Monday 3 December
Alarm set for 6am. Builder expected 6.30 am to clear space ready for kitchen fitters due to arrive at 7.30am to install the kitchen worktops at some point in the day.
But it didn't quite work out like that....
...I dragged myself out of bed at 6am, but the builder didn't arrive till closer to 7.30am and the kitchen worktop didn't turn up at all.
The kitchen designer emailed to say he is coming late on Wednesday to check the rest of the kitchen cabinet packages for any further damage, omissions or errors. The worktops won't arrive until Thursday now. Templating for the mirror glass splash backs will be on Friday. A new kitchen fitter will come in on Saturday to finish installing the cabinets which has been put on hold pending the arrival of the worktops. These could only be slid in place by removing one of the tall cabinets, effectively holding up the completion of the kitchen installation.
On the bright side, that gives the partner of the man in charge free reign for three days to build the plywood storage units in the downstairs loo/utility room without getting in anyone's way. He set up his workspace in the dining area ..
...and I left him building storage units while I took myself off for the day to do further research on fixtures, fittings and furnishings for when the building works are completed.
By the time I had arrived home, work had progressed. The carcasses of three storage units have been constructed in the downstairs WC/utility room, with a gap in the middle for the wash hand basin and mirrored cabinet above. Difficult to photograph in a small space as yet without proper lighting, but this image gives an idea..
...There are cut outs at the back of the largest unit where the washing machine and tumble drier will be installed and plugged in next week. Just to be on the safe side, I checked the dimensions of this cabinet and was concerned to find that its not quite deep enough for the tumble drier. Some adjustment will need to be made. I have emailed the partner of the man in charge to tell him the bad news. Annoyingly, we had checked the dimensions of the washing machine (which will fit easily) but not the drier. What's the saying? Measure twice, cut once! Lesson learned.
The framework for WC/utility door and the adjoining coat/outdoor shoes store is in place. Although the hanging rail has yet to be installed, the shelf above is there already. Through Freegle, I've been given an off-the-peg storage unit with a drawer and narrow shelf. Originally designed as a bedside table for an Ikea Malm Bed, I'm going to re-purpose it for shoes, bags, small umbrellas and such like, in true Ikea hacker style!
Nothing appears to have happened in the loft, other than propping up the shower door inside the cubicle. Too dark to see if anything has happened outside. I'll check that out tomorrow.
Tuesday 4 December
Before leaving for my morning appointment at the hospital for hydrotherapy, there's time for a quick meeting with the partner of the man in charge to discuss how to deal with the undersized unit for the washing machine/drier. To my relief, he's not that bothered. He can easily bring the unit forward to increase the depth available for the appliances and cut a slot in the back to accommodate the top of the drier which projects beyond the rear of the machine itself. Fingers crossed that will work!
We also discussed the timetable for the rest of this week and next, leading up to Friday 14th December when my stuff comes out of storage. It's very tight but should be doable IF everything goes smoothly...
Alarm set for 6am. Builder expected 6.30 am to clear space ready for kitchen fitters due to arrive at 7.30am to install the kitchen worktops at some point in the day.
But it didn't quite work out like that....
...I dragged myself out of bed at 6am, but the builder didn't arrive till closer to 7.30am and the kitchen worktop didn't turn up at all.
The kitchen designer emailed to say he is coming late on Wednesday to check the rest of the kitchen cabinet packages for any further damage, omissions or errors. The worktops won't arrive until Thursday now. Templating for the mirror glass splash backs will be on Friday. A new kitchen fitter will come in on Saturday to finish installing the cabinets which has been put on hold pending the arrival of the worktops. These could only be slid in place by removing one of the tall cabinets, effectively holding up the completion of the kitchen installation.
On the bright side, that gives the partner of the man in charge free reign for three days to build the plywood storage units in the downstairs loo/utility room without getting in anyone's way. He set up his workspace in the dining area ..
...and I left him building storage units while I took myself off for the day to do further research on fixtures, fittings and furnishings for when the building works are completed.
By the time I had arrived home, work had progressed. The carcasses of three storage units have been constructed in the downstairs WC/utility room, with a gap in the middle for the wash hand basin and mirrored cabinet above. Difficult to photograph in a small space as yet without proper lighting, but this image gives an idea..
...There are cut outs at the back of the largest unit where the washing machine and tumble drier will be installed and plugged in next week. Just to be on the safe side, I checked the dimensions of this cabinet and was concerned to find that its not quite deep enough for the tumble drier. Some adjustment will need to be made. I have emailed the partner of the man in charge to tell him the bad news. Annoyingly, we had checked the dimensions of the washing machine (which will fit easily) but not the drier. What's the saying? Measure twice, cut once! Lesson learned.
The framework for WC/utility door and the adjoining coat/outdoor shoes store is in place. Although the hanging rail has yet to be installed, the shelf above is there already. Through Freegle, I've been given an off-the-peg storage unit with a drawer and narrow shelf. Originally designed as a bedside table for an Ikea Malm Bed, I'm going to re-purpose it for shoes, bags, small umbrellas and such like, in true Ikea hacker style!
Nothing appears to have happened in the loft, other than propping up the shower door inside the cubicle. Too dark to see if anything has happened outside. I'll check that out tomorrow.
Tuesday 4 December
Before leaving for my morning appointment at the hospital for hydrotherapy, there's time for a quick meeting with the partner of the man in charge to discuss how to deal with the undersized unit for the washing machine/drier. To my relief, he's not that bothered. He can easily bring the unit forward to increase the depth available for the appliances and cut a slot in the back to accommodate the top of the drier which projects beyond the rear of the machine itself. Fingers crossed that will work!
We also discussed the timetable for the rest of this week and next, leading up to Friday 14th December when my stuff comes out of storage. It's very tight but should be doable IF everything goes smoothly...
- Wednesday 5th - Delivery of fencing panels and posts; kitchen designer to check remaining kitchen items for damage etc + notify supplier as necessary
- Thursday 6th - Delivery and installation of kitchen worktops; delivery of pull out fitting for tall storage unit in WC utility room; estimator visit for finished flooring in loft
- Friday 7th - Templating for glass splash backs
- Saturday 8th - Completion of kitchen fitting
- Wednesday 12th - Complete electrics and connect up, if not done already; delivery of washing machine and tumble drier; take off skirtings in hall and lay plywood subfloor in hall, lobby and WC/utility room ready for tiling
- Thursday 13th - floor tiling on ground floor in hall, lobby, WC/utility room - just tiler on site, no one else (other than me)
- Friday 14th - morning, fit/refit all skirtings in hall, lobby, WC/utility room; afternoon - bringing stuff home out of storage
So...the guys have four days this week (including today) and three days next week to finish off the important things upstairs and downstairs before the floor tiler does his thing on Thursday week and stuff come out off storage on Friday week. Will they do it? Watch this space...
I then have 7 days to clean up, put stuff away, get the loft bedroom ready, dress the house for Christmas and sort out food and drink for the festive season before the family starts arriving on 21/22 December. Not sure when card writing, and present buying will be fitted in...or getting hold of a Christmas tree, for that matter! Lots of trees, lights and wreaths now appearing on houses in the neighbourhood. For me however, Christmas is a deadline to be ready to welcome the family back home. When the house project has reached that stage, I can start Christmas preparations and enjoying the festive season. But until then it's deadlines, deliveries, and dealing with issues as and when they arise...
By close of business there has been progress upstairs and downstairs. Up in the loft, the pipe from the old Saniflow has been re-routed under the floor:
The bi-fold glass door to the shower cubicle is in place:
and a start has been made on the tiling in the shower cubicle itself:
Downstairs, the coat store now has doors,
and more doors and the top cupboards have been made, ready to be installed. I'll have to decide whether to have door knobs (if so, what?) or finger holes to open the doors, which is the approach we're taking on the bespoke kitchen units.
It wasn't until I went to change the heat setting on the boiler that I realised that too has been boxed in:
I don't like the projecting detail you can just see at the top of the photo - it's out of keeping with the clean cut lines everywhere else in this room. Unless it serves a useful purpose, I'll ask for it to be removed. Then I realised that I couldn't actually open it to get to the boiler! Is this a cupboard door or a complete box in? I have no idea...must sort out tomorrow.
The partner of the man in charge texted to say he'll be with me 7.00-7.30am tomorrow, so another early start. But that will give me a chance to look in the garden...I think the down pipe and gutter have been installed but it's not light enough to see.
If this work has been completed now, I hope that it will please my neighbours who emailed this morning saying they were concerned that the gutter might not be set to collect rainwater as efficiently as possible...they think the lead flashing may be directing run-off on to the roof of their lean-to, rather than into the gutter. I have acknowledged the email and passed it on to the builder for his attention. Sadly, my neighbours still prefer to communicate electronically rather than just knock on the door to talk, but the email itself was not unfriendly so I guess that's progress.
The only other thing to note is that there has been another skip changeover. Surely this will be the last one?
Wednesday 5 December
Good as his word, the partner of the man in charge arrived around 7.15am. His first question was had I decided about handles for the door of the storage units downstairs?
I'd spent yesterday evening researching door knobs, but hadn't found an ideal solution. Brass fittings would have matched the handles on the original doors in the house, but would have been at odds with the modern chrome sanitary ware fittings in the new loo/utility room. White, black or copper fittings would have been in keeping with those used in the new kitchen diner but would have jarred with the traditional brass fittings of all the other doors opening off the hall. In the end, I had come down in favour of simple finger holes - a classic way of opening plywood doors. That decision does away with the need to choose a colour, material or shape for door knobs and saves me money in the process.
My question to him was about the box around the boiler. Apparently, it does have a full height cupboard door but, in the absence of a handle, the door is impossible to open by someone my height unless standing on a chair. So another finger hole opening there too.
The projecting bit at the top of the cupboard disguises where different materials have been used (moisture resistant proof board for the cupboard and MDF for the box above which extends the line of the cupboard up to the sloping ceiling of the extension roof to create a streamlined look). However, he thinks he can figure out a way to get the streamlined look I'm after, so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.
A short while later, the fire-rated door to the new kitchen/diner was delivered. It's a traditional four panelled door with fire glass in the two top panels and a glazed panel above, echoing the original front door at the other end of the hall, but without the coloured stained glass. The hall is long and narrow. I hope that by making it dual aspect, the additional natural light and views through from front to back will make it feel lighter and less claustrophobic.
After lunch there was another delivery. This time it was the new fence posts and panels for the garden. As these were taken into the garden, things were coming out of the garden and going into the skip, which is almost full again.
By close of business there was more progress downstairs.
The exterior of the coat store is finished, as is the cabinet for the washing machine and the tumble drier.
The counter and counter top wash hand basin are also in place, although not yet connected up. The basin (and tap) was salvaged from a house renovation down the road. I had spotted the basin just before the builder was about to smash it up and put it in the skip. It's perfect for a small cloakroom.
Boarding out has been completed above the string course on the stairs ready for a skim coat of plaster.
Upstairs in the loft, the Saniflow macerator is in place and connected into the drain pipe. It will eventually be hidden behind a bulkhead and serviced through the white hatch behind.
A strange object has also appeared in the loft. I'm guessing its the vent extract for the shower, which will go out through the roof.
Back downstairs, the dining area has been cleared of the carpenter's work table and other bits and pieces no longer required to create some space. After the builders had gone, I took the protective covers off the kitchen cabinets so everything is ready for the worktops to be delivered and installed tomorrow, then the remaining tall units can be put in place, the appliances installed and tap/sink plumbed in at the weekend. That will be nice!
In anticipation of an almost finished kitchen, I couldn't resist putting a few plates, bowls and cups into a couple of the drawers to see how they fit. Perfect! But I've taken them out again now, before work starts again in this area tomorrow.
Just before bedtime, I took a quick peak in the garden by torchlight. There's still stuff there, but a lot less of it! I can see much of the paved area. I could also see that the builders have put up the last bit of fence which I wasn't expecting. Had they asked me, I would have explained that this last section will be taller than the bit next to it, to screen views into and out of my neighbour's house and garden. That's why I had ordered two tall fence posts and sufficient panels for a 1800mm high fence. However, they have run it through at the same height as the lower sections of fence down the garden, shortening one of the tall fence posts by around 300mm and leaving the other tall fence post and the last fence panel untouched. Now I realise what the man in charge was talking about when he said the supplier had sent "spares". Oh dear...However, I think it can be salvaged, so hopefully will be able to sort it out in the next day or two before the neighbours start complaining about overlooking/loss of privacy...
Thursday 6 December
While waiting for the kitchen fitter and worktops to arrive, I took a look in the garden. The fence is definitely too low. That will have to be raised for the sake of everyone's privacy. And made level and adjusted so that the horizontal lines on the fence panels line through. They might have to buy me a new fence post to replace the one that's been cut unnecessarily...
The rendered returns on the reveals to the new garden doors are looking good and the old SVP has been removed too (but sadly not the ivy which has grown over from my neighbour's garden on the other side).
The garden is much clearer than before, but still a mess. You wouldn't think the paving was nice Indian sandstone. Looks just like mucky concrete. So much for protecting it during the building works. Hopefully a hose down with a pressure washer will bring it back to life.
When the kitchen designer arrived, we checked the unopened packages of kitchen cabinets. All present and correct, with just a small imperfection on one element that may not need to be used. I can go back to the supplier now to request replacement doors for the one that was damaged and the one that is too big.
Then the worktop people arrived! It took a long time putting the worktops in place, even though only three pieces - two counter tops and one "waterfall" end - sealing the small joints and smoothing everything off. But it looks terrific! At least, it does to me.
Tempting though it was to leave them uncovered, with the builders returning tomorrow we decided it was best to protect the worktops with bubble wrap to minimise the risk of anyone standing on them to install the recessed ceiling lights and pendant lights over the peninsular run of units.
However, we did get the tap out of its box and put it in place temporarily to see how it looks. The fridge/freezer is now back in the kitchen area, plugged in and ready to be lifted up into its cabinet on Saturday, when the rest of the cabinets and appliances will be installed. The fridge freezer is too heavy for the kitchen man to lift on his own and I wasn't going to risk my back for the sake of waiting a couple of days.
I have to contact Miele tomorrow as the sealing strips for the fridge freezer are missing. I can now also go back to the kitchen suppliers to request two new doors, one to replace a damaged door, the other to replace a door that was larger than ordered. Tomorrow a chap will come to template for the mirror glass splash backs and the builders return too, so another early start for me. But it's been good today, and the place is looking better with every step forward!
Friday 7 December
First up, the man who had come to template for the glass splash backs. We had a quick chat just to confirm the extent of the splash backs and where under cabinet lighting will be installed, then I left him with his laser measure to create the template. He'd finished before 9am and was off to his next job.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the doorbell rang. It was deck boards being delivered. As usual, the builders weren't there so I had to sign for the delivery and tell the driver where to leave them. At over 3.5m long, there wasn't a lot of choice, so I asked him to leave them at the front of the house under the hedge while I contacted the builder to see what he wanted done with them. The answer came back, get them taken inside...but by that time it was too late. The driver had left already.
I managed to carry the bundles of planks through into the house myself, although I'm not sure that was a wise move given my back problems. Leaving them on the street, there was a risk that some one might walk off with them, or they would be taken away with the rubbish (it's bin day...) so I took the risk.
Still no sign of the builders by 11.30am so another text to the partner of the man in charge to say they would have to let themselves in, as I was planning to go out. The reply came back, they will be there in 30-40 minutes. So rather than go out, I waited and passed the time contacting Miele about the missing sealer strips from the fridge freezer, chasing up quotes from people to move my stuff out of storage and back home, and taking some photos by daylight.
The kitchen/dining area is relatively clear, ready for the remaining cabinets to be installed tomorrow, along with the appliances. However, the loft is now the dumping ground for materials and equipment. This time next week, things will be put up there out of storage, so there's a lot of sorting out to do between then and now, as well as finishing the shower and mechanical extract installation, tiling the shower cubicle, putting in the new toilet and wash hand basin, installing the door and tiding up plasterwork throughout... It won't be decorated and carpeted for when my daughter and her partner arrive for Christmas. But it must be ready for them to sleep in!
Having put my trip out on hold, I was at home when the next delivery arrived. Some heavy duty brackets to attach the "Freegle" storage unit to the wall inside the new coat store, where it will provide a drawer for bags for life, space above and below for outdoor shoes and a little ledge just right to store small umbrellas. I seem to have a collection, as I can never find one when I need one and end up buying another when I'm out and caught in the rain. Maybe a dedicated space to put them will make a difference!
On one of my many trips up and downstairs, looking out of a bedroom window, I noticed a slipped slate on the extension roof and what may be some debris in the gutter both of which need sorting out. Another thing to discuss with the builder tomorrow....
The guys finally arrived at lunchtime. They were there to install the replacement deck. I had to explain what needed doing; make sure they would level the sub-frame before laying down any boards (it had sunk a little with the below ground works and would have thrown rainwater run off towards, rather than away from, the house). I gave them a diagram to show how/where the joins in the deck boards were to go, and we agreed which way up the boards would be laid.
Then I left them to get on it with a kettle, cups, sugar and coffee to keep them going while I went out to visit the kitchen supplier with the list of components that needed to be replaced due to damage or being the wrong size....but not before contacting the partner of the man in charge pointing out that finishing the electrics, connecting everything up to the new fuse box and competing the works in the loft was more urgent than doing things outside in the garden. Need to get the priorities right! He says they will be working on the loft tomorrow and he will look at the fence then too.
By the time I returned home it was almost dark, so I fixed up a light so the guys could see what they were doing in the gloom and they managed to complete the work on the deck not long after. I'll take some photos tomorrow in the daylight.
My evening has more or less been spent sweeping up the dust, gathering up more rubbish and making sure everything is sorted out ready for the kitchen installation tomorrow, in between liaising with the floor tiler about flooring in the hall, lobby and WC/utility room next week and a man with a van who is free to move my stuff out of storage next Friday afternoon.
I had planned to pay some bills, but was too tired to do online banking tonight. I might transfer the money into the wrong account...Also planned to mark out the pattern of floor tiles on the now cleanish floorboards in the hall, lobby and downstairs loo, but a text form the partner of the man in charge saying he's arrive at 7.30am tomorrow - was that OK? - and I changed my mind. Just update the blog and take an early night, I think.
Saturday 8 December
Another early start to be ready for the builders arrival at 7.30am. The guys arrived mob-handed, brought in their gear and started taking it up to the loft where they will be working today. I had a brief discussion with the partner of the man in charge about the last section of fencing which had been installed too low in error, and we agreed how to sort it out.
In the daylight, I also noticed that the decking boards don't quite fill the space between the extension on one side and the railway sleepers which form the raised bed on the other side. There's a narrow wedge-shaped gap which will need to be filled, otherwise anything that falls to the ground and rolls down there will be impossible to retrieve. It looks like he'll need to order another deck board or two to seal this gap. But its not urgent...I don't think I'll be sitting out on the deck at this time of the year! We agreed to talk about priorities later.
Then the kitchen fitter arrived. I showed him where everything was, ran through what needed to be done, gave him a cup of coffee and left him to get on with it while I paid my outstanding bills online.
During the day, one of my neighbours from down the street knocked on the door to ask if I had been expecting a delivery from Plumbworld, as two big boxes had been delivered to No 15 and the lady who lived there hadn't ordered them and had no idea who they were for. On investigation, it turned out they were addressed to the right man (partner of the man in charge) but the wrong house number! The guys were sent to collect them and bring them home safely!
By close of business, the kitchen fitted had ticked off most of the things on the list he'd been given.
He'd noticed that one internal fitting was the wrong way round - a pull out unit where the support should have been on the right rather than the left. Another thing to go back to the supplier with...However, all the cabinet units are now in place; all the available doors are on the cabinets (there are two replacement doors to fit when they arrive); the dishwasher, hob, oven and fridge/freezer are in their respective integrated cabinets, ready to be plumbed or wired in, and the tall pull out larder unit is installed.
That only leaves two internal fittings to go in (including the one that needs to be replaced), the end panel to go on the tall larder unit, the void at the corner where the wall units meet to be topped and bottomed, ready to take the pull down pier unit, handles and plinths to be fitted next week. And I must make a decision about which microwave (or maybe microwave combi oven?) to buy, get it delivered and installed along with the rest of the appliances.
Meanwhile, more builders stuff has been removed from the garden and the new fence panel adjusted to the correct height. The grey will tone down to match the rest of the fence over time.
Tiling the shower has continued up in the loft...
The little toiletries niche is almost surrounded by tiles now.
The biggest blow of the day was being told by the kitchen designer that the same afternoon the templating had been done for the mirror glass back splashes, the supplier had contacted him to say the material was longer recommended for use behind a gas hob as the flames/heat can distort the glass. We would have to think again....I wasn't overjoyed with any of the alternative he suggested. Mosaics far too fuss; glossy acrylic doesn't reflect the same way as a mirror; "antique glass" AKA foxed glass while just look like I've splashed sauces everywhere....Needs a bit more thought.
After the builders left, I had cleaned up the floor downstairs and marked out a grid where the new tiles would go, just to check I was ordering the right number plus some extras for wastage. Also double checked floor tiles for the loft toilet only to find that the material I'd selected was out of stock and wouldn't be available until January...The next biggest blow of the day. Ah well, it's not a disaster. I don't think the loft will be decorated until January, so the flooring can wait until after that. But it won't be possible to fix the lavatory permanently to the floor until then, so I hope we can come up with a safe temporary fixing arrangement.
Sunday 10 December
Not a day of rest. The partner of the man in charge was here all day to finish tiling the shower cubicle in the loft. Still needs to be grouted and the toiletries niche completed, but its almost there. Then the shower fitting can be installed and the glazed panel to the adjacent WC which will bring in some natural light to make the shower feel more spacious.
He's also connected the taps in the wash hand basin downstairs to the water supply, put metal edging around the new loft windows ready to skim, finish and make good....
...and started reinstating the bannisters on the loft landing...
...as well as covering up the hole where the pipework from the loo has been re-routed under the floor.
I have been painting most of the day. The dining area wall with the chimney breast and alcoves is now finished bars some small areas where the plaster needs re-skimming. The frame around the garden doors is done too. That's as far as I could get in the time and space available.
Next week will be another big push to get everything ready for the floor to be laid in the downstairs hall, lobby and WC/utility room, the washing machine and drier to be delivered and my stuff to come out of storage on Friday afternoon. Another priority is second fix electrics so that we can use the light fittings and power sockets in the new kitchen/diner rather than wander leads connected up to the old circuit to power tools and work lights. That will be nice!
The only other thing to note is that there has been another skip changeover. Surely this will be the last one?
Wednesday 5 December
Good as his word, the partner of the man in charge arrived around 7.15am. His first question was had I decided about handles for the door of the storage units downstairs?
I'd spent yesterday evening researching door knobs, but hadn't found an ideal solution. Brass fittings would have matched the handles on the original doors in the house, but would have been at odds with the modern chrome sanitary ware fittings in the new loo/utility room. White, black or copper fittings would have been in keeping with those used in the new kitchen diner but would have jarred with the traditional brass fittings of all the other doors opening off the hall. In the end, I had come down in favour of simple finger holes - a classic way of opening plywood doors. That decision does away with the need to choose a colour, material or shape for door knobs and saves me money in the process.
My question to him was about the box around the boiler. Apparently, it does have a full height cupboard door but, in the absence of a handle, the door is impossible to open by someone my height unless standing on a chair. So another finger hole opening there too.
The projecting bit at the top of the cupboard disguises where different materials have been used (moisture resistant proof board for the cupboard and MDF for the box above which extends the line of the cupboard up to the sloping ceiling of the extension roof to create a streamlined look). However, he thinks he can figure out a way to get the streamlined look I'm after, so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.
A short while later, the fire-rated door to the new kitchen/diner was delivered. It's a traditional four panelled door with fire glass in the two top panels and a glazed panel above, echoing the original front door at the other end of the hall, but without the coloured stained glass. The hall is long and narrow. I hope that by making it dual aspect, the additional natural light and views through from front to back will make it feel lighter and less claustrophobic.
After lunch there was another delivery. This time it was the new fence posts and panels for the garden. As these were taken into the garden, things were coming out of the garden and going into the skip, which is almost full again.
By close of business there was more progress downstairs.
The exterior of the coat store is finished, as is the cabinet for the washing machine and the tumble drier.
The counter and counter top wash hand basin are also in place, although not yet connected up. The basin (and tap) was salvaged from a house renovation down the road. I had spotted the basin just before the builder was about to smash it up and put it in the skip. It's perfect for a small cloakroom.
Boarding out has been completed above the string course on the stairs ready for a skim coat of plaster.
Upstairs in the loft, the Saniflow macerator is in place and connected into the drain pipe. It will eventually be hidden behind a bulkhead and serviced through the white hatch behind.
A strange object has also appeared in the loft. I'm guessing its the vent extract for the shower, which will go out through the roof.
Back downstairs, the dining area has been cleared of the carpenter's work table and other bits and pieces no longer required to create some space. After the builders had gone, I took the protective covers off the kitchen cabinets so everything is ready for the worktops to be delivered and installed tomorrow, then the remaining tall units can be put in place, the appliances installed and tap/sink plumbed in at the weekend. That will be nice!
In anticipation of an almost finished kitchen, I couldn't resist putting a few plates, bowls and cups into a couple of the drawers to see how they fit. Perfect! But I've taken them out again now, before work starts again in this area tomorrow.
Just before bedtime, I took a quick peak in the garden by torchlight. There's still stuff there, but a lot less of it! I can see much of the paved area. I could also see that the builders have put up the last bit of fence which I wasn't expecting. Had they asked me, I would have explained that this last section will be taller than the bit next to it, to screen views into and out of my neighbour's house and garden. That's why I had ordered two tall fence posts and sufficient panels for a 1800mm high fence. However, they have run it through at the same height as the lower sections of fence down the garden, shortening one of the tall fence posts by around 300mm and leaving the other tall fence post and the last fence panel untouched. Now I realise what the man in charge was talking about when he said the supplier had sent "spares". Oh dear...However, I think it can be salvaged, so hopefully will be able to sort it out in the next day or two before the neighbours start complaining about overlooking/loss of privacy...
Thursday 6 December
While waiting for the kitchen fitter and worktops to arrive, I took a look in the garden. The fence is definitely too low. That will have to be raised for the sake of everyone's privacy. And made level and adjusted so that the horizontal lines on the fence panels line through. They might have to buy me a new fence post to replace the one that's been cut unnecessarily...
The rendered returns on the reveals to the new garden doors are looking good and the old SVP has been removed too (but sadly not the ivy which has grown over from my neighbour's garden on the other side).
The garden is much clearer than before, but still a mess. You wouldn't think the paving was nice Indian sandstone. Looks just like mucky concrete. So much for protecting it during the building works. Hopefully a hose down with a pressure washer will bring it back to life.
When the kitchen designer arrived, we checked the unopened packages of kitchen cabinets. All present and correct, with just a small imperfection on one element that may not need to be used. I can go back to the supplier now to request replacement doors for the one that was damaged and the one that is too big.
Then the worktop people arrived! It took a long time putting the worktops in place, even though only three pieces - two counter tops and one "waterfall" end - sealing the small joints and smoothing everything off. But it looks terrific! At least, it does to me.
Tempting though it was to leave them uncovered, with the builders returning tomorrow we decided it was best to protect the worktops with bubble wrap to minimise the risk of anyone standing on them to install the recessed ceiling lights and pendant lights over the peninsular run of units.
However, we did get the tap out of its box and put it in place temporarily to see how it looks. The fridge/freezer is now back in the kitchen area, plugged in and ready to be lifted up into its cabinet on Saturday, when the rest of the cabinets and appliances will be installed. The fridge freezer is too heavy for the kitchen man to lift on his own and I wasn't going to risk my back for the sake of waiting a couple of days.
I have to contact Miele tomorrow as the sealing strips for the fridge freezer are missing. I can now also go back to the kitchen suppliers to request two new doors, one to replace a damaged door, the other to replace a door that was larger than ordered. Tomorrow a chap will come to template for the mirror glass splash backs and the builders return too, so another early start for me. But it's been good today, and the place is looking better with every step forward!
Friday 7 December
First up, the man who had come to template for the glass splash backs. We had a quick chat just to confirm the extent of the splash backs and where under cabinet lighting will be installed, then I left him with his laser measure to create the template. He'd finished before 9am and was off to his next job.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the doorbell rang. It was deck boards being delivered. As usual, the builders weren't there so I had to sign for the delivery and tell the driver where to leave them. At over 3.5m long, there wasn't a lot of choice, so I asked him to leave them at the front of the house under the hedge while I contacted the builder to see what he wanted done with them. The answer came back, get them taken inside...but by that time it was too late. The driver had left already.
I managed to carry the bundles of planks through into the house myself, although I'm not sure that was a wise move given my back problems. Leaving them on the street, there was a risk that some one might walk off with them, or they would be taken away with the rubbish (it's bin day...) so I took the risk.
Still no sign of the builders by 11.30am so another text to the partner of the man in charge to say they would have to let themselves in, as I was planning to go out. The reply came back, they will be there in 30-40 minutes. So rather than go out, I waited and passed the time contacting Miele about the missing sealer strips from the fridge freezer, chasing up quotes from people to move my stuff out of storage and back home, and taking some photos by daylight.
The kitchen/dining area is relatively clear, ready for the remaining cabinets to be installed tomorrow, along with the appliances. However, the loft is now the dumping ground for materials and equipment. This time next week, things will be put up there out of storage, so there's a lot of sorting out to do between then and now, as well as finishing the shower and mechanical extract installation, tiling the shower cubicle, putting in the new toilet and wash hand basin, installing the door and tiding up plasterwork throughout... It won't be decorated and carpeted for when my daughter and her partner arrive for Christmas. But it must be ready for them to sleep in!
Having put my trip out on hold, I was at home when the next delivery arrived. Some heavy duty brackets to attach the "Freegle" storage unit to the wall inside the new coat store, where it will provide a drawer for bags for life, space above and below for outdoor shoes and a little ledge just right to store small umbrellas. I seem to have a collection, as I can never find one when I need one and end up buying another when I'm out and caught in the rain. Maybe a dedicated space to put them will make a difference!
On one of my many trips up and downstairs, looking out of a bedroom window, I noticed a slipped slate on the extension roof and what may be some debris in the gutter both of which need sorting out. Another thing to discuss with the builder tomorrow....
The guys finally arrived at lunchtime. They were there to install the replacement deck. I had to explain what needed doing; make sure they would level the sub-frame before laying down any boards (it had sunk a little with the below ground works and would have thrown rainwater run off towards, rather than away from, the house). I gave them a diagram to show how/where the joins in the deck boards were to go, and we agreed which way up the boards would be laid.
Then I left them to get on it with a kettle, cups, sugar and coffee to keep them going while I went out to visit the kitchen supplier with the list of components that needed to be replaced due to damage or being the wrong size....but not before contacting the partner of the man in charge pointing out that finishing the electrics, connecting everything up to the new fuse box and competing the works in the loft was more urgent than doing things outside in the garden. Need to get the priorities right! He says they will be working on the loft tomorrow and he will look at the fence then too.
By the time I returned home it was almost dark, so I fixed up a light so the guys could see what they were doing in the gloom and they managed to complete the work on the deck not long after. I'll take some photos tomorrow in the daylight.
My evening has more or less been spent sweeping up the dust, gathering up more rubbish and making sure everything is sorted out ready for the kitchen installation tomorrow, in between liaising with the floor tiler about flooring in the hall, lobby and WC/utility room next week and a man with a van who is free to move my stuff out of storage next Friday afternoon.
I had planned to pay some bills, but was too tired to do online banking tonight. I might transfer the money into the wrong account...Also planned to mark out the pattern of floor tiles on the now cleanish floorboards in the hall, lobby and downstairs loo, but a text form the partner of the man in charge saying he's arrive at 7.30am tomorrow - was that OK? - and I changed my mind. Just update the blog and take an early night, I think.
Saturday 8 December
Another early start to be ready for the builders arrival at 7.30am. The guys arrived mob-handed, brought in their gear and started taking it up to the loft where they will be working today. I had a brief discussion with the partner of the man in charge about the last section of fencing which had been installed too low in error, and we agreed how to sort it out.
In the daylight, I also noticed that the decking boards don't quite fill the space between the extension on one side and the railway sleepers which form the raised bed on the other side. There's a narrow wedge-shaped gap which will need to be filled, otherwise anything that falls to the ground and rolls down there will be impossible to retrieve. It looks like he'll need to order another deck board or two to seal this gap. But its not urgent...I don't think I'll be sitting out on the deck at this time of the year! We agreed to talk about priorities later.
Then the kitchen fitter arrived. I showed him where everything was, ran through what needed to be done, gave him a cup of coffee and left him to get on with it while I paid my outstanding bills online.
During the day, one of my neighbours from down the street knocked on the door to ask if I had been expecting a delivery from Plumbworld, as two big boxes had been delivered to No 15 and the lady who lived there hadn't ordered them and had no idea who they were for. On investigation, it turned out they were addressed to the right man (partner of the man in charge) but the wrong house number! The guys were sent to collect them and bring them home safely!
By close of business, the kitchen fitted had ticked off most of the things on the list he'd been given.
He'd noticed that one internal fitting was the wrong way round - a pull out unit where the support should have been on the right rather than the left. Another thing to go back to the supplier with...However, all the cabinet units are now in place; all the available doors are on the cabinets (there are two replacement doors to fit when they arrive); the dishwasher, hob, oven and fridge/freezer are in their respective integrated cabinets, ready to be plumbed or wired in, and the tall pull out larder unit is installed.
That only leaves two internal fittings to go in (including the one that needs to be replaced), the end panel to go on the tall larder unit, the void at the corner where the wall units meet to be topped and bottomed, ready to take the pull down pier unit, handles and plinths to be fitted next week. And I must make a decision about which microwave (or maybe microwave combi oven?) to buy, get it delivered and installed along with the rest of the appliances.
Meanwhile, more builders stuff has been removed from the garden and the new fence panel adjusted to the correct height. The grey will tone down to match the rest of the fence over time.
Tiling the shower has continued up in the loft...
The little toiletries niche is almost surrounded by tiles now.
The biggest blow of the day was being told by the kitchen designer that the same afternoon the templating had been done for the mirror glass back splashes, the supplier had contacted him to say the material was longer recommended for use behind a gas hob as the flames/heat can distort the glass. We would have to think again....I wasn't overjoyed with any of the alternative he suggested. Mosaics far too fuss; glossy acrylic doesn't reflect the same way as a mirror; "antique glass" AKA foxed glass while just look like I've splashed sauces everywhere....Needs a bit more thought.
After the builders left, I had cleaned up the floor downstairs and marked out a grid where the new tiles would go, just to check I was ordering the right number plus some extras for wastage. Also double checked floor tiles for the loft toilet only to find that the material I'd selected was out of stock and wouldn't be available until January...The next biggest blow of the day. Ah well, it's not a disaster. I don't think the loft will be decorated until January, so the flooring can wait until after that. But it won't be possible to fix the lavatory permanently to the floor until then, so I hope we can come up with a safe temporary fixing arrangement.
Sunday 10 December
He's also connected the taps in the wash hand basin downstairs to the water supply, put metal edging around the new loft windows ready to skim, finish and make good....
...and started reinstating the bannisters on the loft landing...
...as well as covering up the hole where the pipework from the loo has been re-routed under the floor.
I have been painting most of the day. The dining area wall with the chimney breast and alcoves is now finished bars some small areas where the plaster needs re-skimming. The frame around the garden doors is done too. That's as far as I could get in the time and space available.
Next week will be another big push to get everything ready for the floor to be laid in the downstairs hall, lobby and WC/utility room, the washing machine and drier to be delivered and my stuff to come out of storage on Friday afternoon. Another priority is second fix electrics so that we can use the light fittings and power sockets in the new kitchen/diner rather than wander leads connected up to the old circuit to power tools and work lights. That will be nice!
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