Ian and helga go south !!

It looks really good Ian. Is that window the only one in that room?

So far you have had a busman's holiday!
 
Maybe I need to buy a pile of old stones with the hope for a miracle-worker to appear. Knowing my luck in the end, it would still be a pile of old stones and disintegrating into just rubble...no matter how many ferry crossings I made....;):rofl:
 
We've been wondering just what sort of Christmas and New Year Jo would have had if she hadn't met you on the Ferry, Ian. You must be an angel sent from Heaven! Happy New Year to you. We wish you good luck, good health and happiness in all that you do.
 
Evening friends, I hope you all are ok and well over your drunken celebrations! Lol. So today I grouted the new floor( pics when cleaned,prob tomorrow) and that is the end of room one! This is going to be jo's lounge come kitchenette! She has salvaged an old cupboard and I have fitted a sink in it, and that will be going in tomorrow as well,.she will however be using this as a temporary bedroom so I can get going on the other room ( through new doorway in original finca) I had a chat with Jo today bless her as she didn't sleep last night and when I got the reason out of her through sheer persistence she said it was because of money!! She was frightened to death that she couldn't pay me for what I have still to do! Well I had a think for all of 30 secs and told her I will work it out! Ok she said write down a list of works and money I will owe you! So it went like this,,,,, to patch render outside of finca( 3 walls),, to build and place and plumb two X 1000 ltr water tanks ,, to form a ceiling in shed with insulation timber and plasterboard, to plasterboard 1 existing wall and to plaster ceiling and remaining 3 walls , to cut out stonework to form opening from finca to shed( now lounge) to cut out and build in 2 stained glass windows, to tile floor, grout etc, now that is work completed and work to do for the next week is tile finca floor, form shower room in bedroom, and run new drainage, fit various locks etc to existing door, put a roof outside over patio ( concreted area existing) fix walls with mosquito netting etc to outside area, build a generator room in block work, timber etc hang various curtain poles etc, fix solar panel to roof run cables through finca walls to leasure battery, shelves, and various bits and pieces I reckon another 6 or 7 days and then I'm off!!! Well she saw and read the list, with a very hesitant look she said wow! That's a lot Ian isn't it? Lolol. Yes I said now brace yourself!! Well I could see her top lip trembling !!! now forgetting Jo for a second I want to say that I'm going to tell you what I have charged her but I want to say that I don't need to hear comments such as mug or bloody idiot or you soft sod!! I am no angel and I'm not a sucker for a sob story,, the reason for the amount charged is threefold, I have thoroughly enjoyed and still am being here, we are having hundreds of cups of tea and chats, Jo has been blatantly honest with me the whole time, about her situation both at present and previously! I have learnt a lot about this type of construction, which can only help me , and the work here has got me through the Christmas and new year period smiling and eating well!! ( except for the cheese) lol. Now I'm sure your waiting as was she for her bill , here's what you will owe me I glared and trying to look as menacing as I could ....... 1200 euros !!!! For labour ( Jo has bought all materials and a couple of hand tools I needed). She nearly cried. Wassamatter I asked too much ?? Ian I couldn't have got through this without you she said!! That was payment enough !!!! ( But I still asked for the 1200 euros). I'm no mug !!! Lolol. Will load pics Asap and am looking foreword to showing you all the end results! Xxx. Ian and helga !

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Ian, I don't know you, we have never met, but your a top bloke and I hope you get on your travels when your ready and have a great time, and now with a few well earned quid in your pocket.
 
For info purposes Jo has a Facebook page( I don't and never will). And when all is done she is going to post all before and after pics and hopefully say something kind about me !! If anyone is interested ( and she is a lovely person) I will weedle her username out of her so anyone who wants to can see and here what she thinks! By the way she has no idea I post my life on here! Lol. So ssshhhhh. Ha

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ianthebuilder said:
Evening friends, I hope you all are ok and well over your drunken celebrations! Lol. So today I grouted the new floor( pics when cleaned,prob tomorrow) and that is the end of room one! This is going to be jo's lounge come kitchenette! She has salvaged an old cupboard and I have fitted a sink in it, and that will be going in tomorrow as well,.she will however be using this as a temporary bedroom so I can get going on the other room ( through new doorway in original finca) I had a chat with Jo today bless her as she didn't sleep last night and when I got the reason out of her through sheer persistence she said it was because of money!! She was frightened to death that she couldn't pay me for what I have still to do! Well I had a think for all of 30 secs and told her I will work it out! Ok she said write down a list of works and money I will owe you! So it went like this,,,,, to patch render outside of finca( 3 walls),, to build and place and plumb two X 1000 ltr water tanks ,, to form a ceiling in shed with insulation timber and plasterboard, to plasterboard 1 existing wall and to plaster ceiling and remaining 3 walls , to cut out stonework to form opening from finca to shed( now lounge) to cut out and build in 2 stained glass windows, to tile floor, grout etc, now that is work completed and work to do for the next week is tile finca floor, form shower room in bedroom, and run new drainage, fit various locks etc to existing door, put a roof outside over patio ( concreted area existing) fix walls with mosquito netting etc to outside area, build a generator room in block work, timber etc hang various curtain poles etc, fix solar panel to roof run cables through finca walls to leasure battery, shelves, and various bits and pieces I reckon another 6 or 7 days and then I'm off!!! Well she saw and read the list, with a very hesitant look she said wow! That's a lot Ian isn't it? Lolol. Yes I said now brace yourself!! Well I could see her top lip trembling !!! now forgetting Jo for a second I want to say that I'm going to tell you what I have charged her but I want to say that I don't need to hear comments such as mug or bloody idiot or you soft sod!! I am no angel and I'm not a sucker for a sob story,, the reason for the amount charged is threefold, I have thoroughly enjoyed and still am being here, we are having hundreds of cups of tea and chats, Jo has been blatantly honest with me the whole time, about her situation both at present and previously! I have learnt a lot about this type of construction, which can only help me , and the work here has got me through the Christmas and new year period smiling and eating well!! ( except for the cheese) lol. Now I'm sure your waiting as was she for her bill , here's what you will owe me I glared and trying to look as menacing as I could ....... 1200 euros !!!! For labour ( Jo has bought all materials and a couple of hand tools I needed). She nearly cried. Wassamatter I asked too much ?? Ian I couldn't have got through this without you she said!! That was payment enough !!!! ( But I still asked for the 1200 euros). I'm no mug !!! Lolol. Will load pics Asap and am looking foreword to showing you all the end results! Xxx. Ian and helga !
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Nice one Ian!........... an honest man working for honest pay.....even if it's too cheap... for the right reasons..(y)

... just had an estimate for a job in Spain..................fit a lintel for a set of folding doors ... bungalow, span 3.5m, not including the doors 3,500 euros!:(

Quote was for steel lintel ....with steel supports welded each end set in concrete!

Materials: Steels, 84 bags ballast!!.. 15 bags cement!!....Oh Please!, .... labour 1800 euros

You're a STAR !!

(y)
 
ianthebuilder said:
Where do the 84 bags of ballast fit in Barclay??
Click to expand...

No idea! ... it is just a simple job. a day or two at the most

I've fitted quite few lintels, bolted some - yes, welded - never - used ballast - never

I don't think I will be accepting the quote !!

..
 
You are a rare gem. I don't think you are a mug, I understand why you did what you did. As you say you have gained from the experience and you will have a friend for life with jo. How lovely you have shared these weeks together. Jo must be feeling so much better too, what price human kindness. There's been a lot of it about over here with selfless people helping others out in the these devastating floods out of the goodness of their hearts. If you do truly reap what you sow in this life, Ian you are in for a bumper crop.
Now then, next week will you have time to sort out the extension to the quizzers dunce "party" room?

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Is there much weight over the Lintols span Barclay? Are the roof trusses on that plate? And if not why are they using steel?
 
Top man Ian. Well done the money will soon be spent on your travels and Jo's smile will be forever in your mind knowing you have made someone very happy. (y)
 
ianthebuilder said:
Is there much weight over the Lintols span Barclay? Are the roof trusses on that plate? And if not why are they using steel?
Click to expand...

Thanks for your interest Ian

It's a flat roof, beam and block, tiled as a roof terrace with a 3'sandstone wall above the roof line. The only weight is the roof and 3' of wall

The walls are of (soft) sandstone 8" thick

The span of the roof is only about 12'. Directly opposite where the patio doors are to go is a window just as wide in the same sort of wall.

Built about 40 years ago that window will have a concrete lintel, either precast or cast in situ - I'm going out there Wednesday and will check what they used then

I just can't believe what they are suggesting to do .... massive steel welded 'goalposts' set in 2 tons of concrete!
 
Sounds like a job for 'Super Builder' @ianthebuilder (y):LOL::LOL:

Retirement? Retirement? What is this retirement crap you talk about. :rofl::rofl:

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Reading your continuing saga brings a smile to my face every time.:)
I was reading a blog the other day and the writer said they started their day online looking at the likes of the DM and hence always started their day angry. Anger was a continual problem for her.:unsure:
She asked how others started their day to stop anger being the setting for the day.
I told her that my first task was to produce a double espresso and then sit down and open my laptop. I am then greeted by the photo that is my wallpaper. It's my two year old grandson with a huge smile on his face. I say good morning to him and then come here and hope to find a posting by you. My smile then lasts pretty well the whole day long.:D
I am sure Jo is grateful to you but so am I and no doubt a lot of others on here are too.
I hope your amazing outlook and good spirit is rewarded by others acting the same way to you.(y)
 
You sound l
Fenman said:
Reading your continuing saga brings a smile to my face every time.:)
I was reading a blog the other day and the writer said they started their day online looking at the likes of the DM and hence always started their day angry. Anger was a continual problem for her.:unsure:
She asked how others started their day to stop anger being the setting for the day.
I told her that my first task was to produce a double espresso and then sit down and open my laptop. I am then greeted by the photo that is my wallpaper. It's my two year old grandson with a huge smile on his face. I say good morning to him and then come here and hope to find a posting by you. My smile then lasts pretty well the whole day long.:D
I am sure Jo is grateful to you but so am I and no doubt a lot of others on here are too.
I hope your amazing outlook and good spirit is rewarded by others acting the same way to you.(y)[/QUOTE. Jo has a Facebook page and it's called. Do this or die! Lol. She hasn't posted anything about the build yet but she probably could do with a chat from someone else! Instead of a hairy arsed builder all day!! Lol. You would get on well. She's lovely and has been a little dissilusioned with life lately, as she says to me. It's grim ! Lol If anyone wants to send her a little support message it would be well received. You can tell her I told you about sight but please don't tell her what I say on here. She will give you her own version I'm sure!! Have a good one fen man and all .. Chat later. Ian xx
Click to expand...
 
I don't know what I did when posting above but it added to fenmans quote. I'm sure you will be able to read it? X
 
In some ways I'd love doing so but I still have not joined Facebook. Sons are both on it but the security of it just worries me too much.
 
Lovely to read your post again. Although no shower episodes !it was great to read! Sometimes it's not all about the money but obviously we all need it .you have gained such a lot from your experience, Spanish building skills , a much more relaxed lifestyle in Helga and a new lifelong friend in Jo! Wow all this in your first few weeks you will be King of the road in a few months time! Keep us posted as we all wish we had your courage to take the steps you have!(y):)

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