Tuesday:
My husband spoke with Big Bird on Friday about our chosen shower cubicle thing, and at the same time spoke briefly to him about the pending roof build. Big Bird said he'd put a good bloke on to it as it was not a straightforward design...so I was pleased when two fella's arrived this morning at 8.10am and seemed to be prepared for the job. However...they hadn't seen the building plans at all and were therefore in need of some guidance. I explained what was intended, but as the techie stuff was known by my husband I 'phoned him (at work) and asked that he explain the requirements to the builder. Frankly, this isn't good. My husband is a structural engineer and he drew the plans for the build. For roofers to arrive having not seen the plans, and needing to speak with my husband (who is at work) is a situation that should not happen at this stage.
Frankly, when similar circumstances have occurred with this build it's been 'earlier on' and is the sort of thing one might expect to happen at first. Also several things happened that were out of their control (see weeks one and two). I thought, hoped, we were past all that now and that Top Cat had taken appropriate control of site management as is part of the terms of our agreement. To send blokes onto the site to build a 'complex' roof structure without them having seen any plans is bloomin' not good enough. Sorry folks but this blog was set up to 'tell it as it is'. Ok...so...when the roofers spoke with my husband they learned that the plans could be found inside the garage area, where they had been left by the previous builders. But...I still claim that it's a site management issue that shouldn't have occurred. Or just maybe someone should have told me where the plans were!
Either way...I trust that we will now get the shower we want, which is a little more expensive than was on the agreed parts supply list...though there's stuff listed that we don't want at all so I guess it'll all work out in the end.
10.30am: Now...the roof structure is beginning. It's just beginning...and already I am chewing my nails. Basically, despite the obvious necessity for having a roof that functions appropriately, the aesthetic appearance of a roof on a single storey building is a critical factor of the whole. This roof will be instantly visible as one enters the cul-de-sac where we live. The roof is a standard 'hip' design...but it'll be noticeable and therefore its appearance matters. I'm sure it'll be fine. But still...it's a big thing and I'm feeling jumpy about it.
Another factor to consider is that when the roof of the structure is on, the building work becomes internal and the space more truly represents as an extension of the house itself.
11.30am: A delivery has arrived. Work continues...the sun is shining.
1.30pm: The guys stopped for lunch and are getting back to it now. So far nine long support beams are in place, plus some shorter lengths. It's looking neat and tidy, although not very dramatic yet.
3pm: End of their day...Snr and Jnr have just left.
Wednesday:
8.15am: Snr and Jnr have arrived and have started work.
8.45am: More wood has just been delivered.
9.30am: Great progress is being made this morning.
3.45pm: Building work has finished for the day. There's a now a full-roof beamed construction in place. It's not a high as I'd expected and I think it'll look fine when it's done.
Thursday:
9.45am: I feel quite sorry for the builders this morning. Snr and Jnr left home at 7am and had to pick up wood and other stuff from two suppliers on their way here. They arrived on site just after 9am and began work immediately. I know that Big Bird and Boss Cat are expecting the roof to be completed by the end of this week (tomorrow)...which I think is a bit optimistic...there's quite a lot to do yet. At least it's not raining!
3.30pm: I should have kept quiet about rain...it started to drizzle soon afterwards. I've been out today and when I returned just now Snr and Jnr were just packing up. Clear progress has been made today, but frankly there's still a lot to do, so I reckon the work will run half-way into next week.
4pm: My husband says he has spoken with Big Bird today and that he's arranged to meet up with us on Saturday to discuss my shopping list. I have from now until Saturday to work out how to present my case for all items being within the financial constraints of the job quote...as I see it, it's just up to Big Bird to perform the financial juggling act and balance the budgie!
Friday:
8am: Snr and Jnr have arrived and work has begun. The weather is dry but not too hot today.
9.15am: Now I don't want to be critical of the established process, but I have just witnessed a problem that undoubtedly affects many in the building industry. Now, last week, blokes arrived and erected scaffolding. This morning one of the poles was in the way of the build here, so Snr sought permission to cut off the obstructing element. I don't know how much it costs to hire this stuff...but it can't be cheap. So...given the costs of hire and erection, and being aware that scaffolding is inconvenient to work with, I wondered whether there might be a better way to do things. I realise of course that my proposed alternative method is new, and that it challenges established habits. However, although my idea would require some additional training to be undertaken...the fact that it is cost-effective in the long term would make this worthwhile.
See: Cost effective alternative to scaffolding
This methodology is also useful when it comes to reducing transportation time and the frustration and stress caused by traffic jams. See: Reducing time and fuel costs
Note: Both these informational clips are on Your Tube and carry annoying adverts at the start.
9.45am: Breakfast. Jnr just went to the shops and has brought back goodies. Now more usually, it has to be said...that when it comes to tea and lunch breaks Snr and Jnr are not typical builders. They are also probably dyslexic. I say this because whereas I feel that the build is running at least a week late and I therefore PANIC a bit…these two instead PICNIC.
Note: Although the basis of this report is true, a little artistic license has been used for greater affect.
10.20am: Snr and Jnr have re-fuelled and are going back to work : )
12.30pm: Lunch time. The roof edges (soffits and stuff) are being sorted out today. The build has a porch overhang, which is now brightly white and looks good. The main roof structure lacks noggins and isn't covered yet. There's a way to go.
1.20pm: Back to work : )
2pm: Snr and Jnr are packing up and preparing to leave. Socks, shoes and shorts are being changed (I think they must be off to sunny Costa del Concrete for the weekend when they leave here)...blimey what a performance! No offence meant chaps but most builders have a quick pee in the hedge and then it's off to the pub!
2.40pm: Oh my god! Snr is wearing lycra cycling shorts! Oh my god! He's just peddled away now...he's probably going via Failand...so if you see a well-built guy sitting in a black oil slick on a white bicycle you'll know it's him! Well done Jnr...very wise...he's driving home in the van. There are some things in life that you are best not associating yourself with...and your father dressed in lycra is one of them!
