It's still really weird explaining to people what we've done to the house ("we picked up our house and moved it back on the block") and what we're planning to do ("we're going to subdivide and build a new house on the front block"). I admit, it sounds strange, but being in the thick of it, thinking about what we can accomplish this weekend, what the next big spend will be on, and what the next step is, it's just become normal life. I've even found myself daydreaming about what we could take on in the future!!!
In the mean time, my husband is working hammer and tong to finish repairing and painting the side of the house so the carport can go up this weekend. We salvaged the carport prior to the garage being demolished and are looking forward to finally having some dry cover (other than under our brand-spanking new eaves) when it rains. Unfortunately, this is the worst side of the house in terms of repair work needed (facing west) but will have the most dramatic transformation, given a little T.L.C.
He's also put in the concrete steps that support the back deck and concreted in the support posts. He sounds like a real handyman, huh? Prior to taking on this project, neither one of us really knew that we were capable (or actually good) at any of these jobs. I am amazed at what he's accomplished. He is amazing.
The roof has been re-pointed and new barge boards put in place (big thanks to my brother and his father-in-law). All pavers from the original turning area have been lifted and stacked for future use (big thanks to my chiropractor for seeing me after that effort).
Next step is to focus on the items necessary to get us through subdivision with council. It may take a few weeks to make it official so I'm trying to be proactive now and leave the final touches to get us on the market for when we're waiting for the paper work. We were originally planning to have the house painted but I have just added up the subdivision costs ($5000 for Surveyors Certificate, 88B instrument and Works as Executed Survey and $1000 to submit to council) and may look at painting the house ourselves to save a few $$$.
It's just as well I can see the light at the end of this long and expensive tunnel!
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
turning a corner
Yesterday we had an excavator and bobcat come in and clean up the site to move the huge pile of earth (originally excavated to make way for the driveway) and shape it to meet the new contours of the driveway and O.S.D...making the world of difference. We've finally been able to back-fill the stormwater excavations and get some of our gardens back (from under huge piles of clay).
It was brilliant to drive in yesterday and see the results. The property has definitely turned a corner. It's huge, it's regal, and I can't wait to see the final pieces of this massive, 18 month long, jigsaw puzzle come together.
(before)
(after)
(before)
(after)
Ok, ok...so it may not look that impressive, but it's such a massive change to the landscape. It now allows us to put up the fence dividing the 2 properties and begin landscaping ready for sale. Can't wait!!
It was brilliant to drive in yesterday and see the results. The property has definitely turned a corner. It's huge, it's regal, and I can't wait to see the final pieces of this massive, 18 month long, jigsaw puzzle come together.
(before)
(after)
(before)
(after)
Ok, ok...so it may not look that impressive, but it's such a massive change to the landscape. It now allows us to put up the fence dividing the 2 properties and begin landscaping ready for sale. Can't wait!!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
in between
Every weekend is a push to get as much done as possible. Thank you to all of our forgiving friends and family that are happy to catch up for dinners instead of breakfasts and lunches. Every rain-free daylight hour counts at the moment.
The jobs to get us to the subdivision stage are our priority (so we can get the submission into council) and jobs to get the house on the market are following closely.
I can't really show you any pictures here, it's all bits and pieces that are really important (gardening / cleaning up building materials / down pipes and storm water), but don't really translate (unless you'd really like to see a picture of our new down pipes / skip bin / stack of pavers??)
We've booked to get the house painted and am onto the earth moving quote - they'll be the money shots!! Until then, we're plodding along...not long to go now!
The jobs to get us to the subdivision stage are our priority (so we can get the submission into council) and jobs to get the house on the market are following closely.
I can't really show you any pictures here, it's all bits and pieces that are really important (gardening / cleaning up building materials / down pipes and storm water), but don't really translate (unless you'd really like to see a picture of our new down pipes / skip bin / stack of pavers??)
We've booked to get the house painted and am onto the earth moving quote - they'll be the money shots!! Until then, we're plodding along...not long to go now!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
recipe for gardening
Ingredients:
11 tonnes of topsoil, 125 rolls of turf, 10 trees and 2 people.
Method:
Prep ground by removing any debris (rocks/old grass). Smooth out top soil as a base for the new turf. Spread fertilizer over top soil. Roll out turf and water.
Makes:
A full day's work.
11 tonnes of topsoil, 125 rolls of turf, 10 trees and 2 people.
Method:
Prep ground by removing any debris (rocks/old grass). Smooth out top soil as a base for the new turf. Spread fertilizer over top soil. Roll out turf and water.
Makes:
A full day's work.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
smoke and mirrors
On any given night you can turn on the T.V and see whole kitchens / backyards / bathrooms transform in a matter of minutes. It makes any home handyman / decorator think that with a quick trip to the local hardware store and a few scatter cushions that they could get the same result...in the same time.
Unfortunately (as I've found out), it's all smoke and mirrors. Sure, with a team of tradies, weeks of planning and lots of editing (and let's not forget a massive budget), we could all get the same result.
Fortunately, we are up to the stage where we're starting to complete jobs that have a real visual impact. This weekend we are completing a really cool transformation. It may not be as styled as a T.V show (or be completed as quickly), but it should win us big points when it comes to the subdivision. Keep you posted...
Unfortunately (as I've found out), it's all smoke and mirrors. Sure, with a team of tradies, weeks of planning and lots of editing (and let's not forget a massive budget), we could all get the same result.
Fortunately, we are up to the stage where we're starting to complete jobs that have a real visual impact. This weekend we are completing a really cool transformation. It may not be as styled as a T.V show (or be completed as quickly), but it should win us big points when it comes to the subdivision. Keep you posted...
top deck
My dad has built the most beautiful deck to replace our previous patio (and allow us access to our front door once again). He started with the frame work and footings:
Then moved onto the support beams:
He installed the marine wire balustrades (thanks Richard for the loan of the crimping tool!):
And all that was left for us to do was put down the decking...and how awesome does it look??!!!
And if you're thinking "what are they doing with those uneven posts?", well they've yet to be trimmed down and finished off with a hand rail.
We'll get to that, we're just relaxing on our deck for now. Thanks so much dad!
Then moved onto the support beams:
He installed the marine wire balustrades (thanks Richard for the loan of the crimping tool!):
And all that was left for us to do was put down the decking...and how awesome does it look??!!!
And if you're thinking "what are they doing with those uneven posts?", well they've yet to be trimmed down and finished off with a hand rail.
We'll get to that, we're just relaxing on our deck for now. Thanks so much dad!
Sunday, 17 July 2011
o.s.d
Overindulgent Sloping Dam? Outside Sculptural Design? Overcharged Secluded Descent? Well, it's a little of all 3. An On Site Detention holds the water collected during a storm and restricts the flow into stormwater drainage (preventing creeks and rivers from flooding). An O.S.D works by restricting the flow via an orifice plate in the stormwater pit and providing extra storage for the water to sit until it gradually empties.
There are 2 basic designs: below ground - super-large concrete tanks placed underground and landscaped over. Above ground - water pools onto a contained, grassy area and is fed into a smaller stormwater pit.
The idea is that the O.S.D storage capacity is determined by the collection surface. Like everything else so far, the design has been really over engineered. But now it's passed through council, it's what we must comply with. Why didn't we negotiate a smaller detention area? Fewer stormwater pits? A more modest driveway design, you ask? Let's put it down to inexperience and too much faith in an engineer who took too long - we just had to get it through council.
Anyhoo, here it is. My amazing Dad spent 2 days building it to spec. All we have to do now is get a bobcat in to shape the earth around it - creating the correct fall, and lay some turf over the top. Easy peasy. It's also made a really nice retaining wall for future gardens. Watch this space for the 'after' photos.
There are 2 basic designs: below ground - super-large concrete tanks placed underground and landscaped over. Above ground - water pools onto a contained, grassy area and is fed into a smaller stormwater pit.
The idea is that the O.S.D storage capacity is determined by the collection surface. Like everything else so far, the design has been really over engineered. But now it's passed through council, it's what we must comply with. Why didn't we negotiate a smaller detention area? Fewer stormwater pits? A more modest driveway design, you ask? Let's put it down to inexperience and too much faith in an engineer who took too long - we just had to get it through council.
Anyhoo, here it is. My amazing Dad spent 2 days building it to spec. All we have to do now is get a bobcat in to shape the earth around it - creating the correct fall, and lay some turf over the top. Easy peasy. It's also made a really nice retaining wall for future gardens. Watch this space for the 'after' photos.
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