…slowly but surely. The insurance claim has been lodged and accepted; we have submitted a quote from a new builder; and the insurance company have sent out a builder from their panel to do a quote also, if for nothing else except comparison. The builder we found – Dean Homes – has been so helpful and pro-active that I would really like to thank them by giving them the job, but the impression that I get is that it will be up to the insurance company. I guess we will find out soon! The most important thing is that the house gets finished, and finished well.
Each builder we have spoken to has said that there is only about a month’s work left once they are onsite – fingers crossed this means the house will be finished a few months into the New Year. We are really hoping to get the claim finalised and the builder engaged before Christmas, for no other reason, really, that we know exactly what is going on and where things are at.
In the meantime we have started on some basic landscaping. Ashford were going to let us do it even if they were onsite, so we figured we could push ahead and get a few bits and pieces done, while we wait, as long as the work didn’t affect the build at all (which it doesn’t). As a result, with the help of Paul’s friend Aaron from Niah Landscapes, we now have a very long retaining wall along the boundary on the low side which we will backfill against. The side fence will sit on top of the retaining wall. We are also planning to get the retaining wall along the high side (to hold back the dirt) done in the New Year and there is a small retaining wall in the backyard also – this will help to terrace the back a bit and make it much more useable. It feels good to be getting something done even if the house itself isn’t progressing.
More news shortly I hope!! Some pics of our ‘great wall of Chirnside’ for you:
tashandpaul 