Staircase

We got a call earlier in the week because it's not in our paperwork what we chose for the staircase stain colour.  So, last night, we took the whole family to Bunnings to check out which one would match our Merbau door the best, only to find out just before lunch today that we need to stick to the colours that are in the showroom in Clarendon head office.  

So, I rushed there and although it took a little longer to get someone to let me in, I'm glad they let me in without an appointment.  Our site supervisor did tell me to just go in, after all.  Another wait for our CSO who has been frantically trying to find out how she can get me in, not knowing that I had managed to go in already.  She was nice about it though.

The only problem now is that the front door is only getting a clear seal, but the door frame does not match in colour.  Our site supervisor said he'll get that stained as close as possible to the colour of the door.  I think the colour we chose for the staircase is a little too dark, though.  We'll see.  

Flooring Appointment at the Site

Today, we got the flooring people Von and I were most happy with, to give us a proper quote (they said, they have to do proper measurements).  They got there earlier than agreed on and had just finished their measurements when I arrived.

Basically, John's estimate based on the plan was very close to the actual measurements.  About 280sqm of bamboo flooring.  He said, he'll send me a proper quote soon.

The tiler had just completed the porch tiles when I arrived and John's business partner was to quick to point out that the entrance tiles were going to be too low.  Luckily, the cement wasn't dry yet and our tiler was able to rip off the tiles again.  He said Beaumont didn't send him enough tiles and there were some missing from the laundry floor.  So, he put some in there to finish it off and he'll just get more tiles for our front porch.  We need to tell him to come in once the doors are cut, so he can lay his tiles.  Of course, it will now cost me extra but I'm happy with his work.

It's annoying that Clarendon asked us what flooring we'll be putting in (and we told them it will be hardwood or porcelain tiles), yet they failed to accommodate for this when they instructed the tiler.  Apparently, they only ask that question so they can adjust the dishwasher position.  Never mind that we have the laundry right off the kitchen and there's a difference in height there.  In many ways, though, I understand what our site supervisor was saying about the frames and doors all coming pre-cut, pre-measured.  That's a project home, after all.  Our flooring people will have to do that then.  Clarendon also wouldn't budge about tacking on the skirting board.  They're either on or off (and not cut to size nor painted).  We left them on and will just pay for re-installation of the skirting. 

Some Electrical Inconsistencies

Rang up site supervisor yesterday because I noticed that there were missing powerpoints (2 in rumpus upstairs and one in laundry.  The electrical  provision for the wall mounted lighting for above the bathroom mirrors weren't there either.  Lastly, there was no hole in the gyprock for the light switch for the play room yet.  He told me to take it up with our CSO.  I emailed her this morning and I've been happy with how quickly she replies.  I also asked for all the certificates as recommended by our independent supervisor.  She said, she'll put them together, ready at handover.  

Today, our site supervisor turned up at the site when I had the appointment with the people we're getting to do our flooring.  He said he had already spoken with the electrical people and they will ring me.  I showed him what was missing and he assured me that they weren't big issues.  I openly praised him and thanked him for sorting out our tiling issue.  That letter of commendation to their CEO is getting longer :D

Tiling Issue Sorted

Von asked me last night if the tiling issue has been sorted.  I hadn't heard from our Site supervisor yet, but somehow, the reassurance of the construction manager gave me a lot of confidence on Tuesday.

Today, I visited in the morning and the tiler had already put up half of the wall tiles in the WC - the RIGHT ones!  Hurray!  The tiler said he was asked by Beaumont and our site supervisor if he thought I just changed my mind about the tiles on the spot or whether it was a real error.  The tiler told them that he thought I was telling the truth because as soon as I saw the tiles, I went, "Yup (floor tiles), yup (shower recess tiles), that's not what we picked (wall tiles)".

The tiler also took his time in explaining to me about the fall in the floor - I was asking if it's possible for him to avoid water accumulating in spots as that's something that would definitely bother me.  We got our wall mounted vanities so that I can "wash" the floors easily.  Basically, I was told that the waterproofing is not intended for buckets of water.  We used to pour water onto our toilet suite and let it drip down.  Then we'd roughly mop it towards the drain.  Apparently, that's a big NO-NO.  Woops!

Tiler seems particular with his work.  In fact, I didn't have to ask him to try and align the floor tiles with the wall tiles - he tries to do that normally already.  Of course, it can never be aligned exactly because the grouting between the wall tiles and between the floor tiles are regulated differently.   

Our tile selection works well from what we can already see.  It was worth fighting for.  Tips for those selecting their tiles:  take a photo throughout all your selection appointments - ideally with the person serving you in the background (hehehe).  Ask the person serving you to explain what you are signing for.  It's their job, just as the McDonald's staff say to you, "So, you ordered the...."

Kudos to Clarendon, specifically, to our site supervisor and to his contruction manager! 

Powder room photo shows the pattern on the white tiles the most.  Mocha coloured in the shower recess but white on all the rest of the walls.