They're pouring the concrete for the raft foundation today!
Things are really flying along - blocklaying to start next Monday. Really, getting a contractor was the way to go - we'd never have been this quick to get things pulled together. I don't know how long blocklaying takes, but really that means that it will start to take real shape very soon.

I don't seem to be able to add titles....but this post would be

WE'VE STARTED!

Well, almost. It's over a year and a half since I last blogged and nothing had happened in relation to the site up until the last couple of months. Of course, we did have another baby...and so now a big new house is even more justified. While we didn't get our act together, the building trade has gone into decline, so we haven't lost anything by waiting...and hopefully stand to gain out of all of this procrastination. So, three weeks ago we got quotes from 4 contractors. We originally were going to do it by direct labour, but considering the delay in starting and how busy we are with work, kids, etc, we said it's worth paying someone to oversee and reduce the hassle. So 2 came back with reasonably close quotes - still a bit higher than we'd like. The third wasn't within an asses roar - he was literally 80K off the others! and the fourth was closer to the others, but someone we knew would give us very good quality and would be easy to work with - not technologically challenged, so I'm expecting email and text updates, etc and have been guaranteed that he will answer the phone!

So the digger (excavator, sorry!) moved in last night and they break ground today....drawing in stone from 10am! And I'm here at work!! Am tempted to put up a webcam, but maybe it's better I don't. I could put one in the creche too while I'm at it! Anyway, in order that we were the first to break ground, we decided to go out ala the TDs with a spade last night...in the lashing rain! So this marks the real start of a major major project in our lives...wish us luck!

Here's the last picture of the site with no action! Hopefully there'll be plenty of action (and photos) in the weeks to come!

Obviously not so good that we've managed to do anything more by the 22nd of November, but that's our fault more than anyone else's. I did go and see Peter Kearney in the Galway Energy Agency to get some tips on insulation, heating etc. and he certainly gave us food for thought. Not intending to get any site works completed before Christmas, but would certainly want to get our skates on to be ready first thing in spring. Have to make a few changes to drawings (want to get it right on paper first) and then send out packs for a few quotes.
Over and out for now....

First Post

Ok, so I've decided to start a blog. It's a slightly daunting task, but might be fun. There's two main reasons for my blog....We (DH and I) intend to start building a new house soon, really soon, and I want to record our 'journey'. It might be a help to others in the same boat, and will also be nice to look back on. Secondly, I used to keep diaries when I was younger so I suppose I'm moving with the times.

Let's see how we get on...