We settled....now to finish off

We settled last week with only a couple of minor issues. The laundry tap needs to be replaced because it is the wrong one and the exhaust fans in the bathroom need to be ducted to the outside (to compky with BASIX). The tap will be replaced on Friday and the exhaust fans will be replaced as soon as they are available.

The liquidated damages was reassessed and we came out with quite a bit more than the builder's original assessment. I think both parties are satisfied.

The splashback issue was resolved by moving the rangehood lower to meet the splashback. After speaking to the rangehood manufacturer, the rangehood is above the minimum height required so there are no real issues. The electrician appears to have thrown out the instructions though.

The landscaping has started now. We had the design done by Bird's Landscape Design and we are using Mirage Landscaping for construction. They're not the cheapest but they seem to know what they're doing and actually care about the job. The hard landscaping is being done first while the soft landscaping, irrigation and plants will be completed in Spring.

Here are some photos:

Footings dug for retaining walls. Notice the electrical (that was supposed by done to 600mm by Eden Brae is actually at 300mm).

Footings out the front (the exposure on the camera was set wrong).

Treated pine retaining wall down the side. These guys mix their own concrete and it's much better than the 'Rapid set' stuff

Reinforcing for the concrete footings and drainage for planter boxes. There's quite a bit of steel in there. At least the camera exposure was right here.