TomCat's new digs!

[Pushka]

Surely any business must build into the cost of their operations, payroll issues such as payroll tax, staff sick and annual leave and long service leave. Why should the building industry be any different?

 

[Quickstatus]

State sanctioned rort

 

[Flying mermaid]

Surely any business must build into the cost of their operations, payroll issues such as payroll tax, staff sick and annual leave and long service leave. Why should the building industry be any different?

it was brought in because they wanted a portable scheme. So you get long service once you have been in the industry for a certain number of years, rather than with one employer. Also builders (particularly residential) have a habit of going bust and workers losing all their entitlements.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Your process sounds much more enjoyable! We knocked down our first house (never even slept in it!) and are building custom and it has been a nightmare having to deal with a lot of different people, not all of them good.

we did two houses and a major extension and it was never easy, but then that is because we went custom and controlled the process. Plus side got things they way we wanted them, negative it was a lot of work and stress. For the house we are currently in (which took 18 months to build!!), we visited 3 times a day.......

 

[TomVexille]

Been waiting for someone to ask... Solar?. tesla?

Definitely solar sooner than later, bit I'll discuss with some friends who do that stuff for a living. Not convinced on the ROI of the Powerwall yet. Will have to see some more figures.

 

[Pushka]

it was brought in because they wanted a portable scheme. So you get long service once you have been in the industry for a certain number of years, rather than with one employer. Also builders (particularly residential) have a habit of going bust and workers losing all their entitlements.

That sounds entirely fair then and not a rort.

 

[blackcat20]

Had our electrical appointment on Wednesday. Knew we had to be pretty restrained so were careful with the changes we made.
3 downlights to the kitchen, between the two benches. 3 light points over the bench for our pendant lights.
Extra powerpoint on the end of the island bench, and one on the end of the window bench (already one on the other end).
2 downlights in the ensuite over the bench (for makeup, shaving).
Powerpoint in the broom closet for the dyson, extra point in the family room for a lamp behind the couch.
Swapped the downstairs phone point to an extra data point for upstairs at no charge.
Shuffled around the position of power points based on where we plan on putting furniture.
Added outdoor power points front and back. Provision to install a light on the front of the garage later.
Upgraded heater to 6.8 star unit with two zones.
Upgraded cooling to low profile unit (required by estate).

And I got a bit meh about the tiles for the laundry splashback (they were an odd greenish brown, name said puce) and asked for white tiles, and they waived the upgrade cost for me which was nice (it was minimal given the small area).

 

[Pushka]

Puce? I haven't heard that colour term for years! Obviously time for a comeback. White is good. Surprisingly good at hiding grubby.

 

[love_the_life]

Puce is an unusual choice for a builder. I've got white in the bathrooms (although the main walls are mosaics), sink splash back and laundry. They are easy to keep clean and look fresh. Have glass behind the stove which is great as you just wipe over it.

 

[Pushka]

Puce is an unusual choice for a builder. I've got white in the bathrooms (although the main walls are mosaics), sink splash back and laundry. They are easy to keep clean and look fresh. Have glass behind the stove which is great as you just wipe over it.

I have a glass 'place mat' behind the stove top so I can pop it in the dishwasher to clean.

One thing I learnt. Open all drawers, doors etc and see where damage from contact might occur and our protector dots on - from the get go.

 

[blackcat20]

Puce? I haven't heard that colour term for years! Obviously time for a comeback. White is good. Surprisingly good at hiding grubby.

Puce is an unusual choice for a builder. I've got white in the bathrooms (although the main walls are mosaics), sink splash back and laundry. They are easy to keep clean and look fresh. Have glass behind the stove which is great as you just wipe over it.

I'm guessing they got a discount on the Puce given white was an "upgrade" for the exact same tile (and in store price is the same). You can see the offending tile in this picture:

I have a glass 'place mat' behind the stove top so I can pop it in the dishwasher to clean.

One thing I learnt. Open all drawers, doors etc and see where damage from contact might occur and our protector dots on - from the get go.

We've got a window splashback; that ain't fitting in the dishwasher

 

[Flying mermaid]

Puce is an unusual choice for a builder. I've got white in the bathrooms (although the main walls are mosaics), sink splash back and laundry. They are easy to keep clean and look fresh. Have glass behind the stove which is great as you just wipe over it.

we have glass tops for two of the vanities and it is magic - so easy to clean and wears well - much better than granite.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Definitely solar sooner than later, bit I'll discuss with some friends who do that stuff for a living. Not convinced on the ROI of the Powerwall yet. Will have to see some more figures.

a friend of ours is getting a quote for 44 panels and two big batteries. He is a bit of a fanatic about these things - owns a Tesla and another one on order. However from the figures he has shown me it doesn't seem that the batteries are cost effective as yet. however we are keeping an open mind at the moment - will have a good look at his quote when he gets it.

 

[love_the_life]

We've got a window splashback; that ain't fitting in the dishwasher

LOL - hope there's a view!

 

[love_the_life]

we have glass tops for two of the vanities and it is magic - so easy to clean and wears well - much better than granite.

We have marble - not our choice but that's what was here. Too hard to change it at present.

 

[blackcat20]

LOL - hope there's a view!

I'll plant something nice along the fence. Plus the natural light is a win.

 

[TomVexille]

a friend of ours is getting a quote for 44 panels and two big batteries. He is a bit of a fanatic about these things - owns a Tesla and another one on order. However from the figures he has shown me it doesn't seem that the batteries are cost effective as yet. however we are keeping an open mind at the moment - will have a good look at his quote when he gets it.

Yeah, I think the next generation will probably be worth it. The tech is nearly there.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yeah, I think the next generation will probably be worth it. The tech is nearly there.

that's the way we feel - our friend did suggest maybe putting in a small battery, just so you know all the installation is right and then upgrading once the next generation arrives.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We have marble - not our choice but that's what was here. Too hard to change it at present.

marble is very pretty and so is granite, but I haven't been that happy with the wear, particularly round taps. They way the glass is painted underneath makes it very pretty and you can get any sort of pattern, but the plain glass on top wears very well.

 

[love_the_life]

marble is very pretty and so is granite, but I haven't been that happy with the wear, particularly round taps. They way the glass is painted underneath makes it very pretty and you can get any sort of pattern, but the plain glass on top wears very well.

Yes, I had a bright blue glass panel behind the cooktop at the previous place. I could basically choose any colour as it was painted on the underside. I could have also had waterfall and patterns but as it was quite small went for flat glass.
Actually I made a mistake when I said I had glass here behind the cooktop (DOH) - actually it is mirror. Still pretty easy to keep clean. The nest bet? No grout.

I'm sure TomCat's choices will be wonderful - can't wait to see more photos.