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.