News just in - end date moved from end of August to end of October

Before the work started

House minus old extension on November 8th

The new extension emerges above the boundary, January 27th

A return to work - the builders, not me

We had a stop for Christmas and then work was very slow as we had to work on an affordable solution to structural weaknesses identified in the original structure. And to the best (affordable) solution for dry rot in the roof timbers. In all we lost at least three weeks.
The first photo is from the "side" of the house, but this will be the front when completed. The aperture on the left is where the new front door will be and the one on the right will be a window in the guest bedroom. The guest bedroom will be somewhat smaller than originally conceived as we decided to put and ensuite shower room in it. It will still be a comfortable double / twin.

The second photo is taken through the front door.This part of the extension provides for the entrance hall with the staircase rise beginning just by the end of the landscape window aperture on the left. The partially formed window aperture, by the scaffolding is where the staircase with have a landing as the rise takes a right turn. Beyond that will be the ensuite for the main bedroom.

WE have yet to get a new programme of work and so don't yet know if the delay will pish out the completion date from the end of August. We are hoping for the mild winter (mild in Dingle Peninsula sense) continues and we get the thing finished as originally planned.

Block work moves forward at a steady rate.

The walls of the extension continue to rise, if somewhat slowly. The first snap below is from the front of the house, from the road. The two apertures will form windows for the guest bedroom. The run of the wall that joins the original structure on the right is where the guest bedroom en-suite will be,

The snap beneath that is from the side of the house. The right hand aperture will also be part of the guest bedroom and be formed as french windows. The aperture on the left is where the new front door will be. SO, this "side" of the house, will become the "front" of the house with both pedestrian and vehicle access being from / to here.

From here on they are going to need scaffolding.

Sheila writes

And this week we become experts in Staircases

We’re up and down them every week, staircases I am referring to, but how much thought have you ever given to them. Well turns out we gave ours very little thought expect to pick out fab sweeping structures saying oh that looks fantastic, perfect for our house.

And so now having made decisions about the inside and outside colour, our windows and tiles we turn our attention to the stairs. We met with a manufacturer/designer/one man show last week who was very nice. As he is trying to work out our budget, he shows us our dream staircase only to respond to our “oh wow, yes please” with a comment “that’s the Ferrari of the staircases”. So, I says to him what we are looking for is a Ferrari style on a golf budget. He thought I was being funny.

We now know everything that’s needed for a cantilever staircase – and we’re not having one. We know all about nosing’s and risings and if you pour enough wine into me, I can share all that knowledge with you.

Another meeting today with a staircase manufacturer in Killarney and we are making progress on the decision. Mostly likely going for an open thread staircase in White American Oak with a glass banister and wooden handrail.

All we need to decide is the height of the goings, the rising and the number of steps. Simple really.

The Audi switches nationality

So of you find this outside your home it is only us visiting.

Work resumes

We believe the solution to the structural problems is with us and affordable so a couple of workman are back on site.
We are not expecting too much to get done before the Xmas closedown but still encouraging to see a restart.

Nothing much to report

I posted on November 13th about the dry rot in the original building. Since then there has been next to no work done on the site.  A conservation expert believes that the roof timbers can be treated and there is no need for a new roof. The builder disagrees.
The structural engineer has come up with a plan to replace the first floor joists and to strengthen the weak corner wall. The builder's QS has priced this for the builder, but the builder has not shared that with us as yet. We thought we'd hear last Friday and then it was today, not.
It is a tad frustrating.
Meanwhile her is a photograph of our favourite pub in the village.

Ballyferriter towards Mount Brandon

I am working on the principle that living here, with this view, is worth the unplanned cost of new roof and flooring joists...

Site visit and news of dry rot

The work to refurbish the original house has uncovered dry rot in the roof. We are waiting on reports from a dry rot expert and a structural engineer to see what is needed. Worst case (money wise) is a complete replacement of the roof.

There is also a problem with the structural integrity of one corner that needs to support a steel beam. Again we await the engineer's report.

The "sad" looking stage of progress