Bits & Pieces - This Home Almost Complete

This home is almost complete and we're doing all that we can to ensure it's completed to high standard and on time.

The plasterers were back to fix up the faulty bulkheads, complete the plaster reveals for our under stair door and to make good all wall areas where there were defects in the plaster (eg other trades trying to find cables, pipes, etc in the walls behind the plaster) (they missed a repair under bench at the dish washer so will need to return anyway).

The tiler was back to finish off all the tiling. We have chosen porcelain tiles (Majestic Ivory) and they look fantastic. Tiles are found in all wet areas including the laundry. The stairs from laundry into house have been tiled and they look absolutely fine. No concerns there.

During all this work, we noticed the handrail for the stairs had been damaged; a chip had been taken out of the hand rail - we mentioned this to our SS and today, this handrail was completely replaced. Great service from CG.

Also, regarding our carpet. We went into Byron Interiors on Monday to re-select our carpet since our original choice was not in stock. We chose a similar colour from the same range (Cat 3 Riva). We also noted another colour we liked, but this colour was only available in a different carpet range (Cosmopolitan) - which was a Cat 5 carpet and therefore more expensive.

Anyway, today CG called us to inform that again, our re-selected carpet was not in stock. Before we even had a chance to complain, our administrator apologised and then suggested that CG would be willing to provide us with the Cat 5 carpet (the upgrade) at their cost (ie no extra cost to us). We accepted this offer and feel that this is excellent customer service once again. Really well managed. Thanks CG.

We're now really just waiting for our glass splash backs, mirrors, wardrobe sliding doors (Crystal), flyscreens and sliding mesh doors (A&L) and kitchen appliances (Harvey Norman). We were lucky enough to bump into Craig from Crystal today on-site, and he's confirmed that he's now all measured up and should have his work complete next week. Just in time. We've scheduled a pre-handover inspection for Friday 15 Feb with our SS and New Home Inspections. Hope all is done by then.

The couple of remaining external issues requiring attention are:

1. Retaining wall: apparently done to plan, but looks unfinished and unsightly as is. Will need to discuss this with the construction manager. It just stops (with an H bar at the end) and really looks like it needs one more length of sleeper or something. See what you think.

2. Concrete slab issues: will touch base with our SS on Friday to see if these have been attended to and if so, to get a copy of the relevant certifications for the works.

3. Render issues: need to render the front portico and clear away soil along the edge to ensure a clean and sightly finish. Especially the case since our driveway will be at different height to the portico.