Of Course It's Over Budget

24 March 2011

Well it has been a busy week – as usual. I had the pleasure of going to two quotes this week and I actually got quite excited about it. They were previous clients from a couple of years ago, but it was almost as if they had been waiting for me to return. One of them had had a couple of tradesmen round for quotes and said they didn't trust either of them. It just goes to show what giving a good service can do for your business. I might not make a fortune, but at least I can hold my head up high.

Claire and I went to view a property this week – a potential development project. It is just around the corner and is one of the few houses on our estate which hasn't been done up already. I think it was lived in by an old couple because it still has everything from the 1970's, just like it was when it was built. Looking around, all I could see was the dreaded phrase “added value”. This place was crying out for a little love and attention.

Of course it is over our budget, but could be doable at a pinch if the figures stack up. I would have to get it earning money pretty sharpish though as the mortgage costs will cripple us. We are in the discussion phase at the moment, but the auction comes up in around two weeks, so we will see what our options are at the time.

The flat is still going OK. I am in that mood at the moment that I am just biding my time until I leave. It is like any job isn't it? You hand in your notice and then do bugger all until you have your leaving do and walk out the door for the last time with a writing set or a carriage clock. However in this case I can't leave until the work is finished but at least there’s no carriage clock - thank goodness.

Having said that, I am enjoying spending a bit of money on creating a pretty cool flat. I have just installed the plumbing for an American style fridge with an ice maker and the electrics for an in-built coffee machine, microwave and kitchen television (with satellite!). There are so many gadgets, I wonder where the normal appliances will go.

I have also installed wiring for a TV system which is in the living room and the bedrooms and I had BT round to sort out phone lines everywhere for every type of communication available now or in the future.

Now that all that is done, the walls are nearly plastered and the main building work has been completed, I am looking at around two weeks until I am finished.

Claire pulled out all the stops this week (left Ethan with her best friend) and got the garden completed. It looks great and now that the weather is improving, the flowers she planted in pots here and there are starting to come out. I am very proud of her hard work and I told her so. She even laid the decking and didn't once ask for help.

I have to admit that I stood at the window, just out of sight, and watched her struggle with the saw and the drill, but I resisted the temptation to go out and offer my advice. I doubt it would have been well received. But within 30 minutes or so she had the hang of it and has managed to lay a very reasonable slab of deck. Nothing too fancy, but certainly passable!

Hopefully I should hear back about my quotes this week and I can finally get back to what I am good at.