An update from Sheila

Time either passes very slowly or very quickly here in West Kerry. It also takes a long time to make things happens and for us that meant no work on site for 11 weeks which is both annoying and frustrating. 

And here it happens so easily. 

Week 1 Architect/Project Manager to our builder.  

The builder is given the instructions and drawings to knock into the roof on the old house in order to raise up the height of the windows. 

Week 2 Builder to Architect/Project Manager 

Builder is not happy carrying out the work as instructed as he believes the roof will collapse due to the condition of the rafters.  

Week 3 

We engage a structural engineer. The report when it finally arrives confirms that the roof is in good enough condition for the work to be carried out as per the drawings. The builder then produces a quote for this unexpected work which is way beyond what we were expecting. 

Week 4 

The builder proposes a new roof which would enable us to raise the roof level by one concrete block. This all sounds appealing to us and we ask for a quote. 

Week 5 

Quote for roof comes back and is in the opinion of our architect unacceptably high. 

Week 6  

The quote for the new roof is sanity checked by our quantity surveyor who agrees that it is way over the top. The builder is told to go back to the original instructions but is still concerned. 

Week 7 

Builder engages his own structural engineer 

Week 8 

Builders structural engineers confirms what our structural engineer said which is reassuring. A formal quote for this work is requested. 

Week 9 

Formal quote is received, and it is way beyond our expectations. Our QS reviews it and agrees. The builder is told to revise it and we await a new quote. 

Week 10  

A new quote is received. We meet with our architect/project manager and agree the strategy.  

Week 11 

Agreement is received in principle and work should recommence this week. Only now the scaffolder has gone on holidays and new company is needed!  

And that’s how weeks can pass by in West Kerry without any building work going on. 

The question now is will we be in the house for Christmas. When I say that I mean Christmas 2019... and if we are in can we cook a turkey. A turkey other than the builder 😊  Time will tell but at least work should restart fairly soon.