future simple passive: starting

21 Nov 2013

Introducing our builder!

Our builders have started! May I introduce

Mr Andrew Dodden of Dodden Ltd...

and Paul.

(As well as Andrew's beloved little digger in the background.)

These fine fellows are the chaps who are going to build our house - Hooray!

Andrew has been working closely with our team of designers and structural engineer since early summer. Together they have collaborated to design a build which should be super efficient and super simple (we're hoping that that means quick and cheap to construct)! The first day had an auspicious start with a clear and sunny welcome.

But there will be no building of the house yet, oh no! First couple of weeks of work will involve getting all the services trenched and ducted, then it's all about retaining walls until Xmas probably.

We've got water, gas and telecoms coming from the top of the site. Then there is the very, very long trench to the bottom of the site which will house the drains and electricity. We saw the seams of stone that lay beneath the ground when we made the cut, let's hope it doesn't make the trenching difficult...

26 Oct 2013

On your marks...

We are preparing to start on site! Wednesday was a really productive day where, using tape measures, stakes, mallets, spray paint and the geometry of triangulation, the markers for the cut were set out. Sorry no pictures but i'll try to get some up soon.

The building began to come to life on site for the first time, as its dimensions became real and we stood looking out of theoretical windows at the views. In retrospect this should have been done a couple of weeks ago. It would probably have helped with getting contractors to price the work, rather than just working off paper plans.

Our groundworks contractor is due on site next Tuesday (although they are now predicting storms for next week so that could delay things!). He anticipates that the job will take four days which is just as well as he is starting a very long contract on the other side of the country the following week! No pressure then, I'm beginning to detect a theme here...

The last few days have seen a flurry of emails as we finalise the details of the cut; notify everyone we need to; check we are complying with everything that we need to.

All the structural details of the next part of the build are coming thick and fast now, so that our main building contractor can get on. Retaining walls, slab cross sections, concrete specifications, mesh drawings, waterproof membranes- it all makes me glad that we have employed professionals to make these decisions. Again, it's all about trust- a continuing theme for me throughout the process so far. The team you assemble around you is so important.

The irony that we are at last ready to start just as winter begins is not lost on me. For years I've wondered why people do it? Surely it is foolhardy to proceed when snow, arctic winters and record-breaking rain and bad weather which will bring work to a standstill is just around the corner? Now I know why they do it, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, you are not really in control of these things. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish hopefully. Also you can't predict the weather, last November was very dry-our neighbours had their roof done with no problems, and the Spring was one of the wettest on record. I hope that you are all keeping everything crossed for us!

BTW I think we have now fixed the comments part, people said they found it tricky, so i'd be delighted to hear your thoughts. I know you are out there as I've had over 1000 pageviews this month, which I am slightly overwhelmed by...

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21 Nov 2013

Introducing our builder!

26 Oct 2013

On your marks...