Building a Home

[samh004]

Some might think my project stopped, but it has been progressing. We received council approval not too long ago and the plan is now with the estate for covenant approval. First payment has been made and we're hoping to break ground some time in September. I think it'll be a very tight schedule to be in before Christmas, so much more likely to be afterwards. Will post photos as we get them.

 

[samh004]

I figured I should upload the document from the electrical appointment that we had.

In the end, the CAT6 brigade will be glad to know they won... but only because we had so much room left in the budget that adding the cables didn't contribute much to the bottom line. Therefore, media devices such as TV's will get a wired connection to the network instead of wireless, and we might even operate two wireless points/a mesh system as we have cables running the length of the house. However, we didn't run a port to every room in the house.



We also went nuts on downlights, as they ended up being quite good value after we sold all the batten lights back. That said, the play is to still replace a number of them post-build with these Downlight Colour as we enjoy our smart lighting system here far too much to lose that level of control.

I can't recall if I mentioned that we also upgraded our ducted A/C as the price difference was marginal. It is now smart (will work through an app) and zones can be run independently of each other (previously the main zone would always be on). Zones are:

• Dining & Family
• Master Suite
• Home Office & Entertainment
• Bed 2, 3 & 4
• Activity (outside bed 2, 3 & 4) – plan to store books and wine here!

We only went with one USB GPO and it's on the end of the breakfast bar.

All potential wet areas (laundry and bathrooms) were given extractor fans to outside. Kitchen already had that, obviously.

Colour choices were a Deep Ocean (colorbond) roof, Shale Grey (Taubmans) fascia, Silent Night (Taubmans) cladding, Basalt (Colorbond) garage door and a Surf Wash brick with Off White mortar (Austral).

The solar is a 6.6kW system with a 5kW inverter, pre-installed for free and operating from day one, but locks us into buying our power from Powershop for 5 years. That said, we can buy from someone else, but don't get the benefit of the solar then. Every year on the anniversary of house handover the system buy-out cost reduced by $1000, until 5 years when it's completely our system and we can do with it as we like. I decided to go with the free panels as it's still a saving over getting it installed with my own money later, especially after building a house, but I am not certain I will be using their services.

 

[travelislife]

Good stuff! Have you set the height of your GPO's, CAT6 and Antennae for the TV locations?

 

[p--and--t]

Some great decisions made there.

Getting me bit itchy to build again. But I will resist, maybe a reno. Toying with the idea of moving somewhere warmer in the next 2-4 years as my "final" move [and no that is not a euphemism for a fictitious place promoted by some religions ]

 

[samh004]

Good stuff! Have you set the height of your GPO's, CAT6 and Antennae for the TV locations?

Indeed we have, most GPO's are about a foot off the floor/default height for the area. But we have set a couple to be behind the TV as I don't intend to have anything but the TV hanging there. Meanwhile, in the entertainment room the CAT6 is actually closer to the floor as we managed to get a conduit installed up to TV height so will split the CAT6 to some media devices at TV bench height, and then send it up the wall behind the TV with HDMI.

Apparently we will get a walk through before the plaster goes on to make sure everything is in the correct spot.

Also, we didn't install an antenna on the roof. We were told that our FTTP comes with a splitter that enables TV signals to come down the line. Unsure how true this actually is, but if it's BS we'll just get Jim in to put up an antenna.

 

[Buzzard]

Be certain to test all the data points. 2 of 4 at our new place don't work. A month later we are still waiting for the sparky to return.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Also, we didn't install an antenna on the roof. We were told that our FTTP comes with a splitter that enables TV signals to come down the line. Unsure how true this actually is, but if it's BS we'll just get Jim in to put up an antenna.

Could be totally wrong but I’ve never heard of terrestrial tv signals coming through network cables. The splitter is used for Foxtel etc but not for normal digital tv signals.

 

[samh004]

This is from a Telstra flyer, specifically given out for the estate. I'd still have to see it done to believe it though.



The wording could be ambiguous to suggest it's internet streaming though, but an old thread from Can get free to air TV via NBN? - “NBN” suggests:

Just for the record, NBN does offer TV (RFoG) via FTTP as from about mid 2017 if the developer requests it:

2.2.2.8 Customer RF injection points

https://www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/network-design-rules.pdf

 

[TheRealTMA]

This is from a Telstra flyer, specifically given out for the estate. I'd still have to see it done to believe it though.

View attachment 226613

The wording could be ambiguous to suggest it's internet streaming though, but an old thread from Can get free to air TV via NBN? - “NBN” suggests:

It says “streamed” so I’ll be most interested to see what happens! Think you’d need some streaming box that accesses FTA tv.

For example. How to set up live TV on your Telstra TV®

This requires an aerial.

 

[Buzzard]

I will have to have a better look but I can't see any aerials where I live.
Is it coincidence that all 4 data points also have a TV point?
Maybe when the sparky comes to fix the data points I'll ask how we get TV.

 

[moa999]

Maybe when the sparky comes to fix the data points I'll ask how we get TV.

Have a look near your NBN box (maybe garage).
Should be an aerial splitter nearby as well to each of those points, then trace where the IN comes from.
Check also that all your points have been patched in.

 

[SuePa]

Also, we didn't install an antenna on the roof.

I wouldn't be too worried. There's less and less on free-to-air worth watching!

 

[samh004]

It says “streamed” so I’ll be most interested to see what happens! Think you’d need some streaming box that accesses FTA tv.

For example. How to set up live TV on your Telstra TV®

This requires an aerial.

This was my thought too, until I had a look at https://www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/network-design-rules.pdf and saw the graphic that suggests an RF signal can be introduced to the fibre within 12KM of a dwelling.

I might have to ask the developer.

I wouldn't be too worried. There's less and less on free-to-air worth watching!

Most of my nights are spent on FTA TV, and ABC24 is my go to in the morning after I get out of bed. While I appreciate it can be streamed through the internet, call me old fashioned, but there's not a lot simpler than turning the TV on and seeing a live picture straight away.

 

[TheRealTMA]

This was my thought to, until I had a look at https://www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/network-design-rules.pdf and saw the graphic that suggests an RF signal can be introduced to the fibre within 12KM of a dwelling.

I might have to ask the developer.

Most of my nights are spent on FTA TV, and ABC24 is my go to in the morning after I get out of bed. While I appreciate it can be streamed through the internet, call me old fashioned, but there's not a lot simpler than turning the TV on and seeing a live picture straight away.

Be interested to see!

 

[blackcat20]

We don't have an aerial, we just use the apps like 10play.

 

[samh004]

We don't have an aerial, we just use the apps like 10play.

We use the apps when we miss something, but I didn't think they could be used for live TV – usually you have to wait a little bit after the show ends for the clip to post?

 

[PLM]

Anecdotally it seems we are all spending more money on our houses courtesy of the pandemic. Ironically it may mean there is no real bursting of our never-ending housing bubble!

 

[blackcat20]

We use the apps when we miss something, but I didn't think they could be used for live TV – usually you have to wait a little bit after the show ends for the clip to post?

No, you can definitely watch them live. We watch the news, the project etc as they are aired.

 

[samh004]

No, you can definitely watch them live. We watch the news, the project etc as they are aired.

Will have to take a look and see how things have changed on my TV. Would certainly be possible with FTTP.

 

[samh004]

Be interested to see!

The developer ended up getting back to me to let me know that they did not offer FTA over Fibre in my area, so I have added an antenna to my build. We really do like our FTA TV and only stream shows when we have forgotten to see them live.

Work officially begins on Monday, and the slab should be poured by Friday. I hope to get almost daily photos on here initially.