Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Landscape Designers

Well its heating up. We're seeing another landscape designer on Friday.
I'm going to have to get a couple more folders for "Lanscape" and for "Appliances et al".
My other two folders are reaching critical mass!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Builder #1

Our architect's preferred builder came around to have a look at the house and the scope of works. He was very thorough and spent a fair bit of time looking at each room, and looking outside, making notes on his set of plans.
Unfortunately for us, he is quite busy and wouldn't be able to start til mid year.
We will wait to hear from the other builders and then go from there. Whether we will wait for this particular builder depends on the quote they come up with in comparison to the other tenders and their availability.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Meeting of minds

Our architect came over and we had a nice discussion with the neighbour about his concerns. Despite the fact that he didn't object to the plans, he still has some issues with the windows. So really if we wanted to, we could just disregard him completely, as he had his chance to object. But we have to live next door, we will do the neighbourly thing and at least take him into consideration without compromising the architect's vision completely.
All in all, it was a good discussion and there is a path forward.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Things about to get serious

We have planning approval! Yeah!
Now we have to get building approval and that's the council side of things done.
Bad news is the preferred builder our architect wishes to use is tied up until June/July and even as late as August. Add 6 months and that's February 2009!
But we will tender out the build and see what transpires. He has a 2nd preferred builder and if he comes back with a competitive price, and he is available sooner; then we'll have to make some decisions.
In the mean time, its time for taps, appliances, fixtures etc etc. More decisions to make, and from now on, its up to us to keep the momentum going before the first sledge hammer brings down a wall.
Yeah!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Neighbourly love

Things are looking up in regards to the neighbour. Looks like we'll be able to take into account his concerns regarding the bathroom window etc. And he may just get himself a little bit of extra land that we won't need.
Anyway, a meeting will be organised with our architect to come and have a friendly chat with next door.

Monday, January 7, 2008

There is hope!

Had a short chat with our neighbour that shares the contentious hiatus with our property. He has obviously heard from the council and he wants to sit down with us and chat about the issues regarding our boundary. He says he wants us to build whatever we want out the back, but we need to sort out the other issues in regards to the fence/combined sewer/utilities and services etc.
This is good news! I'm feeling really positive. He has shown that he is not an unreasonable man and doesn't want to perpetuate the ill feelings he had with the previous owners. Excellent.