Tag Archives: Building a house on a mountainside

Scrambling Around Half Built Houses

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Helga

Late this afternoon, Julian and I walked up Echo road looking at all the building that is going on. There are a number of half built houses and we went scrambling around them. There is this house that is being … Continue reading →

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I Know You Are Doing Your Best…

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Helga

It’s the kindest way to reprimand. “I know you are doing your best, but….” The guy I report to didn’t even say but. He just forwarded me an email with this statement, “I know you are doing your best.” The … Continue reading →

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Foundation Costs

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Helga

Today we got the final quote and invoice for the foundations. These will be serious foundations. We initially thought we would need a dozen piles at R20 000 each, but the piling company in liaison with the builder and engineer … Continue reading →

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The Quote Came

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Helga

Building a house on the mountainside is becoming very real. Today Werner came with the quote and we have the next steps. He quotes R3.1 million for our 325m2 build, which is about R9500 per square metre. Half the house … Continue reading →

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Two Building Steps Forward

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Helga

Today two things happened related to the building of our house on the mountainside.  We got notification from the City that we needed to pay 5 amounts for storm water, water, solid waste, sewerage and transport and roads, all amounting to R23 128.41. It … Continue reading →

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Most Amazing Story

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Helga

Today I watched the most amazing story. It’s the story of what seems like a remarkable coincidence; a story of how a red gingham dress united a couple in a frenetic adoption centre in China and led to an inter-continental friendship … Continue reading →

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Dam Levels

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Helga

This time last year, the water shortage in Cape Town was dire. The dam levels were only 24.5% full. We were carrying buckets to the toilet and using tank water for as much as possible. We had no idea of … Continue reading →

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Tax is Done!

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Helga

That’s always a load off my mind. Today Stacey put the finishing touches to the calculations and it spat out what I need to pay SARS. That hopefully will be done in the next week or so. I’ve learned a … Continue reading →

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Discombobulated

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Helga

Discombobulated Discombobulated is a good description of me this morning. It means “confused and disconcerted.” That’s exactly how I felt when the power went off at 8am and only came back at 10-20am. It went off again at 4pm and … Continue reading →

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First Building Delay

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Helga

If we thought we would break ground in February, we were delusional. The builder hoped the scrutiny fees may be end of January but that too is absolutely wishful thinking.  We got the news that because the house we are … Continue reading →

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Engineer’s Quote Arrived

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Helga

In a week or two we should receive a quote for the house we hope to have built this year. Last night the engineer’s quote arrived. We weren’t sure how much to expect. He gave us a deal where if … Continue reading →

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Away for the Night

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Helga

Unexpectedly, tonight we spend in another bed.  We made plans to have dinner with friends (Sue and Chris). They had a movie they thought we would enjoy and asked us over their home to watch it. We did that previously, … Continue reading →

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Cryptic SMS That Made My Day

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Helga

It wasn’t very long nor descriptive. It may even have been identified as spam, but when I saw it, I knew it was THE ONE! The SMS I have been waiting for. Leanne the plans lady said she added my … Continue reading →

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House Plans Are Done!

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Helga

Today we are in a celebratory mood! The house plans are complete! Our plans lady sent us the final copy. Mike looked over it and is happy for them to be submitted. Submitted only mind you. There will be greater … Continue reading →

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Oops! House Plans Gone Wrong

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Helga

Today was supposed to me another huge leap in our building plans plans! We had a meeting with our fine and experienced draughts-woman who is finalising them and will get then through Council. The builder arrived as well and the plans … Continue reading →

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