I know that I have not made any posts lately but I can't stand writing stuff. So I'll just post a link to a bunch of photos for you to look over. We should be moving in in about 3 weeks. Get ready to come visit. Hope you like them.
House Photos on Flickr
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Early Stages
Now that the plans were complete we had to find a builder. We had three builders review our plans and give us their quotes. In the end all proved to be good choices but we finally chose Darrell Trigg Builders. This was based on recommendations we received and his open and honest communication. So we were now ready to forge head with the construction. While we were receiving quotes we had contracted to have the driveway put in. Our driveway is about 150m long so the only choice we had was to do a gravel drive due to the cost. Here are a few shots of the drive going in.
Once all the contract signing was over, our builder started about the second week in February with getting the foundation laid out on the site. We had one or two iterations before deciding on the final placement. We wanted to maximise the amount of winter sun coming from the North but also wanted to maintain our view out to the West. In the end we settled for a bit of both and rotated the house so the back of the house was facing North West. They then could come in and do a site scrape which removes the top soil and then start getting everything marked out for the footings and the foundation.
Once all the contract signing was over, our builder started about the second week in February with getting the foundation laid out on the site. We had one or two iterations before deciding on the final placement. We wanted to maximise the amount of winter sun coming from the North but also wanted to maintain our view out to the West. In the end we settled for a bit of both and rotated the house so the back of the house was facing North West. They then could come in and do a site scrape which removes the top soil and then start getting everything marked out for the footings and the foundation.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Lambs & Plans
After the rainy months of winter the warmer and drier spring weather was very welcome. When the spring arrives in September so do the lambs. The spring months are the lambing season in New Zealand when all of the ewes give birth to the their lambs. Since our neighbor uses our land to graze his sheep my children were treated to a pasture full of new born lambs.
Of course Emily and Aengus wanted to pet the lambs but their Mums were not too sure. This ewe was especially suspicious of Aengus.
Since we closed on the section back in August we had been searching for an architect to help get our ideas on paper. After an extensive search and some recommendations from friends we decided to use Chris Howell from Main 4 Architects here in Whangarei. Chris was fantastic and was really able to achieve our vision. Here is a preliminary drawing of the front of the house from Main 4 Architects of what it will look like once it's complete.
The preliminary sketches now go to the architectural draftsman to complete the plans and submit for Building Consent. The ball is starting to roll and things will start happening sooner rather than later if we have anything to say about it. So keep checking back.
Next episode: The driveway goes in and we find a builder!
Of course Emily and Aengus wanted to pet the lambs but their Mums were not too sure. This ewe was especially suspicious of Aengus.
Since we closed on the section back in August we had been searching for an architect to help get our ideas on paper. After an extensive search and some recommendations from friends we decided to use Chris Howell from Main 4 Architects here in Whangarei. Chris was fantastic and was really able to achieve our vision. Here is a preliminary drawing of the front of the house from Main 4 Architects of what it will look like once it's complete.
The preliminary sketches now go to the architectural draftsman to complete the plans and submit for Building Consent. The ball is starting to roll and things will start happening sooner rather than later if we have anything to say about it. So keep checking back.
Next episode: The driveway goes in and we find a builder!
Friday, April 3, 2009
The First Phase
Michelle and I did a lot of hunting around for the right spot. At first we were house hunting but just couldn't find the one house that had everything we wanted. We decided that the only way to get what we wanted was to build another house. Those of you who know about our house in Topanga will know that it wasn't the best experience for us in the end. We were pleased with the house but the struggle to get it completed had taken a lot of the enjoyment out of our first home. So you can see why we were a bit reluctant to jump right into building again. In the end we figured if we could make it through one build we could make it though another. This time we would have experience on our side.
There were a few sections that made the short list but you know the right spot because when you step foot onto it a little voice says, "This is it". After 8 months of searching we finally found our spot.
These photos were taken in July 2008. The section is located in the North West corner of Whanagrei in an area called Ngararatunua or better know as Three Mile Bush. It is a 4 acre section with nice views to the West and a good Northern aspect for Winter sun. There is a well that services the section and is shared with our neighbors. Once we saw the section we knew it was where we wanted to build our new house. Here is a photo of us planting an avocado tree right after we closed escrow.
And another taken by our friends Nigel & Cath while celebrating in August 2008.
Next episode: Sheep, sheep everywhere and the hunt for an Architect begins!
There were a few sections that made the short list but you know the right spot because when you step foot onto it a little voice says, "This is it". After 8 months of searching we finally found our spot.
These photos were taken in July 2008. The section is located in the North West corner of Whanagrei in an area called Ngararatunua or better know as Three Mile Bush. It is a 4 acre section with nice views to the West and a good Northern aspect for Winter sun. There is a well that services the section and is shared with our neighbors. Once we saw the section we knew it was where we wanted to build our new house. Here is a photo of us planting an avocado tree right after we closed escrow.
And another taken by our friends Nigel & Cath while celebrating in August 2008.
Next episode: Sheep, sheep everywhere and the hunt for an Architect begins!
Starting From Scratch
Well, now that we're building a new house here in NZ I thought that I should get a blog together to share it with all of you. Hope you enjoy watch it come together as much as we will. Maybe it'll even get some of you thinking about coming to visit. Hint hint!
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