Teddington Lodge Blog

Things are starting to get completed now !
The top 2 floors of thre main building are virtually completed. The ground floor is getting the plumbing finalised, and the wheelchair accessible room is being fitted out. The 3 houses are complete except for the flooring, carpets, light fittings and gas supply.
The 2 bed flat is having the kitchen fitted as is the Studio Flat.
We started the front landscaping work today 28th March. So all the builder’s site cabins are gone, and the JCB’s are back !
I am especially pleased with the en-suites, especially the tiling work. I am also pleased I chose a really nice contemporary Oak door (see pictures). Everybody says they look fabulous !
We are still not able to set an opening date, as the Gas suppliers have not given me a date for the meter installation. We will have Water and Electricity on site by next Tuesday.
Next stop….furniture, beds, carpet and curtains !
Kind regards
Allan

Time for another update !
We are making very good progress, especially on the top two floors of the main building. We have completed all the sound-proofing work in rooms 4 to 10. These rooms have all been plastered now.
The second fix plumbing has also been completed on a couple of rooms, and we have commenced tiling the rooms now. We are trying to get the top 2 floors completed in the next 30 days !

The main ceiling work has also been completed in the 2 bed flat and the Studio flat. All the sound proofing work has been done, and we plastered the ceilings in the 2 bed flat today.

The terraced houses have had the central heating systems installed, and the kitchens are almost complete. Just waiting for a few missing pieces. The appliances should all arrive at the end of next week.
The cornice work started in the houses this week, and it looks terrific. It really finishes off the rooms beautifully. Of course they will look better when the painting is complete !
We are still having problems getting the Gas, Water and Electricity connected. If anything, this is where we may have problems !

Anyway, I hope to report only good news on our next update !
Rgds
Allan

We are making excellent progress now. We have completed the new roof, soffits and facias and fitted seamless guttering all around the main building as well as the houses at the rear.
We have completed the 2nd fix for plumbing and electrical work in the 3 houses, and the tiling is well on the way now. I am really pleased how the tiling looks (see pics below).
The re-build of the Bay windows is also completed, and the windows were fitted today 19th Jan.
The top floor of the main building is being plastered now, and this will make a really big difference (see pics)
Work has just commenced fitting the partial flat roof to the 2 bed flat, which when completed, will mean we will be able to finish off the roof on the 3 houses.
We are scheduled to commence pressure washing the old bricks on the main building next week. I can’t wait to see the old building looking like new – 1865 to 2012 !

Bye for now
Allan

Long overdue an update !

The work has progressed to inlcude the new roof which is 80% complete, but luckily ‘weatherproof’ since early December. TheChalet Houses have been plastered, painted, and the floor screeded. The 2 bed flat has now got 90% of the internal walls completed, and the Studio flat 1oo% completed.

The main building, is getting wired up and plumbed ready for the chaps who are going to install the sound-proofing in the walls and ceilings. They will also board-out all the stud walls. The Electricians are making very good progress wiring up the top and first floors. They are wiring up in such a way that we shouild future proof the building for technology updates. i.e. Cat6 wiring in every room.

The main problem holding up the Project is getting the Mains Water, Electricity and Gas services connected. It is an absolute rip-off as well. There is no competition for these services, and they charge just what the heck they like, and do it at their leisure. I am really upset about this, and wrote to our local Twickenham MP Vince Cable on the 21st November complaining about the lack of competition (especially for Thames Water). Needless to say, I never heard back from him yet !

The new year should see a lot of action on site. The tiling should start on the Chalet houses, as well as installation of the bathrooms and kitchens. I will look forward to posting those photographs !

Bye for now !

Allan

It’s time for an update.

Work is progressing at a great pace !
We have started plastering out the 3 Houses, and have broken through between the Studio Flat and the main building

Wow ! I don’t know how the builders have the guts to knock out a solid 13″ brick wall so casually. I said to Steve today, “How can you do that !…..”Oh thats nothing, we’ve done walls much bigger and heavier than that before” he said !
It has made the Studio look much much larger now that we have a wider dimension to the far end. It looked narrow before, but it looks really great now !
We have also started digging the trench for the utility services i.e. water, Elect, gas, cable etc I’m hoping there isn’t too long a waiting time for connections, as this might delay the opening date. Apparently, Richmond Council have a moratorium on road closures around the Christmas and New Year shopping times, so we may have to delay until the middle of January for the services. Hope not !

The roof is progressing as well. The builders are renewing the facia around the roof perimeter, and when that is done, we may be able to get the insulation, and water-proof lining fixed. We have been very lucky so far with the weather (touch-wood!) and I hope the rains hold-off before we can do the work !

A couple of introductions………….

Our construction company is ‘Apex Construction’. The partner working on our Project is Steve. He is a really excellent builder (hope he doesn’t read this !), and is always very focussed, and forward thinking. I would highly recommend his company, but wait until our job is finished please !!

Steve can be contacted on 07711637778

These days banks are not spoken about very positively, but I have to say that our Business Manager from Barclays, ‘Paul Giltname’ has been amazingly supportive.

Paul is based at the Surbiton office, and can be contacted on 07775555414 if you need help to take your business forward !