Garage concrete is done

Came home to find the veranda completely off and the garage concrete done. Luckily dried enough that little doggies playing on it didn't really make marks!

Still remaining is power and water - the power might be the last to go in, which is a bit of a pain as it means no remote doors, no lights and no easy place for my washing machine.

Builder and I are both trying to chase the ensuite layout from the architect so he can finalise window etc ... that window is just going to have to be boarded up - apparently all the rest are ordered, except this one which is needed first!!

I've been given the push on making ensuite fitting decisions - the builder needs some measurements on the toilet that will go in the ensuite - now to decide on THAT toilet (I really don't want to make that decision!).

We're going to start getting in kitchen quotes - so I'll just await that heart attack ... I mean, if I know a scary scary price is coming, maybe I can work out a way to lessen the blow? eg. "well, at least it is under $50K" !!!!!

Another potential hiccup ... apparently SOMEONE forgot to put in the specs that the floor for the kitchen is going to be floorboards ... not quite sure what impact this is going to have ... but it is going to have some impact. Builder had been working on it being concrete (?!) ... and I might not know much about building, but I've got an idea that there might be a titchy price difference between concrete and floorboards!!! :-)

HUGE update!

Yesterday I was home as I wasn't feeling great - and I got to see lots happening ... luckily I wasn't so sick that I had to spend the day in bed in my PJs ... if I get that sick, I think I'm going to have to go to a friend's house, it would be very unpleasant to spend the day there with people around whilst feeling like crap!!

I'd made myself get up, showered and dressed before 7am ... which turned out to be the right thing to do ... 10 past 7 and in rolled the first lot of tradesmen! They were preparing the garage for the concrete which is arriving today! I have asked they close the doors on the garage once the concrete is down - I don't want doggie foot prints all through it when I let the dogs out tonight, even though it would be quite cute!

Later in the day the soil people came through with surveying equipment.
The builders (one of whom is called Bob - poor guy! maybe another profession would have caused less amusement?!) have begun on frames ... I checked what was written on them ... so far I have a pantry wall, a laundry wall and a toilet door way!! Interesting - I just assumed the first frames would be be for the ensuite, but they've started on the back part of the house. The builder said they'll have all the frames ready to go, and they'll just go up in a couple of days once the back is ready.

They also started removing the veranda ... big holes ... and I've now realised I didn't really get a proper before photo of them! Too late now! The rest will be gone by the time I get home tonight.

The main builder called me last night - we've got some issues with the placement of the septic tank ... they've suggested my front garden! Which WONT be happening! There will have to be another solution! I'm a crap gardener, but I don't need an ugly thing sitting right in the middle of my garden (let alone them digging up the rest of the poor thing ... it has only just survived summer!).
He also told me that I'll be able to move things into the garage over the weekend ... so that's my weekend set ... got to find boxes quickly now! He said they will probably pull out the kitchen cabinets by the end of next week ... bye bye kitchen :-( ... I will miss my cooking!! (I made yummy nutty chocolate biscuits for the builders yesterday).

We're waiting on the architect to finalise the plans for the ensuite - the builder can't order the window until these are done. I've got steam coming out my ears over the plans for the ensuite ... the architect decided to remove a component because it was "awkward" ... so he'll have to be putting it back in ... the awkward bit is there for a very good reason!! We also seem to have issues communicating about the window - I think my vanity is about at knee height at the moment - that window is just going to have to get a whole lot smaller. So this is my first grump over the building process - I'm sure there will be more to come!!

When I got home from work on Monday night I found my little dog missing from her enclosure ... I screamed for her and heard a tiny yelp ... she was INSIDE the house!! Apparently she'd got out again (from the hole created by the builders when the garage went it) and had been running around ... they'd gone into the house and they said she went in so they left her there ... noice ... you can imagine the clean up I came home to!! I'm very glad she was at least safe - and she didn't do too much damage in the house, I only lost one item of clothing to being chewed and she chose the bathroom as her toilet spot - so at least not the carpet!! The builders fixed up the hole yesterday - but I think she might just dig again.

The roof, the roof, the roof is ... ON!

The garage has a roof! Just needs concrete and it will be all done.

(did have another photo actually showing the roof - but camera seems to have had a hissy and the file size is 0!)

New piles of things have arrived elsewhere on site ... still no idea what they're for!!

The garage is getting smaller

No photo from yesterday's developments as I left early - the garage now has windows, doors and some gutters!! No roof yet ... but they've said they will be finished in a day or so.

Interestingly enough, over the weekend, the garage shrank. Obviously not in actual size but in my perception of it!! It now doesn't look so massive and blocking. I must be getting used to it already.

I'm going to have to work out a way to get the roller doors down as there will be no power for a while, there is no way I can reach them.

New piles of "stuff" arrived yesterday - no idea what they're for (also a bit hard to determine in the dark) ... I think they are starting to make frames this week, so maybe associated with that.

One thing I'd really like to have organised is some shelving for the garage, once the slab is down. I've got most of the large furniture items to store in there when the extension is pulled down, plus boxes of books and crap. Shelves would be helpful!

And just to prove how "blonde" I can be ... was looking at the whirly vent thingie which is in its box, wondering why it hasn't been installed yet - then realised ... umm ... they might need the roof on to install it!! oops!

Walls on the garage

It is beginning to feel very closed in! Having walls on the garage has made me realise how used I am to being able to move easily around the house, I didn't quite get the concept in my mind - of what a whopping great big garage would do to the feel of the place! So where before I'm used to looking through, it now looks at a wall!!

Roller doors are in - though I've realised when speaking with the builder the other day, they wont be having any electricity to them for a while! I hope they can go up and down manually!

Speaking with my good friend who's nearly finished her renovation *waves* it totally freaks me out how much she knows about finishes and brushed chrome and warranties and ... I just have nooooo idea! I need to attend "Renovation 101" and learn how to differentiate between chromes!

Icy morning

Only -3 degC this morning ... frozen everywhere!

Was wonderful seeing things in daylight yesterday ... the garage is going up. Unfortunately they did some minor damage to the corner of the dog yard - allowing an itty doggie to escape!! Luckily she didn't run away, but gave me a fright to come home to see her running around.

Met with interior designer - she was very helpful - apart from asking questions which I really have no idea about! She wasn't able to stay very long, but I hope she got an idea of what I'm looking for. I'll meet up with her again to go through some actual colours etc once she's had a think about it.

Then I met with the builder - we need to get the architect to draw up a more detailed plan of the ensuite, and there are couple of changes to the specifications (windows that aren't going to work - on plan it looks good - but I don't want my vanity at knee height!).

Garage footings go in

Another adventurous home coming ... nearly fell on my face walking through the door in the dark ... the builder had put up a "trip wire" (otherwise known as a stringline-thingie!) right across the doorway about 3cm higher than the step ... ouch!!

No photo today - too much of a rush this morning for the couple of seconds of daylight I have. The footings are in for the garage, I'm not sure if they need to set for a day or they will be erecting the shed today. I'll be home in daylight today so I'm looking forward to seeing things in the light ... and not falling into a hole or whatever next they put in!

The garage has JUST squeezed in ... obviously stepping out the site before starting would have been a better plan ... the dog yard has had a bit of the ground wire ripped up ... but luckily there is just enough gap between them (though not enough to walk through which is a bit annoying). At least it didn't need to be moved - as it cost quite a bit to put up in the first place!

The little shed didn't make it - RIP Shed!

If only I was getting home in daylight it would be so much fun to explore what has been done during the day.


Yesterday they took down my little shed. They had hoped to be able to move it, but I wasn't surprised to find it in pieces.



Here is the before ...

The little shed was pretty old, I assume an old meat shed or dairy? There was a strange concrete block in the middle of it ... can't quite work out what it it was used for.


They've also started looking at what lies behind the south wall - which is to have the external weatherboards replaced and fixing of whatever else has rotted (and ensuite is going here). The house basically just sits on the ground, propped up on some bricks! No stumps or anything! From my brief look at it, I'm actually surprised not to see more rotted wood. Looks like I'll be moving out of my bedroom this week - only floorboards and thin carpet between me and the outside world ... and it is sooo cold outside! Getting down to 2 degC overnight now.



The builder rang last night about yesterday's hiccup ... and the plan is to move the garage about 500mm ... and they'll work out a way of ensuring I can get from the car to the house and not get wet once it is all up. He'd told me last week that the garage wont be going up for 5 days once it is delivered ... but apparently that plan has changed ... they are doing the footings today, garage might even be up by tomorrow!!!

Now I've got to organise to get the furniture in the house moved to the garage once the concrete is set.

Uh oh - first hiccup!

So it was a good plan ... a nice easy sensible plan ... erect garage, then move all the stuff into that, then knock down the old part of the house ... simple, right?! Except ... the builder has just rung ... and where the garage is to go on the plans, is actually where the current part of the house IS ... which means ... that TOTALLY changes the plan! My garage will be delayed, they might be taking down the laundry wall. Oops!

I had not prepared to lose the back of the house immediately! I could move the garage - which would mean it wasn't sitting right where I wanted when the build is finished ... but 1 metre of walking in the rain forever, could mean a whole lot less hassle now?

They are going to re-measure.

Trees not quite finished

Last night's arrival home was to all the big trees cleared away and the branches taken off the other trees ... except the MOST important one!!! argh!! The tree that is right next to where the garage is being erected next week!! They trimmed off a tiny branch, not the large branch right back to the trunk. I rang the tree-man as soon as I noticed and he's coming back out today or Saturday to do the last bit.

I was expecting a VERY large pile of wood chips left over - but only a tiny pile has been left ... hmmmmmmmmmmm. I had lots of plans for that.

Speaking with the builder last night, it looks like there are a couple more spare days until the garage goes up anyway. It will be delievered next Tuesday, but it might take them another 5 days before the footings etc will be done. Where they are putting the footings in, there are the cables to the stables and water pipes ... will be interesting to see how many of those they hit!! I've warned them - so at least they'll be prepared to turn the water off.

Monday is the day the builder said he'd start clearing and marking out the site. It will be quite interesting to see it on the ground vs just on paper. We're also hoping to meet up on Wednesday and I'll get an idea of how they plan to do the job. I'm looking forward to knowing a bit more about what to expect.

First before and after photos

I got home last night to find a big hole in the sky ... the tree people turned up! So we have my first before and after photos! So sad they had to go :-(

There is still more for them to chop down today - branches off other trees vs entire trees. Hoping they'll get them down before the wind picks up too much.

Next week's weather forecast isn't looking nice for the garage going up!

Official START day today!

Today is the official starting day ... and the builder did call this morning ... but I was racing out the door to catch the train.

Building permit for the garage arrived by mail yesterday - so hoping that is all set to go up next week. The builder just needs to clear the site!

Today the tree people are supposed to be cutting down trees - I'll find out when I get home if they've turned up! It looks like the weather might be OK for the next couple of days - though the wind is forecasted to pick up, which can't be good when dropping massive pine trees. I had hoped to get some more "before" photos but I haven't been home in daylight to get any.

Talking to another interior designer next week - need to start some of those colour decisions for tiles. I had a look through tiles stores last week and I'm really unsure how to pick a specific tile. There are lots that look sort of OK ... but are they THE ONE?! Luckily I'm not so fussy that if it isn't perfect that my life will be ruined ... it will all end up dirty anyway!

Last night was the big signing night ... contracts are done!! Architect and builder came over and we agreed on a couple of changes to the contract (especially the bit that said something like "existing building datum points are considered level, plumb and square unless agreed otherwise" - luckily we all agreed otherwise!! Old houses aren't known for their straightness!!).

Official start date is the 22nd April ... with an official "end" on 22nd August.

Garage will be first up ... then the ensuite will start.

Now I've got to work hard this weekend to clear out the tool shed - and decide where it goes! The builder has suggested they might be able to move it, so I've got to find a place for a little weatherboard shed. That's where the garage will be.

It is quite funny when I look out and realise the things that have to be moved ... the weather station will have to find a new home, the wire winder thingie and so much more. I'm hoping that the washing line might just be able to stay ... otherwise another thing to find a home for!

Building permit sent off today for the garage, zillions of copies of all sorts of documents.

Hoping to finalise the tree removals today, chasing one more quote before I make my decision. Got to hurry that up, most have said within 2 weeks, but I don't really want them making a mess when the garage is supposed to be going up!

Interior designer is booked to come on Monday - to help with those decisions I don't want to do (or can't do!) ... tile colour?! who cares?! - not me, but hopefully someone else does!! Early decisions will be the ensuite, I've got a bit of breathing space until further decisions are required.

Starting out

Lots of tasks to start out this week, with the likely building date getting closer.

First up is getting quotes on tree removal - don't want those lovely old pine trees smashing down through my nice new extension. Will be sad to say good bye to the 100+ year old trees, but it is there time.

Also need to book in the garage to be supplied and built ... comparing quotes is lots of fun.

Starting to think about packing up the house.

Selecting ensuite fittings is going to get a bit desperate soon ... decisions will have to be made.