PRACTICAL COMPLETION - THE INSPECTION
Monday, February 01, 2016
Apologies for the absence from this blog but it's been a busy period as you can imagine. PCI and handover did end up getting pushed out by a week so for those of you playing along we are due to be picking up the keys this Thursday!!! That's right baby its THIS WEEK.
I can't express to you all how excited I am that we are nearly there. Building a new home is exciting enough but for the last 8 months I have been living with the in laws in a neighborhood that I'm not familiar with and on top of that I gave birth and having been almost chained to this place as I give up my independance to look after our first baby so you can appreciate how excited I am to have my own space.
PCI was pushed out by a week as our site supervisor was unable to finalise everything before the scheduled deadline. Even on the day the site supervisor was running around tidying up, doing his checks, tilers still laying the balcony floor and our bank valuer doing his inspection. Talk about last minute! We were pushing it for it to be ready as hubby had already taken leave and couldn't keep shifting the date.
Yeeeeee Haaaaaaaaa
I can't express to you all how excited I am that we are nearly there. Building a new home is exciting enough but for the last 8 months I have been living with the in laws in a neighborhood that I'm not familiar with and on top of that I gave birth and having been almost chained to this place as I give up my independance to look after our first baby so you can appreciate how excited I am to have my own space.
Ok Settle down woman and get on with it
ahem
ahem
The lead up
As you get close to your PCI date expect a formal email and letter from the accounts department which will include and reconcile any building variations you have submitted during your build. Your building coordinator will then send you a settlement letter which details what you need to do post handover. He/She will also ask you if you want to complete a review for productreview.com.au and if you do you'll go in the draw to win an ipad. Great idea Porter Davis but I choose to review once I have received the product? Bit strange to be asking me to review something when the build isn't even finished yet? What if the house crumbles down after day 1? Well if that happened I'd have a lot to say in my review that's for sure. Ha.As it happened
On our arrival I quickly gave our SS a bottle of Canadian Club Whisky as a thank you gift. Whilst he's not great at returning phone calls and providing his fortnightly updates he's has at the end of the day delivered us our house ahead of schedule and to a high standard.
PCI is conducted as a walk through with your site supervisor. We started at the back of the house and worked towards the front, room by room, from top to bottom. This is then followed by an exterior inspection.
As we went through we would
As we went through we would
- Open and shut windows
- Turn on taps to check for water was draining ok
- Turn on and off lights
- Check electricals match the plan
- Check for paint marks scuffs or inconsistencies
- Run your hands on bench tops edges
- Check privacy locks on doors work
- Check grout on tiles
We didn't bother with testing power points. I've read from other blogs that some people will bring with along a hairdryer to test each powerpoint. We decided not to after our site supervisor said he had never had any issues in the last 5 years and if we were to come across issues to just call him. We could always raise any concerns in the 3 month post handover visit anyway so we weren't too fussed.
The inspection lasted 2 hours, this time frame really depends on you and how thorough you want to be and how many issues you come across. As we walked through we would raise it with our SS who would have a look at it and mark it up with some blue tape and noting it down on his notepad. We are pleased to say that the majority of items were cosmetic.
Here's a summary we agreed on the following defects/improvements to be made prior to handover:
Here's a summary we agreed on the following defects/improvements to be made prior to handover:
- Cracked window in upstairs bedroom
- Splash back in kitchen incomplete
- Render touch ups required to front facade and rear alfresco
- Paint touch ups throughout house
- Stairs to be re stained and risers painted
- Galley and pantry sliding door need to be repainted
- Pantry cavity sliding door didn't run smooth
- Balcony tiles to be finished off
- The robe doors need some minor adjusting to ensure they are level
- Downpipe to garage roof area is missing a spreader
The independent inspection
We engaged an independent inspector for the final phase considering how important it is. Typically their inspection is conducted prior to your own but in our case we did ours on the same day separately and by the end of it all we all regrouped to discuss our findings. Pleased to say that there were no major items to report. I would certainly recommend using an inspector particularly for this last phase whether or not I would recommend SPI (the company we used) I'm not sure if I would use them again only because I felt as if they weren't thorough enough? I keep hearing great things about Darbecca so would consider using them next time. (Not that there would be a next time anytime soon) In saying that though their 36 page inspection report is clear and easy to understand with photos for visual evidence and has icon definition which clearly highlights what needs attention.
I sincerely apologise for the lack of photos. I was on a crazy high just seeing the place that I just forgot. I can tell you though that the place looks sooo amazing even without the flooring. I promise to flood you with photos in my next update once we get the keys.
Until then......
Until then......
20 comments
Can't wait for photos! How exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteRe the review site they probably want your review before you move in so they already have it if anything happens! Cheeky
Exactly what i was thinking as well.
DeleteThats very exciting chi!!!We our doing our PCI on the 17th.we went to the house yesterday and the only last thing that they have to do is the carpet and flyscreens!They have started the carpet from upstairs.And temporary fence has also been removed.Cant wait to see photos of your house!!Thats very exciting!!
ReplyDeleteThats awesome karen. So good to hear.
DeleteYour place is comig along great. Love seeing all your purchases for inside the house too. I cant wait to do the same. We are house poor now after building. Lol
Do you have a blog also Karen?
DeleteSo exciting, ive been checking your blog every day for updates.. can't wait for photo's.
ReplyDeleteWill have plenty up next week and in the weeks/months to come.
Deleteare you building too aussiebell?
Chi do you follow any other blogs or know of any other charlton builders?
ReplyDeleteHey larissa, the only other blog i follow is one by nick who is building a rochford. His blog is called buildingahomedownunder. (Something like that). Poor guy hasnt had a good experience.
DeleteI don't know of any other chalrton builders besides the ones that have commented through this blog. Id love to know of any other blogs out there!
Are you thinking of building the charlton? Noticed the beautiful backyard you're working on so assumed you'd put that on hold?
Larissa - We are charlton builders . Actually, were starting to build next week. I wont be keeping a blog. wouldn't know where to begin. Maybe, ill keep an instagram post 'up psychology' - if you want to visit and keep updated. Will you be building the charlton?
DeleteChi - I have been following your blog for a few months and its been fascinating, informative and exciting to be reading your journey from day one. Its so nice to see the end product has finally arrived, without too many issues and to be finally moving into new your home. Cant wait to see your pics.
Thanks Sam.
DeleteAll the best with your build. I'll be following you on Insta 😀
Hi, I'm so happy to have found your blog. Were building the Charlton and started last week in Wyndham Vale. I'm thinking of starting a blog after how useful your one has been. I have also contacted Darbecca to conduct checks on the stages and find them to be helpful and hopefully there won't be too many issues to pick up. I'm looking forward to see your final photos :). Amber
ReplyDeletePlease do Amber! I am building the Charlton 33 in werribee. So would love follow your experience of building in the west.
DeleteAlso really looking forward to your photos Chi. I am starting to doubt my selections so will be nice to see how yours come up.
Hi Amber
DeleteI'd love to follow your build journey. Do share if you do decide to blog.
I'll have a massive post up soon. As you can imagine it's been kinda crazy for me right now.
Good luck with your build journey
C
Amber and Chi, We would like your able guidance and inputs since we would be building the charlton 33 in infinity estate(Plumpton). Really appreciate the time and effort taken by Chi with much needed information that will be really helpful for us(Now that we are going to start our Journey Very Soon). @Chi. With the changes you made to the existing charlton 33 plan, Can i ask you how much it would have costed you extra? Keep the photos and More information coming.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Vijay
Thank you Chi for posting all your updates over the last few months. We can't wait to see the final photos soon! We have also decided to build the Charlton33 and are about to knockdown our current home. You have inspired us to follow in your footsteps!
ReplyDeleteOur new blog is here http://thecharltonpd.blogspot.com.au/ It does not contain much information yet but we hope it will help others also!
That's awesome Carole. I'll be following for sure.
DeleteHi Chi,
ReplyDeleteHow did everything go with your house handover and move in?
We are very excited to hear how it all went?
Hope the home is what you dreamed and more...
Hi Carole
DeleteI've finally had time to update my blog today! It's been very exciting indeed. We are loving the place just havent had the time to really take it all in.
:)
Did you have your hetaing/cooling alreadynwoeking by pci or handover?
ReplyDelete