I'm fuming - WRONG septic installed

Got home on Wednesday and looked out in the dark by torchlight ... hoping they'd have installed the septic during the day ... they had ... just the WRONG ONE!!!!

I'd done quite a bit of research when decided on the water treatment system I wanted, I'd asked around ... and made sure it was in the contract documents.

But ... not much help when they've dug a massive hole in the ground and installed it. Calling in the lawyers is not exactly going to help.

So who's fault is it?! well ... a little bit of a couple of people ... the builder for sending details on the wrong system (whilst all the while telling me "yes the xxx guy has been and checked it over, it isn't a problem to have the xxx system") and the architect for sending off the permit for the wrong system.

They're of course now selling me on the benefits of the other system ... but I'm just fuming at being presented with something that I've had no choice in and that they've done this behind my back ... and not the "accidental" we forgot to check the specs they're pretending.

Good things about being on site yesterday - tiler was there and we discussed the direction of the tiles (I'll get what I want) and he's going to do up a tile with some different grout colours so I can choose the one I like.

Had a meeting with builder and architect and, apart from my fuming, quite a few things were sorted - my worry with the windows not looking right seems to not be an issue and the builder is on it. There is a slight issue with the way the windows are hung - as I want them to be either opened at the top OR the bottom - not counterlevered by each other.

They poured some more concrete - just a small section of front veranda ... and some was left over so they've done a mini path for my dog enclosure ... I waited until it was nearly set and let the dogs run on it - cute little footie prints!! Not quite so cute: little puppy must have run across the front veranda when I wasn't looking - oops!!

Architect finally came up with the electrical plans ... which are all wrong!! Electrician is going to meet up with me next week and go through them all. Hopefully we'll be able to get them finalised quickly ... though I'm having a hard time looking through lighting websites - too many choices!!!

Ensuite is coming along nicely - they are saying possibly mid-next week for it to be complete.

Then they will smash the remaining part of the house down ... not that there is too much left to go, they've cleared out the inside. It is quite amusing, standing in the shower and, other than I've only got a lamp for light, it could be just like the house was before ... then I step out the door to chaos!

A new wall!

Building permits all approved - so already some major changes ... they've put down the mesh for the ensuite concrete, possibly laying it today or tomorrow - depending on weather I assume - thunderstorms forecast for today!

Got home last night ... to find a new wall inside!! They've blocked off my living room in anticipation of the destruction! Some before and during photos ...

Looking from the living room:

Also ordered my tank and pump today. The internet is so helpful! Company was saying they were giving me the pump at cost price - so I google a bit ... find two different companies advertising for $150 less ... so the original company go below those prices! I'm happy, as they've already dropped the price on the tank as well. Hopefully the tank should take about 2 weeks ... and then finally, I can think about taking my horses off the bore water (which has been tested and shown to have very high levels of heavy metals).

Trees not quite finished

Last night's arrival home was to all the big trees cleared away and the branches taken off the other trees ... except the MOST important one!!! argh!! The tree that is right next to where the garage is being erected next week!! They trimmed off a tiny branch, not the large branch right back to the trunk. I rang the tree-man as soon as I noticed and he's coming back out today or Saturday to do the last bit.

I was expecting a VERY large pile of wood chips left over - but only a tiny pile has been left ... hmmmmmmmmmmm. I had lots of plans for that.

Speaking with the builder last night, it looks like there are a couple more spare days until the garage goes up anyway. It will be delievered next Tuesday, but it might take them another 5 days before the footings etc will be done. Where they are putting the footings in, there are the cables to the stables and water pipes ... will be interesting to see how many of those they hit!! I've warned them - so at least they'll be prepared to turn the water off.

Monday is the day the builder said he'd start clearing and marking out the site. It will be quite interesting to see it on the ground vs just on paper. We're also hoping to meet up on Wednesday and I'll get an idea of how they plan to do the job. I'm looking forward to knowing a bit more about what to expect.

First before and after photos

I got home last night to find a big hole in the sky ... the tree people turned up! So we have my first before and after photos! So sad they had to go :-(

There is still more for them to chop down today - branches off other trees vs entire trees. Hoping they'll get them down before the wind picks up too much.

Next week's weather forecast isn't looking nice for the garage going up!

Official START day today!

Today is the official starting day ... and the builder did call this morning ... but I was racing out the door to catch the train.

Building permit for the garage arrived by mail yesterday - so hoping that is all set to go up next week. The builder just needs to clear the site!

Today the tree people are supposed to be cutting down trees - I'll find out when I get home if they've turned up! It looks like the weather might be OK for the next couple of days - though the wind is forecasted to pick up, which can't be good when dropping massive pine trees. I had hoped to get some more "before" photos but I haven't been home in daylight to get any.

Talking to another interior designer next week - need to start some of those colour decisions for tiles. I had a look through tiles stores last week and I'm really unsure how to pick a specific tile. There are lots that look sort of OK ... but are they THE ONE?! Luckily I'm not so fussy that if it isn't perfect that my life will be ruined ... it will all end up dirty anyway!

Building permit sent off today for the garage, zillions of copies of all sorts of documents.

Hoping to finalise the tree removals today, chasing one more quote before I make my decision. Got to hurry that up, most have said within 2 weeks, but I don't really want them making a mess when the garage is supposed to be going up!

Interior designer is booked to come on Monday - to help with those decisions I don't want to do (or can't do!) ... tile colour?! who cares?! - not me, but hopefully someone else does!! Early decisions will be the ensuite, I've got a bit of breathing space until further decisions are required.

Some "before" photos

Always a good place to start ... before photos! Looking fairly grotty and dry.

Over the weekend I began buy cutting down the lucerne tree behind the little shed. Would have been an easy job if I had a chainsaw!

Starting out

Lots of tasks to start out this week, with the likely building date getting closer.

First up is getting quotes on tree removal - don't want those lovely old pine trees smashing down through my nice new extension. Will be sad to say good bye to the 100+ year old trees, but it is there time.

Also need to book in the garage to be supplied and built ... comparing quotes is lots of fun.

Starting to think about packing up the house.

Selecting ensuite fittings is going to get a bit desperate soon ... decisions will have to be made.