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Friday, December 31, 2010

Day 95 - December 31st (Day 42 of 65)

Well I have been looking into building the deck area of our new home. I found some information about the project at Bunnings, at other parts of it around the internet. I thought I would write down everything I have found out so far for the rear deck, so I can work out a total price.

The first part you need to work out is what you are going to build your deck out of, as this will guide the rest of the project. I have noted that they have different Hazard classes for timber. A Hazard class is designed to tell the user what level of preservative is in the timber. Having lived in a home that has had termites around it, I can't stress enough the importance of this. When you are moving into a new home, especially if the area has been felled of trees, you are very likely to come across this issue.

According to Timber Queensland's recommended practice sheet called "Outdoor Timber Performance". In Queensland and New South Wales, legislation requires that treated timber is branded with a hazard level to which it has been treated.

Hazard Classesare designated as H1 through to H6.  H1 and H2 are only for timber that is protected from the weather and H6 is for marine applications.

 H3 - Timber that is outside. Typical applications include fence railings, decking, deck framing, pergola beams and rafters.
H4 and H5 - Timber that is on the outside and also in the ground. H4 is appropriate for non structural or other applications where a lesser service life is acceptable. An example is a fence post or landscaping timber. H5 is used in structural situations. For example, piles, house stumps, retaining walls etc.

Now when I went looking for timber to build the frame out of I found that Bunnings had H4 treated pine that would suit the job just fine. I am going to build the frame out of two sizes of timber. 90 x 90 H4 RGH  - The RGH stands for roughly sawn I am told?  Got some prices at Bunnings to compare with. I suspect that there will be some other suppliers who will be able to beat this? All these items are Treated Pine.

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90 x 90mm x 2.4M H4 $28.32 each

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90 x 90mm x 2.7M H4 $31.86 each

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90 x 90mm x 3.0M H4 $35.40 each

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90 x 90mm x 3.6M H4 $42.48 each


I need around 37.6 m of this to do the frame and I have been told to add 10% onto this for offcuts etc, which brings this to 42 metres. It would be good if I can find someone that sells it in 4 metre or 8 metre lengths?

The other timber I will want is 90 x 45mm H4 treated pine. I still need to locate this as at the time I was looking just for 90 x 90. I did take a shot og the H3 treated pine, but I think for the longevity of the timber, I'd prefer to use the H4. I worked out from my drawing that I need around 64.4 metres. Adding 10% onto this equals 71 metres.



The surface area is around 37.7 m sq and adding another 10% onto this is 42 m sq. If I am working this out correctly? I should need to divide the timber width into this to work out the total length of the planks I need? I am going to be using 90 x 19 mm Merbau decking. I don't really want to get the reeded sort, as it has a bumpy laying on the top (for anti-slip) that I don't want. This means I will needs around 467 metres of the decking to cover it? (42 / 0.090 =  ~ 467). The price elsewhere is pretty similar, bit whatever I can get off it per meter will save in the long run....


I will also need 36 x stirrup posts to hold the frame above the soil. I am not yet certain as to the height required, but can work this out as I get closer to the building stage.



I will also need:


  1. An 8 m and 25 m tape measure. (Need to get a blade on the 8M tape measure that is 25mm wide
  2. A Mason's string line and level.
  3. A shovel.
  4. A posthole digger
  5. Two sawhorses 
  6. Extension cord
  7. Electric drill and circular saw
  8. A square
  9. A hammer
  10. A level
  11. A chalk line
  12. A flat pry bar
  13. A ratchet spanner
  14. Gloves + Safety glasses.
  15. Nails for Joist Hangers
  16. Deck Screws (still working out the best sort to use)
  17. Joist hangers (need around 76 of these for the rear deck)
  18. 2 x bolts for each stirrup holder (36 x 2 = 72)




Well thats about all I can think of for now. I know I haven't got everything here, but It is a good start! (Oh..I changed the way my beams were lying. Now they lie in a font of the house to the back direction, which will allow me to add the Merbau on in a horizontal pattern instead.)

The drawing has been done using Google Sketchup (which if free). I just watched a couple of free videos on youtube to give me the basic skills to use it.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Day 94 - December 30th (Day 41 of 65)

We got the "Extension of Time" request in the mail before the holidays. Not sure what they exactly mean? They are claiming an extension of time of 13 days.

They refer me to section 17.2 of the contract which covers calculable and incalculable delays. I think the Christmas period is in this category as it varies from year to year, how long the Christmas period is, hence it fits into an incalculable delay. They are claiming 13 days which come from the 23rd of December through to the 13th of January (They are not counting weekends or public holidays). So now I discover the Christmas - Newyear period is an incalculable delay and is not included in the 55 days, as these are just calculable delays only. I hate red tape! It makes everything more complicated than it really needs to be.

My site manager has told me that the building will recommence on the 4th of January. He's been great with helping us out so far, so I tend to believe him as the letter we received seems to be a generic one signed by our customer service coordinator.

They are well ahead of time, so I really don't think there is any sense in going into it any further.

I noticed today in this photo, that they have actually added the insulation in the roof cavity already. It is showing up in the photo below, just peeping out of the man hole.

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Front door. I noticed the light on the outside today.

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See that?  Blue skies!! I almost forgot what they looked like.

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Sort of felt a little guilty today... You know that add where they guy is standing outside the house looking at his roof?.. Well if you haven't here it is...


And here are my pics....

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Day 91 - December 27th (Day 38 of 65)

Forecast up until Friday - Wet.  Friday being new years eve, is supposed to be fine. That will be a pleasant change!


The children enjoyed Christmas immensely, with Santa laying a run of chocolate from there rooms out to the Christmas tree!  It was a 5am start, with my wife and myself looking rather tired when the kids were opening their presents.. Heaven knows why we were tired. Santa did all the work!!


We ended up spending the day at my sister's house this year, as our home has a little way to go before it's complete. We were looking forward to be able to have Christmas at our new home, but that was not to be this year. Hopefully, if everything goes to plan, we should get handover by the end of February, so I can get a start on the decking as well as the fencing, landscaping moving the furniture, home theater work, home network  etc etc...


Went to Bunnings today and had a closer look at the timber I need to use to build the deck with. I suspect I will just have it delivered to site, and work on it from there. Bunnings also had some guides on building a deck, so it shouldn't ? be to difficult?


I replaced my old faithful watch on the 22nd as well... The next day, the glass face had cracked (!!) and all I did was look at it..hang on...hmmm.. Nahhhh...  Got a refund and bought a better watch elsewhere.


There has (obviously) been no work at the house since the 22nd, but the family is impressed with the work thus far.


So with all this wet weather around perhaps it is time for a wet weather joke??


If a band plays music in a thunderstorm, who is most likely to get hit by lightning? 


The conductor.



Friday, December 24, 2010

Day 88 - December 24th (Day 35 of 65)

No photos today..and probably for the next two weeks as we all enjoy some time off. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and enjoyed some time with your loved ones.

From,

Robert, Anita, Katelyn and Luella


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 87 - December 23rd (Day 34 of 65)

Well it looks like the electricians mad a start yesterday. The site supervisor said they weren't going to be starting until around the 7th of January? The only problem now is that they have already added a point in the entertainment unit cupboard that was supposed to be moved elsewhere? Will have to let our Site supervisor know.

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Garage. Ceiling power supply added as well as some of the wall outlets.

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Children's study

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Bedroom 4. Doors have been re added.

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Other wall of the children's study

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The children's shower screen has been added.

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Power switch in the children's bathroom. It's a bit hard to see here, but they have cracked the paintwork :-<

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Bedroom 3 cupboards

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Bedroom 2 wall outlets.

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Study

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Diito

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Power to the fridge...

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And now on the splashback

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At both ends
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The Dining room

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The rumpus

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Ditto

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The Laundry

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The master bedroom. Wall switches now installed.

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The ensuite

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Data and Antennea... On the wrong shelf They should be one shelf up.

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Ready to be added...Need to let them know not to add them here

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Day 86 - December 22nd

My wife and I visited the property today. She didn't get to see it yesterday due to other commitments. The painters were onsite again, completing the interior paintwork. They had started to paint the eves again, but the weather had set in early today, so they were finishing off the inside when we arrived. The doors were being re added back in place as well.

It looks like they will have to complete the outside when they return next year.  As for todays photos, I didn't actually take any as we were not there very long (First time ever!) I'll see if I can get some tomorrow?

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 85 - December 21st

Stopped by early this morning and was given a tour of the house. I noticed that the home network package has been added and all of the data points have been placed throughout the home.

The site supervisor told me that the electrical is booked in for the 10th as well as the flooring. Not sure how they will  work together? The painters were due to finish today, but from the looks of things, they still have a couple of areas to do above the doorways. They have given all the doors a second coat of gloss paint which has really bought the colour out in them.

The guttering has been installed by a company called Stoddart. Apparently one of the managers of this company lives close by. I pointed out some areas on the guttering that need fixing (I'm sure he knows, but just in case anyway :->).

He also mentioned that before handover they grade the soil on the property, away from the house. We noted that on the high side of the house the water has been lapping against the side of the home during the downpours we've been having.

Found out that the shower screen in the childrens bathroom hasn't been installed just yet, as the base they sent us was bent. We are awaiting the delivery of a new one...
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Outside the house today. Probably the last day of sunshine we are going to get if the weather forecast is to be believed?

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Looking into the kitchen today.

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Looking into the bathroom. Got a shot this afternoon as well and they have taken down the plastic curtain....

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Home network package without cover

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Home network package with cover.

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Garage roof.

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Spot the dot.

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Again

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Bedroom 2. Data has been connected.

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Glossy doorways in Bedroom 2

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Power cable haging from the roof in Bedroom 3

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Power cable hanging from the roof in the children's study

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Bedroom 4

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Hallway to the rear of the house. Study on the right.

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Data in the Study.

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They removed the cover today. An issue they have with the center unit is that the cables were meant to go at the very bottom of the cupboard. The problem is that the draws are here and there won't be any room to add power cables up. They are going to move it from the bottom draw up to the second shelf now instead.

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In the rumpus room

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Ditto

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Looking towards the living room

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Data in the dining room..casue you never know when you might need a byte... :->

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Kitchen tonight

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The master bedroom cupboards

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The ensuite

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Ditto

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The garage from the other side.

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The doorway.