Ellenbrook
Sep 12th 2010 | 9:30 pm
#136
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
On advice from a friend in the building industry and went and checked out the retaining wall again to see if they had stepped the wall. They have, but it doesn't interlock with anything. When Suraini gets back I'm going to ask for the engineers report/drawings.
They've cut ians wall today.
Cut straight down like they did for mine.
They've cut ians wall today.
Cut straight down like they did for mine.
Last edited by rgvlee; Sep 12th 2010 at 9:33 pm.
Sep 12th 2010 | 11:16 pm
#137
Living the dream
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,441
From: The Vines WA
Re: Ellenbrook
I just thought I would let people know I bought a house in Charlottes Vineyard and have been in Ellenbrook for three months.I was quite worried about the move as we had to leave Woodvale as it was to expensive for us rather than wanting to.
Anyway it is very nice here there are lots of parks and nice places to walk.My 6 year old loves her school,Arbour Grove and my 13 year old after a very horrible start,crying when she came home from school has now settled in at Ellenbrook Collage.
There is a big shopping centre at Midland and the great thing about going there is passing horses,cows and sheep in the fields as I have really missed the countryside where I lived in England.There are also lots of great places to visit which we will do in the school holidays.
I see a lot of people are having houses built I will have to go and have a nose on one of my walks.Sue.
Anyway it is very nice here there are lots of parks and nice places to walk.My 6 year old loves her school,Arbour Grove and my 13 year old after a very horrible start,crying when she came home from school has now settled in at Ellenbrook Collage.
There is a big shopping centre at Midland and the great thing about going there is passing horses,cows and sheep in the fields as I have really missed the countryside where I lived in England.There are also lots of great places to visit which we will do in the school holidays.
I see a lot of people are having houses built I will have to go and have a nose on one of my walks.Sue.
Are you on facebook? There is a facebook page called ellenbrook & surrounds that will give you loads of information on whats going on in Ellenbrook. Dawn
Sep 12th 2010 | 11:26 pm
#138
Account Closed
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 786
Re: Ellenbrook
Clayts, your pad is down
They've also started looking at both yours and ians driveway opening.
They've mostly done our driveway opening. We're not 100% happy at this stage but we will wait and see what it looks like when they have finished. I am a bit concerned that there is no longer an interlocking brick.
Before:
http://rgvlee.com/gallery2/d/3423-1/...71_800x600.jpg
After:
http://rgvlee.com/gallery2/d/3461-1/...72_800x600.JPG
It needs a couple days for the mortar to dry to really see what it is going to end up looking like.
They've also started looking at both yours and ians driveway opening.
They've mostly done our driveway opening. We're not 100% happy at this stage but we will wait and see what it looks like when they have finished. I am a bit concerned that there is no longer an interlocking brick.
Before:
http://rgvlee.com/gallery2/d/3423-1/...71_800x600.jpg
After:
http://rgvlee.com/gallery2/d/3461-1/...72_800x600.JPG
It needs a couple days for the mortar to dry to really see what it is going to end up looking like.
Sep 12th 2010 | 11:30 pm
#139
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
The work was done by LWP contractors.
Sep 19th 2010 | 5:40 pm
#140
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 560
From: Perf
Re: Ellenbrook
Went up at the weekend and saw our wall was happy with it but didnt notice the fact it doesnt interlock. I would be interested to see how important that piece of retaining wall actually is as to whether it needs to be interlocked or not I suspect its not actually that important and is there more as a asthetic thing more than anything else...
We finally had shire approval a week ago and are now "in construction" have been told to expect some action on site in the next 2 weeks. Saw we had water on site when we went up on Sunday and was that excited thats probably why I didnt notice the interlocking wall
The Celebration houses either side of us are flying up and seeing Clayts has his pad down its starting to make me feel jealous!
We finally had shire approval a week ago and are now "in construction" have been told to expect some action on site in the next 2 weeks. Saw we had water on site when we went up on Sunday and was that excited thats probably why I didnt notice the interlocking wall
The Celebration houses either side of us are flying up and seeing Clayts has his pad down its starting to make me feel jealous!
Last edited by ianhutch1; Sep 19th 2010 at 6:02 pm.
Sep 19th 2010 | 5:47 pm
#141
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 560
From: Perf
Re: Ellenbrook
So I can have a sticky beak at everyone else's plots next time im up there who has what up there?
I know clayts is 7122 Karridale but not sure on everyone elses.
I know clayts is 7122 Karridale but not sure on everyone elses.
Last edited by ianhutch1; Sep 19th 2010 at 6:01 pm.
Sep 19th 2010 | 7:09 pm
#142
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 64
Re: Ellenbrook
Went up at the weekend and saw our wall was happy with it but didnt notice the fact it doesnt interlock. I would be interested to see how important that piece of retaining wall actually is as to whether it needs to be interlocked or not I suspect its not actually that important and is there more as a asthetic thing more than anything else...
We finally had shire approval a week ago and are now "in construction" have been told to expect some action on site in the next 2 weeks. Saw we had water on site when we went up on Sunday and was that excited thats probably why I didnt notice the interlocking wall
The Celebration houses either side of us are flying up and seeing Clayts has his pad down its starting to make me feel jealous!
We finally had shire approval a week ago and are now "in construction" have been told to expect some action on site in the next 2 weeks. Saw we had water on site when we went up on Sunday and was that excited thats probably why I didnt notice the interlocking wall
The Celebration houses either side of us are flying up and seeing Clayts has his pad down its starting to make me feel jealous!
I think you are right about the retaining walls though Ian, looks like aesthetic purposes basically. Looks a lot better having been widened though, i hope the owners of 7125 are aware of the no cost option as their drive cuts right into the garage opening.
Sep 19th 2010 | 8:17 pm
#143
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
LOL
7125 will know about the driveway, everyone will as a letter was sent out to everyone. If they don't they'll soon know when everyone else gets theirs done. I would think that most with a double garage will go for the free change.
We've got prestart next week. Our builder has already submitted plans to council a month ago so we're further along than we thought.
7125 will know about the driveway, everyone will as a letter was sent out to everyone. If they don't they'll soon know when everyone else gets theirs done. I would think that most with a double garage will go for the free change.
We've got prestart next week. Our builder has already submitted plans to council a month ago so we're further along than we thought.
Sep 22nd 2010 | 7:57 pm
#144
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 560
From: Perf
Re: Ellenbrook
We've just had another win with LWP and the retaining wall, they have agreed to cut the return wall back by 1 metre (at their cost) which means we can now have steps up to our front of our porch without taking space from the back garden 
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
Sep 22nd 2010 | 8:10 pm
#145
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
We've just had another win with LWP and the retaining wall, they have agreed to cut the return wall back by 1 metre (at their cost) which means we can now have steps up to our front of our porch without taking space from the back garden
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
It's not just asthetics, it will help retain soil from going from the front yard down the driveway. You wouldn't be able to remove it entirely regardless.
I've been in contact today with Suraini (who is really nice to deal with) regarding the finish, will let you know how it goes. At the moment though we're concentrating on preparing for prestart which is next wednesday.
Sep 23rd 2010 | 12:09 pm
#146
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 64
Re: Ellenbrook
We've just had another win with LWP and the retaining wall, they have agreed to cut the return wall back by 1 metre (at their cost) which means we can now have steps up to our front of our porch without taking space from the back garden
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
Clayts, a surveyor at our building company confirmed that the return retaining wall is purely for asthetics and LWP confirmed that to me as well. They wont let us remove it totally but have been more then open to us having the length of it reduced to allow better access to the front of the house.
Im hoping my driveway has been done by now as it was marked 2 or 3 weeks ago and dug out all around. Have to take a drive out there and have a look...if i can drag myself away from breakfast at The Dome!! lol
Sep 23rd 2010 | 2:54 pm
#147
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,034
From: Ellenbrook western australia
Re: Ellenbrook
Welcome to Ellenbrook Sue. I'm sure you will love it. I live in Malvern Springs at the moment but have just bought land in Woburn Park The Vines. I have a 13 year old daughter too, she never settled in Ellenbrook College so goes to a school in Morley. Glad your daughter has managed to settle in. Its a hard age
Are you on facebook? There is a facebook page called ellenbrook & surrounds that will give you loads of information on whats going on in Ellenbrook. Dawn
Are you on facebook? There is a facebook page called ellenbrook & surrounds that will give you loads of information on whats going on in Ellenbrook. Dawn
Yes I am on facebook and I have been on the Ellenbrook page which I agree is very useful.Sue.
Sep 29th 2010 | 2:01 pm
#148
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
Prestart done. I'm 14k lighter for the experience
Surprised by a few costs, but what can you do. Tiling was a big one, we went larger tiles everywhere so got stung on that... more so as we're going floor to ceiling. Electricals were about 4.5 including coax and data points.
Didn't end up doing "smart wiring", but did get data points going back to single location in a broom closet. Got all the coax points that I wanted, not to a central point but to a splitter. All conduited so an enclosure can be retrofitted later without too much fuss and all less than 1k - coax to 4 rooms, 5 rooms data, 1 phone point and 1 broadband point (broadband point in a broom closet which is where the data points come back too).
Couldn't get square postform laminate tops for the bathroom/ensuite/powder/lanudry as per our spec, they apparently crack on all but a select few colours. We didn't want to be repicking laminate colours so it was either round postform or squareform. We went squareform although it was a lot more than I expected.
The LED lights under the overhead cupboards, all I can say is ouch. But I think it would be too hard to retrofit them all and with a kitchen located in the middle of the house I think it is necessary.
Passed up on kitchen downlights, stainless steel external wall lights and the kitchen bin. All pretty high prices for things that can be easily added later. The bin was $700, in bunnings its $130. Go figure.
Conduiting didn't cost much, all light switches cost $200 which is nothing for the flexibility it offers down the track.
All up we're happy with progress.
Surprised by a few costs, but what can you do. Tiling was a big one, we went larger tiles everywhere so got stung on that... more so as we're going floor to ceiling. Electricals were about 4.5 including coax and data points.
Didn't end up doing "smart wiring", but did get data points going back to single location in a broom closet. Got all the coax points that I wanted, not to a central point but to a splitter. All conduited so an enclosure can be retrofitted later without too much fuss and all less than 1k - coax to 4 rooms, 5 rooms data, 1 phone point and 1 broadband point (broadband point in a broom closet which is where the data points come back too).
Couldn't get square postform laminate tops for the bathroom/ensuite/powder/lanudry as per our spec, they apparently crack on all but a select few colours. We didn't want to be repicking laminate colours so it was either round postform or squareform. We went squareform although it was a lot more than I expected.
The LED lights under the overhead cupboards, all I can say is ouch. But I think it would be too hard to retrofit them all and with a kitchen located in the middle of the house I think it is necessary.
Passed up on kitchen downlights, stainless steel external wall lights and the kitchen bin. All pretty high prices for things that can be easily added later. The bin was $700, in bunnings its $130. Go figure.
Conduiting didn't cost much, all light switches cost $200 which is nothing for the flexibility it offers down the track.
All up we're happy with progress.
Sep 29th 2010 | 3:59 pm
#149
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 64
Re: Ellenbrook
Prestart done. I'm 14k lighter for the experience
Surprised by a few costs, but what can you do. Tiling was a big one, we went larger tiles everywhere so got stung on that... more so as we're going floor to ceiling. Electricals were about 4.5 including coax and data points.
Didn't end up doing "smart wiring", but did get data points going back to single location in a broom closet. Got all the coax points that I wanted, not to a central point but to a splitter. All conduited so an enclosure can be retrofitted later without too much fuss and all less than 1k - coax to 4 rooms, 5 rooms data, 1 phone point and 1 broadband point (broadband point in a broom closet which is where the data points come back too).
Couldn't get square postform laminate tops for the bathroom/ensuite/powder/lanudry as per our spec, they apparently crack on all but a select few colours. We didn't want to be repicking laminate colours so it was either round postform or squareform. We went squareform although it was a lot more than I expected.
The LED lights under the overhead cupboards, all I can say is ouch. But I think it would be too hard to retrofit them all and with a kitchen located in the middle of the house I think it is necessary.
Passed up on kitchen downlights, stainless steel external wall lights and the kitchen bin. All pretty high prices for things that can be easily added later. The bin was $700, in bunnings its $130. Go figure.
Conduiting didn't cost much, all light switches cost $200 which is nothing for the flexibility it offers down the track.
All up we're happy with progress.
Surprised by a few costs, but what can you do. Tiling was a big one, we went larger tiles everywhere so got stung on that... more so as we're going floor to ceiling. Electricals were about 4.5 including coax and data points.
Didn't end up doing "smart wiring", but did get data points going back to single location in a broom closet. Got all the coax points that I wanted, not to a central point but to a splitter. All conduited so an enclosure can be retrofitted later without too much fuss and all less than 1k - coax to 4 rooms, 5 rooms data, 1 phone point and 1 broadband point (broadband point in a broom closet which is where the data points come back too).
Couldn't get square postform laminate tops for the bathroom/ensuite/powder/lanudry as per our spec, they apparently crack on all but a select few colours. We didn't want to be repicking laminate colours so it was either round postform or squareform. We went squareform although it was a lot more than I expected.
The LED lights under the overhead cupboards, all I can say is ouch. But I think it would be too hard to retrofit them all and with a kitchen located in the middle of the house I think it is necessary.
Passed up on kitchen downlights, stainless steel external wall lights and the kitchen bin. All pretty high prices for things that can be easily added later. The bin was $700, in bunnings its $130. Go figure.
Conduiting didn't cost much, all light switches cost $200 which is nothing for the flexibility it offers down the track.
All up we're happy with progress.
Good news though mate, now onto the building hey. I guess the pad will be down soon enough.
Had a quick look around at the weekend and my drive had not been altered. Bit surprised as Ian had his done either last week or the week before and my wall had been dug out and marked as well. Since then the builder has filled in around the wall again so looks like LWP will be having to dig it out again!!
The brickies are due this week so should have all that done by mid-late October hopefully.
Sep 30th 2010 | 7:17 pm
#150
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Ellenbrook
I had a call today from one of the georgiou managers RE the wall. I have a meeting with him next week, will let you know what the outcome is. They are going to backfill it first as well so that may/may not change my mind.
