The Plans

This has kind of dragged on for quite a while which is kind of normal, but we had quite a struggle to get all of this together. In the end we got the plans in for January 3rd and got planning in the exact maximum allowed time. So allowing for cooling off and we should theoretically be able to start around the start of June.

The plan is to put a second floor on a flat-roof extension out the back, add a lobby with a utility area and put a garage out the back.

Digging Foundations

This started on July 3rd and basically took most of that week in bits and bobs. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to get some of the foundations deep enough with the digger so that had to be finished by hand. So there was nothing for it but to get stuck in. I arranged for my brother to give me a dig-out on Saturday, July 8th.

However, the weather had other plans and the skies opened. It basically poured rain for the entire weekend. We did manage to get most of the rocks out and carried as much mud out on our clothes as on shovels. After a couple of days we ended up with a foot of water in the bottom of the foundations.

So for next weekend, the plan was to get a pump and dig a proper sump. This did the trick slowly - thanks to some assistance from fine weather. Also over the weekend of the 15th, I staked out the garage foundations. So the next weekend's plan is to finish off the stakes, add the reinforcing mesh and try to get the concrete poured on Monday.

Pouring Foundations

Once the digging was completed, and the foundations were staying relatively dry, the next job was to set up for the pouring. This involved adding some shoring where the sides had collapsed and setting up some reinforcing mesh. Once this was done, it was mainly up to the truck driver to manoeuvre into position and pour in the concrete.

We had a fantastic day for it and the concrete was largely dry after a few hours. We will want to leave it a couple of weeks before building on it, but it now feels as if we are on our way.

Footings

This was the stage where it started dragging out as we now needed the block-layer to turn up to put in a couple of courses of blocks to retain the floors, etc. We eventually managed to get this done by about mid-September and then the wait was on

The Digger at Work