After a long delay, Carmen Lee finally has bond approval for her light steel frame (LSF) house. So we can once again follow her on her exciting adventures, as she builds a truly eco-friendly home. Here goes…
And we’re off again… After four months and a forest of paperwork, we have started building our dream light steel frame (LSF) house.
One week in, the trenches are dug and the concrete has been poured. Now we’re just waiting for it to cure so we can begin building up the foundation next week. There are a couple of steps in the concrete owing to the slope of the land, but I have been assured the house will be on one level. So far it looks like an ordinary brick and mortar design, but I am waiting gleefully to see the looks on the neighbours’ faces when the steel arrives.
My first impression on seeing the layout was how small the whole thing looked. I was particularly dismayed to see that our gigantic garden on the plan transpire to become a small dirt patch in front of the house – how misleading a plan can be! I have since been assured however, that my reaction was completely normal. In fact I have been warned that as the building goes up it feels smaller and smaller until the last coat of paint, and only once the furniture is set out does it begin to take on living proportions.
I have to admit to our stupidity and I was going to avoid looking like a complete idiot, but here is my confession. When the builders arrived on site, they asked us where the water tap was situated. My hubby and I looked at one another blankly, and realised that in the four months of delay we had never thought to apply for a water connection! Thank heavens for our marvellous neighbours who have offered to extend their hose-pipe until Jo’burg Water obliges!
Well, I am off to indulge in my latest hobby – searching for special offers on flooring! I can’t wait to report on next week’s progress. Watch this space!
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