Wish I had more time Pete, got shitloads going on at the moment!Aladinsaneuk wrote:no worries andy- he is retired so has shit loads of time to think on it - can you teach him what too do...?
Just recently had the roofing felt replaced, whole roof off and back on.
Now having an extension on the back of the bungalow (more on that later!), which involves taking out a rear wall, which has a radiator on it, so needed to move to an adjacent wall, which is staying in place. Started thinking, replaced the boiler a few years ago and kept the rads, but some getting a bit rusty and 20 odd years old, so I thought bugger it, we'll do the lot before they start leaking. Work starts at 08:30 in the morning.
We had already been moving stuff from rooms where building work will take place to other rooms, so things were getting crowded and untidy
Spent today trying to make sure there was easy access to all 10 existing radiators and surrounding pipes, not as easy as it sounds, we now have the freezer stood in the middle of the kitchen and even more stuff piled everywhere.
The extension had been a pain as it took ages to find a builder who was interested, so lost some time. After many "I'll get back to you's" that never did, I finally got it sorted, got going chose a builder who had done a lot of good work and quickly stalled again because my neighbour had dug out well below the my boundary level to create a big flat patio hence I now have a drop of more than 7 feet on the boundary where I am building close to.
Ordinary foundations were out and we would need at least 3 mtre deep foundations, with no easy way of getting a mini digger in, and lots of wet weather to keep filling the holes.
Ended up going for a "Piling" solution to get through Planning/Building Control and get it done very quick (only takes 3 days). All went in to planning and had a decision due date of 11th Nov., not much time to get shell up before winter then.
Then had good luck when plans were accepted more than two weeks early. Piling company start next Monday, will cost over £3.5k but will be quick. Met with builder on Friday, sorted out programme and discussed a few issues, main one involving an RSJ beam. Feeling good, builder reckons we can sort the problem RSJ and get the shell up within 3 weeks, should be water tight before Christmas, the world looks good again.
Saturday morning I get a letter from a solicitor, Ooops what's this?
My builder has been declared bankrupt and they reckon the bill for my roof ain't been paid, so pay up.
No problem with that, as paid by internet bank transfer on completion day and I have proof, but where the hell do I get a new builder to start work and get a shell up before Christmas. I am over £6K into this already so have to go on.
Have a few ideas, but if can't find a builder quick, have decided to do it myself and bring in sub contactors for all the main trades. I will project manage the lot and order all my own stone and roof trusses etc.
Will start on that after sorting the snotty solicitor, talking to my architect and the (ex) builder in the morning, whilst the plumbers are ripping the house apart.
Ain't life quiet when you're retired !!
