Tree stumps, scrape, cut & fill

During our tender stage, we discussed performing our own site works.  We were given the details of Brendon from Just Bobcats and contacted him to get a quote to remove tree stumps, as well as the specification of site preparation provided by Homestead.

His approach to the site works was very much appreciated and included working with us on the remaining non-house site levels using his laser level.  We spent some time with Brendon understanding the finish floor height (FFL) and anywhere around the block we wanted to concrete or pave.  As well as this, he helped us get an idea of what our backyard levels would look like and performed some additional site works so that we would have a great start for the backyard playground.

Ready for earth works

Part way through cut

Helping with removing vegetation

Is this where we are building the house?

Delivering gravel to the property

Finished site works with gravel

Selections with Homestead

Our selections with Homestead was approached with two separate meetings - a pre-selections session and a final selections session.

The pre-selection was used to make the easy to pick decisions and understand what other decisions we would need to make based on what we had already selected during our tendering process.  We created a large list of things to discuss and research, ready for further estimation and discussion at the final appointment.

The final appointment was quite straight forward, completing a number of selections and creating a final list of decisions we needed to make (e.g. perimeter termite boundary, door handles).  The selections process included more detail than we thought would be done at this stage including any stud work for home automation, location of hot water system, window opening direction and external water tap positions.  We noticed a number of things that we assumed would be standard, but were not included. This included drains for external taps, drain for bathroom & lock for garage/laundry entry door.

One other thing that wasn't made clear - the price for any upgrades we made prior to signing the contract included a discount by the builder. Any selections we made during our formal selections process is a set price and not negotiable. Fortunately we had gone into selections with most of our choices made, however did elect for some items to be installed after handover where practical.

Some pictures and selections we made are as follows

Homestead Homes selections

Novelli Cara basin and shower mixers

1675mm Caroma Newbury Island Plus bath

'Adelaide' basin in ensuite and bathroom

Bourne Banksia Wall Faced Toilet (back entry)

Washing machine taps under sink

Regency semi-frameless shower screen

Corinthian Deco 3D doors

Corinthian Moda 3 glass doors for hallway and walk in pantry

Inspiration for glass door in entry hall way

Corinthian Infinity 6G front door

Gainsborough angular square handles

Clipsal CEF40 exhaust fans

Termimesh perimeter termite protection (picture extracted from http://www.termimesh.com.au/specifications)

Outside of contract selections

After discussing solar installations with a number of vendors, we decided to contract AESS.  We have arranged with Homestead to allow for provisions to be installed at first fix. AESS appear to receive excellent feedback on social media, such as Whirlpool forum. Their installation and product choices (SMA inverter and LG panels) also appears to be highly regarded.

Similarly, we have contracted All Seasons Air-conditioning to install an Actron unit with provisions installed at first fix. We chose an Actron as it gives individual temperature control for each room - something that we hope provides efficient running costs in the future.
We also arranged for All Seasons to install the external unit of the reverse cycle at the rear of our property. This is in a position where it will end up behind a garage as per the diagram below. This involves appropriate electricity cable run, extra copper pipe and associated trench work.

External air-conditioning unit location

Actron units provide individual temperature control for each room

Development Approval!

Following the planning consent, Homestead had submitted our files to a private certifier to complete the approval process.  We were informed approx 1.5 months later that approval had been granted and we were ready to start construction once selections were completed.

Unfortunately there was a hold up due to further detail required of steel specifications for a structure above one of our sliding doors.

Down lights for C-Bus

As per a previous blog post, we decided to use a C-Bus system for our lighting.  We wanted to ensure we had selected an LED down light type that would be compatible with the leading edge dimmer technology used by the dimmer packs.
My father-in-law performed some testing with down lights we had looked at at a local Clipsal powerhouse, as well as others recommended to us.  I won’t go into too much detail, however his findings can be found at http://www.cbusforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=49956#post49956

To summarise, we have have decided to install Pierlite ECOLED1/3K 14W 3K as the compatibility with the dimmers was fantastic.

So that we could get an understanding of the light quality in a similar setting, we replaced five Osram Decostars IRC 35W installed in our current kitchen with the Pierlite ECOLED1/3K 14W 3K.  This is a setting with 9.5 foot ceilings and a Clipsal universal dimmer.  We did not have a means to measure the light output, however it was very obvious at 100%, the Pierlite’s were significantly brighter.  So much so, that they are usually set to around 75%, which gives ample light for a kitchen.  The Pierlite colour temperature was a small amount cooler and closer to the temperature we were hoping to achieve.  i.e. did not want 4K for the house - the Pierlite’s seem to be a more modern/cooler warm light than the Osram.

The only negative observations that we made of the Pierlites: (1) when not 100% on the dimmer, there is a small delay until the LED controller fires and the lights pleasantly dim from 0-xy%.  This delay depends on the dimmer position.  On the C-Bus dimmer packs, this was perfectly acceptable - but still present  (2) the colour of the Pierlite ‘white’ shroud did not match our roof colour.  This is more of a reflection that we appear to have an off-white ceiling and our previous down lights were a brushed chrome and had not noticed.

Pierlite ECOLED1/3K 14W 3K installed in our current kitchen