Absolutely shattered Eden Brae Homes......

Well what a difference a week can make, this time last week I was so happy our stairs had been installed and when I had driven by that evening I could see them in all their glory. Today I have been so down about the house, I am ready to walk away from it so it's pretty sad to be that frustrated with the whole process that you are willing to walk away from your dreams!

You are probably wondering what's got me down right?, after reading over our contract over the weekend, I emailed our CSO today to find out about the "industry" shutdown over Christmas. I wasn't sure how this would affect the build and given that we are getting quite close to completion I thought I would ask. So Eden Brae Homes will be shut down for 5 weeks from around 22 December 2011 and ofcourse this is covered under one of the many clauses you are supposed to read in your contract document.

Given that I work for an educational institution, I also need to submit my leave plans for December and January (as lots of staff take leave over this period) and figured if EBH can give me an approximate date of completion it would give me atleast something to advise my boss.

Our SS has been telling us, we are ahead of schedule, we are ahead of schedule, yet today when we question a possible finish before Christmas, Eden Brae pull out the old contract clause and then advise us that we have 18 delay days in our contract. So on one hand they are telling us they are ahead of schedule and on the other they are telling us we've had 18 days worth of rain delays! Go figure!

What makes me so angry is that other builders appear to be bending over backwards to push jobs through before Christmas and trying to get people into their new homes. Apparently Eden Brae Homes just see us as another $$ sign or just another job number on their books. Where is the personal service Eden Brae? Our near complete home will stand empty for 5 weeks over the Christmas period, I am disgusted that they would not try harder to finish the house rather than allowing it to sit there over Christmas. This delay wil also increase the already mounting financial pressures on us (sorry kids we can't afford Christmas) and will also cost us another $3K in rent "dead" money but most importantly, we won't be moved in and settled before our daughter starts Kindergarten in 2012.  Thanks for nothing Eden Brae!

Our back colorbond fence was installed last week, here's how that turned out:

Retaining wall, staircase and doors.....

Well we've started this week out really well, on Monday 17 October the staircase was installed and our SS has advised the internal doors and skirting is also scheduled for this week.

The waterproofing, kitchen and bathroom vanities are also booked in, my hubby also said the front doors were on today (Tuesday) when he drove past. So things are moving along nicely, thanks to our great SS!!

Our back retaining wall was completed last week, here are some photos:

Apparently our neighbour had the fencing started today, so very eager to see how that looks tomorrow!

Update time....

Things have been moving along nicely in the last few weeks, so here's an update on what's been happening:

28th September 2011 - electricals checked by hubby and SS

29th September 2011 - Tyrell's and Council inspections

4th October - downstairs eaves painted

5th October - backyard excavation done (and four truckloads of dirt removed!)

Unfortunately we don't have much backyard (as you can see!) but we've had the pressure put on us by our back neighbours who have now moved into their home and want fences done now, not the way we had planned to do things, but atleast EBH allowed us to have the excavation done in preparation for our retaining wall!

6 October 2011 - insulaton done

7 October 2011 - gyprocking commenced

8 October 2011 - gyprocking finished (at 7pm on a Saturday night, thank you to the very hard working tradies!)

12 October 2011 - back retaining wall commences

Upstairs cladding was also completed before the long weekend, it still needs to be painted (dark brown) but you get the idea.

Not sure about this loose roof tile, still a few loose and missing tiles around the downstairs level roofing!

Internal rough ins have begun.....

Hubby spoke with our SS on Tuesday and he advised the internal rough ins have begun, I drove past tonight after work and could see the duct work for the air conditioning.

Hopefully we can meet our SS on site soon to discuss some things and to check our electricals before the gyprocking starts.

Photo update - Our home is starting to take shape!

Received an update from our SS on Friday, downstairs roofing and eaves to be done, bricks cleaned and internal rough ins to begin. Gyprocking to start in about two weeks!

Here are some shots taken on Sunday September 11

Scaffolding is GONE!

Took the kids for a drive past the house after collecting them from childcare and to our delight, the scaffolding was dismantled and neatly packed on the side of the house!

The window trims and other mouldings painted, downpipes painted in monument black and the upstairs bricks were cleaned.

Can't wait to see the rest of the bricks cleaned now!

Eaves painted, downpipes and upstairs window trims installed....

This week, the upstairs window moulds (or trims - not sure what they are called) have been installed, the eaves painted in white and the downpipes installed.

Looks like all the little bits are getting done upstairs before the scaffolding can be removed.