Week 86: Meet The Professionals
This week the appointments are coming in thick and fast. It's crazy arranging suitable time slots when you're working remotely. Our lovely plumber Brent has been kind enough to come on site this Wednesday to allow access to various trades in order for them to do their thing. We have tried to book things together in advance so as to give plenty of notice and room for maneuver should anything fall through. Okay without further ado and in no particular order this week's agenda looks like:
Nigel from Boston Trade Frames
This lovely chap from a small local independent business will be doing our doors and windows. This task by far has been the most challenging because of the length of time we are having to wait, the cost and the technicality. The High St is located in a conservation area so we must comply with regulations as per council. It's a super old house so specialist windows don't come cheap. Monday an order was confirmed and placed so Nigel will come out to re-measure and start the manufacture of these items.
Dean Chambers from Anglian Water
To come out and take a look at the drainage at the back. I’m not really happy about this but we may have to (so late in the project) dig in the ground to connect the pipeworks. It was something that came to our attention so late and needs urgent attention. If not dealt with properly it could potentially interfere with the sale of the house. The plumber will discuss with him future steps and the best way forward.
Brent the plumber
Will also need to check if radiators are in line with the British Thermal Unit (BTU calculator) before we make the purchase. Our project manager gave us the shopping list with a bit of confusion as to length and height and we almost bought the wrong radiators. But, it's all clarified now, he’s measurements are written height first followed by length. Why couldn't he give this more clarity, but hey..better late than never!
Mr Steve the locksmith
To come and check front & back doors. We have decided to change only one of the front doors (we have two) and to replace the locks on the others. This will hopefully bring down the price as Composite doors are coming in at £1k a pop so not exactly cheap. It's not ideal but a solution nevertheless.
Richard from Apollo Screed
To come out and set levels. Floor needs to be smooth and slightly raised around corners. This is a prerequisite to the windows task as Nigel is installing patio doors he needs to know how many millimetres the floor is going to increase by. Had to wait in excess of a month for screed as there is so much material shortage, again.
Plasterers due to come back to finish some bits of plastering in the conservatory. But haven’t given a specific date. So annoying when they do that.
A quick recap from last week: After several windows appointments, removals came out and took out the entire contents to leave us with beautiful clean interiors at a good price without the nuisance of a skip. Andy Ashby from Howden’s kitchen attended for 2nd & final measure-up. He has stated; kitchen suits are plentiful and no delays in sight. ‘Woohoo...at least something in our favour and going well’.
Plus a big thank you for our pal Brent who will be on hand to receive everyone mid week.