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

Bye for now
Allan

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

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 !

We have closed Teddington Lodge from the 7th November 2011, as we had to start the internal work to tranform our business from a 2 star short-term room lettings business, to a 4 star ‘Aparthotel’ business.
I hope you will follow our progress during the construction work, on the attached photo gallery, which shows the start of the work in May 2011 up to today.
The existing business consisted of 9 rooms with shared bathroom facilities, and although they were large, they lacked the high quality facilities that you, our customers needed.
We hope to re-opening at the end of February 2012 with 4 star quality accommodation as follows;

• 3 Newly built 2 bedroom houses. – The 2 bed houses are located at the rear of the main building, and each has its own private entrance. The accommodation comprises a lounge, kitchen, downstairs WC, 2 double size bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom. The accommodation will include double or single beds and so can accommodate from 2 to 4 persons by having double or single beds in the rooms. There is ‘Cat6′ internet connections in the lounge and in both bedrooms.
• 1 Newly built 2 bedroom apartment. – The 2 bedroom flat is located at the rear of the main building on the ground floor with its own private entrance. The accommodation includes 2 double bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom. There is a family bathroom, a large entrance hallway, and large lounge with a kitchen to one side.
• 1 Newly built Studio Apartment – The Studio apartment is located on the right side of the main building, and has its own private entrance. The accommodation will comprise a large L shaped lounge/kitchen, a seperate sleeping area, and a seperate family bathroom.
• 10 Newly refurbished Studio Rooms – The studio rooms are located in the main building, linked to the front door by a remote security entrance system so you can let in your visitors. The accommodation will consist of two types of rooms. The rear newly built rooms which will be approx 8M x 3.7M (26′-3″ x 12′-2″) in size. There are 4 of these rooms, which will sleep 2 or 3 persons. in a double and single bed, or 3 single beds. The other 6 rooms will be approx 4.7M X 5M (15′-5″ x 16′-5″) in size. These rooms will sleep 2 persons either in a double bed or 2 single beds.
• In all of the 10 rooms there will be a high quality en-suite bathroom, kitchen facilities, ‘Cat-6′ internet connections, a desk, chair, dining table and chairs, easy chairs, and a large flat screen plasma TV with ‘freeview’ channels.
• Parking will be free as will the use of Internet connection.
• We also will provide free re-charging of customer’s electric car battery, as we are installing re-charging points in our car -park.
• New customers perhaps don’t know that we are located just 3 minutes walk to one of Teddington’s main shopping roads, so making it easy to shop for supplies for cooking in your apartment at Teddington Lodge.
• We are also located less than 10 minutes walk to Teddington Mainline station for services to Central London or to Twickenham and Richmond.