Friday, July 26, 2013

The beginning of the man cave...

The framing has commenced for the downstairs man cave. 






Man cave double stacker sliding door 


Man cave and store room windows 


Looking down from the top of the block. There was an excavator guy there doing a site clean. 


Quite a few pellets of bricks have also been delivered. Looks like the piers may be getting bricked up next week. 

We spoke to the excavator driver who said he will be there tomorrow too finishing the clean up. 

It's been great to see some frames go up! 






Tuesday, July 9, 2013

We have a slab!

So after a few delays we finally have our slab!! 

First here are some slab preparation photos taken on Monday 8th July 2013.

Here is the garage 




Man cave area 


Another shot of man cave area


Another day of preparations on 9th July 2013. Boxing now completed, plastic laid and rio laid. 

Garage - excuse the blurry photo! 


Man cave 


The slab was meant to be poured in Wednesday 10th July. This didn't happen because the concreters missed some steel work in the garage. So... He fixed that on Thursday 11th July. 

Friday 12th July we got our slabs!! Both the man cave the garage slabs were poured today!! 

Garage slab

Man cave slab

Both slabs (man cave slab partially hidden by pile of dirt)



We have been told they will let the slabs sit there for 5 to 7 days before the framers start their work. 






Friday, July 5, 2013

Delays & slab preparation

More delays for us. So....

This week they hit more rock whilst preparing for the man cave slab so that set us back a couple of days. 

We had the base for the slab prepared this week. 

This is the garage


Man cave area


The damn rock... 


More damn rock...

Me standing in the garage. That's pretty deep! I think the slab is going to be very solid! 


Inspection was booked today with the view of boxing and pouring the slab next week.

Our electricity was also finally connected by the provider. 

All going to plan we should have a slab by the end of next week. ***crossing fingers***



Friday, June 28, 2013

Waterproofing

First coat of the waterproofing stuff went on the other day. The site supervisor was on site again today putting a second coat on. He's cracked it with the tradie as it was meant to be done early last week so he's decided to do it himself so that we can still go ahead with our slab early next week. 




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Splashback tiles - got 'em!

A couple of weeks ago we received a phone call to tell us our splashback tiles have arrived from Italy and were in the supplier's warehouse awaiting collection or delivery. I opted to pick them up myself as I wanted to inspect them for any possible damage that could have occurred during shipping. These tiles aren't cheap so I'm a little paranoid!  So today we took the trip down to the Geelong warehouse to pick them up. All the tiles were in perfect condition so we were pretty relieved with that.

This tile looks different in different lighting and from different angles, which I suppose is why I love them so much. 

These tiles are called Intensity Auroa Texture in the colour white and they're made by Atlas Concorde. 

Here is a pic of the tile up on the wall in the showroom. You can see how it's almost like a mirror in some parts under artificial lighting. 

atlas intensity auroa textile tile

Once we got home I took some additional pics to show it in different lighting and angles. 

atlas intensity auroa textile tile

atlas intensity auroa textile tile

atlas intensity auroa textile tile

Here they are all packed up and waiting to be installed, which is still quite some time away. 
atlas intensity auroa textile tile

Whilst at the tile warehouse I spotted the tile that we chose for our wall tiles in the bathroom and ensuite so I took a pic to share as the other pic was of a tiny sample tile. I took a few different angles so you can see the texture/pattern. 

Entiva Ferrari white tile

Entiva Ferrari white tile

Entiva Ferrari white tile

We spoke with the builder this morning. Our slab was meant to be done this week but we have had nothing but constant rain in Melbourne this week and it looks like it will continue all through next week as well. So we are waiting on the weather to clear before they can lay the drainage and pour our slab. 

Since the last update they have filled the cavities of the retaining walls with concrete. 



We also have a power box on site. 


Hopefully next update I will have some slab photos to share :-)






Monday, June 3, 2013

Retaining wall # 2

We have the second brick retaining wall built. This wall runs between the garage and laundry. The walls are due to be in filled with concrete this week. After that the drainage will be installed then the following week we should have a slab. Weather permitting!

We have had a wet few weeks in Melbourne, with record rainfalls a few days ago so I hope this doesn't hold the progress up.

On another note my splashback tiles have arrived very early from Italy. I pick them up from the warehouse late next week - I can't wait!

Here are some pics of the second retaining wall. The mortar is a little rough but I suppose that doesn't matter as it'll be hidden under the house. 

This pic shows the corner that they'll be continuing the brickwork along from - this is the bedroom side of the house. 


The second retaining wall as seen from a little down the block. The wall sticks out like that as that will be the workbench in the garage. 

The first retaining wall can be seen down the block with the newer wall to the right of the photo. 




Monday, May 13, 2013

Bricks started - retaining

Brickies were on site today laying bricks for the retaining wall between the store room and downstairs lounge room. 

The bricks we chose are Boral Barwon with rolled morter. These will look great once cleaned. They're a brown brick with black flecks and hints of bluey/purple patches. 

boral barwon brick



boral barwon brick

boral barwon brick


We also had our water tap installed today


I was impressed that the brickies were working today as it was raining on and off all day. There is rain predicted for the rest of the week but I hope it's not heavy enough to cease work. We will visit the site again later this week to see the progress. 

I'm started to get really excited now!!