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 belongs to Julian so we split the cost which makes it more achievable. We certainly could not get what we will be getting for R1.6 million.
Next steps…
The land surveyor is due either this Friday or next Monday. Once he has submitted the exact positioning of the house, the foundation piling specialist will start ‘stabilising’ the land. This piling guy is itching to get started. If he starts in March, he should be done by mid-May, at which stage scrutiny fees should be paid along with the NHBRC fee. Once that has been done, we can start the build in earnest.
We want to start building ASAP before the cost of building material goes up. What I am a little concerned about is that I already want a change. In 1994 we built a big master bedroom in our current house – 36m2 with a lovely balcony. For the last 25 years, I’ve enjoyed throwing open the balcony doors. I love the fresh air – I love the view. In the new plan, we’ve chosen to build in the balcony, so there is no door to the outside from our bedroom. There are massive windows. Mike tends to agree that perhaps we can make the middle window a door and have a Juliet balcony. That suits me. We have the first storey. Julian has the second storey.
We have put doors opening from our bedroom into the lounge. That may sound strange, but with those open, we will be able to enjoy the view through the lounge out towards Fish Hoek. When visitors come, we’ll close them.
We’ll have to figure out how to configure my work space. Mike will use the second bedroom as his study, but he records and I have Skype calls, so we both need our own spot.
I can’t get my head around that we could possibly get this house built. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. I know that for sure.
We are only passing through, but this will be a nice place to say until we can’t manage the stairs!
Back to the present. Today, my routine has changed. It seems that it may be more helpful for my company if I am up early and start work closer to 6 or 7am depending on what time I wake up. Today I started at around 6-30am and worked until Werner came. Then I worked until about 2pm. I had a third cup of coffee and went to gym just after 3pm. That worked quite well, particular as I’d had food, so I had more energy than normal.
Work is busy. I’ve done about 7 hours today.
This is what I was talking about when I said Mike is caring and considerate. I got up from my desk and went across to my bedroom and he had turned back my bed and added a blanket to the bottom in case we need one tonight.
I’m ready for bed. Truffles is too. She is better but not quite right. She hesitates in going outside, but has been eating well. She’s on my desk…
Poor kitty.
Ephesians 2:4-5
Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
Amen! It’s not about now. We have been saved for eternal life in a better more meaningful world.
These are the days, but the best is yet to come.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- Ran 5km
- Did a whole stack of work on weight machines and then stretches to make up about 1.5 hours.
Braces:
Day 111. The days just don’t stop passing do they?