Spur Wing Shed House

I was the only one on site today, chipping away at the frame when I came to a grinding halt. This was because I discovered an internal wall already with joists on it was not entirely plumb! Probably a half days work to undo and reset some work. Not a great cost given the complexity and size of the project, but frustrating none the less. I am learning rapidly though. I'll be an expert for my next build! Haha. I am keen to push the build forward and work on site myself while the weather is fine. We are getting close to finishing the ground floor framing, and my hired builder, Peter, in his wisdom, wanted to start the first floor before the ground floor was finished, which somewhat clashes with the way I would do it. As you can see, we have laid most of the floor joists for the first floor. Due to a miscalculation and underestimate of the wastage from the bracing ply, we have run out, and another order has been placed. Still plenty to do while we wait a week or so for that to...

My builder has not been well and taken the last week off. His offsider decided to go to Bali and will be away for three weeks, so with just my handy labourer Andrew left, it is up to me to take over the supervision and do the work myself. Fortunately I am now within my comfort zone with the framing, which there is still a lot to do. We have been busy this last week with the help of another builder, Will, laying most of the joists for the first floor as can be seen here... I have been busy working on the remaining frames for the ground floor, and in particular the south-west end, shown here. Meanwhile Andrew has been putting up the plywood bracing.

My gentlemen builders, proceed at a stately pace. I have spent quite some time on the build as well, cutting timber, shopping for fasteners, and even using the nail gun. They have proceeded upwards at the shed end of the house, installing about 15 joists. Meanwhile young Andrew works doggedly at drilling the necessary holes in the steel to bolt the timber frame to. A tricky job compounded by a very fussy scissor lift. Some pictures here tell the story so far... Two of my builders are camping on site. It was very spartan at first, but now they have a big TV, Internet, a Lounge and now they have built a gas powered hot water shower!