The Phoenix Rises

Well just three short weeks since slab pour we have taken it to the next level (two in fact). Frame is near complete with Roof delivered and largely completed by friday September 21. And the even commenced brickwork on the garage wall the same day. We took some shots today on our new iPhone 5, using the panarama function - a cool way to get a bigger wider longer view of the world. Friday saw traffic control as they delivered and craned the roof trusses to the second floor, by nightfall most ground floor windows in place - sweet.

The curve effect is not bowed timber just in case you miss thought.

OMG Reality Bites

From despair to reality the game has changed. From a wet sink hole to a Phoenix rising. What a difference 3 weeks makes. Frame is emerging and it's inspirational. Not only is it a frame, but it also frames your thinking and conceptualises the home in its live-able form. Here are few snaps.

Note my cleaner, in training. Respect!

Electrical Essentials

Our Electrical Consultation with Habitat Group.back in February 2012. Their website is probably the worst ive seen a few pictures and no content or information.

Prior to our appointment they sent us their price listing containing all of the electrical fittings that they provide. From interior lighting, exterior lighting, light switches and power points, to ceiling fans and exhaust fans, TV connection points, to Alarm Systems, Intercom and Home Theatre wiring. Most of the electrical fittings that we saw from the display homes that we visited are on these electrical options list. The price list also gives you a guide on what we want to include on the contract. Fair to say its not cheap. most rooms or sections of room have one standard light - more what you would expect form a 1950's house.

Short of a few rooms we will be all LED Downlights (warm white) and dimmable - but will will change after handover. These will fit straight into the downlight fitting

In planning lighting and placement we used display homes as a benchmark. They are typically over specked

Here are my tips from my own assessment and intel gleaned from blogs we have read and from friends who've gone through the same process and peop'e, who have learnt from their mistakes:

Get them (builder) to put the standard fittings (lights) in, it's cheaper to replace them with the light fittings you really want after handover.
Dont forget two way and three way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs or kitchen to hall lights and visa versa. Nothing worse than walking to the front door to turn off the lights.

Exception to the above statement are ground floor downlights. It's harder to replace standard fittings with downlights on the ground floor of a double storey house (try getting your sparky-friend to go through the cavity between floors). If you have the budget, get the builder to install all the downlights that you require for the ground floor and overspeck if you can afford it. One option is to go for GU10 downlights using the woeful compact fluorescent globes and replace them with LED globes (Warm White) GU10 globes. In the two story homes it possible to add or extend the number of lights later if the cost climbs to high.

Consider spliting the lighting control so you can turn off/on half the lights in a room at a time. In the bedroom it's good to have split light option so your not floodlighting the room while one of you is sleeping.

For exterior lighting, you may choose to put in junction boxes in lieu of non-standard exterior lighting. This allows you to look at broader and cheaper items from Beacon Lighting or similar after handover. Lighting retailers have regular markdown sales, Lifestyle National don't. Besides, they even have to put in a significant markup to the price.

Thinking of external rainwater tank pump. spit system air conditioners or a future out door room power needs then add some external outlets that match the load they are likely to take, We've globes for 220v out lets for spit systems and smaller load externals for pumps etc.

You can never have enough powerpoints. Two doubles per room at the minimum. , wall hight power points for plasma's, outlets on the stairs for wifi internet, Cat5/6 cables for video intercoms, in wall wiring for rear speakers.

Buddy up with the sparky. You may have some post select changes and most likely you'll need them after handover.


Weve gone for slimline clipsal c2000 switches with brushed aluminium covers with "Impress" push button switches in selected areas.

Clipsal Impress has a Blue LED glow while lights are off. They offer really cool effect and make finding switches in the dark a piece of cake.

Ground Floor Emerges

7 days in we are nearing completion of the ground floor and the excitment is palpable. Once the wall are up you can dimentionalise the home and start to notionally allocate furniture placement and the scope of home. Below are some snaps. We rocked past early this morning on the way back from over morning hike an the crane boys where on the job, placing a massive steel beam that runs over the store room (garage 3) or maybe its the extra long cinema room (don't know yet).

Frame a Licious

Frame (1st Floor) is nearing completion, Love the bulkhead treatment in the Entry and Foyer and entries through to Sitting, Study, Pantry, Alcove and Kitchen. The provision for the Wine Rack and the recessed Niche in the kitchen will have a great effect. Another way Meticon demonstrate they just "Get" Design. Framing timber is hand picked straight and clean. We will have some mods done a little later to accommodate mounting TV's OH cupboards by way of extra noggins and studs. Think it was a smart move to get square cut ceilings down stairs, really adds to the designer effect.

Spring and the Frame have Sprung

One of the most accurate layout and impressive carpenter frame starts Ive seen, and Ive seen..well just this one actually.

Amazing how you start to visualise the beast and its a great sight after months of anticipation. The carpenter Paul volunteered that the slab prep and accuracy was the best he'd seen on measurements finishing and levels. Suppose it equates to good levelled slab means accurate frame and no shimmying and packing heights etc.

Great to see that spring has sprung and so has the frame.

Entrance Planning

Taking inspiration from Metricon's Imperial display home in Belmore Rd Balwyn, we plan to dress up the entrance area under the balcony in similar style. The large beige concrete tiles, Big Urn with Ferns and inbuilt uplighting complete with a raised water feature are part on the plan. We opten not to have lights mounted on the pillars as they tend to be a spider hangout and moth magnet and also seem to be a source of staining the render as water and concrete lime leech out over time. Instead we will have LED uplights which give a much better effect.

We Have Timber

Well here we are with baseline slab mark-up complete and Timber delivered - It's all becoming very real. We have discussed a few enhancements to the frame with the carpenter like additional studs and noggins in a number of rooms to facilitate plasma wall mounts, cupboard mounting and right down to enhance walls for future door jams and even extra studs for mounting towel rails. Last thing we want is mounting items on a hollow wall. Extra studs and noggins give you certainty in fitting out the house. Dont know what the cost will be but suspect it wont be much, and will save headaches in the future.