Subtle Progress

It looks like the roof is finished. The ridge capping looks finished. I think it is now weather proof.

Major Excitement! Walls!

The bath.. with walls

The Kitchen and hall with walls

The family room, Kate and entry to the lounge with walls

My en-suite and walk in robe with walls

My house has walls! Very very exciting

My house also has a return duct for the heater. It's in the linen cupboard which means the linen cupboard is now about big enough for 2 beach towels. I am exaggerating... but DOH!

because Mark said there were not enough photos...

Mark D (not Mark P) said that while a lot of words are good, he wanted some more pictures in the blog. The trouble is, by the time I get there after work, it is often quite dark. Fortunately daylight saving is coming so this problem will be over by next week. 

Meanwhile I treat you to two 'by headlights' shots!
 

The first is not so hard that I need to explain - but will anyway. Here is the house with insulation in all the walls. The insulation has one immediate effect: sound dampening. So it doesn't sound so much like a hollow shell.

The second is a little trickier. See those blue things? Well they are ducts piping! And sitting up in the ceiling of the garage is the heater!

So now I have insulation, ducts and a bath too!

Which reminds me, must go transfer some money to Mark P.

Today was a big day for another reason. I ordered the carpet and wood laminate. I ordered it at "Choice" which is the new name for Carpet Choice. 

I have chosen Native Design (Ploughed Earth) for the carpet.

Timber Inspirations (Exotic Walnut) for the rest. 

 

Carpet is for the bedrooms only and the timber laminate for all the rest. All up, it has cost the whole budget I had for carpet + laminate + window coverings.

I tried hard to be smart. Before I signed a contract I went to the carpet shop and asked them to quote. They gave me a figure of under $8K. I had a budget of $9K for that plus curtains so I was happy signing, figuring that I had it all under control.

Once the house was under way though, every visit I have made to a carpet store has seen the price escalate. The second last store had it up to $9.5. 

This one though, quoted me $7.5. They could do it on budget with a carpet he said he was comfortable with me buying and wouldn't be concerned that i would become a disgruntled customer.

Problem is though that all these cheap carpets feel like kitchen scourers on your feet.

I asked him to quote me on a better product. It is part corn based and feels a lot more silk. I know Kate is going to love walking on it. It is much thicker, denser than the cheapos. Stain resistant too he says. Theoretically more environmentally friendly.

I picked the floor boards I wanted in exactly the colour I hoped for. Then I left him to do the quote. Three days later the budget is blown again.

Sigh.

I asked him to give me the break down so I could figure what I needed to compromise on.

Rex came back with a better price and today I paid $2K deposit. So that is another thing off my to do list!