Tender

Today we went to Tender with Eden Brae.

[Insert post when less stressed]

Update:
We had the pleasure of having Tanya as our Tender Presenter. It was the greatest blessing thus far in the process. Tanya is very knowledgable (and if she doesn't have the answer on hand, is timely in responding with an answer) and is very organised.

We went through the Tender with a fine tooth comb, stopping every time I needed something clarified and cross referenced to my notes.

Some points that were added to the Tender included:

* Increase shower niches to 330mm, this will allow for approximately 300mm niches once the gyprock and tiles are in.

* Added flyscreens to all windows

* High raised ceiling to entry (this also includes Bedroom 1)

* Sliding doors to robes in Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4

* Provisions for Kitchen, Flooring and Electrical upgrades

Needless to say, I went home and didn't want to think about the house or the costs involved in having a finished home on completion.

After cross referencing my notes with the Tender and knowing that no structural variations could be made to the house after signing the Tender, I started researching the practicalitiesof the windows.

Windows

Bedroom 1 - Eden Brae use awning windows as their standard windows for panel type windows.
After much debate about how the plantation shutters would work with these windows and the ventilation, I asked the possibility of having double hung windows. For a small cost, I've changed the windows.

Living Room - Instead of two panel windows in the living room I requested ASW1018. This will hopefully allow more light into the room and into the entry/hall way.

Bathroom - The window on display for the Sheffield 23 at Gregory Hills has been increased to 1600mm in depth i.e. the window and the bath meet. All I could see what water being splashed on the blinds and window.

The standard window is 1000mm high x 1400mm wide. I agreed to have the standard I just hope that the tiles to vanity will look okay, as opposed to having the window at 900mm high x 1500mm wide as selected by another Sheffield builder.

Window Splashback in Kitchen - The standard for the Sheffield 25 is 1500mm wide, as opposed to the 3200mm window on display.

Today is the Day! Signing Contracts

12th March 2013
Tonight we go to the Solicitors and sign our lives away. Hopefully there are no more issues with the Contract of Sale re: land.

Next stop our Tender Appointment on Friday 15 March 2013.

Registration of Land - We were advised that the registration of the land would happen in March, however that appears to be extended by 5-6 weeks.

Eden Brae are also advising 28 weeks (7 months) to build a single storey home.

Websites

Blogs - Keeping Up with the Joneses
             Young House Love

Blum - Blum is an international company that specialises in the production of functional furniture fittings. The company's main product groups are lift mechanisms, hinges and drawer systems for furniture - in particular for kitchen furniture.

Cooks Plumbing -

DiLorenzo - Tiles, Floor Boards and Carpet selection for Eden Brae

Eden Brae

Electrical - Home Smart Innovations  

Home Option Gallery

Houzz - Create an Ideabook for your next remodeling project!

Interior Design - Redomyspace

Kitchen Designs  on realestate.com.au

Kitchens - Brindabella Kitchens

PGH Bricks - Brick selection for Eden Brae

StudioM - Design A Room Online with Envisage
The online selection centre from one of Australia's leading Builders - Metricon
Envisage: To conceive an image or a picture of, especially as a future possibility.

The Block - All Stars 2013 Supply list

Helpful Hints to Remember

This post is to be referred to as we get further along the building process. The Home One Forum has been a god send. So many helpful hints and tips from those who have been there and done that. I'll update this as I gather more information.

Bathrooms
Ensure that the niches in the showers are completed at 300mm to allow for shampoo and conditioner bottles to fit. Some people have experienced after the gyprock and tiles the niche becomes 270mm, creating a tight fit for the bottles.

This photo shows the niche, the purpose of the picture was the shower head (it'll do as an example)

I also need to remember frosted glass windows for both the bathrooms.  

Painting

A contribution made today on the Home One Forum

Only hint for pci is turn the lights on in each room, we noticed alot more bad paintwork with them on. Also look above door frames as you walk into a room, our main bathroom had half a coat on it.

Home One

'Things you Forgot' Page 27 Summary  - This page will certainly get a work out. So many helpful tips to see us through our build.

Water Temperature Adjustors

Apparently with the Hot Water System temperature controls are not included. It has been suggested getting the Rheem Integrity Temp Deluxe Control (cost approx. $200).

Kitchen

A few people have been having issues with their kitchen island bench.

At the Tender Presentation I need to ensure the bench in the Sheffield is 1100mm wide with a 300mm overhang.



The finer details of Display Homes

Today we visited Spring Farm to look beyond WIRs and Kitchens (the first two things I look at when viewing at Display Home). I particularly wanted to see the towel rails in the bathrooms and how many down lights were included throughout the Sheffield.

Gary was helpful as always and available to answer our many questions, FYI stone bench tops in the kitchen are included in our package.

Down Lights
In the Sheffield 23 there are 79 down lights. At approximately, $129 per LED light that's a total of $10,191.00.

Bedrooms 2, 3 & 4 have 4 down lights per room.
Bathroom - 5
WIR - 2
Ensuite - 3
Main Bedroom - 8
Hall Way - 5
Laundry - 2
Rumpus - 8
Alfresco - 4
Entry - 3

The dilemma of the towel rails
After our last visit to Spring Farm we were driving home and I couldn't recall where the towel rails were in the ensuite. As it turns out there are none on display in the Sheffield 23. The only available space is beside the toilet, which I'm not keen in doing. I've drawn up a plan for a change in the bathroom, which I'm yet to hear if it is possible and the cost involved. This will reduce the size of the shower and provide a wall space for towels to hang.

Sheffield 23 Ensuite, Spring Farm 

 

 Sheffield 23 Ensuite, Spring Farm

 

 

Shaving Mirror

Hopefully we'll be able to have a shaving mirror in the ensuite. This will maximise storage.

At this stage, we have to look into getting it through Eden Brae and having it recessed into the wall or doing it after hand over.

 

 Drysdale, Spring Farm

 

Bathroom

I'm not particularly keen to have the window in the bathroom to meet the bathroom. I've requested the window to be adjusted.



 



 

 

Provision for a hand towel? 

 

 

Again, the towel rail is in close proximity to the toilet. I was thinking that a towel hook could be placed next to the shower and the towel rail could go above the bath.



 

 

 

 

On a side note, it is preferable to have floor to ceiling tiles around the shower.

 



 

Another location for the towl rail, above the bath.

 

 

Height of tiles in bathroom

 

 

Drysdale at Spring Farm

 

 

The tiles we narrowed down at DiLorenzo's are similar to those shown above.

 

 

An example of towel rails above the bath

 

 

 



McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 

Decisions Decisions 

I like the tiles in the Lincoln 35, Gregory Hills. Next time we're at DiLorenzo they'll be able to tell us what tiles they are and how much... then it'll be a decison between floor boards and tiles. 

 

 

 

Kitchen Appilances

This is the 900mm oven provided in the kitchen upgrade, as shown in the Lincoln 35 at Gregory Hills. We've requested a plinth instead of the legs.

 

 

Lounge

As a result of extending the WIR, there will be a niche in the lounge room similar to the one shown in the Lincoln 35 at Gregory Hills

 

 



 

 

The TV and Entertainment Unit look a bit bland, the below display could be incorporated into the niche. I'm not sure about the above shelving, but the down lights and Unit are appealing. 

 

McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 

Laundry

The below laundry is on display for the Sheffield. Given there is no Sheffield 25 on display it is difficult to know the extact size of the laundry.

 

The decision of having a sliding door or hanging door has it's pros and cons. After seeing the McDonald Jones fit out I think I would prefer the hanging door to allow for bench top and cupboards. The only changes I would make would be a broom cupboard. If this is possible it is yet to be determined.

 

 



 

McDonald Jones, Gregory Hills

 

 



Other considerations

 

Stacker Doors

I'm hoping to have the frame level with the flooring. My reasoning? To be able to transport George (Electus Parrot) in his cage into the house. Not sure if this is possible, but it's a compromise. I would like George inside the house, however he is so messy with his food Mr H would prefer he stay outside in the new house.

 

 

 

 

To increase or not to increase, that is the question??

Once you've been shown the alternative, it becomes a focus when viewing Display Homes. The biggest one is the Entry (and the waterfall edging on the island bench).

 

The extended height of the ceiling in the Entry - yes or no?

It makes the enterance grand, but one change creates more changes... changes to the height of the doors in the Main Bedroom and the size of the entry door.

 

Question: Does changing the height of the entry ceiling also result in a height change in the facade? 

 

 

 

Walk in Robe

One of the first changes made to the design of the house was the WIR. At our first consultation the length was increased by going into the lounge room. After our next consultation which was unplanned at Spring Farm, Gary suggested reducing the Main Bedroom door opening and extending the WIR further.

 

It would be so much easier if I could see the results of the modification before going ahead with it. Preferably, I would like a king sized bed in our Bedroom.

 

On the To Do List measure out my existing wardrobe space to see how it compares with the new WIR.

 

 

Another alternative

My clever Aunty suggested moving the adjustments along - who needs a rumpus, family and lounge room???

 

This would allow for alternative design for the ensuite and maintain the original size of the lounge room.

 

The only 'con' would be preventing the rumpus room to be closed in (i.e. creating the ulimate man cave).

 

Hopefully we'll be able to discuss the possibilities at the Tender Presentation.