The Big Dig

After several frustrating months reviewing the prices of building work and then waiting for the builder to finally be available, they have finally started!

The first job for the builders is to dig out the area of the new flat.  Most of the basement area we're building in is already above head height so actual excavation is limited, but they still needed to dig out footings for the new walls.

Here is the progress so far, in photos.  Sorry about the formatting.  Still learning.

Roger and Steve clearing the area for the builders to start.  While they bashed stuff up with a sledgehammer I had the fun job of putting the stuff from the basement into the loft.

The footings are dug out to about half a metre on the northern and eastern sides of the flat for the first concrete pour.             

The new kitchen area being dug out. Don't worry, those piles will be replaced...

Bird's eye view of the moisture barrier and steel strengthening rods for footings before boxing and concrete pour

Moisture barrier and steel, just before boxing goes on

Boxing, just before concrete pour

Looking at the new flat from the garden.  The windows on the south side have been removed.  The big gap in the middle is where the new door will go.

Shot of the supporting scaffold and boxing on the northern and eastern walls of the flat after the first concrete pour (you can see the new concrete at the bottom of the shot)

Trenches for new bathroom drainage (hot water cylinder, shower, toilet, basin, washing machine)

Worryingly, some water in one of the new trenches.  Watch this space.

May 27.  Pipe in foreground is drainage from the new kitchen.

Big hole for existing upstairs ensuite toilet drainage, not quite sure what the hole is for, I guess they're moving the sewer drain.

New pipework

After boxing is removed, new wall framing and concrete footing on the east side of the house, and total destruction on the south side.

What will be the kitchen, one day...

Looking out into the garden on May 27

This is about 4 weeks' work so far.  Safe to say the house is going through "it'll have to get worse before it gets better" phase....