Trev and Hil's New Build in Polemi

[jagwheels]

Trev I hope you do not find this posting offensive but I am often inspired by music on my Dark days & very young musicians often provide that inspiration for me trying something new for the first time in their lives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW3alpmXTVI

norv

[trevnhil]

Hi norv. I don't find it offensive at all. I just hope that our dreams can come to fruition in the near future rather than later on.

Thanks Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well the end of the week is here and thing are still progressing gradually. The outside decorators are coating the building with 'Superplast' I think they have finished that today perhaps with the exception of the window and door reveals. The building then needs three coats of a good quality paint. However I see the weather forecast for the next 5 days is not good. These decorators arrived just after 7-00 and left just before 5-00

We have been today to the electricity board. We didn't want street lights on the poles, because they are all past our house on a cul de sac track. But we have no say in the matter, but at least Polemi council are footing the bill.

We have also been to the Land office today but, they still need some more time to sort out our land overlapping the next plot.

The builders manager is visiting tomorrow and it looks like a 'snagging' visit. To be honest there are very few minor thing which we need to talk about.

Soon I will be in there doing a little bit of D I Y and of course I still have to fix all the downspouts.

What a busy life. Trev..

[Christine&Donald]

The house is looking great. Please please take it easy and don't do too much at once. Glad things are looking up and they'll be no stopping us when the electricity is in. We may be over some time mid-late Sept so may take a room then.

Christine xx

[trevnhil]

Hi Both. No problem (we hope) with September. Surely to goodness we will have the electricity by then.

Love to you all. Dad.

[trevnhil]

The Early Bird catches the worm... or in this case the sunrise. I will get a better shot when the scaffold is finished with.




Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well, same day as the picture above, but the later bird catches the rain... Along with our painters. By that I am not saying that they are late birds because they arrive just after seven from the other side of Limassol. So they got really a good start to the day, But this afternoon the heavens opened and that is not good news for outside decorators. However as far as I can tell it has caused no damage. The paint either has not got wet or it is sufficiently dry to withstand s little water.... Phew

The builders manager has been today to go through a snagging list with me, but there were not many items and certainly nothing major. Most of the items were just silicone to be applied to joints in the bathrooms and around worktops.

The builders said that they would be finished by the end of January and it is certainly looking that way.

I have just put a few more pictures on the web album including my tiling this afternoon. I am hopeless at spreading tile adhesive with a serrated trowel...... So I didn't use tile adhesive but two beads of silicone on each row of tiles... Simples


Regards. Trev..

[KEITH]

Looking fantastic, everytime I look on here I seem to turn this funny colour of green

KEITH

[trevnhil]

That's the same colour that I turn when I get the bills.

Today is a little problematical as it is persistently raining.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Today was the day when the decorators were supposed to finish the outside painting. I unlocked the house shortly after 7-00am and waited and waited. The first people there were the INSIDE painters. This was there final day there and they have completed the internal decor (posh for painting) And they have also cleaned all the rooms out to the best of their ability.

The outside decorators did turn up, but only to collect there gear. They said they will return to finish when we get a fine day.

The plumber has also been today and installed the two water tanks and also connected all the water to the pipes at the water meter. So now we have water at all taps and also at all the toilets.

I was there to lock up late in the afternoon when it was going dark. The water was still slowly filling both water tanks and just before I left the meter was still turning very slowly. First thing in the morning I will check to see that it is not turning at all. If it is, then there is a leak somewhere.

The guy that is doing the downspouts (ME) has made a start. But I can't complete them until the walls are painted.

One very satisfying thing late today... I took a pair of my slippers down there.... We don't want any mess inside do we.

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

I did say to the best of their ability.... not necessarily to Hilary standard.

But to be fair they have mopped the floors, cleaned the showers and washbasins. The WC's were taped shut until today, so that was OK.

One annoying item occurred though. The Plumber is contracted to fit our fittings, baths showers sinks etc. Today he found that we had not supplied a U Bend for a kitchen sink. So he phoned me to go and get him one as well as the connecting pipework.

Wouldn't you think a plumber with a transit van full of kit, would have a U Bend.

Trev..

[Biddy]

Oh that view! The villa looks lovely - bet you can't wait to get in.

[trevnhil]

We could almost move in how because all that needs to be finalised is a little work from the electrician. BUT we still have no electricity supply to the house. We applied for it back in 2009, and we have paid for it but we are just waiting for the poles and wires to be installed to our plot. When that's done then we will move in.

Cheers. Trev..

[lesleyK1]

Hip Hip Hooray! Almost there - well done. My coffee is white, no sugar thanks. I will bring my own slippers! last one out - turn off the Sorry, could not resist that one

[trevnhil]

OH that we should be so fortunate to be able to have a light on..... to turn off

Cheers to you Lesley... and Dave.

The build is virtually finished now. The electrician has just a few hours work. And the outside painters have a days work if ever we get a fine day.

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi again.

Well I am not sure when to say that the building is finished. But for sure today is a momentous day. A few days ago the builder sent us his final account for all the work that he has done. If you remember we are paying after the work is done, and so amounts already paid were knocked off the price of the building. We agreed the amount and today we have handed the builder, his final cheque.

So as far as the builder is concerned, his work is done.

We have had a call to say that the electrician will be here early tomorrow (Saturday) and by the end of the day his work will be completed as well.

This just leaves the outside decorators to finish their paintwork, and early next week the forecast is cold but dry So hopefully next week everything concerning the 'build' will be well and truly completed.

I have am not putting any new pictures on the web album just yet, but I have been looking back at our pictures on Picasa.

The concrete base was laid on the 5th of August last year, and the first timber framework was erected on the 10th of August.

This means that the total time for the build is LESS THAN SIX MONTHS

A brilliant job by a first class hard working team. Our thanks go out to them all.
Most likely I will get some pictures next week after the painters have finished.

Trev.. n Hil...

[trevnhil]

Yes Maggie, it is difficult to have 'Party time' without having a pee.

Cheers. Trev..

[BigDutch#2]

This has been a very interesting blog to follow.

I also am interested to do something with the same construction method. At your convenience can you please private message me any details on who you can recommend from your experience(s) to date.

[trevnhil]

Well another week has gone by and I have been doing some DIY. I have put the curtain tracks up at all the windows that needed them and I have tackled and made a good job of fitting the Bath panel. I have also boxed some pipes in that go to the central heating manifold in the laundry room. Worry not it is removable withing 2 seconds.
Oh and I have done a little 'adjusting' to the cornice mould around the top of kitchen units.

I'm not sure what the next jobs will be, but for sure there will definitely be some.

Bath panel pic is on the web album.

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Thanks goodness your .."big enough for two", didn't have question marks after it.

I have not forgotten about the plant, it's just that I have a lot on at the moment.

Cheers. Trev..

[jagwheels]

Trev we all know you are waiting to be connected to electricity but seem to remember a boundary issue on your plot of land. Has that been resolved? Apologies if it has been answered but it is such an interesting but very Large thread

Final question. Would you take on such a project again?

norv

[trevnhil]

Hi Norv and everyone.

To answer your question about the land 'overlap' into next doors..... no it has still to be resolved. This doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem but the wheels seem to grind exceedingly slow.
So. we are still awaiting an outcome on this issue.

Although the builder has finished completely now, and it is decorated inside and out, there are still many jobs to do. I have still to do the downspouts, and a little one brick wall along the bank and drive. The electrics still have to be tested as well for when the electricity does arrive.

As to "would we do it again"??? Yes I think so. The situation was that we almost had to do it the way we have, because we could not find a bungalow with a 'Granny flat' for Dad.

But yes we have had a lot of problems along the way. It was August 2007 when we bought the land and were told "Yes you can build, there is no problem"............ But there were many problems which we have had to overcome. Even our Muktah says "You have been unlucky"

If we had to do it again, at least we would much wiser.

More info will be added when we have updates to bring.

Meanwhile I am going to have my first shower there today.

Cheers. Trev..

[Admin]

Don't get wet Trev!!!

[jagwheels]

Trev many thanks & am taking the liberty of extracting part of your reply

As to "would we do it again"??? Yes.

An inspirational response for many. To some of us when this work is finally completed this thread will come to an end & it will seem like losing an old friend

I hope Jim keeps this thread for posterity on CL as he did with the Harbour Construction Work. I still have a peek at those photos

norv

[Macattack]

Just because the house is finished that is not the end. We will still have to follow -

The house furnished
Early days problems
The benefits from designing your own house
What you would have done different (after living in it for a few months)
6 months update
1 Year update

I could go on....

[trevnhil]

Ha ha...yes there are a number of things that we may have done differently. But.... this is Cyprus. And because of this saying then you do things here as they have always been done. Let me explain one Item that has been niggling me for a number of months. Firstly let me say that we have had a great relationship with the builder, and still have.

But here is one of the things price wise that happen in Cyprus (not just to us)..

Imagine a bathroom 2mts x 2mts and 2'5mts high. That make a wall area of 20 sq mts..... So you pay so much per sq mtr for the wall.... BUT there is a door and window in the room. In Cyprus they do not knock this off.
You also pay for the door and window, even though you have paid for a wall in these areas. You pay for 20 sq mts of plastering..... but they don't plaster it all because it is being tiled and they don't plaster under those. The same with the painting, you pay for 20 sq mts.... but they don't paint where the tiles are going.

I hope you can see this in your minds eye..... But it is what seems to be done in Cyprus

However we have a well insulated home, and the water system works quite well even without the pressure pump (no electric). I did indeed have my first shower there today. I had to turn the water temperature down as it was too hot.

There are a few more quirks that I may bring out in the weeks to come, one being drains...

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Looking at the last post it seems a little niggly. So let's acquaint you with a couple of good points.

One of the tradesman gave us a quote for his work over 12 months ago. When he started his work around September he requested a site meeting.
We went along and he asked if things were OK or did we need any thing extra to the work agreed. We added a couple of thing and then he said I will give you a new quote then.... His new quote was a reduction of around 15%. He said there was not as much work as he thought.

We have also had a little discount from the builder when we made the final payment.

The builder and all the tradesmen are Cypriot or other nationalities, but non were British.

That's all till next time. Trev..

[Derektee]

Cpngrats again Trev on getting this far. Best wishes for your future move to the new house... hope electricity is on very soon. I wish you both the very best of health and happiness to enjoy your new home. You are an inspiration to all who would like to build their dream home in Cyprus and your honest account has provided an extremely interesting and informative thread to follow.

Best wishes for the future.

[trevnhil]

Good morning Derek and all.

Derek thank you very much for your nice comments. We too hope that the supply of electricity is just around the corner.

We are quietly moving a few boxes into the building. I only said to Hilary this morning that I had better take some interior Photos before the interior looks like 'Box City'

We are certainly looking forward to spring time there. There are plenty of jobs that need doing even to, and around a 'New Build'. But at least when we are there and get up in the morning sunshine it will be .... 'Siga Siga'

Cheers. Trev..

[Molly]

Hiya Trev - your house looks absolutely fab and I wish you both every happiness for the future in your new home........x

[trevnhil]

Hi Molly.
Long time no see, but thank you for the good wishes. As you probably know I have just added a few up to date pictures of one or two of the rooms.

We are doing jobs like cleaning and putting up curtain rails. Also we have been fixing towel holders an toilet roll holders, although we do have heated (not yet) towel rails in the bathrooms.

We are extremely pleased with the hot water system, it is brilliant even on days with little sun. We opted for having larger than usual solar panels and also a bigger hot water cylinder. This seem to be paying dividends in the winter. So much so that we are having baths and showers at the new property even though we are still living in the rental.
We even have larger than average cold water storage, because in the past the village has been without water for a number of days.

There always seems to be work to do...

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi Al. Thanks for your kind comments. I do not know what size the panels are on the roof, but they are (as we asked for) bigger than the normal ones. What is actually on the contract is...

Two panels 1.5mt sq each, pressure type. Hot water boiler 160 litres. cold water tank 1,500 litres.

I will try to measure the panels today and post tonight.

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well I have been on the roof today and I measured the solar panels. They are bigger even than the building contract allowed for.
The panels measure almost 2 mts x 1 mt and that is EACH of two panels
The hot water boiler is the same size as the contract states ie 160 lts. I assume that this is a little larger than the usual size but I am only guessing.

The cold water is supposed to be contained in a tank with 1,500 litre capacity. I remember when it was delivered on site that I complained that it was only 1,000 lts. I pointed out the discrepancy from the contract to the builders manager and he said he would make enquiries. Later he told me that they were having problems getting another tank that was 500 lts.

In the end they must have given up because they brought another 1,000 ltr tank and so now our total cold water storage is 2,000 litres.!!! And of course... no extra charge.

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi again Al.

At the moment we are in a rental property in Kallepeia, which is only about 4 minutes from the new bungalow. On the roof here we have out own 3mt SKY dish, so when we move the dish moves with us. It will need a satellite guy to move it to the new bungalow and install it there.
The man that we use has already been on site and told us that the place we want to put the dish will be fine.

The electrician on the building contract has put TV wiring to most rooms in the bungalow. There are also 4 cables going from the SKY dish position into the bungalow. Two go into our lounge and two go into my FIL's lounge. So... TV wise we should be well catered for.

We are also having Satellite Broadband as there are no phone lines near our new premises. This will be organised by Digby from Holitec eu, who is a sponsor of CL.

But again all this needs electricity, and we will be going to the offices tomorrow to see how things are progressing.

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well what a difference a few days can make, especially with the weather we have been having recently.
After the heavy downpours that we had on Monday night / Tuesday morning, I found that access was very tricky indeed. This is not the first time it has been very slippery, but this was thee worst I have seen it.
I met the driver of a pick up truck in Polemi. He was delivering a Gas tank from Larnaca. I told him to follow exactly in my wheel tracks.... but oh no, he went his own sweet way...... and he got stuck. he did eventually get free but what a state his vehicle was in.
However we now have a gas tank..... I wonder when I dare get the tanker to come with a delivery....???

I have been to see the Mukhtar about the road, but he tells me that it may be many months until it is concreted. He says that is is Paphos District council that have the main say in the matter. So it seems that I may be letter writing again pretty soon.
Meanwhile because Hillarys Dad is unable to reach his new home with his little car, I have paid out for some filling to go on the roadway. And I have spent a little time spreading and leveling the filling with a rake.

Things were a little better when we eft late this afternoon.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well it's two or three days since I took the pictures of our road / track, and Lo and Behold the gas tanker came today with our first supply of gas.

However unfortunately when it came to the bad bit of road he was unwilling (correctly so) to carry on over the soft ground. he had one or two tries but then told me that it was too risky as he had 5 tons of gas on board. I had to agree with him, and he said he would try next week with a lighter load..... if it doesn't rain.

So the Gas situation is not good. I really do not know what to do. I have asked the Mukhtar to do something to help, like a load of stone, but he just tells me that it will be concreted as soon as possible. Hopefully that will be not too far in the future.

Hopefull .. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi all.

I had a PM today asking if all was OK, as it was a while since I posted anything. I didn't realise that it is over a week since I posted anything.

Good things and bad thing have happened.... Last weekend when it was pouring down the banking at the side of our drive collapsed onto the drive and blocked the gully taking away all the rainwater. Hilary and I dug it out but got wet through doing it. The barrow that I was using to move the soil suffered from a collapsed wheel.
We have now put some vertical stakes in the banking and have some planks behind them holding the soil in position.... A job for dryer times I think.

The good things that have happened are the poles to carry the electricity supply have been delivered and put in position. Also very recently the wires and transformer have been installed, but not quite up to the house yet. I believe one of the next things that should happen is that the house electrics have to be tested out.

When that has been done and if everything is OK, then we can look forward to the day that we are connected. Of course before that can happen I have to go and sign up at the electricity board as a 'New customer'.... at least for that property.

If you remember the gas tanker was unable to make a delivery because of the road. Well during this last week he was again in the area, but i told him to leave it until the better weather came along.

So we are busy each day packing boxes ready for 'moving day' whenever that may be. I have also emptied the shed out at our present place, and I need to find someone with a suitable truck to move the 9sectional) shed for/ with me.

The very last job I have done is to prepare a place for the shed at the new abode. One edge will sit on concrete wall and the other two corners will sit on tiles that I have bedded on cement, on the filling

We are getting nearer and nearer moving day, but still cannot put a date to it.

Cheers. Trev..

PS. The hot water for showers and baths is still brilliant.

[trevnhil]

How much stuff can you fit in a false roof/loft. ABSOLUTELY LOADS!!

I am putting so much stuff up there that I am having to make a list in a book. At least we should know where things are.

ADDITION.. Last week a Cypriot friend came to look round. When he was scrutinising the lounge he mentioned that two of the windows had been made too low. No they haven't I replied, they are lower than usual so that we can see the view when we are sat down.
I was reminded of this today when I sat in a recliner chair in the lounge just having a break. We can indeed see the village and beyond.

Brilliant...

Cheers. Trev..

[Jim]

I have an area that is like a mezzanine when we moved in, the lack of storage can be a problem in Cypriot built homes, we filled in the front of the mezzanine and now it is full of rubbish we do not need, but the storage is very useful.

[trevnhil]

Hi Maggie. Yes I well remember your quote. We do need that elusive last link (wires & meter) to get electricity to our dwelling. I was there last night with a torch, measuring up.

Jim, yes you are right that storage can be a problem in Cypriot traditional houses. Where we are now two of the bedrooms have vaulted ceilings, but this means that the wardrobes are very high indeed. We have certainly managed to fill them..... with boxes.
It is amazing the amount of 'stuff' that you accumulate over a lifetime.

Still looking for help with the shed, for even more storage.

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Well another memorable day today..... see the picture....





OK, they may be a little hard to spot. But from the left hand post there are wires going to the pole on the fascia board. From there the cables go to the electricity meter.... Yes, we have a meter now.

So early tomorrow I go to sign for the electricity supply and all being well it should be on sometime next week.

Trev..

[anna]

Fantastic news so hopefully everything will go smoothly from now on.

Regards, Anna.

[trevnhil]

Thank you Anna, we hope so too. When we get electricity it means we will be able to work there in the evenings as well.

Cheers. Trev..

[sallyjohn]

Trev ,
John is more than happy to help u move ur shed . his van has a 8 x 4 roof rack so let me no if this any help
Sally

[trevnhil]

Hi Sally. Thanks for the offer. However I have a man coming in the morning with a flatbed truck. This will mean very little lifting. Hilary and I took at all down into 7 sections today, so all is going well at the moment.

Thanks again. Trev..

[sallyjohn]

no problem Trev , glad u sorted and good luck with move
Sally

[jagwheels]

Trev my last post to you seems to have got lost in the ethos

Your comment “OK, they may be a little hard to spotâ€￾ made me smile but what is that tree with beautiful blossom?

norv

[trevnhil]

Hi Norv. I just looked back in case I had missed answering a question of yours, but can't find one.

As far as I am aware the tree in blossom is an Almond tree. If I am wrong then maybe someone will correct me.

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi Maggie and all.
Well another busy day today. I was out of the house by 7-00am and round to the bungalow. Next was the cash machine in Polemi, ready for signing for the electricity supply at their offices. I got the money because I assumed I would have to pay a deposit. However although things took a while ( about 45 mins) they wanted no money off me. All they needed was a copy of my passport and my signature. Oh, and they asked did I know the meter number that was installed yesterday.
Guess who just happened to have a picture of it on his camera I also found out that the testing of our electrics is on the 10th of this month.

Maggie..... No chance of going easy on Hilary today. The 'paid volunteer' came round with the flat bed truck and we all three loaded the shed on it. Then off we went to Polemi and unloaded it all. Many thanks to John for the use of his truck.
Then the work really began. The base was in position straight off the truck, but the four walls had to be carried and fastened together.
After a break for lunch, Hilary and I had to lift the roof sections onto the top of the walls.
Hard work but at least everything worked out fine and all is weather tight again and ready for use.
We are off out tonight to the Karlina with other CL members. We deserve a well earned meal.

Cheers all. Trev..

PS... No pics of the shed (yet). I mean.... a shed is just a shed.

[sandramay]

Lovely Kitchen Trev, when i look at properties on the web they all seem to have dark wood kitchens but yours is really light and airy i suspect you didn't have a lot of say choosing it!!!