Building a House : Inspiration - Design- Diary

01-AprWe start the search, making a short list of suburbs and locations we're interested in and setting our budget.
01-MayWe receive pre-approval from BankWest for the whole project
15-MayWe start looking in earnest, hitting the target suburbs every weekend, looking at blocks and talking to agents.
09-JunWe put in an offer on the lot in Burlington St and a deposit of $5000
15-JunWe negotiate and our 2nd offer is accepted, higher than we wanted but lower than the asking price. Now we grind towards settlement
04-SepSettlement is held up due to a problem with the other half of our subdivision - the shire has a caveat on the land which has to be lifted, the settlement finalised and then the caveat reapplied.
30-SepSettlement!
01-OctThe bank charges the seller penalty interest (about $2000, something we agreed not to do since the delays were beyond his control).
11-OctWe commission a draftsman to knock up some drawings based on my sketches. This helps confirm our ideas and highlights a few minor issues.
12-OctWe start to research builders, visiting display home and websites and recording what we like and don't like.
8-DecWe start to contact builders, picking the top 3 and sending basic sketches and information. All three respond within 24 hours sounding keen!
22-DecWe receive a new pre-approval for the whole project
1-FebWe work our options with the builders to see how much our price will vary depending on major changes we want to make.
16-FebAfter much deliberation, we select Cedar Homes to build our house and our contact will be Peter. One of the other two builders offered a cheaper price but gave no indication they really know what we want.
18-FebWe pay a 2% deposit to Cedar Homes
19-FebWe supply a certificate of title for the block
27-FebOur contour survey is completed showing a surprising 1m fall between the back of the block and the front. To the naked eye it looks almost level.
3-MarWe meet Peter at the block to talk over FFL (Finished Floor Levels). We select the easiest option at 11.6m midway between the top and bottom of our block.
31-MarCedar Homes completes final plans, spec and cost at $208,000
8-AprOur pre-start meeting to select tiles, colours, electrics, fittings, doors and windows etc. We're organised so it takes 45min to complete.
19-MayWe sign our contract!
22-MayCedar homes submits our plans to the Shire of Vic Park for approval
8-JunWe wait....
8-JulAnd wait....
8-AugAnd wait....
31-AugCedar Homes notifies us that the council have finally responded with issues about our house - they think it's ugly. It's dressed up nicely but their main concern is with our 'facade' and the fact it is too plain. I hammer out a compromise with the builder and we send it back. Other issues include requirements for new retaining walls and squeezing our garage down to allow a 2nd car to park in the driveway. Cedar Homes graciously offers to build us a portico over the front door for free and to keep the Council happy.
11-SepWe have verbal approval from the Council with a promise of a building licence in the mail!
15-SepWe receive a copy of the approval in the mail with a few more changes - we are not allowed a Colorbond roof in Vic Park and our front setback, although within in BCA regs is not allowed in the Shire. We have to push the house back 35cm and trim 15cm off the verandah.
18-SepVeru reports that there is a pile of sand on our block. We're off!
18-SepVeru reports that there is a pile of sand on our block. We're off!
28-SepWe strike problems with the retaining wall at the back of the property. The one on the adjoining property is not supported at all below ground level, so if we dig down to our block level it will fall on our house. Our options are 1) put in a our own retaining wall to retain the retaining wall or 2) raise the block level. Since 2 means going back to the council - we go with #1.

3-OctMore problems with retaining wall. The sand is so fine on our block they're going to struggle to dig the hole required for our retaining wall. We have to raise the block level instead... but, miracle of miracles, the council turn it around in 3 days.
17-OctRetaining wall finished!
23-OctCedar homes are cracking on! Our slab is down!
28-OctMore speed - the wall frames are up, but not bolted down
3-NovAlfresco area frame finished.
8-NovI get a ring from Cedar homes, they let me know that we need to find a painter. If we get one before put up a lot of the trim it will be cheaper and easier. They recommend one and the quote comes in at $6800 for the whole exterior in two coats. We compare a quote and go with this one.
20-NovMore carpentery, including roof gutters and peaks. Trim painting finshed in white.
27-NovFirst roof sheets go on and first weatherboard cladding.
30-NovRoof finished, cladding basically finished, windows and architraves are in!
2-DecPlumber puts in pipes and gas