HANDOVER - KEYS TO OUR SAVANNAH

Final Independent Inspection and Checklist Completion was at 3.00 p.m. together with our Site Supervisor and Carlisle Construction Manager.

'New Home Presentation' was excellent, painters in particular have done a fantastic job following rectification work.  Kevin from New Home Inspections was more than happy with the workmanship; adhering to Industry Standards and Tolerances.....as we were too.

A checklist tick of Kevin's Report and our PCI Sheet - noted some minor oversights and another brick clean in areas; we accepted a 'Letter of Undertaking' to be completed within 14 days.

'Thank You's and Congratulations', before we headed to Carlisle Homes Office for Final Payment and Handover.     



CLE met us - completed Handover paperwork and couldn't stop smiling as we drove to our 'new home'  mentally exhausted and elated clutching a folder containing Warranties, Certificates, 3 remote garage controls and a bundle of  keys. We reminisced - in under twelve months we have sold a home, purchased land, moved and built a new home; what a ride!

Appliances will be delivered tomorrow, heating/cooling commissioned Tuesday.
Now to move and make our house a home.

Thank You
Carlisle Homes, in particular our Site Supervisor 'G', Customer Liason Executive 'J' and Construction Manager 'S'. Even the last month due to rectification work and the slow, frustrating rescheduling of tradesmen they were at all times approachable and professional.  Carlisle constructed on time as per Contract our wonderful new home.
And
Kevin our Independent Inspector (New Home Inspections) for his expertise and advice during construction.



OUR SAVANNAH 
Photos have reproduced a little dark, the house is bright, light and sparkling new.



Double doors thru to Theatre Room 




Great triple stacker sliding door



Love my undermount sink



and Pearlescent Sheen on overhead doors




and sparkling Glass Splashback



to be completed with Stove and Dishwasher 



Very happy with Emperador feature tile in bathroom and ensuite



Masterbedroom - looking forward to Plantation Shutters

 

Ensuite



HANDOVER EVE and 10,000 Bloggers

Who would have thought my little House Blog would create such interest?
The power of social networking.



Thank You to all who have read, scoffed, cringed, enjoyed, laughed, learnt, blogged by mistake and in particular 'commented' on the build of  'Our Savannah 28'.  It has been an almost daily enjoyment to share the trials and tribulations of the construction and journey to our new home.

In this crazy, all consuming 'building a new house' part of our life the networking support and friendships I have made along the way are truely inspirational and certainly at times kept 'its just a house' in perspective.

As we approach Handover I look forward to following my fellow 'Buildees' journey whilst sharing (the occassional) turning our 'House into a Home'.

Happy Homes
Debra

Tomorrow, Tomorrow....

After speaking to Carlisle CLE this morning - all systems go for 3.00 p.m. tomorrow.......



Independent Inspection, PCI Checklist Completion and hopefully Handover!

Booked in anticipation; round two for Blinds, Heating/Cooling Commission and Ducted Vacuum Fit-off.

Are We There Yet?....Please!

What a long month it has been - Carlisle Homes due to rectification and incomplete work have scheduled and missed our Handover date twice
(11th and 25th March).

We think Handover is now scheduled for this Thursday/Friday?


Our Independent Inspector was able to inspect late Wednesday but this did not suit Carlisle.  Apparently they are trying to contact him and reschedule......still no confirmation as to when this will take place.



Frustrating and disappointing - it has taken Carlisle four months to construct a house and one month to rectify what appears to have been approximately four days work.
SS assures, all will be correct - he needs time to make perfect.....we expected that the first time!

I have not phoned nor heard from anyone at Carlisle Homes today - got my rant out of my system and just want our Home albeit Industry Standards and Tolerances adhered to.  On my visit to house today the Painters and a Renderer were on-site - a good thing!

Could it possibly only be the Cleaners tomorrow?.....too good to be true.

HANDOVER CANCELLED

Unfortunately, there will be no 'Handover' tomorrow.....it was clear Wednesday evening although rectification work was complete; finishing details, painting, re-render and 'New Home Presentation' cleaning would not be to the standard we expect from Carlisle Homes nor ready for the return of our Independent Inspector today.

Following telephone calls and discussions with SS and CM on-site this morning we re-iterated our expectations of presentation - professional, not rushed with both parties 100% satisfied.

Consequently, Independent Inspection will be re-scheduled for early next week - Handover to follow.

Sooooo close!

Some good news - we will have communication this Century; Telstra are to install copper pipe in our street by 20th April.

Rectification Work Update

Surprise phone call from Carlisle Site Supervisor this morning -
Handover scheduled for Friday 25th March!

Site Supervisor and Construction Manager confident all rectification work will be completed.  Work underway with relevant tradesmen on-site.
Fantastic if achieved, will be interesting to check on progress early next week.

I informed SS there will be no Handover until 'total completion and new home presentation'. 
Our Independent Inspector has spoken to CM on our behalf and will also inspect house next week.

Are we really that close!!!

On-Site Meeting with Carlisle Homes Construction Manager and Site Supervisor

We met with CM and SS 7.30 a.m. to discuss rectification work as per Independent Inspection Report.

Following assessment of reported defects and discussions outlining Carlisle Homes intentions we are better informed and reassured Carlisle will follow through with rectifications as necessary.  

Numerous defects are minor, some we had 'no clue'.  

Major issues: 
Garage - the lintel/brickwork across the top of garage opening is up to 20mm out of level.
Will be taken down and reconstructed.

Laundry Sliding Door -  is noticeably out of parallel to the inside laundry walls.
CM is confident the defect is a 'bow' in the timber reveal; removal of architrave, sliding door and installation of new timber reveal will rectify.   

Study - a small section of cornice is not parallel - previously rectified and still not within tolerance. 

Front Feature Render - some areas not acceptable - will be totally re-rendered.

As PCI was two weeks ago (4th March) we were disappointed Carlisle took this long to assess; especially since all communication was being instigated by us. We voiced our concerns and trust our home is priority to a speedy take '2' PCI and smooth Handover - CM and SS assured us Handover will be by the end of March.
Relevant Tradesmen will be on-site from tomorrow.

Without an Independent Inspector many defects, however minor, would not be picked up by the average client.  Cosmetic defects are generally visible but Industry Standards and Tolerances require the knowledge and expertise of a professional Independent Inspector. Considering the emotional effort and money invested in building a home; peace of mind to have an industry expert representing us.

Carlisle Checklist and Independent Inspection Report

Following PCI our 'Inspection Checklist' and 'New Homes Inspection' Report is being assessed by Carlisle Homes. Construction Manager and Site Supervisor are to meet on-site followed by a meeting with us.
Due to Labour Day weekend this will probably stretch into next week.

All outstanding Contract items minus Handover appliances are now complete including front pier light and telephone trenching/Madison box.
Trenching man informed me Telstra are yet to run their cable down all Streets! 
Wonder what Century that will be?



Trust he missed the water pipes



PRACTIAL COMPLETION INSPECTION

PCI was 8.00 a.m. this morning with our SS 'G' and our Independent Inspector - Kevin, from New Home Inspections.

SS very proud of house as we are too - now lets have a really good look!!
For forty minutes we internally inspected, opened, poked, prodded, ran water, flushed toilets etc... whilst our accommodating SS explained the care and maintenance of relevant items.

Tiling is excellent as is the Painting albeit another gloss coat to some doors.  Kitchen Cabinetmaker frustrates us; some details he obviously doesn't comprehend. SS recorded and agreed on all items raised.

Almost completed inside inspection when our Independent Inspector arrived - we agreed to leave him to his checklist.  John, I and SS inspected outside where again SS agreed to paint touchup, some re-cleaning of bricks and tidying of render. Telephone trenching was still not carried out.

We were looking good for Handover in a week......if anyone doubts the value of an Independent Inspector, think again, they are worth every cent. Our SS was about to have his PCI and Handover date obliterated.

Kevin joined us; his full Inspection Report will be with Carlisle Homes Construction Manager, Monday morning. Carlisle build a quality house; apart from minor defects he has reported an issue with a door that will probably require another two weeks.

Disappointed but we will not Handover until rectification work is completed and we are 100% satisfied.

I managed some photos....



Masterbedroom

 

Ensuite





Ensuite Shower



Bathroom





Touchup Painting continues....

Day two of touchup painting......
Minus the appliances and HWS at Handover - telephone trenching and cleaning are required for PCI Friday morning.


Where would you start?



Theatre to Family and Alfresco

 


Downlights in overhead cabinets
Great detail - Carlisle's standard inclusion of Glass Splashback continued behind Rangehood  

 

and Microwave

Section of WIR



Front Door Dulux Gloss 'Brood'



Site scrape cleaned up side of house and backfilled to slab