The Bathroom Diaries: Week 3
Bathroom suite arrival, building inspector visit, roof removal and lots more....
Wow, what a week! A lot has been going on, and we’re really starting to make progress.
At the moment, I feel like all I do is think about the extension 24/7. Almost every conversation between myself and my other half centres around it; how we’re progressing, what the next steps are, trying to foresee any possible issues.
I know we have a builder overseeing the project, but we’re both used to managing projects ourselves (although never on this scale). My brain just can’t switch off, over-thinking, analysing, problem solving, to the point I’m waking up at stupid o’clock.
However, the good news is that things are progressing really well, without too many hurdles along the way.
Friday 18th October:
Arriving home on Friday evening, I was delighted to see the scaffolding had been erected!
It at least made up for the frustrating phone call earlier that afternoon; unfortunately, the bathroom suite wouldn't be delivered as scheduled. Supposedly, it's set for delivery tomorrow.
Saturday 19th October:
And by clockwork, the delivery actually arrived when they said it would. To be fair, I was pleasantly surprised, especially since I had requested a Saturday delivery after being let down the previous day.
Twenty months after placing the order, my bathroom suite of dreams was finally delivered.
My office and spare room now resembles a Lusso Stone storage room, but I’m delighted that everything has arrived (and undamaged).
However, getting the bath into the new bathroom will be interesting; weighing in at 125kg, it needs to be lifted in through the top of the extension before the roof is put back on.
We had plenty of fun and games just getting it round to our neighbours garage for storage. Four of us had to slide it on some scaffolding boards and old Celotex to get it into the back of the van since it was too heavy to lift. I then jumped into the back of the van (with the bath), holding onto it to make sure it didn't slide out of the back. Oh, could you imagine!
Here’s a little video of my journey.
Monday 21st October:
It's all systems go after a week of silence on the site. The roof tiles have been stripped off, and the steels are finally in position.
Tuesday 22nd October:
Whilst all the hard work is going on outside, I take a visit to the local flooring shop to check out flooring options.
I’ve managed to narrow my initial choice down to four final contenders, and just need to review alongside the main wall tiles I’ve chosen, to ensure everything complements each other.
By the end of the day wooden panels have been bolted into the steels to prepare for the wooden joists to be laid for the bathroom floor. Although it doesn't look like a huge amount of progress has been made, this has been a pain-staking task with drill bits either becoming blunt or snapping in a matter of minutes.
However the steels are now fully in place and secure ready for the all important approval from the building inspector tomorrow morning. Wish us luck!
Wednesday 23rd October:
We have approval!
Although I didn’t have too many concerns, this is a massive step forward, enabling us to proceed to the next stage.
By the time I got home, the roof has been removed, all the floor joists had been screwed in, and part of the floor has been laid.
Thursday 24th October:
The last of the floor has been laid, and it’s fantastic to see the space we have to work with (minus all the blocks piled up).
This is the first time I’ve been able to visually appreciate the size of the extension, confirming the layout I had in mind for this area; which will be our “wet area” with both the bath and walk-in shower.
The bricklayer is turning up tomorrow, so all the blocks are ready for him to get started.
I even managed to go through the first palette of bricks for colour matching, separating those to be used at the front of the house from those to be used down the side and at the back.
Even though it’s been quite a slow start, up until this point, you can see how things are now starting to come together.
Friday 25th October:
What a difference a week makes.
The block work has started today, and it’s amazing to see the walls taking shape.
We’ve had to leave an opening, where a window will be placed, and this is where we’ll attempt to get the bath through into the extension next week. Let's see how that pans out
Until then a few more sleepless nights for me, I think.
Thanks
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The Bathroom Diaries is an additional weekly post every Sunday, sharing the progress of our first-ever renovation journey, documenting the creation of my dream bathroom.
If you missed week 1 or 2 of The Bathroom Diaries you can catch up here:
Sorry for the late response Sonya. I can see why sleepless nights are on the menu for you, but it’s all looking good so far. I think the bath will have a journey of its own! I’ll read your next post now! 🛁
125kg! That’s a very heavy bath!