Then, last Wednesday we got a call from Steve on a bad connection but sounded something like 'scaffolders coming tomorrow'. Deciding to call in the morning to clarify the message but awoke to a lorry load of scaffolding pulling up outside. It seemed the timber frame was ready after all and could start on Monday if we could get the scaffold up in time. Fortunately it was the start of a lovely sunny spell and by Friday night our house was overshadowed by three floors of scaffold.
The scaffold went round three sides as the front had to be left open for the teleporter to lift the panels into place. Fortunately our nice neighbours at no. 14 were happy for us to brace our scaffold against the side of their house. Fingers crossed this would not result in a domino effect toppling the entire street.
Monday the teleporter arrived,
Tuesday a 40-ton artic turned up loaded with our house like some giant IKEA flat-pack. With some shuffling of cars we managed to make space for it across the road (we always park over the road to stop anyone else doing it - with 4 sites active on the street at the moment it gets a bit chaotic at times.) The teleporter then had to unload it all on to what will eventually be the drive way. Every time the teleporter had to bring the traffic to a stop as it straddled the road and then do a 10-point turn to get it pointing the right way.
But it got done and before long the SIPs team were busy putting it all together. SIPs (Structural Insulated Panel) is a system where insulation is sandwiched between two panels of OSB blockboard with a groove all round into which is glued and nailed a length of timber to hold it all together. Each panel is made to the right shape and size, with or without window or door openings, in a factory
so it arrives like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle. As I write it is nearly finished and its beginning to look like a house.
Next week the roof goes on. Second week of May we should get the windows and doors and then it wind and weathertight,
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