Ian and helga go south !!

[Badknee]

Lovely to read your post again. Although no shower episodes !it was great to read! Keep us posted as we all wish we had your courage to take the steps you have!

He's not had a shower since the last episode with the curtain falling down, wiffy not wifi

 

[Sundowners]

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 !

It makes a difference when you don't have to find the money for the hairdressing bills each month - comprenday!!!!!!!

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Good man Ian , im sure that the lady must be thinking that her luck has turned at last , dont give up on the online dating , i had a couple of horrendous ones too , but i went out with date no 13 and hit it off right away , the whole online dating can be a minefield but there are genuine people out there you just have to look , BTW im now living with date no13 and we are buying a MH together

 

[Puddleduck]

My attitude is that money is only important for buying essentials (and what is essential for one will be frippery for someone else). I have seen how destructive the love and pursuit of money can become.

Love and kindness is far more important.

You and Jo were meant to meet, to become friends and to help each other through these difficult few weeks.

Good luck and happiness to both of you.

 

[ianthebuilder]

Good man Ian , im sure that the lady must be thinking that her luck has turned at last , dont give up on the online dating , i had a couple of horrendous ones too , but i went out with date no 13 and hit it off right away , the whole online dating can be a minefield but there are genuine people out there you just have to look , BTW im now living with date no13 and we are buying a MH together

Ok laird you are lucky! Now for my 3rd date and the most terrifying so far! I was talking over a few weeks online and on the phone to a lovely woman who lived in Boston Lincs, we again arranged to meet, I said 2ocklock on the Friday at a big garden centre just outside of Boston! I had quizzed her on the phone about exes and alcohol etc just now and again in general chat and all was fine! I got there after a 3 and a half hour drive at about 1,45. So it was a nice sunny day and I sat there listening to my car radio, in anticipation of a good day out!! Well 2 o'clock came and went,, twenty past, two thirty so I texted. No reply!! Ok I thought if she's not here by 3 she must have changed her mind. Well I'm standing now outside the car leaning on the offside wing when all of a sudden an old Ford Fiesta with blacked out windows came tearing across the gravel car park and skidded to a halt about ten millimetres from my leg,, I immediately thought here we go,, boyfriend, husband, either way I'm going to be busy in a Second, so I stood upright expecting the worst, the door flew open and out jumped only who I can describe as Ronald McDonald!!!! A huge head of red curly hair, big reddish nose and lots of makeup! She jumped at me grabbed my arm and tried to kiss me saying oh Ian I have been looking forward to this for ages! She still had my arm as I said to her ,, WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU ????? Don't worry Ian we got on so well on the computer it didn't matter that I had my friends picture on my profile !!!!! I was shocked! She would not let me go till I promised to go for a coffee with her and she said there's a cafe in the garden centre! No I said I don't like the coffee in there across the road was a tescoes so I said I'd take her there! She went to climb in my car and I said no babe I will follow you to tescoes I don't want to be responsible for you leaving your car here!! Ok she said but get behind me I won't go fast! Well I was gutted. So I started to follow here, all the time she was looking in her mirror and waving and I had to smile and wave back!!! As she pulled out onto the main road she turned left, I turned right put my foot down and shot off!!!! Never had an online date since!!! I mean it wasn't her picture on profile, how many times does that happen !!!!!!!!!!!

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[Langtoftlad]

I mean it wasn't her picture on profile, how many times does that happen !!!!!!!!!!!

Has happened to me
An old photo I understand, an "enhanced" pic I get - but of a completely different person???

 

[Judge Mental]

Ok laird you are lucky! Now for my 3rd date and the most terrifying so far! I was talking over a few weeks online and on the phone to a lovely woman who lived in Boston Lincs, we again arranged to meet, I said 2ocklock on the Friday at a big garden centre just outside of Boston! I had quizzed her on the phone about exes and alcohol etc just now and again in general chat and all was fine! I got there after a 3 and a half hour drive at about 1,45. So it was a nice sunny day and I sat there listening to my car radio, in anticipation of a good day out!! Well 2 o'clock came and went,, twenty past, two thirty so I texted. No reply!! Ok I thought if she's not here by 3 she must have changed her mind. Well I'm standing now outside the car leaning on the offside wing when all of a sudden an old Ford Fiesta with blacked out windows came tearing across the gravel car park and skidded to a halt about ten millimetres from my leg,, I immediately thought here we go,, boyfriend, husband, either way I'm going to be busy in a Second, so I stood upright expecting the worst, the door flew open and out jumped only who I can describe as Ronald McDonald!!!! A huge head of red curly hair, big reddish nose and lots of makeup! She jumped at me grabbed my arm and tried to kiss me saying oh Ian I have been looking forward to this for ages! She still had my arm as I said to her ,, WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU ????? Don't worry Ian we got on so well on the computer it didn't matter that I had my friends picture on my profile !!!!! I was shocked! She would not let me go till I promised to go for a coffee with her and she said there's a cafe in the garden centre! No I said I don't like the coffee in there across the road was a tescoes so I said I'd take her there! She went to climb in my car and I said no babe I will follow you to tescoes I don't want to be responsible for you leaving your car here!! Ok she said but get behind me I won't go fast! Well I was gutted. So I started to follow here, all the time she was looking in her mirror and waving and I had to smile and wave back!!! As she pulled out onto the main road she turned left, I turned right put my foot down and shot off!!!! Never had an online date since!!! I mean it wasn't her picture on profile, how many times does that happen !!!!!!!!!!!

She sounds fun

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

 

[parknride]

Can only get better!!

 

[ianthebuilder]

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!

Barclay I'm not dissing there quote mate I just think it seems a bit excessive! Steels and concrete? Have a look when you get there take a few pics just to satisfy my curiosity! Lol. Have a safe journey,, Ian.

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[laird of Dunstan]

I would have taken your date no 1 to an AA meeting , as for date number 3 , well i had a couple of dates where the ladies were at least 5-8 stone heavier than their photographs would suggest , i started to look into the stats on online dating and they are not quite what you would expect , i read one that said 20% of the men are having sex with 80% of the women on those sites , there are 2 men for every woman etc . I did consider going down the Thailand or Phillipines route , working here for 6 months and then living it up there for 6 months , fortunately i met Kes .

 

[ianthebuilder]

Yes good choice laird. That Thailand thing has never appealed to me as soon as a single bloke gets on the plane they lump you in as a sex tourist!! And if I went I'd have a few beers aNd probably would weaken and become one!! Lololol

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Yes good choice laird. That Thailand thing has never appealed to me as soon as a single bloke gets on the plane they lump you in as a sex tourist!! And if I went I'd have a few beers aNd probably would weaken and become one!! Lololol

i went to Thailand when i was 25 , i lived in Bradwell near Gt Yarmouth at the time , it did my head in , i felt like a dirty old man at 25 , i returned to Norfolk and got married to one of the Halls as in C&H quickmix and T.J Halls

 

[Barclaybasher]

Barclay I'm not dissing there quote mate I just think it seems a bit excessive! Steels and concrete? Have a look when you get there take a few pics just to satisfy my curiosity! Lol. Have a safe journey,, Ian.

Hi Ian the first picture shows the door and window that would be replaced with patio doors, left side of window to right side of door.
2nd pic shows the edge of the door and the height of the 'balcony' wall on top of the beam and block roof

 

[moulin 87]

Barclay I'm not dissing there quote mate I just think it seems a bit excessive! Steels and concrete? Have a look when you get there take a few pics just to satisfy my curiosity! Lol. Have a safe journey,, Ian.

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!

Where in Spain is the house?

Is it a local builder quoting or an expat builder? I've found in the past on our house in France using expat builders is a nightmare....both with quality and overcharging...( not everyone but you have to be very selective)

As it is we're renting a house overlooking Lake Vinuela, the owner is trying to sell it at a discount because it is not 'fully legal', and all around are some really nice villas with fantastic views and big gardens, abandoned, even though they would have been virtually paid for but are now illegal... I understand a few of the local ex-mayors are in the nick...

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[Barclaybasher]

Where in Spain is the house?

Is it a local builder quoting or an expat builder? I've found in the past on our house in France using expat builders is a nightmare....both with quality and overcharging...( not everyone but you have to be very selective)

Hi, it's in Mallorca and the quote was from a local registered contractor

 

[moulin 87]

Hi, it's in Mallorca and the quote was from a local registered contractor

I've no knowledge of Mallorca, my brother in law has a house in the earthquake zone of Almeria where the new rules on foundations and building works are now much more onerous...

 

[ianthebuilder]

View attachment 88314 View attachment 88315

Hi Ian the first picture shows the door and window that would be replaced with patio doors, left side of window to right side of door.
2nd pic shows the edge of the door and the height of the 'balcony' wall on top of the beam and block roof

Hi barclay, well I must be stupid or not seeing something because surely the wall above can be propped up and the window , door, pier taken down and existing Lintols or Lintols. Replaced with a new one and made good. I still can't see the need for all the concrete? Am I missing something?

 

[ianthebuilder]

i went to Thailand when i was 25 , i lived in Bradwell near Gt Yarmouth at the time , it did my head in , i felt like a dirty old man at 25 , i returned to Norfolk and got married to one of the Halls as in C&H quickmix and T.J Halls

You had a result then !! The halls on the quay is now lots of new flats. I think halls closed and is it terry? Built the flats I think on the land!! Good luck to him,,

 

[ianthebuilder]

Ok I'm going to run out of data time in a bit so it's back to work for a few days. I will update all later in week this is now jo's bedroom and kitchen till I get other room done! Stay safe chat soon ,, Ian. Xx.

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[Barclaybasher]

Hi barclay, well I must be stupid or not seeing something because surely the wall above can be propped up and the window , door, pier taken down and existing Lintols or Lintols. Replaced with a new one and made good. I still can't see the need for all the concrete? Am I missing something?

You see what I see, no you're not missing anything, will try and get other quotes when I'm there.............sensible ones.... will post when I get them

Keep up the good work!

 

[ianthebuilder]

Yes Barclay I would be interested!! Good luck, nice to meet you, Ian.

 

[gus-lopez]

Hi barclay, well I must be stupid or not seeing something because surely the wall above can be propped up and the window , door, pier taken down and existing Lintols or Lintols. Replaced with a new one and made good. I still can't see the need for all the concrete? Am I missing something?

No I saw it exactly the same as you.

You see what I see, no you're not missing anything, will try and get other quotes when I'm there.............sensible ones.... will post when I get them

Keep up the good work!

I'd get some more. Is access difficult ? I only ask as the 80 bags of ballast , which I'd assume to be sand /aggregate , would normally come in a tipper. to be bagged makes it expensive & would normally mean it hand to be carried by hand somewhere access was difficult ( I.e. On the 5th floor of a block of flats .lol) . As 2 tonnes of sand or aggregate here would set you back about 20€ & the 15 bags cement change from 50€+delivery. The steelwork certainly wouldn't be that dear .

 

[Xabia]

For what it's worth Barclay, I have had houses in Spain since 1986 and in my experience it is much better to use local Spanish builders than ex-pats (with apologies to Ian who seems like a good guy). The Brits tend to rip you off, don't do as good a job and are not as reliable as the Spanish.

Mike

 

[laird of Dunstan]

You had a result then !! The halls on the quay is now lots of new flats. I think halls closed and is it terry? Built the flats I think on the land!! Good luck to him,,

not really , i got out ,but my son is Grandson to Trevor , Terry has got parkinsons . I did get cheap building materials for a while

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[Barclaybasher]

No I saw it exactly the same as you.
I'd get some more. Is access difficult ? I only ask as the 80 bags of ballast , which I'd assume to be sand /aggregate , would normally come in a tipper. to be bagged makes it expensive & would normally mean it hand to be carried by hand somewhere access was difficult ( I.e. On the 5th floor of a block of flats .lol) . As 2 tonnes of sand or aggregate here would set you back about 20€ & the 15 bags cement change from 50€+delivery. The steelwork certainly wouldn't be that dear .

Site is flat, not even a step up from the drive, builder would park 20' from the actual job, water and electric connected, you couldn't find an easier site.

For what it's worth Barclay, I have had houses in Spain since 1986 and in my experience it is much better to use local Spanish builders than ex-pats (with apologies to Ian who seems like a good guy). The Brits tend to rip you off, don't do as good a job and are not as reliable as the Spanish.
Mike

This quote is from a Spanish contractor and my own experience with ex-pats has been different from yours, never been ripped off. It wasn't just the price that shocked me, it was the way the job was to be done, totally OTT.
I've been connected with the building trade for 40 years and have worked in Spain myself. I have fitted many lintels/RSJs but never like this. If I was younger I could, with one helper, do the job in a day, 2 at the most.

An older lady ex-pat met the builder and arranged the quote for me, I can only think "they saw her coming"

 

[reckless]

I would have taken your date no 1 to an AA meeting , as for date number 3 , well i had a couple of dates where the ladies were at least 5-8 stone heavier than their photographs would suggest , i started to look into the stats on online dating and they are not quite what you would expect , i read one that said 20% of the men are having sex with 80% of the women on those sites , there are 2 men for every woman etc . I did consider going down the Thailand or Phillipines route , working here for 6 months and then living it up there for 6 months , fortunately i met Kes .

We're another online dating success, got married 3 years ago. Both had our share of horror stories and nearly gave up many times.

Nice work on the villa Ian

 

[alfandM]

Looks a nice job Ian well done regards Alf

 

[ianthebuilder]

We're another online dating success, got married 3 years ago. Both had our share of horror stories and nearly gave up many times.

Nice work on the villa Ian

I wish it was a villa. It's a shed in a field !!! Lol

 

[ianthebuilder]

For what it's worth Barclay, I have had houses in Spain since 1986 and in my experience it is much better to use local Spanish builders than ex-pats (with apologies to Ian who seems like a good guy). The Brits tend to rip you off, don't do as good a job and are not as reliable as the Spanish.

Mike

Brits tend to rip you off in England as well !! But from limited experience here Brits are the worst for money grabbing !! And I've seen that in the past 3 weeks !!! What is it about some Brits abroad ? Do they just leave their morals at ok airports or are they desperate ?? Jo here has a couple of Spanish friends and they are really cool, even an old boy ( Spanish) who we met twice last week turned up with a tractor and cleared her complete driveway ( track) of grass, weeds, and crap. She didn't ask him to and when he finished after an hour he said hello, is that ok? And left saying welcome to Spain!! Gentleman through and through!!

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