And we’re off...

Monday (13th January) was momentous for us, our builders started.

When you embark on a project such as ours the planning and getting planning permission seems like a huge hurdle, but I would say finding the right builder is a much bigger deal.

Here in Cornwall, which seems to be on a different time zone, a regular glut of work, means that builders down here really can pick and choose what projects they want to do. There appears to be many bigger firms, lots of small ones, but not so many good sized medium firms. Our renovation project isn't huge, but is on the complexity side of a "ground up" build and our budget is not in-significant.

Although we haven’t done a project of this size before, we have done quite a few smaller ones. The house we moved here from, we completely renovated over about 4 years, built stables, a barn and an 40ft x 25ft arena. This gave us a really clear idea of how we wanted to do this project and certainly how we didn’t. We particularly wanted to work with builders that had experience in our type of project (which is maybe not that unusual), who didn’t have too many projects going on at the same time for the size of their business, who worked on the job themselves and only subcontracted what was really needed. It was, of course, key that we liked and trusted them. After all they are going to work on something that will take all our money and mean the world to us. We are going to see them pretty much every day for the next 10 months and so it was key that like us they are positive, see things as a challenge with a solution vs everything as an issue and have a sense good of humour.

The quote process was very interesting, although sometimes a little frustrating, but altogether worthwhile. Some builders we approached for quotes just said a flat “no, we have too much work”. Some said, “we want to do it, but you will have to wait 6 to 8 months" or they just didn’t get the quote back to us, and then were surprised when we made the call and went ahead and made a decision of which they weren’t included. Don’t get me wrong, I do have some sympathy for these guys, as quoting does involved quite a bit of "time" investment (and time is money) for them to come and meet with us and then put their quote together. But they each do it once, we made the same time investment with multiple builders and so just like them, who feel frustrated when they don’t get the job, so did we when we didn't get a quote.

Despite all this, this bit of the process is so important to finding the builder that is going to be right for you. Of course nothing is guaranteed, but the process is a real window into how your builder might operate when they are working with you. If they can’t be bothered to come back to you in a timely manner or aren’t interested in getting into the detail at the quote stage they are very unlikely to display these traits during the time you work together. And if it frustrates you at this stage, it sure as hell is going to drive you crazy throughout the actual project.

This is only the end of Week 1, so I don't want to speak too soon, but not only were our builders, particularly the owner Alex, excellent to deal with during the quote stage, I am pleased to say that they have also got off to a very good start….

I had to laugh when we drove around the corner and saw these in the front garden, especially as we live by the sea. To me these make it look like we might be hosting a surfing competition sometime soon rather than a building project!

They certainaly started as they meant to go on as by 9:30 on day one this very large piece of kit was arriving, ready to store their equipment, but most importantly have their "crib" breaks in. Here in Cornwall "crib" is generally used to describe a mid morning snack (elevensies) or a snack or meal taken on the road:

I have also uploaded a (be kind this is my first ever video so not very good!) video to youtube, if you would like to go and have alook. Just search "Tracy Hart" and you should find it. I really want to take some more video's of the project, but I clearly need to brush up my technical skills!

Once they got their “hut” in position they then wasted no time at all and started to dismantle the garage.

Unfortunately, our first week was blighted with really horrible (fairly typical English weather) weather which wasn't ideal and although we were all packed up, our removers couldn’t come until the Thursday to take everything away and into storage, so the builders were were not given a clear start, but this didn’t seem to worry them one bit or stop them from making really good progress. If something was in their way they moved it and if it rained they just moved from the garage into the house.

Our bungalow was built in 1950’s, but clearly it had been built and fitted out very well as every room had solid wood parquet flooring. What I did not know, until the guys started to rip up the parquet, is that back “in the day” parquet was laid with bitumen. Apparently, not only did it stick the parquet down well, it also provided a water barrier between the concrete floor and the wood. As you can imagine, once the guys had ripped it up, the house stank of tar.

Such a shame, because to reuse this someone will have to remove the bitumen from each piece of parquet, but I am sure the guys will find it, along with other reusable items, such as windows, doors, radiators etc. at good home.

Friday took us (Tim and I) over to Kernow Fires for a Demo for Everhot Cookers. If you don't know, an Everhot is similar to an Aga and has all it's benefits, made here in the UK (Aga has been sold to an American Company), but is easier and more efficient to use. We had an Aga in our old house, it was made in 1970 and we had it reconditioned. I loved it and have missed it desperately over this last year. It was, however, not very efficient and cost a fortune to run, but it really was the centre piece of our farm house.

I want to recreate that feeling in our new home, but when renovated, this house will need something more contempoary, not quite so country as an Aga, but with all the benefits and we think an Everhot will fit the bill. This was our second demo and we thank Kernow Fires for their patience, but it did the trick and persuaded us to go for it. Kernow were offering such a good deal, as they always do at their demos, so we put down a deposit while we were there and one of our big decisions was made, such a good feeling. Thankfully I didn’t have to choose the colour at this point, because I am not ready!

Again, just in case you have never seen one, this is an Everhot (we will not be having one this colour!):

So, Friday finished with the guys fencing everything in to keep it safe, the sun shining, and us feeling very satisfied with progress made at the end of our first week:

It's now Sunday evening and I can’t wait for tomorrow and our 2nd Week to start. We have lot’s to do, finalise our lighting design, visit to Wadbridge Bathrooms bathrooms to determine the layout and bathroom fixtures and fittings and a trip to a Window supplier.

Until next time....