Demolishment

We got quotes for quite a few companies but the one that seemed to get the most positive reviews was Democorp. It was not the cheapest and they would not price match even though they said they would. They said the comparisons were not against reputable companies.

We landed up paying $660 more for more Asbestos they found and $1350 to remove 12 m tree.

Landed up having a huge argument with the guy in charge and he swore at me as I called to have his temporary fence removed as Eden Brae wanted there fence on the property. it got ugly but the fence got removed and will never recommend that company to anyone!

Pool and pool void Cover

We were told by Eden Brae that we need a hard cover over our existing pool. We queried this as we had a fence around the pool but the reason for the cover is for the workers in case they fall off the scaffolding. Should they fall into the poo they may drown...if they fall on a hard dover - then what?

We started making calls to various companies and found that not many people in NSW do pool void covers.

We told Eden Brae and was advised:  "The requirement for the pool cover is a "Hard Trafficable" cover. You can use bearers and structural plywood which a carpenter would know of the materials required. Then the site supervisor will conduct a site dilapidation inspection to check prior to construction anyway."

One company that could do it was Oldfields but it would have worked out to $5000 - $6000 as you need to hire it for the build. At the end we got a builder to build us one. He put plastic over the pool, plywood and metal and nailed it down like this. It cost us $3000 and it is ours so it does not matter how long the build takes.

We drained our pool as much as we could and did not treat it (hence the green pool in the photo's) and then covered, We were advise to leave water in the pool otherwise the pool will lift. Once building is complete we will drain it, acid wash and refill.

Another issue we had was that the one side of our pool has a glass fence. Eden Brae asked for it to be removed as they worried about damaging it. The demolishers were also worried about ruining it but it was so deep in the concrete and strong that it is still standing and we are going to take our chances!

Our original house

After renting in Rose Bay for 4 years we wanted to buy a property and loved St Ives on the North Shore. We bought a 3 bedroom  bathroom single dwelling and lived there for 15.5 years until we demolished the house. All 3 of our kids were born in the house and we have  lots of good memories. We also got our two dogs at this house.

We added a swimming pool and changed the kitchen when our oven packed up. Otherwise we did not make many changes.


























Daughters room (we had already packed things):





Our two sons room (pre dem painting had begun and mirror cupboards been removed)








Our bathroom (original from 1950's) except for the vanity that had to be replaced. Our shower door broke and because we knew we were rebuilding we used a piece of plastic for about a year as a shower curtain.













Main bedroom:

Day 2 selections

Our day 2 appointment was set for 13 Feb 2017 and it involved going to Di Lorenzo to select tiles and carpet, then choose our staircase and lastly the electrical appointment.

We arrived and met with James Treble, Interior designer, that was going to aid us in our selections (part of our package).

I had brought photo's of kitchen and bathroom we like so James can get an idea of what colour scheme we like.

We knew we wanted to stick to the standard tiles so we can stay in budget. 

James made the hard decision much easier and we chose our floor tiles for in and outside . Upgraded the size to 450 x 450. 

We upgraded the underlay to 10mm and it was quoted as $8/square metre

We chose Tempo Ice white Gloss for the wall tiles - standard range. (laundry) and Steel Gloss tile for bathroom tiles (standard).

The tiles are ceramic.

The carpet we chose was Quest Rochford - colour: Downly Fluff . 

The middle darker colour is our floor colour (it is lighter and more grey than the photo) and the lighter tile is our bathrooms, laundry, balcony etc ie wet areas

We chose the carpet on top.

For the stairs we had upgraded to the one as per display home with the glass. The only thing we changed was the tread on the stairs.

The electrical appointment was hard but we were well prepared. We had gone though the display home and in each room worked out where we felt we needed plugs, light switches etc. As you add things on the plan they show it on a screen and a total so you can see how much each. individual thing is. It sure adds up quickly but we did not want to be short on plugs. We had to decide on how many downlights per room etc.

We made provision for a pendant light above the stairs for post handover.

We selected 3 pendant lights for the kitchen

We put ceiling fans in each room - fanaways

We also put fans in the rumpus room, upstairs enclosed balcony (off main bedroom) and in the alfresco

Changes made / selections

I have been wanting to update the progress of our Eden Brae Waldorf 42 (opal facade) for ages but never find the time.

Our timeline so far:

Sales advice signed - 9/10/16 and paid $1450 deposit
Tender meeting - 15/11/16 with Sara Amorelli
Tender acceptance 21/11/16 and paid $2500
Contract appointment 21/12/16 and paid 5% deposit
1st colour appointment 24/1/17 - shutters/blinds, aircon, kitchen, plumbing
CDC lodged 31/1/17
2nd colour appointment booked for 13/2/17
Commencement of build 30/04/17

Changes made:
* Study - added a sliding cavity door
* lounge - changed to tiles
* Dining room - window to stacker door 
* Media room - sliding door instead or window as it leads out to our existing pool. Changed to tiles (kids going in and out to the pool so tiles will be easier to mop)
* kitchen - straight island rather than a long island with a short L shape (no charge)
* laundry - deleted sliding door and replaced with a window and a glass door (may change this to a normal door as we will have to put in a doggy door)
* main bedroom faces North so it didn't make sense to have the WIR behind the bed and no windows. We put the WIR on either side of the room as you enter and the bed against the wall with a long highlight window
* bed 2 added a window to another wall to get a cross breeze (more natural light)
* bed 4 added a window to get a cross breeze (more natural light)

Colour selection (not signed off so feel free to advise):

EXTERNAL
* Brick - I loved Smoke but it was over $8,000 to upgrade. We decided to go with the standard range and chose "Stone" (previously was called "Cement"). 
* Roof Tile - Horizon Profile Monier tile - Barramundi (part of $1 promotion)
* Gutter - Monument
* Front door and timber windows (bed 1 balcony) - Quantum Timber stain - Dark Oak
* Laundry door and hinged garage door - Dune
*Fascia & Garage door - Dune (photo's on the internet look lighter than the sample card)
*Aluminium windows & doors - surfmist
* Driveway - Gunmetal Concrete
* Flyscreens on all windows were included free (at tender)
* Roof insulation increased to 3.5 and walls to 2.0 (was added on tender by Eden Brae- no charge)

INTERNAL (still playing around with colours in my mind and may change when we choose our flooring)
Amy that works with James Treble came with us to our various appointments and she was so valuable and helpful with choices.

* Kitchen Benchtops & bathroom benchtops- Essastone Silica
* Kitchen cabinets - Polar white natural finish
*Splashback - Glass - latte (standard incl)
* Bathroom cabinets - Silver Riftwood
*Trims - Crisp White
* Walls - Gemini Silver

UPGRADES
* off white mortar$426
* obscure glazing to Bed 1 ensuite windows and toilet, to Bed 2, 3 ,4 windows $233
*upgraded front door to Madison range with translucent glass $1535
* added privacy adaptor (lock) to powder room, bed 1 ensuite, bed 1 WC, Bed 2,3 and 4 ensuite $330
* Platinum package insulation to include internal soundscreen acoustic wall insulation to all internal walls $2750
* Basix requires a 4000l rainwater tank and we upgraded to slimlime. Council then requested a 5000l.

Blinds appointment - met with Ashley and she was so lovely and efficient. Told her we wanted roller blinds - some are blockout, some are doubles and some are sunscreen. We accepted quote of $6125. It may be cheaper post handover but there are problems with that so we decided to eliminate headaches. It we got some blinds motorised it would have been $7837. We received the quote on the day and had a week to accept to get the 5% discount. We signed and had to pay a $250 deposit

Aircon - we have the 19.1KW aircon with two zones included free. We have decided to upgrade to :

UNIT MAKE ……………….. ACTRON
FROM MODEL …………….SRA201E /SRA203C
TO MODEL…………………..ERV4-19AS/CRV4-19AS ESP PLUS PLATINUM with 4 ZONES
FROM CAPACITY…………..19.1KW
TO CAPACITY………………..19.3KW
PHASE………………………….SINGLE
ZONE 1 – LIVING/KITCHEN/DINING/LOUNGE ZONE 2 – STUDY
ZONE 3 – BED 1/RUMPUS ZONE 4 – BEDS 2, 3, 4
PRICE: $ 3,593.00 GST INCLUDED

It uses far less electricity, has more zones and keeps temperature more constant. We have two weeks to accept this quote

Plumbing - met with Peta and this seemed one of the harder appointments. 
We were happy with the standard taps and basins adnd changed the upstairs bathrooms to a smaller showerhead that can be removed to use as a handshower. We loved the look of the included big square Dorf Jovian showerhead but we heard the water pressure is not very powerful.

Upgraded:
* the toilet so that there is no gap between wall and toilet +_$240 for 5 toilets upgraded ( easier to clean)
* kitchen and butlers pantry tap to have a pull out sink mixer 
* we require two ovens and so chose two Smeg Ovens that will go in a tower. We will get a seperate gas cooktop 
* went for an undermount rangehood
* will get the laundry sink in the counter

We still need to confirm quote and sign

KITCHEN
We had put a $15000 allowance as we knew we wanted to make a few changes
We went for a straight island rather that the L shape (no charge) - it is no the length of the opposite counter.
* gone for all draws and no handles
* cupboard with two 17l bins
*provision for a dishwasher in main kitchen and butlers pantry
* increased cutlery draw size from 450mm to 600mm
* increased eight of cupboards and put bulkheads (we have raised ceilings)
* put a cupboard above fridge
* cold water point

LAUNDRY
Since we got rid of the sliding door we have more counter space and will probably go for something like the laundry from Porter Davis
Will go with Squareform benchtop - Pure Mineralstone (to math the Essastone in the house)