Cell Mates

Exciting stuff.  The upstairs stud walls are erected.

As experienced before, having the beginnings of walls and a roof, gives a great insight into the eventual feel of the upstairs.

The architect was actually concerned, that if we weren’t careful, we would create a house with a marvellous ground floor, but a disappointing, yet still very functional, upstairs.

He was desperately trying to convince me to drop down to three bedrooms and not have a room above the hall at all, thus creating a grand stair case, a landing overlooking the hall and huge space.

While I agreed that would look great, it was too much to sacrifice, so we discussed using some of the space for a galleried landing.

It really works.  It will give the upstairs a nice reception area.  They’ll be a bit of character and personalisation with my own stain glass window design.  Which in itself will bring more light to that area that my original design.

The bathroom suffers a bit.  But it is still big enough for a bath and separate shower.  It will probably only be used by Junior anyway, and he’s only, as ofter mentioned, three-foot anyway. So it will look huge to him.

More trades are back tomorrow, I’m expecting the first fit electrics to start and the plumber won’t be very far behind.

The windows are on order, and should be made next week, for installation the following.  I think the builder is hoping to be in a position to get the plasterer in soon after that point.  To start the mammoth job, that is to put smooth finishes on everything.

The Three-Foot-Foreman’s Report 14th March

It’s been a while since I last reported, but I’ve been busy with all sorts of stuff.

So, a lot has happened.  We have a roof everywhere now.  The builders had started over my room first because I’m the gaffer, but now they’ve been kind enough to put a roof over Daddy’s room, and the rest of the house.

I didn’t recognise the builders today, they must have been new.  Daddy said that they were just here to put the roof tiles on the utility, whatever that is.

I actually took my Dad on a tour of the house, pointing out which room we were in and where everything is going to go.  He didn’t seem to appreciate all I said, I think I’m going to have trouble with him.

Apparently the walls upstairs will be up next week, and I’ll be able to see exactly how big my room will be.

Uncle Ray is going to be helping the builders with the electrics.  I must tell him that he needs to do a good job, just like the builders have done so far.

I don’t know when we’ll move to the house but I’m already excited about it. 

I hope it’s not too long, but I’m sure the house will be fan-tast-tic when it’s finished.

Action Stations

I’m delighted to say, or type, delighted again. 

I’m delighted with the way the house appears, minus the scaffold.

It has been a tad delayed in coming down, due to this week’s high winds.  Not really the best conditions for attaching guttering, and I’m glad that it has been done safely and has thus far stuck on.

The rainwater goods themselves are attached directly to the end of the roof trusses.  A fascia and soffit are discarded and this is regarded as of more a cottage style finish.

Many won’t like this style of finish, and it is quite a rare sight on new builds, I’m led to believe, but I think it looks great.

Painting it may well be a right royal pain in the derrière, but that’s got to be better than bit of ‘L’ shaped plastic jimmied between roof tile and wall.

Now there suddenly seems a lot of questions to answer.  Electricians and plumbers need detail, not vague ideologies.  I’m not great at vague ideologies by the way.

Things like the kitchen design now need to be final, so the first fix electrics can marry to it. 

So I’ve a feel I’m suddenly going to be very busy with site business.

Saying that though, I’d have been a lot, lot,  busier had I not developed a very good relationship with both this builder and my brother-in-law electrician.

I’m hoping that by being busy and involved, it will feel like no time before we are actually in it. 

Then the three-foot-foreman can get on with his own modifications.

It Looks Like A House, But The Real Work Starts Now

With the removal of the scaffold imminent, the overall look of the house will soon be exposed to all and sundry.

The rainwater goods are going on, the tiling to the single storey roof is being finished, tiles are being added to the pantry roof and sides of the chimney breast, the externals of the house won’t change much from here on in.

However on the inside, the size of the fitting out task seems mammoth, even compared to what has been achieved thus far.

It is here where minor details become crucial, to price, timescale and appearance.  Using the wrong fittings, even relatively minor ones, like plug sockets, will either enhance or detract from the overall impact of this project.

I am in negotiations with my builder, and my brother-in-law electrician, to see if we can manage as close to an ‘under one roof’ solution as possible, to the conclusion of this project.  What I mean is, I’ve chosen to off-load some of the project management by having most of the trades through one contractor.

The balance of risk and negating any arguments between trades, versus saving an estimated figure, has tipped in the favour of using a one-for-all completion route.   Albeit with the exception of certain specific parts like electrics, but you hopefully get what I’m typing.  

So from here on in, there shall be many more pictures, but rather of a transforming indoors.  Hopefully at a decent pace and to a very good standard.

Panic Attack Over, The Roof Tiles Are Bonza

Last week I was off ski-ing, or more specifically, falling over a lot on a snowy mountain.

This meant being unavailable for a site visit for the first time.  Not really a problem, as the builder has got on with the build with the minimum of fuss, and hasn’t brought many many serious problems to my door.

However as I was actually on the way to the airport, a new thought crossed my mind.  It actually reminded me of a time I had a knee operation, and pre-op the nurse asked if I was worried about waking up during the procedure, and it hadn’t crossed my mind until she mention it.

What if the wrong roof tiles arrive?  They’d be on the roof before I could do anything about it, well, other than scream shout and get it sorted out.

I’d seen the samples and been specific when placing the contract with the builder, but I still couldn’t overt a minor panic attack.

It immediately subsided, and even further when my sister said she thought they looked ‘right’.  And today I was relieved to actually see that the correct tiles were in place, and what, if I may type so myself, are an excellent choice.

They complement the brickwork well, and are in-keeping with the area.  It’s especially pleasing as I originally wanted a very modern tile, or a slate equivalent.  But straight lines wouldn’t have given this property any character.