February Update

Since our last monthly update things are yet again moving at a pace. We've now got 7 guys on site, (still under the masterful direction of Dave the artisan builder) as I've got two of my guys gain, and Paul is employing his brother Matt and his extremely likable builder John. To try and make progress as fair and even as possible Dave has gone through to work with Matt and John, leaving Mick, Adam, Mark and the other Dave (landscaper) in our barn.


Since the steels went in the lads have put the majority of the 1st floor joists up which is fantastic as yet again we have an even better idea of how the rooms will feel. As the scaffolding was imminent we've had to take the roof off the lean to to allow the scaffold to go across the end gables. Once this was off the lads have brought the brickwork down to the new roof level, and lowered the window sills to the planned elevation. After speaking to my planning officer Paul Taylor this week about our application and how it is going, and was assured enough about progress and the likely outcome that we have made both the french window openings, and in the case of the side elevation (lean to) Mick has skillfully re-bricked the edges of the new opening.

Finally the scaffold has been put up, which means the race is on to get the spline wall up, the roof off, and the new wall plates in to accept the timber roof trusses. Also today (Saturday 23rd February) we've had the vast majority of our spoil taken away (deja vous) so we have again a clean yard, now the 60 tonnes of rubble have been removed.

Cutting out the old steelwork.
Steelwork from lean to roof coming down.
Steels just prior to joists being fitted.

Kate and the kids having a first walk around the scaffold.
Some of the first floor joists.
Tony and Keith removing our rubble.
A clean yard, and a full scaffold.