The frame begins

Joe and the boys made a start on the frame on Monday, and already we have a first floor! It was really awesome to be able to walk on the slab when the rooms had been mapped out in 2D, we started to get a real feel for how the dimensions of the rooms would be. Then, we pop over today to find our frame is now 3D! We could actually walk through the rooms and see where each of the walls, windows and doors would be. Joe has had a great idea to put a two-sided fireplace in the theatre/family room. It would look so awesome so we need to look into the $$$!! We need to make a decision pretty soon as all of the structural elements of the house will be finalised by the end of the week. Tomorrow they are planning on finishing the windows, then its on to the 1st floor! Given the pace they have been working at, it looks very likely that we will be up to Lock Up stage by Christmas. Things will get slow after that as each of the tradies take their Christmas break :)

Pouring of the slab!

Last night John and I ventured to the un-poured slab (waffle pods and metal grids) on Joe's advice to throw coins in for good luck, to be sealed in that concrete mass for ever! It was 38 degrees in western sydney, so we were a little concerned that the slab would dry too quickly and crack!

However, at 6 am when Joe arrived at the block the next day, it was raining!! It nearly looked like we would have to post pone- however, the rain remained at bay, and the pouring began! 

A massive truck came with a big long hose, and a guy basically walks along with the hose pouring the concrete, while someone behind him levels it out with a broom. It is then smoothed with a trow, and voila, we have a slab!

Bricks

Who would have thought bricks would be such a laboursome decision! We have been to every brick yard in greater western Sydney, and have piles of samples lined up at our door, still, indecision surrounds us!

We have been so impressed by our builder, Joe, who has even accompanied us to brick yards to help us make our decision. Our architect has also been so helpful, and has been going over colour schemes with us daily.

We are currently working with a colour scheme using Boral Storm, as pictured below :)









We have also discovered a cool little tool that helps you to picture what your house plans will look like in 3D. It's called 'My Virtual Home". We've been able to see what our colour schemes will look like, get a feel for the configuration of the rooms, and play around with furniture.

All prepared for the slab

Two days after the piers went in, and we are ready to pour the slab! This is what the preparations look like...
In other news, I have been planning our furniture before I had even designed the house, and going furniture shopping is what I am most looking forward to. Today we happened across a sale, and ended up walking out with two lounges! Doing things a little backward :)

Piers gallore

Step two- after a stunning job of excavation, 2 meter deep holes were drilled over the site. These are designed to support the structural loading of the house, and are built over rock, not fill, therefore giving it a stronger foundation.
Rain was forecast for this morning, which would have been disastrous! All the holes would have filled with water which would need to be pumped out. The other alternative was taking a day of annual leave to cover them with glad wrap! haha
As fate would have it, the rain held off :)

Groundbreaking!

Excavation has begun! Today a little yellow tractor plowed up our fill in the attempt to level a 1.5 metre slope on our block. The surveyor will make a decision this week as to whether we require 'drop edge beams', if not, we will save a few $$$! We have our fingers crossed ;-)

It begins

A week of rain delayed us slightly, but now we are up and running! We are proudly sporting an attractive looking site fence, electricity box, and porta loo! Stay tuned, as things will move quickly from here!!