The key theme of this diary entry is impatience and navigating a very complicated timing puzzle.  When I last wrote, I had a building but no roof, and no project manager.  As I sit and write now, I am delighted to advise that I have both of these things and with it a real sense of the home that I am building, which I now want to be living inside as soon as possible.

If I don't laugh I will cry!

So the roof going on was unbelievably stressful.  The rain was relentless, and as I have a flat roof, I needed 3 clear days of absolutely no rain to complete the task.  You may not have noticed, but it rained a little almost every day for 6 weeks, so we had to eventually do it in sections, which with a fibreglass roof was possible. However, I did not realise the complexity of having a small additional section of flat roof over my sitting room, which cannot be covered until the scaffolding has come down, and the scaffolding cannot come down until the top fascias are clad.  And when it turned ridiculously cold and snowed, that could not be completed because the scaffold boards were frozen.  Utter agony!

  1. I look at my design now and start to appreciate how complicated it is, and how one small aesthetic choice can have a huge knock on to other elements. I know it will look beautiful in the end (and hopefully worth it) but as I sit here now and reflect on the complexity of overhangs and small flat rooves, both done purely for aesthetics, I am not sure I would do them again. 

    My project manager returning has been an enormous relief.  He was and is my wise counsel at every turn and navigates the many deep and murky complexities involved in a new build, such as soil vent pipes, mechanical ventilation systems, window reveals and steel placement, keeping my build structurally integral, practical and aesthetically appealing at every turn.  How did I get him to return to my side? I simply agreed a private arrangement with him and remembered that I am the client, and if I want him to work on my build, I should be allowed to.  My builder just needs to swallow it!

  2. This month the internal fit out starts, and with this great excitement.  I am battling against my inertia to commit to a decision:  the plethaero of ideas on the internet can make this difficult.  Suddenly I am looking at far more interesting topics such as bathroom layouts.  It makes my home feel more of a reality. 

    So, my key learns this month:

    1. Know that every element of your build will have an impact – that extra feature may be complicated, so really think about how important it is.
    2. Do not be afraid to go back and ask for help when you need it: some people are worth their weight in gold.
    3. Get really good at organisation. Think 6 steps ahead at all times, and map everything out, and give all your trades as much notice as possible.