She's buying a Stairway To Heaven

Quick update y'all. They say to try to always see the glass as half full, well now we can see the glass as entirely full! The glazing for the big picture windows was finally installed so we are now fully watertight!! With all the horrible weather we still only suffered a tiny bit of plaster damage so very happy!

At the same time the void (staircase hole) cover was removed which could only mean one thing... It was needed on another job.

Or...

Staircase baby! Staircase! Not sure why I wrote that as a 80's movie detective, but...hey, I played a hunch.

Sure enough, first up Thursday... Here came the hot-stepper!



On speaking with the good lady owner, the team said it would be up in a day. So just like the lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, we bought a Stairway to Heaven.




Is that a bustle in your hedgerow? No it's the under stair cupboard!



The piper will lead us to reason... and the stairs will lead us to the 2nd floor.



Has come up beautifully! Next cab off the rank is Cabinetry... Not sure I have a song to plagiarise for that post but I'll come up with something.

Yes... We got Plastered!

Well the week didn't quite pan out with Staircases and Cabinets, went a bit early there! However our incredible plasterers astounded us with finishing the interior COMPLETELY!

We went back to have a peek on site the day after my last post and they were back again! This time measuring, cutting and installing all the cornice.



Note the numbers on the wall. Someone measured every section, someone else cut them to precise length and arranged in order, whilst someone else put them up!



This was Sunday morning... by late Sunday afternoon they had lights on upstairs and were obviously aiming to finish the house that weekend. Imagine if these guys were road workers?! Melbourne's gridlock solved!



So they started Thursday, finished Sunday! Mic drop!

This led us to think the house would be handed over that week, but no. Melbourne threw up some more... interesting weather but the renderers were still able to do the back 3 faces of the house. We were worried the colour we chose may have been too light for the size of the house but it looks fab! Very happy. On the plus side, the renderers got finished. Negative side, A&L finally turned up with the glass for the picture windows (couple of months late sure!) and said that they can't go in because the scaffold was in the way. If i could put the stunned emoji in I would, but this blog is as tech savvy as I get! I'm sure there are pokemon's in the house by the way! So A&L left with their glass between their legs. Apparently they are returning on Tuesday.... of which month we are not sure... but Tuesday.

So we went for a final peek today only to find the team taking all the scaffold down ready for the week ahead.



We got our first real look at the shape and finish of what the house will be. Can't wait to see what this week holds. Stairs, Cabinetry, Roof work on Alfresco & Garage... or maybe some glazing.... maybe.

Let's get plastered!

With all the fabulousness of the Hebel it looked like the interior of the house was starting to let the side down... then this week happened!

Within the space of days we have been insulated and plastered! Also the roof above the cinema has been finished and sealed. So apart from the two picture windows glass that we are still waiting on from A&L, we are locked up!

But first came the final little fixes with the electrical and vacuum. Because of some steel work in the engineering we had to build a little bit of depth into the study/lounge wall to accommodate the data and power wiring.

 
Also Vacuum point upstairs was on the wrong wall face, so that has now been moved also.


See bottom right!

Then, like me attempting a metafit class, the house was well and truly stuffed!



Yellow batts are normal wall/ceiling and these lovely blue ones are the sound screen. We put those in a few walls that adjoin bathrooms for, well, obvious reasons.



At the same time the lads finished up the last bit of roof that needed sealing so we are water tight... if you don't count the huge gaping glassless windows out the back! Along with this the eaves were finished and had a first coat of paint. The renderers also had a brief start and should be back into next week. The plan is to render the back and sides, leaving front until last (due to high traffic).



The plasterers then rocked up first thing Thursday and were still at it Saturday morning. I'll let the pics speak for themselves but we should point out how astounded we were at the progress, and with that speed there was also precision.

 




Mmmmm Niches.



So we now have a real feel for the spaces that are in the house and can start to see our lives there. It unfortunately makes you really want it finished! You start making 'how long could that take' statements in your head. The next week or two should see some more major items go in like staircase and cabinetry. With render and exterior work also set to continue, it should be a really busy week ahead!

The Joy of Hebel 2 - Hebel Harder

In the last post I spoke about the speed that the Hebel was going onto the ground floor of the house. Well, a mere few days later the lads had the top floor done as well.



By my count (and bearing in mind I failed year 10 maths) The team have dressed the house in just 6 days. Amazing group and an amazing product. We met with the lovely Dave (building coordinator) who was thrilled with progress and was already lining up Plaster/Stairs and Cabinetry.

We had a walkthrough and saw that the ducted vacuum had gone in also. All very neat as you can see.



One outlet was in slightly the wrong spot but can easily be moved, so that certainly didn't suck...
Sorry.

The plaster and cornice has also been delivered to site. We're assuming they are under these coffins.



Mmmmmm Single Beds.... Perfect for the married couple!

The big stacker door was also installed which was very exciting and certainly starts to frame out the living area.



So everything is motoring along. The weather is looking like holding us back a bit. The box roof above the cinema is still open to elements so hard to see plaster starting until that is sealed but you never, never know. The material for the eaves has also arrived on site, hopefully the rain doesn't put the brakes on that as well. We've been fairly blessed with the weather so far so fingers crossed.

So until next time, we leave you with another look at that wonderful Hebel. Who knew aerated concrete could be so compelling!