Window coverings

I have finally finished purchasing the curtains for my new home. With the recent sales on at Spotlight since I moved in, I have saved 40-50% off my whole house window coverings! If you are not a Spotlight member, join online for information on sales and extra discounts.

So, as promised, here is a detailed description of my window coverings; prices, styles and tips and tricks!

My Main Bedroom faces the road, so I was a little worried about privacy. I got 'Day and Night' roller blinds (colour stone). They provide really good privacy with the 'Day' blind, and at night the 'Night' blind is block out, and they go really well with my paint (Off White by Haymes). I have 3 windows. The bedroom cost a total of $282.74.

I also used these blinds in the other 2 bedrooms at a cost of $107.37 each.

Both Day and Night Blinds down

Just Day blind down.

In the Dining room I have a 3 panel sliding door that opens up for 2 whole panels. I decided I wanted panel blinds. I bought the panel track from Spotlight for $139. I had to get the 300mm track. Because my door was a total of 277mm inside the frame, my dad cut down one side. The instructions to cut down and alter direction of blinds are inside the packed. I looked at getting the panel blinds made so I could pick the material but it was too expensive. I bought these ones, again at Spotlight, for $24 each.

So a total of $307 for the door.

In my Lounge room I have 2 stunningly big windows. On the plan this was great to let light in, but in reality I had trouble getting blinds that big. The window on the left has 2 blinds. The window on the right has 3 blinds. I didn't want a gap for the light to shine through. Spotlight suggested that I put the gap where the frame is, but this still creates a gap. My dad cleverly thought of overlapping them. It does mean that the cords that pulls them up and down are different, but there is no gap. I loved this idea and it works really good. Check out the overlap photo to demonstrate. I bought the sheer curtains off eBay for a bargain. $20 for all white sheer curtains and rods. I also have a spare in the cupboard.

The total for blinds and curtains in  the Lounge is $174.

In the Bathroom, Toilet and Ensuit I decided to hang wooden blinds. Dad cut off the ends so they fit nicely into the window frame. I took an off-cut to Bunnings and got them to colour match it. Even though my blinds are white, there are many types of white! I painted the ends so that they will last longer as they are in water areas and I didn't want the wood to swell in the future.

The total for all 3 rooms was $253.

Bathroom

Toilet

In the study, I wanted different sheer curtains. Again, Spotlight helped out. I bought 3 and used one on the small window next to the front door. I love how shinny and metallic they are in the sunlight.

I also overlapped the blinds in the study to block out the light and prevent the gap issue. The front door curtain and study blinds and curtain cost a total of $140

So all in all, I covered my windows for under $1400! I'm really happy with the end result. I am very glad that I had my dad to cut down blinds and put them up. It wasn't that difficult, but it is whether you know what you're doing and can measure accurately.

Next step: The garden!

Positives, Negatives and Recommendations

I've been in my new place for 3 weeks now. It is wonderful having a brand new home, although not relaxing yet. I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me, even after all the boxes are unpacked.

Negatives/Things I didn’t like	Outcome	Recommendations
Before signing you need to know what is included and what isn’t. Eg toilet roll holders, towel holders, floor covering (and if it is included, how many squares they give you).	I added things so that I could just move in and be comfortable (eg toilet roll holders, towel rails etc) I had to pay extra for all my floor coverings because my house was bigger than the squares they gave you.	The price at signing isn’t the final price. Ask the consultant to take you around display homes and point out extras and what’s included. Different companies include different things, that is why some are more expensive than others.
The crossover (driveway from footpath to road side) will cost close to $2000. Hidden cost!	I paid extra for my driveway but it didn’t include the crossover. I knew this but didn’t expect my crossover to cost $1750.	Write out a list of extra things you need (not want). Include crossover, curtains, moving trucks, rates, water bill, fencing, top soil, letter box,  etc. It helps if you’re on a strict budget like me.
At the Gallery, I didn’t go silly and upgrade everything I wanted. I thought about what I couldn’t live with and without. I only upgraded a few things.	I upgraded carpet, bath size, laundry cupboards, front door, changed some tiled areas to wood, heating lamps in bathrooms, doors on WIR and ensuit, remote control garage door, privacy locks to bathroom, toilet and ensuit, and pot draws and extra cupboards in kitchen. My only thing I upgraded just because I really wanted to spoil myself was my 3 panel siding door. I justified it because my kitchen doesn’t have a window and I wanted more natural light.	Upgrades cost money so think about if it is worth the extra cost and remember the hidden costs like fences, curtains, crossover and bills. (Sorry to be a party-pooper. I too would have loved lots of upgrades.)
Unfortunately the standard carpet included in Simonds package isn’t the best quality. It is like outdoor carpet in my opinion, and the choice in colours was very limited even in the next few categories.	I upgraded my carpets to category 2 which also included an upgrade to the underlay. It wasn’t the exact colour I wanted but it looked good with my couch cushion.	Expect to pay extra for carpet especially if you like to walk around your house with no shoes on. Take a couch cushion or samples of your own stuff to Gallery. With my new couch I wanted it to match (or not clash at least) with my carpet.
As part of my special package “$22000 upgrades for just $5000” I added my carpet and wood but Simonds also limited it to 50m2 for carpet for $4500 and 50m2 for timber floors.	Of course my house went over in 50m2 for carpet and 50m2 for timber floor, of which I paid extra for (UNEXPECTED COST). I asked them to re-look at the figures to bring the cost down. They increased the carpet in one area which reduced the wooden floor  area and therefore brought down the costs because wood is more expensive than carpet. I think he reduced the wastage too. I didn’t like the carpet guy at the Simonds Gallary. He was rude and seemed to be in a hurry to leave. He kept confusing me with prices extra area and upgrades to floor.	There will be costs you’re not expecting at the Gallery. At the end they will go over all the choices you have made and you can take things off then if you need to.
Regional Areas pay more for extra items due to freight costs.	At the Gallery, the price of things like an upgraded door cost extra to freight it if you’re regional. I still don’t understand why when they were sending you a door in the first place, really you’re just changing the one they send.	Hidden costs for regional areas!
The National Tiles Range is limited in Ballarat. They have the standard Simonds range which is good for floors and skirting boards but are limited in upgrades for feature tiles.	I went into the Ballarat National Tiles several times and asked them questions. I was original disappointed about the feature tile range as I wanted a deep red feature tile for my kitchen because I wasn’t able to afford red glass splashback. After several visits to look at my options, I found a lovely tile. I took my time to imagine what it would look like with the rest of the house (using my sample colours that Simonds gave me at the Gallery was very helpful). The guy was very helpful when I finally went in for my tile appointment. It ended up being so cheap to upgrade my kitchen tile and I was able to add a feature tile to both showers. Everything just over $300!	Go in and look at the tile range before your appointment. Ask questions and start making decisions before the appointment. If you can, go in to the Gallery in South Melbourne before your appointment too. I wasn’t able to do this. They have a Gallery in Geelong. My neighbour across the road went there for her appointment.
I asked the SS to keep the left over bricks and he forgot.	My left over bricks were scraped up with the extra dirt. I reminded them about my bricks and now they will replace them (although this is taking a while).	Ask the SS and email your Customer Relations Officer (CRO). Keep your emails as evidence just in case. It is better to use email to communicate as it leaves a paper trail, where conversation doesn’t. Ask to keep left over bricks and tiles. It doesn’t hurt to take photos of leftovers.
I asked the SS and the CRO if I could keep the left over tiles and they have disappeared from the garage.	After my tiles were finished I noticed the left over tiles and asked if I could keep them. I took photos of them. They agreed and said they will be left in the garage for me. But sadly they were missing during my final inspection. After a few emails they are now supplying me with a few more new ones to replace the missing ones.	Maybe take them after the tile job is finished.
The standard paint is only 2 coats. This is a tinted undercoat/sealer with the colour you picked and one top coat!	I questioned several people at Simonds before finally agreeing not to upgrade my paint to 3 coats, thinking it was sealed and then coated with 2 coats of paint. I even spoke to the Painter himself who said he does 2 good coats and there wasn’t a need for a third. He was wrong. At my final inspection 98% of the problems were with the paint – nail holes and bog showing through/different texture, overspray from the roof, glossy overspray, patches. Very disappointing. Lucky for me I have a wonderful uncle who is a Painter by trade and runs his own business. He’s philosophy is to do a wonderful and professional job the first time and word of mouth is the best advertisement. He will re-paint next year when I can afford the paint.	Get 3 coats of paint if you can afford it! Ask if you can go in and do the sealer before the painting. That way the paint won’t soak into the plaster and their 2 coats will cover better. I tried to organise to go in and do the sealer but the painter was ready before I was and they said he was starting the next day.
Cleaning of the yard. Finally when your house is ready they clean the yard with a bobcat and flatten out the yard.	OMG! Never did I think they would just grade the lot: rubbish, off cuts of bricks and tiles, wire, plaster board and dirt. It is not until you start to dig or rake that you find out what a poor job they did cleaning/clearing the yard! Plus the ground is so rock hard with clay it makes doing anything to the yard very difficult. On a tight budget, I didn’t put money aside for bobcats and top soil (silly me). So it will take me awhile to did it up with a shovel. Poor back, and many blisters L	I’m not sure what recommendations I can make, other than putting some money aside for your garden. Top soil cost about $40m3 (plus $25 delivery) and you need 5-10cm in depth, so 1 cubic metre will cover 10-20m2. Maybe asked the SS to clean the rubbish up before the digger comes in, or do it yourself then you know it has been done (and put it in their big bin).

Positive	Outcome	Recommendations
Regional areas (like Ballarat) get free flyscreens for all opening windows and sliding doors.	I upgraded my sliding door in the dining room to a 3 panel, and even though the documents said flyscreen not included, it was because I’m regional!	I had to ask about flyscreens for my sliding door at the Gallery interview. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I budgeted $5000 for the fences. I looked on the internet and in local papers for fencing companies. I called around and asked for quotes then compared them.	By shopping around, my fence cost was just over $3000.	Shopping around (even over the phone) will save you money! Ask around too because the cheapest isn’t necessarily the best. For the fencing guy I went and inspected a fence he had just built in the same estate. One of my next door neighbours is also going to build his himself to save labour costs, so if you know how (or know someone that does) do it!
If you hesitate and think about things when you first look at display homes, the consultant will offer you extras to get your business.	I started at Metricon with my heart set on a design, but after asking Metricon questions and worrying a little about hidden costs, I looked into Simonds and changed my mind. The Simonds consultant knew I was seriously considering Metricon and offered me more. I began my process in February but got the December special offers which included a free air-conditioner and 900mm appliances as well as the “$22000 upgrades for $5000”. This was instead of a free IPad for February. Apparently around Christmas you get the best deals!	Shop around at the different building companies. Don’t sign anything. When you are certain about the design and the company, go and have another look at the other companies again. Ask the other companies questions, especially about what is and isn’t included, standard range and upgrades, special deals and extra things they can throw in to get your business. Don;t be afraid to walk away and think about things at any stage before signing. The sales reps will contact you and try hard to get you back.
I thought about design verses practicality.	I upgraded to a solid wooden front door. It does have a small side glass panel next to it that I can look through. I’ll have it tinted in the future so I can look out but others can’t look in. I moved my kitchen island bench to the wall so that people (including kids) couldn’t walk through the kitchen. I reversed the pantry and the fridge hole so you don’t have to walk into the kitchen to get a drink. I put doors on the ensuit and WIR. They face the front of the house and into the bedroom. It seems silly not to have doors on them and I hate looking into my WIR and seeing the mess of clothes. Also I don’t want anyone (including my partner and people walking passed) to see my in the shower or on the toilet. I added wooden siding doors to an open extra lounge room and made it a separate room for my study. I can now close the door and hide my mess of papers and books. It can also be used as an extra bedroom in to future if needs be.	Look at your house design and think about people on the footpath. Lovely glass doors (whether they be designer or not) lets people look right into your house. I hate walk through/walk around kitchens. I want to be able to put a child gate up and protect kids from the stove. Now you only go into the kitchen to cook or prepare food. People can get a drink without getting in the way of the cook (me). Again, think of the people on the footpath! Let’s not put on a show for them. Closing doors on your WIR makes the room less busy and hides any mess. Closing in an extra lounge room makes the room more practical. Double doors doesn’t take away the welcoming effect either.
Spotlight have wonderful window covering sales!	On approaching my handover date, I was worried about not having window covering. Thanks to Spotlight’s huge sales over the last 4 weeks I have most of my window covered. I’ll take photos and explain in more detail soon. So far I have spend $850 and I only have 2 bedroom windows and my sliding door to cover.	Wait for sales! Spotlight and Lincraft both have great deals. I saved 40% to 50% off though sales. You can also make customer orders if they have a sale on but don’t have the right size. It takes longer but at least you get the sale prize and exactly what you want.

Next I will blog about window coverings: cost, procedure, recommendations. Soon I promise!

Keys!

It's been a very, very long weekend. So much has happened and I have aches and pains to show for it.

Yes! Hand over is complete!

I'm so tired so I will just give a quick recount. I promise to write more later (after I recover).

Friday, at 9 am, I went to the bank and picked up the final cheque.

By 9.45am, I was at my house doing the last inspection before handing over the cheque and receiving the keys. I had to ask for this inspection. Simonds just wanted me to go to the offices and hand over the cheque by I insisted I wanted to inspect the work had been complete from my final inspections. Every thing was completed, thank goodness. I don't know what I was going to do if it wasn't. With all my belongings packed, I was ready to move.

By 10am I was at Simonds handing over the cheque and signing the last of the documents. I received lots and lots of keys (20 copies for the windows, 4 for the sliding doors, 4 for the main doors, 3 remotes for garage).

By 10.30am I was dropping off the first load from my car. 4 trips later I still haven't finished but most of my stuff is here and more than half unpacked.

I'm sore, tired and sore. A long weekend but I'm so happy. (I'll write more in a few days - Tired!).

Upcoming Handover

I'm counting down now; 7 days left.

My current house is covered in boxes and newspaper.

My handover is next Friday.

I have organised my bins via the council.

I bought wooden blinds for the bathroom, ensuit and toilet,

and 'day and night' blinds for my bedroom at the front.

My Customer Relationship Coordinator (CRC) and I have

been emailing back and forth organising the last details.

- missing feature tiles being replaced.

-missing bricks being replaced

-a scratch on my ensuit bench top being replace at 3 month maintenance inspection

-final date and times for house inspection and handover of cheque and keys.

So next weekend is the weekend for sore backs and exhausted bodies, of loosing essential items and everything not going to plan.

I am the kind of person that likes everything to be organised and follow the plan in my head.

I've thought over this move (and over again) making sure nothing can go wrong.

Boxes are marked with room and items.

Emergency boxes of essential items are packed and ready to go first

(toilet paper, tea-towel, tools set, picnic set, emergency energy food, bin bags, bath towel, face washer, soap).

Still so much to do and only 7 days left to do it in.

Good thing I have excellent time management strategies (here's hoping anyway).





Final Inspection!

On the 2nd September, I had my finial inspection.

My SS showed us through and spent lots of time as mum and I went through.

He was very understanding as I nit-picked any blemish on the paint.

My advice - two coats of paint is not enough!

Before the painter started I met him and asked if I needed more than two coats. His advice was that he does a good job and it covers well.

I say again - two coats of paint is not enough!

If I had of had 3 coats there would have only been one or two things my SS would have to fix.

99% was paint issues.

Other than paint there was an oil stain on the driveway, a few doors that needed adjusting, a light that had blown, and some tiles that need to be added. 

But enough talk; time for photos!

Front view

Lounge

Kitchen/Dining Room

Sliding door

Bathroom

Lounge again

Side yard

Back yard

The yard had been scraped and leveled but it is going to take a lot of raking with steel rakes.

I may nee top soil in the future if I can afford it. 

At least it is ready for the side fences.

I am creating a list of positives and negatives

(well, not really negatives but things I wish I had know or done differently).

Stay turned. I wanted to finish the hand over before putting it on blog.

My handover date is 14th September!

The only thing still missing is the stove and outside lights.

The SS said they don't like putting them in until the day of handover because people steal them.

I also meet my neighbour across the road. She is lovely! 

It is getting exciting!

OMG!

 Now I just need window coverings.

Come on Spotlight have an amazing sale on blinds this week please!



Driveway

My driveway has been finished.

As part of my 'Big Brands' Promotion deal with Simonds I got to choose $22,000 worth of upgrades for only $5000. One of the upgrade I decided on was to concrete the driveway. This cost $3432 if paid for separately. When I first did this I was told that the contractor would also be able to do the crossover (the concrete from the footpath to the road) for an extra cost later on.

A week ago the Concrete contractor called me and said he could do the crossover for $1720. I questioned why it was so much money. He said I could look around for other quotes but I had to let him know by the next day as that was when he was planning to start the job and he wouldn't come back if I changed my mind.

This is very disappointing that I wasn't given an opportunity to find another concreter.

I'm just glad it is done though.

I guess if this is the worst that has happened, it's not so bad (at least it looks wonderful).

Just can't afford a kitchen table now.

Nothing like eating on the couch anyway

Maybe Ebay can help after I move in.

Not long now!

Let there be light... and toilets

I had an inspection on the 5th August.

My SS took me through at short notice (which was wonderful).

They have finished fittings and electrical work.

I love how everything is coming together.

Both toilets have been installed and are working.

Toilet roll holders are in (they cost extra).

I'm so excited about my bath.

On the first night I move in, this is where I'll be with candles and wine!

I'm so glad I upgraded my laundry sink!

Stainless steal is much better than plastic!

Both the shower frames are in.

The bathroom and ensuit sinks are in!

Kitchen sink in!

My heating and cooling system is installed and ready to go!

Roof vents

Wall vent for heater.

Also I got an email today to say they are doing the final clean

before the carpet and wooden floors go down.

They also suggested the end of August for my final inspection!

Usually handover is 7-14 days after final inspection!

OMG

I'll be in early September if all goes well !!!!!

The next step

With my garage door and down pipes now on, the outside of the house is almost complete.

The garage is 'woodland grey', the same colour as my window frames.

Outside, they still need to finish the painting of the down pipes, above the garage door, around the large front window and under the eve of the house.

My Simonds Customs Relationship Officer (CRO) said the driveway concrete will be done soon. The concreter will contact me to get permission for the cross-over as well.

My CRO also showed me through the house on Friday because my SS went on holiday for a few days.

The tiles have been laid (but still need cleaning).

ENSUIT PHOTOS

My floors are 'Grigio Satin' 400x400.

The skirting and shower wall tiles are 'Portofino Plateau Gloss' 200x400

(the same colour as the floor, but glossy). 

Love my feature tiles!

They are called 'Polished Grey Wood Mosaic'.

Considering my bathroom and ensuit feature tiles cost an extra $184 combined,

I think they look amazing.

Just a simple extra touch makes all the difference.

KITCHEN PHOTOS

My splash back feature tiles are 'Silk Olive' 300x600.

They look a lot darker on the wall against the dark bench top.

They cost an extra $127!

What good value for money!

I love them!

I have left over feature tiles. I asked the CRO if I can keep them.

I asked if I could also keep the left over outside bricks too.

BATHROOM PHOTOS

LAUNDRY PHOTOS

Both walls are tiled next to the sink, but you can't see that in this photo.

This week the Electricians are coming back to do all the fittings - garage door power, power points, light switches and lights fittings. 

Things taking form

The painters have finally finished! I shouldn't complain. It has only been two weeks.

Now everything is painted

and the doors are on, things are starting to take shape.

I love the colour on the walls (Off-White).

It looks great with the white ceilings and it isn't an overwhelming colour

It is hard to take photos but I tried.

My cupboards arrived late last week. Love the colours. I don't know why I worried so much.

The cupboard are coloured Dawn and it matches the wall colour really well.

The bench top is Oiled Soapstone. The Skirting boards are Feldspar Shimmer.

I have been worried about work space in the Kitchen but there are two good sized areas with the sink between.

In the Laundry, Ensuit and Bathroom, the cupboards are Asian Night (love the subtle stripes). The bench tops are Cashmere.

Laundry

 

Bathroom (Ensuit is the same)

Now I just hope that my tiles match.

(They are sitting in boxes in my master bedroom).

Bathroom and Ensuit feature tiles.

They have also put my Bonair Air-conditioner on the roof.

And they have cleaned the bricks.

The last thing, when I was at the Simonds Gallery both my mum and the sales lady encouraged me to have the phone line put in. It cost extra and I thought it was a waste of money because I'm not having a home phone. But, I've changed my mind (not about the home phone).

Looking at these photos I couldn't imagine doing this after I've planted a garden.

It's scary how fast everything is going.

I've paid all but one invoice (the next is on hand-over).

Estimated time of hand-over: October 20th

WOW!