Porter Davis to 'Centralize' offices

Today, all of Porter Davis' customers received an email stating that they are planning to relocate all their offices to one central location (Docklands) by the end of 2015.

I think this is a great move by PD and will ensure consistency across their range of customers and areas they build in. 

Here is a screen shot of that email:

Slab Issues - Finally over!

Today, after multiple phone calls and emails, the last one which included some high level managers. I finally received our certificate for the termite treatment to the bath tub recess.

It's been a long 3 months of consistent follow ups with our Slab Supervisor and I am happy that we can 'put to bed' all the open items.

A big thank you to our Site Supervisor!

The purpose of this blog is to share our entire experience with building our first home. Good or Bad.

As you have all read, we have had our fair share of build issues so far. Having said that it is now time to truly thank our Site Supervisor.

Let me share with you the last 24-48hrs.

First thing Monday morning (yesterday) I sent out the updated list of issues to our BC and SS. Later that morning, I called the SS to ask about something other than the issues I made him aware of. At the end of the conversation he mentioned to me that he had already read my email and actioned the items we raised. WOW!

It doesn't end there. Yesterday afternoon, I got an email from him confirming that the window installed was in fact incorrect and a new one has been ordered (Mistake on window supplier's side). I was so happy to hear this news.

Then, around 7 AM this morning, I received an email from him informing me that the framer will be on-site fixing all the outstanding framing issues, in particular the WIP door being 'off-centre'.

Our SS has been superb (and patient!) with answering all my calls, emails and rectifying issues I raise.

90 days to go... Can't wait!

On the official site start date, I set-up a count-down timer to show how many days were left till we (hope to) move in.

I noticed today that we've just passed the 90 day mark! That's approximately 3 months till we are due to move in.

Hopefully hand-over doesn't get delayed too much. We are way too excited too move in.

Site Visit - Another 5 items added to our build issues list

All week we had both been very excited for today. My parents were coming down to Melbourne and we were going to meet them at the house. We did and it was great to show them through the house so they could finally see what we had been trying to explain on paper (Drawings) for the past year.

Unfortunately, we picked up another 5 items to add to our build issues list (20 outstanding). Some are big mistakes on PD's behalf. Hope to get these rectified sooner rather than later. 

1. Cavity slider door to WIP (Walk In Pantry) is not centred. The drawings show that the right hand side wall needs to be 580 mm  wide. This measurement needs to be taken from the inside wall. The framers (even though marked on the ground) decided to take the measurement from the outside wall which includes the hallway stud wall. The result? See for yourself... 

2. Wrong window installed to our Master bedroom. It should be a split awning window. What has been installed is definitely not that and looks so odd from the front of the house. 

3. Noggin damaged at recirculated air recess

4. Noggins to bedroom 4 have not been replaced as promised during frame stage

5. Front awning window to storage room has been damaged. 

Updated downlights plan

As electrical installation will happen next week, I have updated our down-lights plan to ensure that all the correct electrical 'backbone' will be in place for our after hand over installation.

Here is the updated layout which can also be found here

In-wall plumbing complete

Went past the house this morning and noticed that all the internal wall plumbing has been completed and lock-up crew has started to 'straighten' the walls and do other various jobs like clean up and build the bath HOB.

I noticed that the cold water tap to the fridge space is missing so I will be raising that to the SS. Also, the HWS has not been moved as we requested in the drawings. I think it's mainly because the new location is not possible due to the shower plumbing being on the other side.

Study water points installed. Need to get them moved further to the left as originally requested.

Bulkhead to master bedroom door removed to be raised.

 En-suite

Kitchen island

 Kitchen wall bench-top

 Bathroom plumbing and bath HOB

 Laundry

Gas and water point for alfresco

 Hot water service and gas feed line