Well l have been off air for so long, just too busy. What with going on a cruise round the Caribbean during the winter months of February and March. Then returning home with the incentive of getting the house into a state that we can obtain the habitation certificate. This meant ensuring that we had a working kitchen, bathroom and all the dangerous drops were guarded.
So l built a temporary fence along the garden room edge and commenced building a stone wall to partition the parking from the three metre drop to the front of the house. After which it was time to decide on the kitchen. We had a rough idea of what we were looking for, but in the end we had to firm up certain features. Size of ovens, numbers, either double or single. Microwave, gas or electric hob and again how many.
In the end everything fell into place, although there were a few headaches on the way there. Especially as l had to move both the gas and electric feeds into the island unit. Which in turn necessitated cutting into the fitted flooring to reposition them. My fault. I had got it into my head that the gap between work tops was 1300 to meet the new building control regulations. It turned out to be 1400, to enable a wheelchaired person to be able to manoeuvre. But its such a big gap.
Then we had to fit the bathroom basins. Which sounded fairly straight forward. But they were so heavy, we had to build a frame to support them. Plus Judith wanted our basin repositioned. So the waste and supply had to be moved, which in turn, meant plastering and decorating. Its all fun. Also meant the shaver socket had to be repositioned to accommodate the mirror above the basin.
But we managed to get everything sorted ready for the inspection by building control. After which it was necessary to obtain our Q certificate from the structural engineer. But he was on holiday for three weeks. Nevertheless, it enabled us to move all our belongings from storage into the living areas, as well as time to go out an buy new furniture and fittings.
Whilst the weather was sunny and dry, we decided to get the rainstop fitted. We had Scotch Larch cut into strips and then Judith stained them black to contrast with the natural grey horizontal larch above. We were going to burn the larch, but gave up on the idea once we had 12 foot flames from the new paraffin burner. More like a flame thrower than a burner.
Judith has been busy sculpturing the land, whilst l make up more gabbion baskets to act as steps to get us down to the back of the house.
Priority has been to get the bottom part of the cladding finished prior to shooting off to see Jill and Chris who are over from Australia. Then as we are down in the south we are taking the opportunity to nip over to France to see the house and open it up to air and see our old friends.
Then once back we can finish off downstairs, or at least the ensuite bedroom, wardrobes and utility room. The garden room and ground floor balcony will have to wait until the kitchen units are finished, plus the storage in the lounge.
The completion certificate will only be granted once everything has been done, at which poit we can claim the vat back on materials. This is already up to £24k, but once everything is completed it most probably be nearer £30k.
This morning was set aside for finishing off the downpipes and tidying up, along with packing.
Also cleaned the car, but within five minutes the dreaded green hood had to go on to protect me from the hidden black army of ferocious eaters, the bloody midges.
So l built a temporary fence along the garden room edge and commenced building a stone wall to partition the parking from the three metre drop to the front of the house. After which it was time to decide on the kitchen. We had a rough idea of what we were looking for, but in the end we had to firm up certain features. Size of ovens, numbers, either double or single. Microwave, gas or electric hob and again how many.
In the end everything fell into place, although there were a few headaches on the way there. Especially as l had to move both the gas and electric feeds into the island unit. Which in turn necessitated cutting into the fitted flooring to reposition them. My fault. I had got it into my head that the gap between work tops was 1300 to meet the new building control regulations. It turned out to be 1400, to enable a wheelchaired person to be able to manoeuvre. But its such a big gap.
Then we had to fit the bathroom basins. Which sounded fairly straight forward. But they were so heavy, we had to build a frame to support them. Plus Judith wanted our basin repositioned. So the waste and supply had to be moved, which in turn, meant plastering and decorating. Its all fun. Also meant the shaver socket had to be repositioned to accommodate the mirror above the basin.
But we managed to get everything sorted ready for the inspection by building control. After which it was necessary to obtain our Q certificate from the structural engineer. But he was on holiday for three weeks. Nevertheless, it enabled us to move all our belongings from storage into the living areas, as well as time to go out an buy new furniture and fittings.
 |
| Still have the doors and doors to build |
 |
| Plenty of box's to empty once the shelves are made |
Judith has been busy sculpturing the land, whilst l make up more gabbion baskets to act as steps to get us down to the back of the house.
Priority has been to get the bottom part of the cladding finished prior to shooting off to see Jill and Chris who are over from Australia. Then as we are down in the south we are taking the opportunity to nip over to France to see the house and open it up to air and see our old friends.
Then once back we can finish off downstairs, or at least the ensuite bedroom, wardrobes and utility room. The garden room and ground floor balcony will have to wait until the kitchen units are finished, plus the storage in the lounge.
The completion certificate will only be granted once everything has been done, at which poit we can claim the vat back on materials. This is already up to £24k, but once everything is completed it most probably be nearer £30k.
This morning was set aside for finishing off the downpipes and tidying up, along with packing.
Also cleaned the car, but within five minutes the dreaded green hood had to go on to protect me from the hidden black army of ferocious eaters, the bloody midges.
Comments
Post a Comment