Hi guys - just thought I'd give you an update and some tips for post-handover.
Some of the problems we've had in the last 2 months:
- Blocked sewerage drains (toilets wouldn't…

Exactly right. Ultimately, the only thing that talks is money. You withhold it for *legitimate* reasons, and watch them all of a sudden start to care about getting…

Thanks.
What I find frustrating is that no-one seems to be managing things. Why was the power point point in the wrong place in the first-place?…

Argh! Just when I thought this whole miserable mess was behind me.
The kitchen people finally got someone in this morning to fix the integrated fridge (new doors) and put the…

So, my electrician was in the roof running a foxtel cable on Friday, and says "oh, while I've pulled the roof off, do you want me to connect your TV…

And their service is really first rate too.
They invited us to their factory in Ballarat to pick out the exact timber we wanted (we had a very specific look we…

Also found out that Boutique did not wire the telephone line to an external point. The guy from Telstra came out on Friday and neither of us could find…

Sadly, our block never got cleaned correctly, and the leftover bricks are still sitting in our front yard.
We had a very similar experience with Boutique making a mistake with the…

All of the photos look great, no doubt - great to see some beautiful homes
I do have to disagree with the idea that "boutique do…

Handover was today, we handed over the final payment (in bank cheque form) and received the keys to the new house.
This is what they've left behind:


I told Boutique via email…

It's obviously a different process for knock-down re-builds. Donovansdaily - that sounds like it would have been a nightmare Like

Quite the turn up for the books - the certificate of occupancy came through a couple of hours ago. All the paperwork has now been sent to the bank,…

Thanks - yep - really close now!
Frosted glass happens at the same time as the rest. Ie; they come that way from the manufacturer - it's not a film…

Final inspection completed this morning.
Mostly happy, I guess...
Still a few paint touch ups to do, integrated fridge to be installed, and missing panels from integrated dishwasher.
Next steps, wait for Boutique…

Hmmm, 48 hours until the "new home presentation" and the blue markers (of all of the painting mistakes we picked out) are still scattered throughout the house.
Not looking good.

Sorry - just to be clear:
You don't have to pay for standard smoke detectors (run on battery). But you can have them hard-wired to the electrical system, in case…

For reference, we're building the Santa Monica 28.
Pretty much downlights everywhere (except maybe 3 or 4 ) - ended up with 40 or so downlights (our main living area has…

They can do quite a lot of what you're asking.
I don't remember exactly how much things were, but something like $50 per power point and $100 per downlight is what…

Not a silly question at all
Yes - sent back via email.
I should add, any variation that would cause a change in your previously prepared plans,…

I'd forgotten about that link at the bottom of the emails, and fired off my thoughts on Monday morning. And while I thought I remained calm, I wasn't shy…

Hi all, we've been away for a couple of weeks, hence the lack of updates.
So - several months ago I emailed and phoned Boutique to let them know we would…

Well, in more positive news, we have a final inspection date - 3 1/2 weeks from now.
While there are definite signs of having done a good job - there's still…

Email just in from Boutique:
This week we have the tiler for main floor booked.
To follow next week we have the jet master install scheduled.

The sad thing is, all of the…

I found one that has done a number of Display Homes - but I wouldn't recommend them.
If you haven't started calling around yet, let me give you the benefit of…

Interesting site visit today - the temporary fencing is now gone - and the render/brickwork above our sliding stacker door has been damaged:

I understand knocks and scraps from tradesmen, but…

Nearly 4 weeks on, and our fixings stage invoice is still sitting there, not paid.
Had an interesting conversation with the guys installing the Jetmaster gas fireplace this morning.
I couldn't possibly…

It's possible that a truck of significant weight could crack the concrete. Driveways will be poured to 100mm - which is the industry standard. 40mm can be used for…

In Ringwood East - exact same scenario - they leveraged off the existing pit - didn't need to get a new one put in or pay any extra.
Move on from…

I went to the house this morning to "verify" what is now the second time Boutique have told me the fixings stage is complete.
Imagine my surprise to see this:

There are…