Trev and Hil's New Build in Polemi

[trevnhil]

Hi Again. Well it seems to be full steam ahead now. Today before 8-00 the builder and I set out and positioned the bungalow on the plot. Since then his men in all this heat have erected the shuttering for the base.

Tomorrow the reinforced steelwork will go in and then on Thursday it can all be inspected. If all is OK the concrete will be poured on Friday.

The latest pics are at the bottom of the Picasa Album.

Just click my signature link to see them..

Trev..

[bromerzz]

Are you sure this is the right time of year to lay the concrete base. They have to get the mix exactly right with the correct level of retardents to stop it cracking in theAugust heat and then you are gonna get thro thousands of gallons of water to keep the chemical curing process going at the right speed.
I know my neighbours builders themselves stop all concrete and rendering work in August because of the affect on the curing process. IF you have not done so I would check with both ypur architect and the builder.
By the way I am NOTa builder, just your average bodger.

[trevnhil]

Your concerns are correct without a doubt. But of course concreting is done as long as the mixer plants are working. However I have contacted the builder and the architect, and they both say that it is acceptable with the correct aftercare. ie as you said copious amounts of water. I have a promise from the municipality that they will put a water supply to our plot to be used on the concrete. Failing this a tanker will be used as and when recommended.

But thanks for the concern / warning.

Cheers. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Today one of the jokers from another forum that I am on, has put a picture of the finished house on the plot....



Again there are a few more TRUTHFUL pics on my Picasa web album

Trev...

[KEITH]

Trev,

Have you got a completion date?

The location looks great, I am so green with envy.
If I had the chance I would have the house in your last photo on that site

Still, I have my own bit of paradise over there and am grateful for what we have.
Best thing we ever did was buy over there, it's ours and can't wait for the time to come when we make the move permanent.

KEITH

[trevnhil]

Hi Keith. Obviously the house in the picture is a joke. The roof is not level but a few props under the RHS should fix that.

Regarding a completion date....... I think we signed the contract at the end of June and we were told 9 months from then.

However in all things I suppose there are swings and roundabouts. We had a two week delay whilst a problem with the filling was sorted. But they are now concreting today, about 30 mins after the steelworkers had finished. It will receive plenty of water later today and tomorrow and the weekend. And the timber frame is due to be started on Monday.

So at the moment it is all go....

[KEITH]

Fingers crossed for you both.

And I would still have the house in the photo in your location joke or no joke, in fact I would live in a shoe box there

KEITH

[Durian Muncher]

Trev - just been on the Morecambe Bay website.
That's all you need
Good luck.

[trevnhil]

Thanks for your good wishes.

Trev..

[geoffm]

Really marching on Trev, isn't it great to see the changes...
But are you sure the builder hasn't mixed up you' plans with the plans for the new Paphos aquarium.
Geoff.

[trevnhil]

Hi Geoff. I can see what you mean but the water is to stop it drying too Quickly.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi All.

We do now have what seems to be an insurmountable problem that is at the moment stopping us carrying on building.

So this will be my last post on this for a while. I hope you understand that I do not want to air this problem in public, and I do not want to answer any questions about it.

Thanks for your interest up to now.

But bye bye for the present.

THE PROBLEM HAD NOW BEEN SORTED



Trev..

[geoffm]

So sorry to read this Trev, I do hope you find a way round this, I'm sure we're all behind you when I say Very best of luck in finding a solution.
Geoff and Brenda.

[lifes a beach]

I hope that you can overcome all of the obstacles that come your way.

All the best.

Dave

[Jim]

Do wish you well on this Trev!! if anyone deserves a little better luck it is you!!


Regards from Les and Jim..

[trevnhil]

Good evening All. Again I thanks you all for your good wishes. We do seem to be struck by a enormous amount of bad luck.

After the concrete was poured on Thursday afternoon, a water tanker was brought in to flood the area to stop it drying out too quickly. everything was going OK.

However shortly after this time on Thursday we were denied access to our plot. I will not go into details but by the end of Thursday and all day Friday and most of Saturday we were in despair as it seemed that we would NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE BUILDING.

However after the help of many many people, on Saturday evening we were told that we would again be allowed access to our building site. Later this afternoon (Sunday) we had this confirmed.

So hopefully tomorrow morning the building will continue.

I would like to say a special thanks to Dave Barrett and his wife Kay, and also to Dave and Lesley from Emba.

There are a few more pictures of the concrete foundation on the web album tonight.

Regards. Trev..

[geoffm]

Great news mate, lets hope this problem doesn't re-appear.
Geoff.

[baxi]

have they reached the damp course yet ? .

[trevnhil]

Damp course. This is the sunshine Isle. Are you sure we need a damp course. ???

Yes they have been laying the damp course today. I have just added a few more pictures of that very item. There is also a picture from where our lounge will be.

Please all bear in mind when looking at the Picasa Album, that the pictures are for our record and may not all be of interest to the casual viewer.

Trev..

[jagwheels]

Wherever did you get the impression we were “casual viewersâ€￾?

I am 2 thousand miles away & I follow the progress with great interest

Have never been in a position to have my own house built but understand that it will not always be an easy ride, however you & Hill & will get there and one day turn to each other & say “we achieved thisâ€￾

norv

[trevnhil]

Hi Norv. You are probably right, but in the last few days we have experienced one of the greatest 'lows' of our life.

On Wednesday evening before the concrete was poured on the the Thursday, I stood on the next plot which is higher than ours. I was on my own but I think I said out loud.... "This is bloody brilliant"

But then on Thursday evening to be denied access to our plot, and potentially for many years, was a devastating blow.

Fortunately it all seems to be over now, and as long as everyone has respect for each other then I hope all will continue to be fine.

You will notice that I am skirting round the details but I think it is best that way.

Cheers. Trev..

[Jason]

Trev,
I'm glad the problems have been resolved and you and your wife can enjoy the build, with all the excitement this brings.

Hope you dont have anymore problems..looks like you have had your fair share.

I, like many others, look forward to your photos

Best of luck

Jason

[trevnhil]

Thanks Jason, and all others for your comments. I will be taking many many more pictures in the days and months to come. I doubt if that is the end of all problems, but we have to find the answers to them

Today I went to see how our application for Electricity was coming along.
Again I have to be careful with my wording. But I was told that there is only one surveyor to sort out what is needed in each different case.

I have to go back in a month or two.

We also have a problem with one of our boundary lines. This has been ongoing now for about 15 months. I go to see them about it every couple of weeks. We even took in a number of Christmas cards last year to those that we knew well.

Where we are now we don't have book shelves, but we have 'worry' shelves. When I have finished with one I get another one down.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi all.

I thought that I would add a picture on the forum as well as on my Picasa Web album, because it is progressing steadily. There is still the odd hiccup with the measuring tape but things are being corrected as we go along.

Here is one of the pictures from today....



Tomorrow we are off early to Limassol to collect the loft insulation from the UK. There has been no financial saving in having it shipped here but I will have 150mm insulation in the loft which is better than the 50mm which was available here.

All of the latest pictures are on my web album via my signature link.

Trev..

[geoffm]

Thanks for the new pics Trev, looks really different with some timber up.
Geoff.

[john B]

Trev,

It looks like all your hard work and persistance, particularly about the 'road' issue will pay off, interesting seeing the phot's.
Keep up the good work.

Cheers

john B

[KEITH]

Looking good


KEITH

[trevnhil]

Thanks Keith and John. I hope that the access road does not become an 'issue' again.

We went to Limassol today in a Hire Van. We had no problem in finding Columbia Movers, and we brought back our insulation.

One local friend here thought that is would not all go in the van.... Easy.



Some more pictures have been added to the web album, which is my signature below.

[Ian@tala]

Trevor, I preume that nice heap of warmth is for the roof? What are you using for the walls?

Cheers

Ian

[trevnhil]

Hi Ian.

Yes you are correct the insulation that we brought over from the UK is indeed for the false roof, and is 150 mm thick when it expands out.

Over here in Cyprus I was unable to find any insulation other than the 50mm, and we wanted thicker than that in the false roof.

But you asked about the walls. I wanted to put in 75mm or 90mm from the UK but it comes in uncompressed slab form. The economics of shipping a large amount over here were a bit disastrous.

So we are going with the 50mm slab insulation that is available here in Cyprus. The outer wall of the bungalow from inside to outside are as follows.........

Skimmed plasterboard on a 100mm x 50mm tanalised timber framework. There will be 50mm insulation in the framework. On the outside of the framework is a layer of OS Board, covered with a vapour barrier.
Then there is a 50mm cavity / air gap and an outer skin of brickwork or block-work. This will then be cement rendered and painted in a colour yet to be chosen.

Trev..

[Ian@tala]

Photos are looking good - we should at least have a landmark to work out where your plot is in relation to ours when we come over for a couple of weeks on the 28th.

Cheers

Ian

[trevnhil]

Hi Ian. It is possible to see our building from both the Kallepeia to Letymbou road, and from the Polemi to Stoumbi road as well.... But only if you know where to look.
When you are coming out of Polemi you pass some old grey wine tanks on the right. If you look 45 degrees to your left we are up there on the top of a ridge. One thing you can see is two electricity poles ad our plot is 150mts to the left.

Fortunately or unfortunately it is not a plot that you would normally drive past. This is because thee road / track is a Cul de Sac, and also it is not a public road.

It would be good to know if you are near, but I think not.

Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi all.

Just a quick update to let you know what is going on. I met with the builder yesterday (Thursday) and he said the men were just going steadily as they were nearly out of timber. They will not be able to get some more until the Timber yards open up again next week. So presumably there will be a delivery early next week.

There has bee the odd occasion where I have thought my tape measure was different to the ones that they were using. But anything that has needed altering has been done without any problems.

I am still trying to convince the builder to let the water off the flat roof go OVER the edge into a gutter. But he still wants it to go into a couple of pipes that go THROUGH the flat roof. I will just have to try a little harder.

In the most recent pictures you may be able to see that the whole of the framework has been packed up level. A special filling will then be put into the gap before it is all bolted down.

[trevnhil]

Well I thought that there was more timber being delivered today but it must be later in the week.
The workers have been busy though, and have put some scaffolding up and also some of the sheathing on the exterior framework.

Meanwhile I have been looking at the UPVC windows and when we get the price right we will no doubt make an order.

I have taken a few more pictures and put them on my Picasa Web Album.

Trev..

[Radio]

Hi Trev,

How come the builders are working in August ?. I thought that was against the law.

[trevnhil]

I am not sure about the law, but I do know it is the building trade holidays. The timber was here in Paphos and the guys were asked if they wanted the work, so here they are.

We are happy to see the building coming along and of course the more that gets done (dare I say it) before it rains, the better.

Trev..

[Radio]

It's coming along apace, Trev. Looks like you'll have the roof on long before the rains come.

[trevnhil]

I certainly hope so, the roof timbers may be here today.

Trev..

[jagwheels]

Trev

Tad confused with the foundation work. All I seem to see on new works in Cyprus is steel rods laid into the concrete foundations. Something to do with being earthquake proof I believe but I follow your thread with much interest & envy the thrill you & Hillary will experience when completed

norv

[trevnhil]

Hi Norv.

The builders here do not seem to do foundations like the UK where they normally dig a series of trenches. The foundations in the UK have to be so far below ground to be out of the reach of the frost.

Over here most if not all buildings are built on a concrete raft or slab with reinforcing bars in it.

At least if the ground moves a little the whole building moves instead of breaking.

That's the theory anyway.

Regards. Trev..

[trevnhil]

I have just been to the site and today they have begun to put the 4x2 ceiling joist on. They have braces all over the inside rooms, keeping the walls straight whilst they fix the joists.

I have added a few more pictures to the web album.

[trevnhil]

Hi All.

What I didn't realise when I posted yesterday was that the builders had been dealt a devastating blow. Probably on Sunday night all their tools (around €8,000. worth) were stolen from the site. If anyone hears any rumours about who may have been involve in this theft, I would appreciate a PM.

Understandably they are furious about this, but they are continuing on.
God they must really be disheartened. I have not spoken to the boss but of course this will inevitable wipe a large amount of his profit from the contract.

No doubt this will have some impact on us as customers towards the end of the job. If we ask for a little extra tiling here are there he is hardly likely to say that he will include it within the price. This is something that he has done in the past for other local customers.

I have added just a few more pictures tonight. But as I have said before, if you find them repetitive or boring just remember that the pictures are in an album created for us.

Trev..

[Radio]

Very disheartening for all concerned, Trev, but surely he had insurance ?.

[trevnhil]

My first thought was that he would be covered by insurance. But now I think not, as it would be difficult making the storage facility perfectly theft proof. The theives certainly had to break into where the tools were stored.

As I said earlier. How do we as the buyers of bathrooms, kitchens and central heating components make sure that they stay where they are fixed, when the house is open ie unfinished.

A difficult problem.

Trev..

[anna]

It might help if there was a rottweiler on duty inside a fenced off area guarding the shed containing the tools. The cost of the fencing and food for the dog might be less than the cost of renewing the stolen goods.

I can imagine how frustrating this theft is, but there must be a more secure solution than leaving everything exposed for anybody who feels like helping themselves. Whoever did it must have been well organised with lorry and lifting gear. Worst of all, it makes you feel that it could be an inside job and your trust has been broken.

This comes with best wishes and many regards,

Anna.

[trevnhil]

Hello anna. Thanks for your comments. A dog would be an idea, as would a secure container.
But it is a very difficult situation. The best container in the world is only as good as the padlock on the door. And knowing some peoples regard for dogs here, I have little doubt that some would just shoot it.

At the moment it is the builders loss, and nothing is left there on the site now. But I will have to have a talk with him about the future.

Trev..

[Biddy]

Hi Trev,
Would it be possible to have a night watchman in a small caravan/hut?? I hate people who steal from others.
Good luck with your building - it looks absolutely lovely.
Kath

[trevnhil]

Hi Kath. Thanks for your suggestion, but I have not seen this elsewhere on one property building sites. However it is all up to the builder who is doing the job.

Today's pictures show that they have seemingly done the ceiling joists. To me it seems possible that the roof will be started tomorrow or Friday.

Regards. Trev..

[Ian@tala]

Hi Trevor, we got here on Saturday and went to find our plot on Sunday. I think I know roughly where you are. Going into Polemi from her Polis road, drive into the village and where the road does a sharp right turn, we turn left, follow the road for half a mile or so and our plot is in the middle of all the vines. So i think that means we're the other side of the village from you.

Was talking to a chap the other day who was extolling the virtues of solar power, is that something you've looked into?

Keep adding the photos.

Cheers

Ian

[trevnhil]

Hi Ian. I know exactly the road you mean. When you gt to the stone water feature do you turn left or right at the Y junction.

We originally had a plot of land down to the left of the stone water feature, but a little further on. Signature Lux have one on that plot now and it is / was unfinished. If you are around there we can see that area from our plot.
We are almost neighbours.

By Solar Power I assume you mean for electricity. We have not looked into it but we have heard a fair bit about it. I think for the amount of power that we would need there would have to be too many panels. We are just going with the normal run of the mill things.

We are having UPVC windows though.

Trev..