Welcome to our blog.

This blog will follow the ultimate in home improvement: demolish and rebuild!

This is our starting point: a 1930s bungalow. While not a bad house; it is too small for us with three teenage children so what should we do? A full storey extension versus complete rebuild - ultimately the stronger eco-credentials and more certain finances of a new-build helped to guide our choice.

For a number of years we've been trying to find the right route for us to build an eco-friendly, low energy home. We tried various architects and building companies and have eventually settled with a German prefabricated build. The new house will be nearly to passivhaus standards (but not quite due to budget constraints). In any case, the house will be heavily insulated and airtight.

As a family, we have not built a house before so everything is new and exciting but the risk of making a mess of things is quite high!

This blog aims to outline the day to day steps involved in our build.

Monday 19 April 2010

First Footings

The morning started with a check on the levels of the trenches.

Then the small hill of earth from the front of the site was moved to make sure there was space for the mixer.
Fortunately, there was enough space so the first batch of concrete could be poured. It was exciting to see the first of the foundations being made. It was very mucky and reminded me of sandcastles at the beach with a tide of concrete coming in.

Jerry is busy spreading the concrete. Meanwhile the concrete mixer is cleaned ready for the next batch.

Finally the footings are in after nearly three loads of concrete. James and Jerry take a well-earned rest as they admire their handiwork at the end of another long day.

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