We are now in that phase where we can see the finish line not far away but, bizarrely, the closer we get the more there seems to be to do. 

 

The list the jobs that yet need to be done is a bit depressing; reflecting on all we have achieved so far is much more uplifting.  We are certainly in a significantly better position as we approach the end of the year than we expected to be when we started the project.

 

Work has continued in the run up to Christmas and several trades have asked if they can work some days during the holiday period (er… yes please!).

 

We have sadly suffered a family bereavement this week which has naturally led to reduced focus on the house, so apologies if this week’s blog is a bit rambling.  We do find creating the blog helpful and therapeutic, so we’re inflicting it on you regardless!

 

Cladding

Alan and Chris have now completed the ash cladding at the front of the house and the scaffold is down - yay! The cladding looks quite dark at the moment but it should fade to silver over the next year where exposed to daylight.  It will be interesting to see how the silvering graduates under the soffits which will presumably remain darker for many years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitchen

Our carpenter Chris has started to install the kitchen, utility and pantry units.  In the past we’ve installed kitchens ourselves but various circumstances have meant we’ve not been in a position to do this and Chris is undoubtedly doing a better job than we could do.

 

The main kitchen is bespoke from Husk Kitchens in Bristol and uses ply drawer fronts faced with Fenix.  Mrs P. is, as you would expect, Artistic Director and I defer to her on all colour choices (or else we would probably end up with beige/grey everywhere).  We both really like the effect now that we see the kitchen beginning to take shape.  Of course Mrs P. does have extraordinary good taste - she chose me after all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our signature 'Wall of Ovens':

 

Here's the utility room.  Mrs P. may have allowed me free rein with the colours on this one - I know my place 😉

 

 

Electric second fix

Darren has been progressing fixing of sockets switches and lights.  First lights fitted!

 

 

 

Our batteries and inverters have finally arrived and been connected, so the solar panels we had fitted in July(!) are now actually generating for us. Annoyingly, OpenReach still haven’t installed the fibre, so we can’t monitor our generation in real-time just yet - the geek in me will have to wait a bit longer for that.   For those interested, we have 14.88kW of solar panels and 27.12 kWh batteries.   

 

 

 

 

Focus for the next two weeks:

Obviously a quieter period than usual but we expect there will still be progress in a number of areas:

Floor tiling - Steve should be back over the holiday period to fix the porcelain skirting tiles.

Second fix electrics - More progress expected on lights and switches.

 

That depressing list of things to do:

• Kitchen worktops
• Porcelain skirtings
• Finish bathrooms (x3) 2nd fix
• Commission STP
• Electric 2nd fix including lights, switches, heating wiring centre, CCTV, PIRs…
• Install fibre to house
• Internal door linings, architraves
• Internal doors
• Hatches to loft storage areas (x3)
• Fitted wardrobes
• Rear timber cladding
• Cladding front and rear canopy soffits
• Front landscaping, including level access, highway apron, parking and turning
• Rear landscaping, including level access and garden lighting
• Final airtightness test
• ‘As built’ SAP report
• Building Control sign-off
• VAT reclaim!

+ probably others we haven’t thought of.

 

Dashboard:

Contractor days on site this fortnight: 16.5

Contractor days on site since build start: 458

 

Budget: No change - over budget but within contingency.

 

Plan: Breaking news! We are now aiming to move in at the end of February. So, a month earlier than previously planned.

 

Issues and worries closed this fortnight:

Kitchen units are substantially in so will be ready for worktop templating.

 

Current top issues and worries:

None.