Monday 24 September
I was out most of the day so had no idea what was going on until returning home late afternoon.
There has been progress! Two replacement windows have been installed in the loft room, and a third is waiting to be fitted on the landing of the loft stairs. And they have boarded up the opening so that I won't be blown away overnight.
The replacement windows are aluminium (so very low maintenance) and have a tilt and turn mechanism which means I'll be able to clean the glass from the inside. Plus the double glazing will make the room draught free.
There has also been work inside the loft where a start has been made removing plasterboard from partitions which are to be removed to open up the under eaves storage space into the room now that crawling into these spaces is increasingly difficult for me due to back problems.
One of the party walls has been opened up, ready to install the replacement purlin which will enable the old purlin and partition to be removed. Fortunately there is a double skin of bricks between my loft and the neighbours, which will make installation easier.
They've started preparation to remove and replace the old wash basin and tiled splash back too..
...and the bannisters have also been removed, where the landing will be reduced in size to accommodate a shower cubicle accessed from inside the loft room. The original door (which will be relocated to a different wall as part of this process) has also been cut out.
With one of my neighbours on guard/rescue duty below, I also took the opportunity to climb up to the top of the scaffold and was delighted to see that the old flat roof over the loft dormer has been replaced by a new single ply membrane. No more leaks!
That's good progress in one day.
Tuesday 25 September
Another day when I'm away from base for most of the time. On returning home, I saw that the replacement window had been installed on the loft landing. Only then did it become apparent that it wasn't the right size...The replacement windows were supposed to be the same size as the originals ones, so that they could go straight into the existing openings. This window is about 10cm too narrow, leaving gaps on either side both internally and externally.
Making good on the inside will not be a problem. However, the external face of the dormer is clad in lead so this will be trickier to deal with. I'm not impressed by what I could see holding the iPhone out of the open window to get a better view of the junction between the window, the new lead strip and the original lead...
However, what annoyed me more than anything else is that no one told me there was an issue with the window size. They just went ahead and installed it anyway, rather than checking with me first that I was happy to accept this compromise. Did they think I wouldn't notice?
The partner of the man in charge texted back when I drew it to his attention, blaming the error on the manufacturer making "a little bit mistake". I've decided to accept the window even though its not as wide as it should be, but only if they make good properly inside and out.
More stripping out has taken place, and the debris is now piling up again in the old dining room downstairs as we are still waiting for the skip to be changed over.
In anticipation of a new skip arriving tomorrow, I arrange with a neighbour our to move his car in the morning if/when the truck arrives...
Wednesday 26 September
When I get home today, I'm delighted to see that the skip has indeed been changeover over while I've been away from base. But my delight is short-lived when I go up into the loft and see that the replacement purlin has been installed, but not in the right place. It's supposed to be at the same level as the gap between the upper and lower Velux windows so that it doesn't obscure sight lines or ability to open the windows or their trickle vents.
Plus, the low level installation will make it difficult to access the bottom Velux window which is the escape route from the loft, and will compromise headroom space in the only area where I can position the bed in the loft room.
This is one compromise I can't accept. So I'm texting again to both the man in charge (with whom I've several discussions on site about this issue, before works began in June) and his partner who is now running the job. We agree to meet on site on Friday morning to resolve the issue.
Later, I text the man who is now running the show to alert him to the fact that there is a structural post hidden in the stud partition wall where an opening will be cut for the repositioned door into the loft room. Just to make sure that the guys on site are aware of its existence and don't cut it inadvertently...I draw its position on the wall too - belts and braces approach!
Thursday 27 September
Work has taken place both upstairs and downstairs today. The scaffold has been taken down and removed, the rest of the debris has been shifted into the skip and aggregate is going back into the ground in preparation for laying the new floor slab. Some slates have arrived too - does this mean they are getting ready to roof the extension properly? I do hope so!
Another hole has appeared in the floor of the old dining room. This is where drain pipes for kitchen/utility room appliances and the new ground floor toilet and wash basin, will connect into the mains drainage.
Upstairs, more plasterboard has come off, ready to create the opening for the repositioned door. I heave a sigh of relief to see that the structural post hidden in this partition is still there, unharmed. So far, so good...
Friday 28 September
A very early start today - 7.30am meeting on site with the man who's running the show, to discuss the position of the replacement purlin and other works in the loft.
To be fair, the architect's drawings are open to interpretation on this matter. The section shows the new purlin located between the upper and lower Velux windows in the vertical plane; the plan shows the centre of the purlin lining through with the centre of the gap between the upper and lower windows in the horizontal plane. Both can't be correct. The builders have installed the purlin based on the horizontal plan. I need it to be installed at the height shown on the section for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
Raising the purlin to match the height shown on the section has a knock on effect in the loft toilet, which is why I've specified replacing the existing toilet plan with a short projection model, moved forward so that it can be used without banging your head on the purlin above. But the space is still horribly tight...the door opening to the toilet will need to be shifted forward too. We spend quite a lot of time down on our hands and knees with a tape measure trying to work out a solution, but there's no easy answer. Solving one problem creates another....
It may all be academic anyway...the Building Inspector may not be happy with the existing situation (as the purlin as installed obstructs the escape route via the Velux window) or the proposed solution because of headroom issues over the repositioned toilet.
By 8am, I'm on the phone to Building Control to request an urgent visit today. After waiting an age, I finally got through and someone will visit today between 11am and 3pm. I do hope so!
However, all the crawling around has produced some useful results. We have sorted out how to accommodate a shower tray of the size specified on the drawing. This can be achieved with a small modification to one stud wall to give it a slightly slimmer profile, making the space for the shower just wide enough. We've also agreed and marked out on the wall changes to the floor profile underneath where the new wash basin will be located in the loft, which overhangs the stairwell. There's scope to do this and maintain the required 2m headroom over the stairs. That ought to give a teeny weeny bit more room for manoeuvre when it comes to sorting out the purlin problem.
Given the progress in the loft, I've now ordered the shower for the loft and sent the man who's running the show links to the selected shower, technical drawings and installation guide. Hope that'll be installed without a hiccup...
Now all I can do is sit and wait for the Building Inspector to call.
The shower for the loft will be delivered on Monday, and I've sent out reminders to the kitchen supplier and designer/fitter to let them know I hope to place the order and get an installation date next week. So it feels like things are moving forward again, even if the matter of the loft purlin placement is still unresolved. As soon as Building Control have updated their records, I hope to get the Inspector back on site to discuss the best course of action. Fingers crossed there will be progress on that front too, next week.
I was out most of the day so had no idea what was going on until returning home late afternoon.
There has been progress! Two replacement windows have been installed in the loft room, and a third is waiting to be fitted on the landing of the loft stairs. And they have boarded up the opening so that I won't be blown away overnight.
The replacement windows are aluminium (so very low maintenance) and have a tilt and turn mechanism which means I'll be able to clean the glass from the inside. Plus the double glazing will make the room draught free.
There has also been work inside the loft where a start has been made removing plasterboard from partitions which are to be removed to open up the under eaves storage space into the room now that crawling into these spaces is increasingly difficult for me due to back problems.
One of the party walls has been opened up, ready to install the replacement purlin which will enable the old purlin and partition to be removed. Fortunately there is a double skin of bricks between my loft and the neighbours, which will make installation easier.
They've started preparation to remove and replace the old wash basin and tiled splash back too..
...and the bannisters have also been removed, where the landing will be reduced in size to accommodate a shower cubicle accessed from inside the loft room. The original door (which will be relocated to a different wall as part of this process) has also been cut out.
That's good progress in one day.
Tuesday 25 September
Another day when I'm away from base for most of the time. On returning home, I saw that the replacement window had been installed on the loft landing. Only then did it become apparent that it wasn't the right size...The replacement windows were supposed to be the same size as the originals ones, so that they could go straight into the existing openings. This window is about 10cm too narrow, leaving gaps on either side both internally and externally.
Making good on the inside will not be a problem. However, the external face of the dormer is clad in lead so this will be trickier to deal with. I'm not impressed by what I could see holding the iPhone out of the open window to get a better view of the junction between the window, the new lead strip and the original lead...
However, what annoyed me more than anything else is that no one told me there was an issue with the window size. They just went ahead and installed it anyway, rather than checking with me first that I was happy to accept this compromise. Did they think I wouldn't notice?
The partner of the man in charge texted back when I drew it to his attention, blaming the error on the manufacturer making "a little bit mistake". I've decided to accept the window even though its not as wide as it should be, but only if they make good properly inside and out.
More stripping out has taken place, and the debris is now piling up again in the old dining room downstairs as we are still waiting for the skip to be changed over.
In anticipation of a new skip arriving tomorrow, I arrange with a neighbour our to move his car in the morning if/when the truck arrives...
Wednesday 26 September
When I get home today, I'm delighted to see that the skip has indeed been changeover over while I've been away from base. But my delight is short-lived when I go up into the loft and see that the replacement purlin has been installed, but not in the right place. It's supposed to be at the same level as the gap between the upper and lower Velux windows so that it doesn't obscure sight lines or ability to open the windows or their trickle vents.
Plus, the low level installation will make it difficult to access the bottom Velux window which is the escape route from the loft, and will compromise headroom space in the only area where I can position the bed in the loft room.
This is one compromise I can't accept. So I'm texting again to both the man in charge (with whom I've several discussions on site about this issue, before works began in June) and his partner who is now running the job. We agree to meet on site on Friday morning to resolve the issue.
Later, I text the man who is now running the show to alert him to the fact that there is a structural post hidden in the stud partition wall where an opening will be cut for the repositioned door into the loft room. Just to make sure that the guys on site are aware of its existence and don't cut it inadvertently...I draw its position on the wall too - belts and braces approach!
Thursday 27 September
Work has taken place both upstairs and downstairs today. The scaffold has been taken down and removed, the rest of the debris has been shifted into the skip and aggregate is going back into the ground in preparation for laying the new floor slab. Some slates have arrived too - does this mean they are getting ready to roof the extension properly? I do hope so!
Another hole has appeared in the floor of the old dining room. This is where drain pipes for kitchen/utility room appliances and the new ground floor toilet and wash basin, will connect into the mains drainage.
Upstairs, more plasterboard has come off, ready to create the opening for the repositioned door. I heave a sigh of relief to see that the structural post hidden in this partition is still there, unharmed. So far, so good...
Friday 28 September
A very early start today - 7.30am meeting on site with the man who's running the show, to discuss the position of the replacement purlin and other works in the loft.
To be fair, the architect's drawings are open to interpretation on this matter. The section shows the new purlin located between the upper and lower Velux windows in the vertical plane; the plan shows the centre of the purlin lining through with the centre of the gap between the upper and lower windows in the horizontal plane. Both can't be correct. The builders have installed the purlin based on the horizontal plan. I need it to be installed at the height shown on the section for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
Raising the purlin to match the height shown on the section has a knock on effect in the loft toilet, which is why I've specified replacing the existing toilet plan with a short projection model, moved forward so that it can be used without banging your head on the purlin above. But the space is still horribly tight...the door opening to the toilet will need to be shifted forward too. We spend quite a lot of time down on our hands and knees with a tape measure trying to work out a solution, but there's no easy answer. Solving one problem creates another....
It may all be academic anyway...the Building Inspector may not be happy with the existing situation (as the purlin as installed obstructs the escape route via the Velux window) or the proposed solution because of headroom issues over the repositioned toilet.
By 8am, I'm on the phone to Building Control to request an urgent visit today. After waiting an age, I finally got through and someone will visit today between 11am and 3pm. I do hope so!
However, all the crawling around has produced some useful results. We have sorted out how to accommodate a shower tray of the size specified on the drawing. This can be achieved with a small modification to one stud wall to give it a slightly slimmer profile, making the space for the shower just wide enough. We've also agreed and marked out on the wall changes to the floor profile underneath where the new wash basin will be located in the loft, which overhangs the stairwell. There's scope to do this and maintain the required 2m headroom over the stairs. That ought to give a teeny weeny bit more room for manoeuvre when it comes to sorting out the purlin problem.
Given the progress in the loft, I've now ordered the shower for the loft and sent the man who's running the show links to the selected shower, technical drawings and installation guide. Hope that'll be installed without a hiccup...
Now all I can do is sit and wait for the Building Inspector to call.
*********************
The Building Control officer has just left. As a result, things have got worse rather than better....
According to his file, the full plans building regs approval only relates to the kitchen extension, not the works in the loft even though they are clearly shown on the approved drawings. He didn't have a copy of the application form in his file, and its not available online, so we were unable to ascertain whether the architect was at fault for not referring to it in the description of the works for which approval sought, or whether building control administration failed to include all the works referred to on the form when inputting its records.
The Building Inspector will check his files when back in the office and email me. I have contacted the architect to request a copy of the form he submitted for building regs approval.
Until this is sorted out, the Building Inspector will not give any advice regarding the replacement purlin. He says that as its not covered by the approval, he's not being paid to deal with it...If works carry on in the loft without the necessary approval in place, there could be (even more) trouble ahead.
However, he did point out that as installed, the new purlin wasn't actually supporting the rafters so would need to be altered in any event. The builder says it was deliberately left like (just sitting on the wall) that in case the height needed to be changed....
 |
| Spot the gap between the new purlin and the rafters... |
Whatever...the bottom line is that I'm in limbo (and so is the builder) until this matter is resolved, one way or the other. At least there is plenty of other work which IS covered by the approved plans which they can be getting on with downstairs. But after this afternoon's meeting, completion date is heading further away, rather than coming closer....
While i'm away tomorrow, the guys are going to come in and start work on the extension roof....so something to look forward to seeing when I return home (always assuming of course, that goes to plan!).
************
Since writing this blog post, I've gone back to the architect's requesting a copy of the application form he submitted to Building Control. Also looked through my own paperwork where i found a letter to Building Control asking that the Building Notice application be converted to a full plans approval application. My letter specifically refers to the works in the loft and describes what's proposed, so it looks like if any one is to blame, it's Building Control for not putting the full description of the proposed works on their data base.
I felt a bit happier after finding that letter and sending it off to Building Control with a request that their records are updated to include works to the loft.
I also felt happier when I saw what had happened downstairs - aggregate layer now complete and everything looks much neater.
The shower for the loft will be delivered on Monday, and I've sent out reminders to the kitchen supplier and designer/fitter to let them know I hope to place the order and get an installation date next week. So it feels like things are moving forward again, even if the matter of the loft purlin placement is still unresolved. As soon as Building Control have updated their records, I hope to get the Inspector back on site to discuss the best course of action. Fingers crossed there will be progress on that front too, next week.
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