Soil Test



Soil Test  in front yard and side yard towards the back prior to demolition. Results will take 7 -10 days and be sent to Plantation Homes to be included in the building contract. TIP/NOTE: These results will determine what type of soil, rock etc. is on the site which will establish the type of slab required for the home and ultimately the price a builder will charge for site costs. Plantation Homes will complete a site survey of the boundaries and a second soil test in the centre of the block after the demolition of the house.

 

 

2nd Deposit Installment

Confirmed with Plantation several items listed on the quote, i.e. moving main bedroom sliding glass door to Elevation D (northerly aspect) and by placing cavity sliding doors on the theatre room that the current wall cut out will be filled to enclose the room. Asked to include connection to town gas not on the original quotation. Quick response from plantation about our queries. Paid the 2nd deposit for building contract and plans to be prepared.
TIP/NOTE: The bank requires both documents before they will order a valuation. The deposits (total $3K) are not refundable. Banks will not approve knock down and construct mortgage if they cant see what the final product will look like. They will give you a preapproval conditional of valuation.
What's Next: We wait for introduction phone call to come from our Plantation Homes Administrator to organise an appointment at their head office to review full working drawings and a fixed price building contract. This part of the process takes approximately 3-4weeks. Patience is a virtue!

House Plan

The House Plan. No stairs. Single Level with high ceiling. We hope to Demo before Christmas.  Before and after photos to come at the time of Demo.

Deposit to Lock in Price

Travelled to North Lakes display and placed a deposit to lock in the price. This is when we added things to the quote that are not included in the base price, mostly personal choices but some things you have to have which are not included in the base price. These are: Site costs, which we know will be H+ slab(core sample already conducted) base price allowance is for S class. TIP/NOTE: H+ = Highly reactive clay and is at the highest end of site costs. We usually allow $10K, we weren't far off. Moved sliding door in main bedroom to alfresco wall (ensuring it will be a wooden slider to match theatre room slider for cohesive look to this area - this is an extra as aluminium is standard to the main bedroom). TIP/NOTE: Qld morning sun can be as hot as westerly afternoon sun, we know from our last home, I misplaced the position of a window in our bedroom on the east to overlook the pool - bad move for Sunday sleep ins! The sliding door will now be located facing North. Added a window in dining area and one in the butlers pantry to capture Northerly aspect. Added under bench kitchen sink. Added High gloss Createc to overhead cupboards in kitchen. Added 3 overhead and 3 under bench cupboards to the Laundry. Upgrade Front Façade to Harper with Render to front and face brick to remainder of the house. Colourbond roof. Ducted Air-conditioning. Floor tiles with extra allowance for high gloss; Carpets; Electrical upgrade allowance; driveway and concrete to alfresco.  Next step Plantation Quote will go to the Bank for valuation.

Visit Display

Reviewed many plans and decided on Geneva Q1 would best suit our needs. Visited the display home at Bells Reach Caloundra West. The house on display is the correct orientation that we want our home to be built.  This orientation will suit the northerly aspect of all living areas.