QA vs Independent Inspector

Interesting issue this one, everyone has an opinion and one I have been wanting to ask for awhile.

The builders say they aren't required and not worth the money while the inspectors say its worth it if only as an insurance policy for your investment.

Each are paid by opposing parties, so have vested interests in opposite directions and it appears each has varying degree of attention to detail.

So the M employed QA guy went through our place weeks ago and obviously prior to handover and rated it a 98.3%. How the hell that is worked out is beyond me, but a pretty good score none the less.

Our engaged Independent Inspector found quite a few obvious issues that was over looked by the QA guys including,

• A window lintel was not painted at all,
• The fire box was still not to code - frustrating given he raised it in April at his early inspection,
• The heating duct was not connected to the outlet - ok if you intend to heat and live in the roof space,
• Insulation wasn't correctly installed in all places,
• The carpet still had visible lines through it which needed replacing, and
• Two of the 5 ceiling mounted vents / fans didn't have dampeners which are required for the star rating.

Excluding paint imperfections and other tidy ups, the above are a couple of really obvious, easy gets if your inspector is on his game and / or has a quick look through the manhole into the roof.  Our independent inspector did. Not so sure about whoever did the QA.

With a mark of 98.3% - which is a great score - I can't help feel like I was copying the paper of the student next to me and really deserve a score less than awarded....

I must say M fixed all remaining items without fuss (although at their leisure), so we are really happy overall with our house but the question remains - QA vs Independent Inspector ?

Cam

Waiting waiting waiting......

Dropped by our soon to be new home and noticed a few of the QA items appeared to have been at least started. While there, the SS arrived so I asked about our list of items we (both the SS and us) know need to be rectified pre handover. Many of the items have been with the SS for sometime to action, so heaven only knows why they are only being addressed now and why the original QA didn't pick then up. Anyway, that's another topic.

Due to the weather Melbourne has had recently our second QA wont occur this Friday. Waiting on the renderers to redo some of the front facade. So we have had to push our PCI ( with our independent inspector ) til next Friday. Hoping handover will be a few days after then...

On matters within our control, we have engaged a concreter and landscaper to crack into work as soon as we have handover although likely to start prior to that given the delays we have had. More about them later on. We are wanting the hardscape work done prior to moving in.

Hopefully something more productive to talk about next time.

Cam

Being assured of the quality...

I'm happy to report that the house got a great report card last Friday when QA took place. There were mainly painting defects to be corrected, a new microwave as the old one had dents and a dodgy button and a few other bits and bobs. Its interesting how much stuff they don't pick up so don't rely on them only to be comprehensive!

A new front door is being installed early next week and then it will be painted. What happened to the old one? Wellllll... remember about 7-8 weeks ago I mentioned that the wrong door handle had been installed. A new door handle was ordered and was on site in the kitchen cupboard by June 20. It has taken our SS 7 weeks to check to see if it fits (it doesn't and we told him all along the screw holes wouldn't match up!) and now a new door needs to be used and repainted. Begs the question why they a). couldnt get it right the first time? and b). took so long to get it fixed?

Anyway enough about that.

Earlier today we sent our SS a list of things that we know need to be fixed. We did this so to negate the need to get tradies out again after QA and hopefully try to get to handover quicker.

Here is the list...

Items previously discussed over the past few months,

·      Rear garage door locks required incl flush bolt,

·        Garage expansion joints are messy and look poor. 

·        Gas meter needs to be lowered,

·        Flashing on top of brick work of fire box needs to be completed – inspection report dated 5 April.

·         Portico, LH and RH sides (cladding areas) needs to be painted,

·         Portico, a hole exists behind downpipe,

·         Front door and handles,

·         Dining room window has a drill hole through the aluminium?,

·         Both baths need pop-up wastes,

·         Upstairs bathroom door needs replacement,

·         Upstairs bathroom door frame paint needs to be redone,

·         Ensuite (LHS) basin leaks,

·         Carpet lines and joins to be explored,

A few items We’ve noticed recently that we have not discussed,

·       Exterior needs to be cleaned – especially down LHS, windows around fire box,

·         Laundry cabinets to be checked for damage, post plumbing issue leading to damage to flooring,

·         Plaster join in stairwell needs to be cleaned up.

I 

I am sure that we will see more things when we have PCI. But fingers crossed we wont! Here's the schedule going forward...

Our follow up QA to be next Thursday 9^th or Friday 10^th.

Our PCI is booked in for Monday 13^th. We have booked in our Independent Inspector to assist us.

He say he is confident we can have keys by month end. I bloody hope so!!!!

Kirst

xx

Don't fence me in!

QA was supposed to take place on the house today and we haven't heard otherwise so... no news is good news??? The renderers were there yesterday redoing some of the damaged bits so we are assuming that it was the last thing to tick off before QA today.


Anyway, my new motto is "less hurry, less worry" not just pertaining to the house but to our rather hectic life. I'm not going to stress over the house, its just not worth losing my sanity!


Progress was made elsewhere this week with our two new side fences and rear retaining wall being completed. We rang numerous fencing companies and it seriously took about 4 weeks to get a quote out of most of them, many simply didn't bother to turn up or send through the quotes. It must have been a sign as in the end Cam rang Shane from S & M Fencing (ha ha ha for those of you with a dirty mind/reading 50 shades of grey) and he sent us through the quote in good time. Work was completed promptly and to a fantastic level


The quality of the work completed by Shane and his guys was impeccable and we can't recommend them highly enough. They are in the process of launching a new website which will go live in the next few weeks www.smfencing.com.au  In the meantime, you can like them on Facebook SMFencing or call Shane and his team on (03) 8719 0668. They complete all types of paling fences, retaining walls, picket fences and gates. If you are in Melbourne and looking for a fencer, you cant go past them!


The proof of their quality work is show below!

Hopefully by Monday we will have some more exciting news of an impending PCI...

Kirst

Inching closer...

Last week painting was touched up for the 4th or 5th time. The plumbing was also completed. Our SS is on annual leave this week but he has still scheduled the following to occur in preparation for QA.

·         Cook Top in,

·         Drains all connected,

·         Fire surround installed

·         Bamboo Floorboards to be installed again.

·         New front door handle installed,

·         Renderers back to fix up the façade.

QA booked for Friday 6^th if all above done, if not then it will be pushed til Mon 9^th/Tues 10^th.

Depending on what they find we could have PCI the following week and Handover not long after, perhaps before the end of July. WOOT WOOT!

In the meantime, I'm trying to organise the lovely ladies at Victory Curtains and Blinds to come and measure and quote for blinds. I'm thinking of the following in the main bedroom and sitting room surrounding the Jetmaster.

Source: Houzz - http://www.bandgdesign.com/

Source: Houzz -  http://www.rs3designs.com/residential/index.html 

I also purchased the following digital photo print from an art auction Breast Cancer Fundraiser last friday night. Not sure where I am going to put it, but I really loved it.

Kirst

xx

The flood water recedes...

We received word this week that the source of the flooding has been located and fixed. The water came from the laundry area adjacent to the hall/living room and not from cleaners after all. Good news is that the laundry problem has been fixed and when the slab is dry enough, the new boards will go down. This is likely to occur this coming week and shouldn't cause any further delays. This has however added a few extra items to our inspection list... to check all the cabinetry in the laundry for water damage.

The door handle is being replaced and is likely to require a new door, which is readily available so we are told.

The painters should have been there today and will finish up Monday. Roof plumbers will be back to finish off gutters etc next week and the brickies next week to fix up a few defects. Renderers should come the following week and wait for it…

QA within 2 weeks....!!!!

I’m on school holidays now so its going to be a flurry of furniture, curtains, landscaping and packing. Bring it on J

Kirst xxx

Re-surveyors, QA & Planning Permit Submission

Just a quick general update.

Now that the old house has been demolished M has arranged for the block to be re-surveyed and soil testes to be finalised.  A little bit of duplication on what they have already done but with a house sitting on the block I imagine its difficult to get accurate surveys etc.  Anyway all done now, just waiting on final results.
M has received the relevant documents re the sewer points as to their depth etc.  They are 3.1m below ground level.  The contract detailed additional costs would be incurred if its below 1.5m.  At the time I didn't give it much thought as expected it to be within the contractual range.  Stuffed that up - oh well lets just wait and see what they want to pin us for that.

We were contacted today by our CSC and advised our contract had been reviewed by M's internal QA team - ensure all our variations have made it in the final plans and are realistic etc.  They picked up on a few very small things such as M's door supplier is no longer Corinthian but rather is Hume Doors & Timber (same door but advised different supplier - no big deal but good to see M are being upfront about the change in supplier) and where we want the mirrors within the ensuite and bathrooms were too low to cater for our selected tap ware (again no big deal but good to know up front).  

Also, all our plans have been submitted to the council for the issue of a building permit.  Our CSC tells us all could be finalised and in order for final sign off pre-commencement meeting as early as next week.

A September slab pour seems a realistic target..... the end date is anyones guess.....