Finished!

We've been very lazy about updating the blog - we blame the fact that it's finished and we were desparate to move in!  As you can see from the piccies, we are now in the bedroom, albeit without a door as we need to cut a lot more off it to allow for the thick pile carpet we have had laid. 

The builders and plumbers were back the next day and finished off the bathroom.  We now have to tile the shower area and and finish it off other bits and pieces before we can use it, but at the moment our priority are the children's bedrooms (4).  We have now completed 2 of them and are currently working on the next 2. 

For anyone reading this blog via the Elite Lofts website - choose Elite.  Marcus and Simon were fabulous and did a wonderful job.  We weren't sure exactly what to expect when they started, but they were like part of the family and treated our property as if it was theirs.  Much coffee cup returning, hoovering and sweeping of the patio was carried out and the only mess left in the house was that of our own making (ie. we didn't bother to dust! and we have stuff in boxes everywhere).  If we need any other work carried out, Elite will be our first choice.  Once again, thank you to Marcus and Simon.

Day 38 - Bathroom and Clear Out

Today the plumbers and builders worked together to fit the units into the bathroom and access hole to the floor so that we can reach one of the mascerators if needed.  The other mascerator required the carcasses of the fitted units to be butchered.  The plumbers will be back tomorrow to finish off and Marcus and Simon cleared out all their stuff from the loft and the garage and the scaffolding, with the exception of the circular saw and nail gun which will be needed when they pop back to finish off the skirting in the bathroom when the plumbers are done.   Only one problem - when they cut the panel for under the basin, the manufacturer's template was followed - but it was wrong.  So David picked up a new panel and that will be fitted when Marcus comes back.

Day 37 - The Plumbers and Snagging

After a few hours of successful decorating over the weekend, we were ready for the plumbers today.  By the end of the day the three radiators were on the walls and working, and issues regarding the plumbing in of the mascerators and fitted cupboards were discussed and ironed out.  Marcus was still away on his long weekend, but Simon was here to do items on the snagging list, finish off the architrave on the stairs, clear off the scaffolding and again, tidy up with a view to being finished tomorrow.  Marcus and Simon will both be here to clear everything out, finish any snagging and help with the installation of the bathroom (as there will be bits of carpentry to be done).  The end is in sight - or rather the end of the building work and the beginning of the major redecoration programme for the whole house.

Day 36 - Bits and Pieces

Both Marcus and Simon here today. The doors were finished off and then they were both out on to the roof to complete some more work out there including putting in some air vents.  Marcus left early for a long family weekend which left Simon to do more bits and pieces and have a sort out and clean up.  We had asked for all their stuff to be left in the middle of the room so that we can do some decorating over the weekend so that when the plumbers come on Monday the walls behind where the radiators will go will be already painted.  We are also to do our snagging list over the weekend.

Day 35 - Fire Doors and Staircases

Simon carried on with the fire doors today with only the heat strips to be stuck in them tomorrow. Marcus carried on with the new staircase handrails and spindles etc. and also cut out the old ones on the existing staircase and changed them to match. They will be back tomorrow to do a few bits and pieces but essentially their job is done. There will be a bit of skirting to put in once the plumber has finished his bits.

Day 34 - Fire Doors

The order of the day was fire doors - nine of them to be fitted and handles on existing doors that are staying (3!) to be changed. No easy task as the old door frames are not square. One door in particular had to have the top chopped off at a very odd angle. No choice on having fire doors - building regulations. An amazingly time-consuming job which will have to be continued tomorrow.

Day 33 - More Woodwork

Marcus was only here for half the day as he had to go and meet the man who would be doing his yearly electrician accreditation (NICEIC). However, Marcus was back with him in the afternoon as he has to show two of his jobs to be scrutinsed. After a while they left and Marcus will be back again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Simon got on with more of the time-consuming jobs. We now have a bedroom door with handle! Oh, the smallest thing is so exciting! However, it now really feels like a room and we are much warmer in the hallways. He also worked on the staircase some more.