We were going to go to Italy for a break this month to celebrate the end of the major building works and take a well earned break but alas, it wasn’t to be. Too much work to do which was a bit of a disappointment but even so, the rewards have been many… Within two weeks all the second fix electrics and plumbings were 70% complete and as soon as we had hot water, we dragged the mattress in from the caravan outside and enjoyed our first night in our new home. What an amazing feeling that was!
We have also managed to enjoy the thrill of making few savings as a result of a little recycling and some chance meetings on a shopping expedition: We re-used some of the wood flooring the builders were throwing away during the pub demolition which not only looks great but saved us a bob or two; Barry and Nick have laid oak flooring in the dinning area in the kitchen and also in the lounge which also looks wonderful; then one day, on our way up to a garden centre in North London, we came across a granite supplier – Granitedirect.com who supplied all our granite worktops for just £1,000 – a total bargain!
We did have a mild moment of hysteria at one point which was quickly replaced with total euphoria. It was the day the glaziers finished their work. They had been onsite for 2 days fitting all the window panes throughout the house and then putting back every single one of the 1200 pieces of beading which we had taken out and painted. Barry asked them for the paper work for the glass as proof that we had ordered and fitted, the highest quality, Argon filled glass which we needed to get our pass for our Code assessment. This glass, supplied by Pilkington, has a very low U value which means that it is extremely airtight, something that can earn several points as part of any Code assessment. The trouble was, the information on the paper work wasn’t tallying and so for one nasty moment, we thought we had fitted the whole house with the wrong glass! Thankfully after several phone calls and checks of the various emails and order forms we’ve collected over the months, we found the proof we were looking for so could all breathe a sigh of relief! The glaziers went home, and we enjoyed a well earned glass of wine and a take away from the local Chinese.
The biggest high this month, was when the scaffolding came down. It was like unwrapping a present. Not only could we see the house properly for the first time, but by removing the extra 2 metre width that the scaffolding took up, it made the house look even more spectacular on the plot. We’re tired but delighted after all the work done this month.
