Brickwork Completed

After about 2 weeks, the brickwork has been completed!

Brickwork started

We try to visit our 'house' every week or so hoping for more progress each time. We went back in the same week the bricks were delivered and were happy to see the bricklayers have started.

Bricks have been delivered!

We drove past about a month after our first site inspection and saw that our bricks were delivered!

First Site Inspection

We were told at the beginning of construction that we were entitled to 5 on site inspections with the site supervisor and that the site supervisor would be contacting us to arrange the inspections.

However as we witness the slow progress we had little communication from Firstyle Homes or the site supervisor only when they needed progress payments. It took us endless number of phone calls to the head office but they were very vague in giving any type of updates which was very disappointing. We can understand they are very busy but I think as customers we deserve to at least know what is happening to very expensive purchase.

After much badgering the site supervisor finally contacted and agreed (reluctantly) to a site inspection with us. At this point our slab was completed and the frames were up. We had also hired a third party inspector in which the site inspector was also not impressed.

To be perfectly honest we were not very happy of how informative the site supervisor was not very reassuring of our progress. He couldn't really give us any indiction or approximate timelines.

We didn't get to take many photos during the site inspections.

So far, we would not rate Firstyle Homes on their service and communication but the progress so far seems to be going to plan.

We have a slab!

After nearly after a month after the "commencement of construction"  we finally have a slab!! Our slab was so tall because of the elevation of our land. 

Firstyle Internal Selections

As mentioned in a previous post, have a good idea of what you want and your budget before you go into your internal colour selection appointment. We found that we were bombarded with all these selections and had to make impulse decisions.

You are also presented with a range of  upgrades so just sure you have a rough budget. Be aware that you only have one internal colour appointment and if you need additional quotes it will cost you an extra $250 each time. It is best off to add any upgrades while you are at the appointment and you can always remove from your variations later.

Below are a few of the selections available.

Bristile Roof Tiles Classic Range Flat Concrete Tiles 

We were orginally going to choose the Boral Roof Tiles in Slimline Range however we somehow impulsively switched to the Bristile Range  at our appointment. This was included as part of the Firstyle Living Collection Upgrades 

Gutter colour selections

 Caesarstone Kitchen Benchtop selections

The numbers on the corners indicate the price range to upgrade to that selection with number 4 being the most expensive upgrade (around $3-4K)

Austral Bricks Rosewood

Concrete Driveway Colour Selections

Selection of Drawer Handles 

Selection of Architraves. Cove design is standard inclusion. To upgrade to Aria was around $1K. 

Our Kitchen bench top and Cabinet selections

Door knob selections Alassio is the standard inclusion  

 Rangehood Standard inclusion 

Star mixers to bathroom. Upgrade approx $600 for all tapware. 

Stovetop Standard Inclusion 

Bathroom Vanity. Standard inclusion. 

Electrical Plan by Clipsal

While we wait for  the construction to start, we will start updating with more details of our plans and our journey so far.

Below is our Electrical Plans by Clipsal. As mentioned in an earlier post about our Clipsal appointment, our consultant was very informative and helpful especially since we were quite cost conscious. Electrical plans look very complex at first glance but she went through each step very concisely.

We are a bit worried with the lighting in the kitchen and dining area as now we thinking we should of added a few more downlights but I guess it would be a simple fix to add a few more after handover