Builder's Brew

To mark completion (we got the building warrant certificate on Thursday) we celebrated our new extension with a tea party in aid of Christian Aid. We were joined by Rod and John from the builders John Wood & Co from Corstorphine. You may notice the 'waitresses' wearing hard hats, seemed appropriate even though totally unnecessary. There were many admiring comments about the quality and look of the finished project.

A couple of tea party photos for those who missed out.

Probably one more entry to come, reflecting on the experience.

Last Touches

Well, we are full in use now. Attached is a short video made by a couple of professional actresses, Sam and Sarah from Rhema Theatre Company. They stayed with us for a couple of weeks over the summer whilst performing in the Fringe. In the attached video they demosntrate how to make toast on an aga. Also am posting the departure photo!

Weatherproofing

Harling and roof completion. Everyone in the local area is commenting how nice the front looks and how amazingly well it fits in with the original house. Pictured above is Mark (in blue T shirt) having a go at dry harling (dry harling is same as pebbledash in England)

Inside Work

Floor laid in kitchen, all fittings completed, apart from tiles which we ordered from Fired Earth ages ago, but no sign of being delivered yet.

Outside Work

Uneblievable amount of rain, note river running down trench for roof water drain

Last Month

Fringe Festival has interrupted update of Blog. We have been involved in the drama Look Who's Talking. Also we have a venue and we have had the Rhema theatre company in. In fact two of the actresses have been staying with us, entertaining the builders with their singing warm up. Rain has been unbelievable. Will do a couple of picture only posts.

Finishing leg

Good progress on the finishing leg this last week. The kitchen is now largely fitted out and all being well will be in use for this coming weekend when we have guests arriving for the fringe. We now have windows in all rooms - last to be fitted was study - completed yesterday. Outside the team have been pushing on with our 'sit-outaree' as one person has called it.

Study takes shape

Quick update on work at end of last week- which was very wet! Most of the team were here on Friday, although stonework impacted by weather despite the team building a temporary shelter - see photograph. The rain was Edinburgh's best - torrential in the morning. Most of of plastering has been finished in the study Tiling is nearly finished bathroom, just one layer and grouting to go. The floor tiles are unbelievably hard - will be a challenge to some later generation when they try and change!

Kitchen swap

Tuesday saw the old kitchen removed and the new one arrive. Tiles also arrived for the bathroom. The walls are about half tiled, amazing progress. Even more amazing was news in the study - more to come...

'A' day

'A' day arrived and we now have a shiny new AGA. It took the engineers a whole day to build, install and commission. The building works in preparation were spot on. We are really please, the kitchen is looking fantastic. Currently it is switched off to allow fitting of rest of the kitchen this week and tiling etc.

'A' Day

Its midnight - that means its 'A' day. 7 hours and 27 minutes to go! The engineer phoned today to say what a great job the John Wood team had done preparing the site.....

Start of the end phase

Today saw the start of the final stage. Second fitting of electircal items in the kitchen and utility room, pictured here are Michael and Colin doing what electricians enjoy most - cutting holes in plasterboard.

Work was succesful as can be seen by the photograph taken this evening of the kitchen with the holes and plinth ready for A day. 2 days to go... The white light is from some trial bulbs - a bright light LED lamp (new 3w version), so doing our bit for the planet and the bills!

Also today saw the start of building works on the front wall. Pictured here is Paul laying the first stone (photo courtesy of Robbie, who is in the other photo with Paul).

Interim Moves

We have now moved to an interim kitchen location in what will be the utility room. Brian the plumber and Shaun the joiner have ensured continuity of water and laundry facilities without a gap as the old kitchen continues it's deco missioning. We have hot water from our smart new 'black' tap.


The bathroom work is underway, plumbing all now in place ready for the wet room floor etc. Brian is doing a great job (as are all the team) - we even have our first radiator!


Had a friend who is an electrician round last night - he was most impressed. He felt he had missed out on an opportunity to cut loads of lovely holes in the ceiling- he says its an electrician thing! More coming as we are really motoring now - updates on groundworks, study and kitchen - 2 days to go to A day!!

Fitting Out

A bit of a break since last update - partially due to our work commitments. Progress has been painting the kitchen and utility (loads of white paint). Some will need touching up but that is still much easier than trying to do round the new kitchen and utility fittings. The stone man has been on holiday so from the front it is looking like little progress. A few photos including the large cutter in the kitchen the white cupboards in the utility and the start of the kitchen (some bits not delivered- now due in mid July)

We're plastered!

Plastering work today (Saturday). Our two intrepid plasterers spent all Saturday doing the kitchen ceiling and the utility room. Their arms must be sore. The first picture is the ceiling being plastered in what was the old kitchen. Note colour testing on walls (not the yellow or blue which were there already)

Our neighbour called by to have a look, and suggested stilts to teh plasterers to save them having to keep moving their platforms. Apparently this is serious option. If they followed it up perhaps we would have the makings of a circus?

Meanwhile we have ordered the last two items - a fridge and dishwasher. This is almost feeling too good. A colleague at work is having a nightmare with her builders, latest being a tiling fiasco. A bit too late to suggest they went with John Wood!

Roofing

The roof guys have been for a couple of days and done a fabulous job. We are really pleased. Many local people have commented how good a match the new tiles are. The rear part is quite amazing, a four layer sandwich. Designed to move in hot and cold weather, we certainly have the latter but not so sure about former!!

PS Tragedy avoided - washing machine was back on with 24 hours of last blog update

Back from short break

We have been away for a few days- probably just as well. The wall between the old and new kitchen areas has been removed - as has all the old wall cupboards. New window in kitchen and back door has moved to its final location. Virtually all the interior walls are up with power cables coming through where needed. No dishwasher for next few weeks (old one has gone), and as at today no washing machine! Nearly had no hot water, but have rigged up the boiler with a temporary power supply to get boiler going! Have just been to Asda to buy some paper plates and plastic cups! Local rumour is that we are building a tea shop at the front of the extension! This is something to do with the open front.

Sun Pipe

Today saw the fitting of the sun pipe, this will make a huge difference to the utility room which otherwise would have no natural light. Also Rod came round and we now understand the mystery of the bathroom drains - all very simple. Have ordered bathroom equipment pieces including shower enclosure for wet room floor. Had spent quite a while sourcing the fixtures and are very excited with what we will end up with.

Interior work

Work has started in earnest on fitting out the interior, kitchen shape is now quite clear. The bathroom is a bit of a mystery. We are meeting with John on Monday so hopefully we will be able to get some clarity on how the drainage is going to work and what will go where. Anyhow we are very excited about it all. Weather still holding fine - we are so glued to the forecasts it is almost a bit sad!