Getting Down to It

Those finishing touches over the last few days of the project are the icing on the cake and the bits you'll see every day for the coming years. We've never really had a deadline on the project but most of the trades do, they are going on holiday! This means that joiners and electrician are competing for space with floor fitters.

The guys fitting the floor will have covered the the whole house using  Colonia in the space of just two days, good going!  Tomorrow the focus moves to finishing off the outside. The patio and front access start to be finished.  This weeks  disappointment is that the granite work surface is delayed until next Monday. We'll stay at the apartment this weekend without a hob and kitchen sink, we'll manage! 

# It's the Final Countdown!!

Well we've reached week Ten of the big renovation and the team are on target to complete the schedule on time. You'll remember that we were ahead of schedule by a week a month or so back. The main hold up was a two week delay with the installation of the bi-fold doors which finally went in yesterday. Mark and the team at MAS have been proactive finding ways to mitigate the issue  but at the end of the day a number of tasks backed up behind that installation. 

  The boiler was fired up yesterday by Darren of Pegasus Plumbing and Heating Services Ltd. Most all of the plumbing is now complete, the final job will be connecting the kitchen sink once the granite work surface is installed later this week.   

Paul and Matt are finishing the final bits of wood work and Rob of Trent Electrical is really going to the wire. On Tuesday his day on the job started at 5pm after a full day on Jury Service! That what I call dedication!  The final bit of good news was my little bit of hands on with the project. The MVHR Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery System was commissioned and signed of for building regulation this week.  The system is running smoothly and quietly and only time will tell this winter whether it was worth the investment.

 

Lots of Colour

COLOUR PREJUDICED? 
by Phil Wagg

The sky is painted in amazing hues,
contrasting grey, magnificent blues.
Deep red sunsets widen many eyes,
Golden yellows of early sunrise.
Mother Nature, learned with age,
As did I, we don't do Beige.

Grasses, coloured forty shades
of green and gold on many blades.
Leafs that grow above my head
are green and brown and golden red.
Mother Nature, learned with age,
As did I, we don't do Beige.

Butterflies, there's nothing lovelier
than Red Admirals on purple buddleia.
Blackbird, Green Finch, Red Robin too,
Yellow Hammers and Tits so Blue.
Mother Nature, learned with age,
As did I, we don't do Beige.  


Ann Maurice wouldn't dare
paint her walls "Coral Flair"
She would say "oh what a mistake"
to use "Blue Reflection" and "Lost Lake"
Thankfully "House Doctor" has had it's run
So Paint real colours, Have some fun.  

Second Fix

So the plasterers have been and gone, leaving only beautiful walls and lots of plaster dust! Next, the second fix for the plumbers, electricians and joiners. The kitchen arrived and in no time the joiners had the units in place. Never a happier chef - Phil, on the arrival of his new kitchen. 
The joiners also quickly fitted skirting architrave and doors. However they are not happy with the door suppliers, Howdens. Mark chased all over the Midlands for doors supposedly in stock at other depots, only to find on arrival, they were damaged. 
The electricians have made a start fitting sockets, switches and down-lighters.

Our Walls turn Pink

The platerers moved in on Thursday and have started skimming the plasterboard. Dirty job but someone has to do it! Once this is complete early next week 2nd fix will be able to start for the joiners, electricians plumbers and kitchen fitters!

Meanwhile the plasters are chasing the joiners and window fitters. Final windows need to fitted so that the reveals can be can have plaster boarding and insulating added ready for the platers.

Window Week!

              


Our window suppliers turned up on schedule Monday morning. The Stormclad team Ian and Keith started with the bedroom french doors and windows.

Ian and Keith removing the old inner porch door. A couple of hours later walks through our new door!

Cosy and Warm

The slog that is insulating the house starts this week. Starting with the gaps between the rafters 100mm of Celotex then a further 400 over the top of that. All of the outer walls will have 40mm insulated plasterboard.