Wednesday, 8 May 2013

slow as a....sunny week?

I was rather ambitious thinking we'd be up to lock-up by now. Over the past 2 weeks we've had tradies in 3 out the 12 possible dry days: 1 day of roof finishing, 1 day of brickwork, and 1 day of air conditioner installation. This could actually have all happened on the one day without anyone bumping into each other, but here we are, waiting for this house to be finished....still.

The 2nd estimated move-in date is in 3 weeks. What a joke!

We seem to be playing a game of: no action, we chase up the builder, he comes back to us with items that need decisions to be made, we make quick decisions to prevent any slow-down, then no action, then some action, then blame from the builder that he's been waiting on us for the entire time. What????

Quotes from the builder on cladding took 6 weeks. Simultaneously we were being blamed for holding up the build (?!). Finally, yesterday the quotes came through and a decision was made within the hour. No doubt he will now come back with an extra charge for some extra part that we have to pay in order to continue progressing...all in an effort to get in relatively soon.

Yes, I know what you're thinking...we're getting screwed.

If we could fire him, we would. But we can't. The completed finish date in the contract is looming and one small upside is that he will have to pay our ongoing rent until we get in. This is so frustrating. We're loosing sleep worrying, missing work to follow-up on the builder, going over budget, and still, we have no idea of when we'll get into our new house.

I really hope this doesn't continue in the same fashion.

4 weeks ago, we asked him for measurements on flooring (as we have a contact who can get it cheaper than he can). We've asked (in writing) 2 more times. Though we're not up to the flooring stage, I predict that when we are, he'll give us little notice and we'll be scrambling to make it happen. Meanwhile, he'll be sitting back blaming us for not having the flooring ready and holding up the build. I hope I'm wrong on this...

One more thing...I'd love for someone (anyone) to tell me if it is normal for a slab to be amended in so many places. I should be clear and note that the plans have not changed at all since the pour. We have not changed our minds, and all materials / plans were available for measurement prior to the slab being poured.

The slab is too short in this section
...and too long in this section (it needs to be cut back to the frame in the picture).

This waste pipe was intsalled in the wrong position

...so was this one
...and this one.