Here come the builders

Two representatives of the preferred tenderer called to the house today to discuss the plans and have a look round. We are happy enough with the approach they're taking so will be offering them the contract.

The contract is just one of the steps that has to be taken before work begins properly. A variety of other matters have to be attended to so that we have up-to-date plans, the relevant health and safety documentation, and details of the order in which works will be done. The more scripting we get done now, the more efficient the process will be when it begins. The builders reckon that, all going well on the document front, they can have people working on site at the end of January, beginning with the isolation and demolition of the extension. They weren't offering a finishing date yet, however.

It remains to be seen how practical it will be for us to live in the house as the work goes on. In particular it looks like our sad little kitchen will be isolated and gutted early on. I'm not sure whether we'll be able to get a temporary sink installed somewhere else for the duration, nor what it'll mean for us if we can't. Don't really fancy doing the dishes in the bath.

Goodbye glass brick wall

... as Elton John might say if he were re-modelling our house, which, I hasten to add, he isn't. Anyway, looking at the figures on the builders' estimates, and in particular the figure next to the line about replacing the wall above the stairs with one made from glass brick, we've decided, reluctantly, to let this particular feature go. Regular readers will know that the purpose of the wall was to let light into the landing after the window (at the right of the picture) is blocked up for the extension. The better, cheaper alternative, is to have a glass-panelled door in the small front bedroom. This way, if a future buyer wants to use that as a bedroom, it'll be a lot less work for them to change the door than to replace a wall.

Today we have been living in this house for one year. Very little has changed visibly in that time, but we have a great big pile of documentation to show for it.

Of the three builders who tendered, one firm is reluctant to offer a full breakdown of the figures for fear that we'll use this information to get a better quote from someone else. We wouldn't, of course, but we can't enter into a contract with them on the basis of the information they're willing to give us. Which leaves two. One in particular seems to have thought the whole thing out better than the other and come in with a slightly lower quote, so they are now Preferred Tenderer and we've arranged to meet them next week.

Another baby step forward.