Building

The building began June 2000.  A tree, bushes and the courtyard wall were quickly cleared.  Next the area was excavated and the foundations dug.  The strip foundations below the walls were about 2m deep.  When the ground work started, some of the unknown details regarding the position of underground services became apparent!  The mains water feed was re-routed around the outside and the soil pipes from the front and rear of the house were reinstated through the foundations with a new inspection cover.  The electricity cable to the old meter box next to the kitchen door was buried and left accessible entering the foundation at the front of the extension, ready to be cut and reconnected to a new main fuse and meter.  The gas pipe entering the house to the left of the front door to the meter under the stairs, was buried in the footing of the new entrance porch side wall, on the basis that in the event of repair being necessary, a completely new pipe would be fitted anyway.  At this point, the first of a number of visits by the district council buildings regulations inspector was made.  These inspection are mandatory, and occur at key points during construction.  It is the responsibility of the builder to ensure that the inspector is notified before proceeding with further work which would prevent inspection, otherwise it could be demolition time!  Although the inspections cost around £250, they are reassuring.  The concrete floor was then laid within the first brick courses.  The floor was built up from compacted hardcore, a layer of expanded polystyrene for insulation, a polythene damp proof membrane (dpm) and 10cm of poured concrete.

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