Well we were delighted to think that we were getting a category two brick for the price of cat one and not only that but it was the one we liked originally! (See previous post) Then the bricks were delivered.... they look nothing like the sample we were shown or the "example" homes we had viewed - they were a lot plainer eg: little colour variation; not the charcoal and blues we were expecting. We decided to follow up with the brick company and initially we were given the "colour variations occur from 5% to 30% in brick ranges" standard line but we persevered with our questions. Eventually the brick company did come to the party and have now offered us a treatment applied after the bricklaying and cleaning is complete which adds colour to the bricks. Nawkaw is the company that does this - they also adjust mortar differences etc. Wonder if anyone has had any experience with them???or this process??
Bricking is almost complete now. The scaffolding went up last week and now the brickies have done the side and back with just the front top third to finish. Realised, as the bricking began, that I had chosen a raked mortar profile finish - BIG mistake if you have upgraded to the cost of white mortar as this profile diminishes the ability to see the white mortar effect. DOH! The mortar seems to be getting whiter as it dries and I am told it will also get even whiter when brick cleaning occurs. Initially I was devastated to discover this error in the mortar finish and thought I ruined the look of the whole facade as the white mortar was to complement the off white windows. As the white mortar gets "brighter" I am starting to hope it may not have been such a huge mistake. Fingers crossed - anyhow if you get the choice go for concave finish - not flush or raked!
This weekend we are putting in more insulation. We thought PD would have this covered with such a high energy rating but no - there's no insulation in the walls - let alone I see now that other people have added this upgrade and more to areas such as the garage roof and Portico. (We had only added sound proofing insulation to the theatre) So now it's a frantic weekend to get some insulation in before the plasters begin next week and I also want to sweep out the house of dirt and crap that might get trapped in the walls. I am going to sweep the whole thing actually in hope that a clean working environment will encourage a higher standard of workmanship. Am going by the old saying of dress smart/work smart - anything is worth a try I guess and I'll feel happier seeing it clean - if only for a while.
As the plaster is going up next week the wiring etc is also being done this week - I'll spend this Fri night checking that it looks like it's according going to the plan. I'm also going to take heaps of pics to ensure we have a reference point for future wiring etc.
Lastly - you can never check and recheck enough!! It was only late last week that I discovered there was no door frame for the laundry!!!!! How on earth did we and the PD/SS miss that??? The mind boggles at what else I have missed? A door frame is not easy to miss you would think - lucky we picked it up now as I would hate a patch up job after plastering has been done! Also, we upgraded to add a fireplace to be put in - PD Didn't put it exactly where we wanted but we said it would be ok (verbally) at the framing stage and now we have picked up that from the Portico the window is off centre and now we're not happy. I wonder if it's too late to ask for a rectification as the bricking has already been done?? Bit too scared to ask in case the SS gets cranky with us but think I am going to have to bite the bullet. Site meeting in two days - wish me luck!
Best of luck with the rest of the house build - it looks like it is coming together beautifully :)
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