Piering and Formwork

One and a half weeks from start of construction, happy to see some progress today.  They started the piering and the formwork. 

Elderton is scheduled to pour the slab by the end of this week.  The following days shall be hell for the guys, they have to complete the drainage, waffle pods, reinforcements and termite barrier... plus a couple of piering and reinforcement inspections. Trusting a good weather for the rest of the week for us.

Excavation (Cut and Fill)

Site works has started 08 September.  They have completed the cut/fill and leveled the land.

Peg Out

One week before the construction start date, we found that our land has completed the peg out.  First sign of progress in the construction.

Construction Start Date

The consolidated documents arrived in the post.  We needed to sign the new Home Tender (with all the variations and updated costs), Schedule of Selections and the DA plans.  We did a review of the documents and it looked ok.

In order to fast track the process, I decided to return the documents to Elderton myself instead of mailing it.  I also had the chance of meeting our Custumer Representative in Elderton.  Her efforts in consolidating our building plans were greatly appreciated.

We also needed the Authority to Commence letter from CBA which was provided by our broker on this day. 

Since all required documents were submitted, we had been given a construction start date on 04 September 2015.   

CDC Approval

Completed in 12 days.  Got the approval from the private certifier today.  Apparently, a construction certificate is already included in the CDC approval.  This made the progress faster, in comparison with going through council.

Odd thing about the CDC approval, it was required for us to install a privacy screen (no less that 1.7m height) in the RHS of the balcony.  Additional cost of $476 came in as a variation (PCV007).  Looks ugly and we don't like it.

Now, we are just waiting for the consolidated documents.

Post Contract Variations (PCV) 005, 006, 007, 008, 009 and 010

We had several additional variations;

PCV005 - Elderton can include the electrical upgrades in the total house package.  However, we had opted not to as we had already paid the deposit to Costa.

PCV006 - This was just a detailed variation of the front/rear setbacks and the reduction of the Meals area.  I reckon this was needed as part of the Stockland Design approval. No additional cost here.  

PCV007 - Site costs variations.  After the site survey, the report came back and gave us additional credit of $1,428.  Total site cost came back as $441 only.

PCV008 - CANCELLED due replaced by PCV009.  

PCV009 - CDC requirement. Provided two options for the required privacy screen to the RHS of the balcony. (1)   Aluminium $476.  (2) Timber $972.  Obviously, we went for the cheaper option. lol

PCV010 - Option for a treated timber frame.  The price tag on this one was a hefty $5,561.  Nah!! Thanks but no thanks!

Stockland Design Approval

Finally, things were moving the way it should be.  We got the design approval from Stockland (02July2015).  The drawings had the watermark stamp on every pages of the plan.