We finally were able to visit the site and speak to our site manager who took the time to explain to us the reasoning behind issuing the invoice so early. The BigM's process is that once the paint dries then the invoice for that stage is issued.
Our site manager has been great with ensuring that everything keeps moving and that someone is always onsite to get the job done. Most of the internal fit outs have finally been completed (tiles, plaster, cabinets, bench-tops, architraves, electricals, door handles, internal doors, shower screens, mirrors, basins, tapware, garage door) and the final walkthrough was scheduled with our site manager.
Tips for the final walkthrough:
- Familiarise yourself with your building plans, electrical plan and colour schedule.
- Mark up your plans and schedules so that you have a checklist (guide) to follow during the walkthrough.
- Test all windows and doors to ensure they all open/close properly
- Test all light switches to ensure they are installed in the right spots, work as they should and are connected to the right lights.
Walkthroughs can be a daunting process if you haven't gone through one before and you don't want to get overwhelmed and rush through the walkthrough. We found it alot easier having the checklist of items to review so that we moved at our pace and were comfortable with where things were at. We also had our independent inspector Theo (New Home Inspections) come onsite for the Pre-Handover inspection just for the peace of mind that structurally the house was built to code. Theo was great, he arrived onsite early and had started the inspection of the external and also gave us a quick run through of how walk throughs usually went.
We walked through the house room by room with our site manager and were given a roll of blue tape to use to mark up any defects, some of the things that we picked up were scratches to cupboard doors/sliding doors/benchtops, paintwork needing to be repaired, cabinet doors not closing properly, marks on tiles, lights not installed properly. The defects (summary) were recorded by our site manager and the list signed off by both parties. Defects marked with blue stickers would then be fixed before handover.
The remaining items being the splashback, solar hot water panels, hot water system, split system, driveway, replacing the sliding door. Most of the sliding doors have been replaced with the correct doors that we had signed off on with exception of 1 door which is still under discussion with the manufacturer. Hopefully in the next two weeks this will all be completed!
We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!