Man Cave Mk2

[DJ.]

Nice door and photos, I hope you are better soon. Hopefully you've just been overdoing it.

[b33fy]

Thanks Duncan, better now after a telephone consultation and meds sent by 24 hour delivery, then back on it Monday.

Got a bit behind prepping for the concrete pour today because of aches and pains last week so full on this week with some early starts and very late finishes. Another course of blockwork had to be added as we were now putting the insulation under the concrete. A day to set the corners using a laser then the following day to cut and run all the blocks in. Then added more sand for blinding so the dpm wasn’t damaged and got the wacker on it.

Then two days spent adding the membrane and cutting in the insulation and upstands. Once done we cut some 50mm stand offs for the reinforcing mesh out of the blocks. Then the mesh went in. Cable tied together so it didn’t jump about.

Last few jobs 6am this morning cut down some shuttering for ramps for the wheel barrows to get the concrete in and make a holding bin for any overs as it’s cheaper to let it set then grab it away rather than pay for the lorry driver to get rid of it.

Helping hands turned up at 8am, all done by 11am. The guys did a brilliant job all laser levelled and tidied up. To say we are pleased to reach this milestone is an understatement. Time to chill for a couple of days, have a bit of a tidy up then onto the framework.

[DJ.]

That must be a weight off your mind! Glad it went well, you have both earned a rest.

[b33fy]

That must be a weight off your mind! Glad it went well, you have both earned a rest.

Thanks Duncan, it’s a relief to get this far tbh. Not had a massively productive week, completed a bit more flooring just to make it easier to get from the front to the back of the lodge. Also made a start on the framing with sole plates going in first. A couple of other things happening. Spent a bit of time sorting out trusses for the extension and have a company making them up off site. They have the software for structural loadings which will keep the building officer sweet. A site visit will happen soon to confirm measurements then get them constructed.

Other half picked up her car Monday thanks to Jay at Snodhurst. She is now here for a bit of a break, along with the flowers, cake, hamper and eight bottles of wine prised out of the car dealership! Not forgetting the full tank, mats, 73 plate and 10% off list price. Happy days!

[DJ.]

You drive a hard bargain

[b33fy]

You drive a hard bargain

The odd thing is I’m shite at negotiating. Though when it’s a lump of our hard earned, I’m reluctant to part with it too easily. Being away from home I didn’t want any hassle or complications so went in with the mindset that this is what I’ll pay for the car, take it or leave it. There’ll be another along soon enough if it’s not this one. Luckily it was a cancelled order in the spec and colour we wanted and they wanted it sold. There was a delay in delivery so told them to hang on to it for the new reg. I did give them an extra £10 to save face and make them feel better about themselves.

[DJ.]

[b33fy]

Not a good week for progress. Managed to get the soleplates done. Triple height to allow for the flooring screed and something to fix the skirting to. A considerable time was spent taking measurements for the roof truss manufacturer. He wants us to check the measurements again but we’ve taken down the scaffold tower. So another day needed pissing about with a tape measure. Also managed to find a roofer.. we still need to agree a figure though I’m less scared about that now I’ve spoken to someone.

Rain stopped play today, so went out and about on the east coast instead. Had a great breakfast in Berwick at a previously untried cafe, Marshall’s.. highly recommended.

[greenwoo]

Guessing that after the calcs for the type 1 you checked, checked and checked again on the truss measurements

Nice shots Mike, especially the brekkie

[b33fy]

Guessing that after the calcs for the type 1 you checked, checked and checked again on the truss measurements

Nice shots Mike, especially the brekkie

Didn’t do too bad with the type 1 Mark, one jumbo bag over.. We won’t mention the concrete though..