Locked out

Metricon are ticking things off the list as planned. Painters had their last day on Tuesday and it also looked like the electricians completed the air conditioning, lighting and electrical fitoff yesterday. I thought they were due to complete the fitoff today hence my lunchtime drive-by to have a close nosey at the painting workmanship. 

I was disappointed to see the house empty. Although I still managed to get inside the fence as whoever was the last to leave didn’t do a good job locking up the gates. So, I was able to see a bit of the progress through the windows. 

Sorry for the poor quality pics. 

‘Orpheus’ bricks scrubbed up well😄

Hume Savoy ‘XS26’ stained Rich Walnut

Dining Room feature wall painted in Dulux ‘Ceylonese’

We tried to negotiate with the electrician to install LED downlights instead of the ridiculously ugly UFO battens. They were happy to oblige however our site manager stepped in and wouldn’t have a bar of it. Boohoo! It’s easy enough to change after handover so no big deal.

UFO lights

I also spied bath and stuff waiting for plumbing fitoff. Can’t wait to see all our shiny tapware go in.

Plumbing hardware

Next week is another big milestone week. Our much awaited Spotted Gum floors are getting installed! Woohoo👍

We have a roof

Have you noticed a recurring theme of unadulterated excitement in my last few posts? Well this post is no different. In fact, it’s fair to say my excitement level has just reached new heights! Awesome readers, our Hudson now has a roof and it friggin looks amazing!

I can’t even begin to articulate how wonderful it feels to see our vision slowly come to fruition. I know they are only roof tiles so am I crazy to feel euphoria over seeing such mundane materials on our house?

Shiny things called ‘sarking’

Render work is superb! Clean, sharp lines. Huge tick!

They started cleaning the bricks and they have come up beautifully! Love love love!!!

Rear brickwork complete

Alfresco and master bedroom balcony pillars complete

Master bedroom balcony pillar up close

Balcony brickwork cleaned up

Balcony stacker doors

The carpenters were supposed to start on eaves and cladding work this week but unfortunately they have been pushed back to next Tuesday (31/3) due to a delay in flashing work. With Easter right around the corner, I really hope we can get the exterior completed next week. The scaffolding is booked to come down when trades return from the Easter long weekend. I can’t wait for the unveiling!

Plodding along

We had a productive week on site with every job on the lineup ticked off as scheduled. Yay!

Bricklayers had their last day on Tuesday (17/3), exactly 4 weeks since they started working on our house. What a milestone!

It’s tricky to get a decent shot of the completed brickwork with the blue shade cloth in the way. But from where I stood on the footpath, the side elevations looked to be finished according to plans. The remainder of the upper storey will be cladded in Scyon Stria.

Render to the portico was completed on Wednesday (18/3) and it looks freaking awesome!

Gutters and fascia were installed on Friday (20/3). Boy oh boy, what a difference they made to the house!

I couldn’t be happier with Metricon at the moment. The build is progressing well and it’s been smooth sailing so far. Site manager J gave me some more exciting news when he called on Friday.

Next week’s lineup is action packed!

• Roof tiles – Tuesday (24/3)
• Carpenters will be on site from Wednesday to work on the eaves and cladding.
• Electrical rough-in, AC and insulation

J also mentioned that we will have a walk through in a couple of weeks. Woohoo! Can’t wait, the excitement level has been turned up a notch!

Bristile roof tiles “Coal”

Are we finished bricking yet?

When I first met the bricklayers on site, I was astounded by their progress. They set a cracking pace, completing roughly 60% of the ground floor in under 4 days. I had high hopes of brickwork finishing in 2 weeks after my casual chit chat with the boss brickie.

So we’re now approaching 4 weeks since brickwork started. Are we done yet? The answer is no but we are so close to the finish line, well the end of brick stage at least! Site manager thinks brickwork will be done and dusted by Tuesday, 17/3. Woohoo!

According to J’s update, lock up is approximately 2 weeks away. Eeeek!!!

• Acrylic render to the portico was supposed to start today (Saturday, 14/3)
• Delivery of the scaffolding for the installation of the fascia and guttering (Wednesday, 18/3)
• Gutters and fascia (Thursday, 19/3)
• Roof tiles (Monday, 23/3)

Now for some not-so-exciting pics…

Prep work for the render

The facade was a sticking point during the design phase as we were constrained by the facade options available for our house design. We stuck with the standard ‘Traditional’ facade and made changes to jazz it up a bit. One of the changes was the addition of a 500mm ‘walk-through’ the side portico piers. 

Portico Pier – side walk-through

I really can’t fault the brick workmanship. J was true to his word, our brickies are perfectionists!

Window sill to kitchen – perfectly straight

Close up of brickies handiwork – so neat and tidy

That’s all from me this week. I’ve imposed a self ban on daily drive-by’s. I figured the progress will be the more obvious and exciting if I don’t stalk my build every single day 🙂

Happy building!

Bricks Baby

After a flying start with the wall and roof frame being completed in super quick time, we had a week of playing the waiting game for bricklayers to start on our house. Apparently there is a shortage of bricklayers in Sydney and we have to wait our turn in the queue! In the scheme of things, a week of idle time is not a big deal but when it’s your dream house on the line it’s still a frustrating exercise.

Anyhoo, our team of brickies showed up to work on Tuesday (17/2) and by noon on Friday (20/2) they have almost finished bricking the ground floor. The scaffolding is booked to be erected on Monday (23/2) and brickwork to the second floor scheduled to be completed by the end of next week. Woohoo!

Here are a few snaps I took yesterday.

Family Room

Side looking to the front

Kitchen Window Splash

Butlers Pantry Window

Powder Room Picture Window

Side of the house looking to the Garage

Outdoor Room

Kitchen – external duct for rangehood