Site visit update

As we do every weekend, we visited our site today.

Much to our surprise, the bricklayer was there! This was great to see but I hate visiting the site when someone is working on it as I always feel bad for hanging around while they are trying to work. Anyway, the bricklayer is lovely and had no problem for us to have a look around. Luckily, as my Fiancé's family was driving down from Bendigo to have a look too!

Here's a quick update on what's happening on site:

- Bricking is progressing (slowly). Quality of workmanship is top notch though!
- Insulation installation has started.
- Many items we raised had been rectified. I.E Facade window changed to correct one.
- Plaster has been delayed till next week due to some outstanding issues from our lock-up inspection

Mostly positive so far, however a few issues we spotted. One that really made me shake my head...

They were kind enough to install some sound proofing under our ducted heater.

Wrong insulation installed to the entry/garage wall. Should be sound proofed. 

Now this is the one that really annoyed me. Temporary downpipe was pushed into the house and was pouring water inside near the plaster!! It didn't seem to have splashed or touched the plaster. I told the bricklayers and they fixed it straight away but we're going to have to check the plaster now. This is one I will definitely talk to the SS about. 

Non-compliant plumbing. Should be minimum 25 mm cavity behind brickwork. 

Frame inspection - Not impressed!

It all started with one email, advising us that our frame had been completed and to pay up. I immediately responded and advised that as with the base stage payment, we will not be making any payments until all issues (specifically defects that don't mean the BCA guidelines) are resolved.

Porter Davis staff were very hesitant at accepting this and said they will discuss it with management. The response was "We can't accept payments to be held because of MINOR issues". Minor you say...? I don't think so!

Luckily I stuck to my guns, as yesterday I got a call from a very concerned Independent Inspector which was followed by a frame/slab stage report that took away all the excitement from the progress on our build.

The report is too long and has too much confidential information to post on the blog but here is a summary of the defects picked up:

• Number of intersecting wall block connections not nailed off - Apparently a common one for Porter Davis

• H2 rated timber installed to the front of the garage. It will be below FGL (Finished Ground Level) so needs to be H4 timber. 
• Timber sheet bracing defective as it does not meet the requirement of being secured at a maximum of 150 mm centres. 

• Slab to the front right hand corner of the house has been damaged and 'broken away'. It will not support the weight of the bricks and needs to be rectified. Engineering needs to be done, site surveyor has to be sent this documentation and he/she must witness the opening and closing of the slab edge.

• RHS of the porch still needs the concrete 'refilled' 

• Bath void still has a hole exposing the foam pods and therefore is a termite barrier issue
• The timber to the porch need to be H3 hazard rated. Only H2 rated timber installed. 
• Windows above 1800 mm in height must be secured at a minimum of 3 points to the frame and supported in the frame via packets. This is specified by the manufacturer of the windows. The installation does not meet this requirement. 
• Extra support required for the alcove in the study wall due to length being over 1800 mm

• Gang nails universal brackets not secured sufficiently. Missing nails.

• Some trusses installed the wrong way around! 

• Over 10 trusses out of plumb. They are installed at a greater than 50 mm out of plumb, especially to the rear of the house.

I am not sure how they managed to get our frame 'signed off'' with defects such as these. I have a sent a very serious email to our BC with the required parties CC'ed requesting the defects to be rectified before any further progress to our build. I have also (once again) made it very clear that I will not authorise any payments until we have supporting evidence in writing that the defects have been attended too. 

We will most likely get our independent inspector back out to re-check all these defects have been resolved as requested before going any further. Even though this will cost us even more, I think it's value added considering the situation we are faced with. 

Thanks for reading the super long post!