Turning over a new leaf

Ok, I'm trying .... it's been a week and here is the next post. Bikeman and The Friendly Prussian went out to the block on the weekend to set out where the house will be. Very clever ginger beers they are! It's very cool, we went out there this afternoon and you can (if you squint) pretty much stand as if you are looking out a window ... or walking through someones bedroom... it gives you some idea of where rooms will be. And because of the setout, we discovered a little problem - we were a little too close to where the retaining wall will be on the current plan. Looks fine on paper, but in real life will end up being a little squishy. So decided to move the house over 1/2 a metre towards the north side to compensate which had an unexpected but fantastic outcome ... I might even get my 'turning bit' just outside the garage door! Woo hoo!!! It's the little things that make me happy. ;)

Final Plans

Well today the final building plans arrived from the draftsman. No more changes, no more 'maybe we should change this window and put a door in there'. We are ready to go forward getting building approval through council so hopefully that won't take too long. Once that is approved then we can finish the site cut and start on the retaining wall. Once that is complete we will be pretty much ready to lay the slab... will it happen before christmas? Not sure, will depend on how all the pieces fall into place. No hurry! Yet...... Now as our friends please ... we'd like to hear your suggestions ... from anything to lights (thanks Riz) to fridge spaces (thanks Bishop) to height of kitchen benches (thanks Smelly Kelly) to questioning why we want something (thanks Dunn/Robe) to sharing past experiences (thanks Indecisive) - all these suggestions have been great so please ask to see our plans and notice things we haven't even thought of!

Windows

Next time you sit in the sun and look out your window, spare a thought for the person that decided what would best frame your view. Who knew the different sizes, types, glazing, framing, screening and placement consideration that one little window requires. That said, picking windows has been a blast! It sounds silly and I'm a little surprised at myself (after all, it's a window!), however I've quite enjoyed the decision making process and creating a perfect frame for our own little piece of view. And you can bet that when I'm sitting in the sun looking out the window, I will be appreciating the time and consideration that went into all those things! Mind you - the quote nearly gave us heart failure when it came in nearly $20k over budget! However when we looked back on the quote there were too many windows in there - seems my 'shorthand' to the draftsman telling him Bed 2 (1) and Bed 2 (2) - which I meant to read window one and two - actually meant to the window company 1 plus 2 = 3! So there were too many windows, and even an extra triple stacker (lots of $$). So went back and had a little chat and are waiting on the 're-quote'. We now have quotes for windows, roof, bricks, kitchen, laundry, bathrooms, robes, carpet/tiles/floorboards, and appliances and fittings. Still awaiting on plumbing, electrical, shower screens, splashback, mirrors, brickie, carpenter and roof trusses. Need to work on insulation and no doubt various others ... we're getting there! *grin*