Post 2: The work begins

4 April 2020

A lot has happened in the world since that first post, hence the unanticipated lag between Post 1 and Post 2. But here we are, and there’s progress to report.

The building got under way very quickly after the permits were approved, as these photos show, and for a fortnight or so it got really exciting. Demolition happened, posts went up, and decking timbers were chosen and laid.

Inevitably, with any project of this type, it’s not until you start work that you discover the oversights and gaps in communication. There have been a couple of these already. First up,  I had hoped we’d be able to source some recycled metal for the rear deck structure. However, that was based on an assumption that things would move ahead slowly enough that we’d be able to go and visit the local yard (a treasure trove of second-hand building materials, from doors and window frames to roof trusses).

I hadn’t bargained on the pace of work – not that I’m complaining about that! – and so before I knew it, new steel had been ordered. I was disappointed, and a bit frustrated, but also realise that it’s a sign I need to step up and be more engaged with things from now on. This is entirely my own fault, having been so overwhelmed with work that I’ve pretty much indicated my preferences for recycled materials where possible, and then looked away. I could have had as much input as I wanted, if I’d chosen to prioritise that.

Having compromised on that, I was again disappointed to discover that our expectations of a vaulted ceiling hadn’t made it into the plans. D’oh! Turns out the architect had thought we’d decided against doing that at this point, and in all our poring over drawings we hadn’t noticed that it had been left out of the plans and approvals. To factor that in now would mean going back for new approval, which would include new engineering designs and applications for various energy and other permits. Sigh. So after some humming and hawing, we’ve agreed that there will be a new flat ceiling, and we’ll raise it as a separate exercise down the track. (LOML has looked me in the eye and promised this will happen. I was cynical.)

So, third hitch was a delay in getting building materials, due to covid-19 interruptions. We could proceed with second-best material choices, but LOML and I both agree that there is no huge rush and nothing else can happen at the moment anyway, as I’ll explain in a moment. So we’ll hang on and do the next bit as planned.

In the course of all this, obviously, there has been The Virus.

In early March, we had planned to go and visit for Easter and a few days afterwards (LOML staying longer than me, because I needed to be around to teach on Maundy Thursday and back on the Friday after Easter). Then, everything moved online, including all my classes, so we arranged cattery accommodation for Sunny and decided to spend all of April in Victoria instead, working from home (well, someone’s home…). Of course, things changed again really rapidly – states started closing borders, we became increasingly aware of our risk of taking the virus with us and infecting people (particularly our parents) as well as the distinct possibility that we might not be able to get back home.

As a result, we haven’t been able to see the work ourselves, or source local recycled materials. On the other hand, the builders have had to slow or stop work because of lack of materials and labour for the same reasons. And this means…

Post 3 will be about books and knitting. Stay well, dear readers!