great when your on a budget. We did upgrade a few things but all up, including the tiles we only had to pay $3698 extra, that's including the credit of $950 that we received as we overbudgeted the kitchen benchtop in our tendor.

Our Selections

External Colours
Bricks - PGH Colour Cement
Roof - Colorbond - Monument
Windows - Woodland Grey
Gutters - Monument
Fascia - Monument
Garage Door - Tuscan Profile - Woodland Grey
Rainwater Tank - Dune
Front Door  2340x1200 Savoy XS26 - Woodland Grey
Front Door Lock - Gainsborough - Aero Lever
Timber Cladding - Walnut103

Internal Colours
Kitchen Doors - Createc - Solid Gloss - Ultra White
Benchtop - Waterfall edge - Quantum Quartz - Lunar White
Splashback - 600x600 tile in Mocha
Bathroom and Ensuite
Floor Tiles  300x300 Sea Salt
Wall Tiles  600x300 Sea Salt
Feature Walls 600x300 Ikon Tenanie Negio
Vanity Tops - Moulded - Monaco - White
Bathroom Vanity Doors - Createc- Gloss - Shannon Oak
Ensuite Vanity Doors - Createc - Gloss - Graphite
Paint Colour - Taubmans - Martini
Doors - White Gloss (this is an extra.lol)

Our Journey So Far

It all started in October 2010, when we put down a deposit for a block of land in Sienna Gardens.  The land wasn't registered, but we were advised it would register May/June the following year.  We put our house on the market and it sold quite quickly(although we did have problems) we moved out and have been in our Rental since January last year.

In April 2011 we paid our $3000 deposit with McDonald Jones homes.  We did colour selections with them but were never happy with their Customer Service.  In October, we decided we would not proceed with McDonald Jones and paid another $3500 for a tender with Masterton.  The house we decided to build was the Cadence.  It has everything we need and we loved the plan.

On December 6th our land settled (finally) and that was a very happy day for us.  We signed our contracts with Masterton on 13.1.12 (Friday 13th), did our tile appointment not long after and today have finished our Air Conditioner Appointment.  Today, also our plans have been logdged to the Certifer.  We are going through CDC.