Well. It’s been a good long while since I updated this blog. Some of that can be attributed to the long wait for Heritage and Council to pass our plans. Some of it is due to overseas travel and other delays. But we have also spent a good deal of time getting our heads around this project, and, of course, getting the quote. More on that in a later post.

For now I am happy/terrified to report the construction phase has begun. And, like all good things that go up, the first step is to break shit down.

This project can more or less be broken into three parts:

1. The reconstruction of the old “cottage” space into a new master bedroom with a new storey and viewing deck

2. Modifications to the main house – primarily to open it up and join it to the new master bedroom above – currently these are entirely separate structures

3. Changes to the garden and outdoor area – primarily to open up the space which is quite oddly designed at the moment so that the garden and home feel like two different spaces

Because we plan to live on the property throughout (yes, I realise this is insane) we have decided to do the project in phases beginning with the cottage to master bedroom evolution. This will mean, in theory, that we can move into that space while the modifications to the house are being done.

The builder estimates this is an 8 month project. Yeah right, I hear you say. Add two and double it. Well, optimism is a rare thing and so I plan to cling to it as long as I can. Two days in and I have nothing to report in this regard.

This is where the cottage began this week:

And this is what it currently looks like:

(Cool, right?)

Demolition is a fast acting agent. Needless to say (why do people say that if it truly is needless?) it’s going to be quite some time before I can post a picture of the new structure. “Builder’s holidays” (different enough from everyone else’s holidays so as to have their own name) are in full swing and so getting materials isn’t likely. The builder himself – who seems great by the way – is keen to work through but I suspect this has more to do with wanting the income than enthusiasm for the project or a protestant work ethic.

So – next step is to check whether the foundations of this structure can support a double-storey. For this a mysterious character called the “engineer” (think: Prometheus) will turn up at some stage to make an inspection. Based on that…well, we shall see.

It’s an exciting prospect to see a physical space you know so well transforming into something entirely new. It’s less exciting to watch your funds slowly leak out of the bottom of your bank account. I believe this is the see-saw I’m going to have to get used to being on in the next year of my life.