Tag Archives: Building a house on a mountainside

It’s a Pipe Dream

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Helga

It’s a Pipe Dream until it’s not. That’s how I feel about our build at the moment. There are times when its reality becomes more vivid…like when we pay a big bill, but until we pay scrutiny fees and the … Continue reading →

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Day of Discussion

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Helga

Today there has been a lot of discussion about the build! Tomorrow we meet with the builder and possibly sign his contract. With Julian here, we have discussed different outcomes. Mike and I have watched enough Grand Designs to know … Continue reading →

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A Lurker

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Helga

Today Julian arrives, so we are about to head for the airport. This morning we went across to Echo to let in the cleaner. While Mike and I were there, the builders arrived. John, the foreman was very quick to … Continue reading →

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Building Contract Came

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Helga

Today the builder came to give us his contract. It’s a big house and this comes out at about R9500 per square metre….if it’s stuck to. This does not include the funicular, but we have some money put aside for that, … Continue reading →

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The Coffee Machine Died

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Helga

This morning, Mike went downstairs to make coffee. He was gone a very long time and I didn’t hear the usual coffee machine sounds. It was quite disturbing, but eventually, I heard the frother frothing and he soon arrived with … Continue reading →

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Burglary at Echo

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Helga

Many times my friends have said when you start building, be prepared for a burglary.  With workers on site, we have had to leave the alarm off because one of the outside sensors keeps triggering the alarm when the workers … Continue reading →

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Building Costs So Far

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Helga

Today we got a short little message from Council indicating we are back on the track… Today I paid the land surveyor. He charged R3000.  I want to cover the costs of the build on my blog for two reasons. Firstly, those … Continue reading →

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The Plot Contours are Wrong

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Helga

Just as well Mike is involved in this build. Left to Julian and I it would not be quite as organised I can tell you that. Mike wrote an email to the builder, the engineer and the piling company because … Continue reading →

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A New Thing & Fiery Drama

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Helga

Not a big new thing…when we went to Echo today, there was just a little new thing…but a new thing none the less… It must be a piece of the machinery for the drilling that will be coming soon….probably next … Continue reading →

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Foundations for the Foundations

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Helga

That’s what’s busy happening at Echo Road. Mike and I went and hung out on the hill for a short while today, watching the quiet and orderly process take place. A few workers were throwing slabs for the piling. They … Continue reading →

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Still No Generator

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Helga

I was all excited about having continuous power during load shedding today, but alas, it was not to be. The battery still didn’t have enough charge to power up the old girl, so we had to make a plan B … Continue reading →

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More Clearing Done

Posted on March 16, 2019 by Helga

Today the builder said he would be at Echo at 8-30am and he was. He had his labourers working on two main areas…they were clearing the primary building site and they were dismantling the stone planters either side of the … Continue reading →

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A Land Mark Day

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Helga

Yesterday, I took a walk up the mountain recording it with my cell phone. It’s not a very good recording and if I had a chance to do it again, I would but today the builder started clearing the land, … Continue reading →

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Before Photos

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Helga

By 8-30am this morning, Mike and I were at Echo waiting for the Land Surveyor. I took a whole lot of photos. The Land Surveyor came and got started. Mike and I left so I could get back to work. … Continue reading →

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Two Major Building Payments

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Helga

Today we made two major building payments.  I had a call from Werner the builder who said the company that will be doing the foundations needs to order what’s required from Johannesburg and wants the deposit. I went through our … Continue reading →

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