At last an update - my wounded ankle requires a bit of rest, so unable to press on with the work, I'm seated at my desk updating this thread. Despite lots of good intentions, I just dont seem to get around to posting very often on this project, but progress has been made, in fact I'm quite close to finishing it. With a bit of luck it should be all done before Xmas and I can start looking for a tenant.
The two big jobs since last posting were the roof and the exterior cladding/insulation. I got professionals in for the roof and they did a lovely job. It was a relatively new outfit that had done a few high profile jobs in the area recently and had had quite a bit of coverage in the local media - so I asked them (along with two other firms) to quote. All three were within a few % of each other on price, but it was terms and conditions that swung it. One wanted 50% up front with no guarantee of completion date, one gave a vague idea of doing it within a year and the one I chose gave a clear date (3 months), but also asked for 25% up front (at signature). To test their resolve I asked for a 10% penalty in the event of more than 1 month overrun and offered just 10% up front. They agreed.
In the event they arrived on the day agreed, worked fast and well and finished in just over a week. I was really impressed by the people, everyone seemed to be highly motivated and worked as a team with no sense of hierarchy. I was interested to find out how they were organised and discovered that all the men in the company are shareholders and they elect their MD for a fixed term of 2 years, then a new election. Salaries are voted and everyone has a profit share. Seems to work !
Anyhow - here is the before :
and here the after :
Following that I found the time to fit the exterior insulation and cladding :
The insulation and membrane were a terrible job - I wanted to be sure I didnt get the insulation wet, so picked a really fine week in mid summer, but working on a south facing wall in the full sun at 38°C was not much fun. I also discovered that you cant lead a ladder against the insulation or the membrane while working on it and had to come up with some innovative solutions... Glad the elf and safety people couldn't see me.
Notice two fixed lights just under the roof line, these light the attic.
Inside much has been done, the kitchen now has a gas hob and a cooker hood :
The shower room has a toilet, a shower and a vanity unit :
and the space under the stairs has been turned into a laundry/utility room :
Because the garden of little house backs onto the garden of my main house, I hadnt got the electricity connected (no point in paying the standing charge), I worked with an extension lead. As completion approached it was time to make the jump to connection to the supply, but as I'd done the wiring and consumer unit myself I was a tad apprehensive about awkward questions. It all turned out well - the chaps who came to connect the supply and change the meter etc seemed perfectly happy and everything works fine.
Next week (ankle permitting) I lay the flooring in the living room and remove the protective mdf from the stairs and stain/varnish the wood. Then it will be time to contact a few agents to see what guarantees they can offer regarding non-payment - difficult tenants etc before deciding whether to use an agent or handle it myself.
