My experiences of house construction II

December 28, 2010

The steel net weaving work resumed today after a day off taken by steel workers to look after their wounded colleague in hospital. Tomorrow electrician will start his work and on Thursday we have planed to pour concrete. Light rain is forecast on Wed/Thu. Praying that the rain should happen in early or late hours. Rain on Friday and afterward would be good for the new concrete.

Two trucks each of gravel and sand have been delivered for 47,600 rupees and 200 bags of cement would be delivered tomorrow @297 PKR. Two days ago it was at 287 damn whenever is my turn prices go up, water finishes, labourer falls down from roof. But thanks God, things move ahead.

Previous post: My experiences of house construction I

December 29, 2010

Steel workers finished finally yesterday, two days behind the plan, and electrician began work on roof. They were about to finish the work when rain started. Plumber also came and marked places for drain pipes and water supply pipes. Ordered food for tomorrow as it is customary to provide lunch to all the labourers on the lanter (concrete pouring) day.

There is light rain forecast for Thursday. Hoping that it will be so and the roof will be done nicely. Rain is good after the roof is finished, not during. For the last three months since I started construction there had been no rain. Only light drizzle twice and now when I do not need it. It is there. Steel worker went on leave due to their colleague's injury and that disrupted our plan to do the roof on Tuesday.

Material supplier said that bricks supply was not coming as many kilns were shut down due to loadshedding.

January 1, 2011

Happy new year to all the respected readers. Well on the first day of new year we finally made the roof. It was a big day full of delays, pitfalls and tension. There was dense fog in the morning, but it cleared up after 9.00 am. I asked the contractor to tighten the supports to the shuttering because the rain in past two days might have softened the ground and he said everything was alright.

The concrete mixer machine labour and then contractor wasted more time in installing the machine and bringing water drum and planks. So the concrete pouring started at 11.00 am and soon two planks from shuttering on the bed room collapsed. The work was stopped and the shuttering piece was refixed. As the concrete was poured and weight came on the supports they started to settle a bit in the ground and kept the shutter guys on their toes all the time. But with the grace of Almighty Allah we were able to do the crisis management and finish the job by 5.00 pm. I hope that the roof comes out good when we remove the shuttering after two weeks.

Water supply was smooth and also luckily there was no loadshedding. Water pump worked whenever it was needed. Brought rice from Koran town for lunch. It is customary to give lunch to labourers when constructing roof which is a major milestone in any construction work.

Previous post: My experiences of house construction I

January 8, 2011

Today I called the contractor, but his wife picked up the phone and said he had been taken to hospital after vomiting blood. Now the start of first floor had been delayed further. I was planning to begin first floor work today as eight days are enough for a lanter or roof concrete slab to solidify.

As it is peak winter season too much water would be bad. Asked the chowkidar to stop thrice a day watering and do it once now on alternate days so that the slab starts drying up and binding itself.

January 14, 2011

Today construction of first floor started after a break of 14 days. The contractor fell sick and was away for a week. Now the things have started moving again.

January 16, 2010

Today finally decided to drop the bath which was to be built on porch roof because it would have affected the front elevation harmony. Also asked the contractor to make vents above main entrances on ground as well as first floor for more light when the doors are shut.

January 23, 2011

Today beams on doors and windows and columns were being filled. I did not like the way the ceiling is coming out. Contractor says it will be alright and leveled when plaster is done, but whenever I look at the ceiling, I get depressed. I hope it gets fixed.

I am soon going to finish all my cash. Almost two million would be spent when the roof of first floor is done. I had been banking on a cousin who was keen to buy my plot in LDA Avenue I, Lahore, but he has changed his mind :-( . This plot is not selling in the open market because the transfer is closed due to some litigation.

Dealers say that now a positive decision is expected from Lahore High Court soon, but how soon nobody knows. I was giving it on throw away price. Anybody buying it today will be able to have windfall profit once transfer opens. But I think that I will have to be its beneficiary as I am going to keep it. So I have decided to sell my car, lease a small car and with the cash complete the construction of ground floor and move in. The sooner I move in, the better it is as I will be able save rent and repay loans.

January 29, 2011

It was a busy day, cold and cloudy. Called plumber and electricians and spent a good deal of time about gas, water, pipes requirements and electricity pipes, light points, plugs, television and phone wiring.

Then realised that the order for doors frames had not been placed yet and the masons team to start plaster was to arrive in two days. Ordered fine sand for plaster. Luckily steel works owner Mr Rashid told us that he can do the door frames (chaughats) in two days. We require nine pieces in all. For three baths we will use aluminum frame and door to avoid rusting. Using steel chaughats as wood is too expensive and problematic in long run because of termite, swelling issues.

Visited a store in Sawan Garden along with Mujhtaba from where we are going to source stuff for plumbing and electricity fixtures.

Meanwhile, shuttering for the roof slab of first floor was in progress. Bought some diesel in 1.5 liter pet bottle. Also got back two bottles back from Zeeshan Haider of Retuers who had borrowed them. I keep diesel in store, because have to give one bottle to tractor driver who brings water. Zeeshan is building his house at the end of my street and we keep on borrowing things from each other in emergency.

February 1, 2011

The second month of 2011 has started and with the grace and blessings of Allah, construction activity has reached its peak. Electrical, plumbing, plaster work in progress simultaneously. Steel net for top roof is complete and after electrical fixtures tomorrow it will be ready for lanter on Thursday, Insha-Allah.

Doors frames were also delivered today. Ordered gravel, sand, cement for roof and 1,000 bricks for use in stairs construction.

February 3, 2011

Today top roof slab (lanter) was done smoothly. Everything went well. It was mostly cloudy with a few rain drops. Rain in the late evening and on Friday would be just great.  The view from top is just amazing. There is a forest in the rear side of my house and fresh breeze from the forest passes through the entire house.

I was much comfortable and confident as compared to lanter of ground floor. I think its experience. The bank's computer was down today morning as well so had to borrow money as cash has to be paid to the contractor who has to pay it to the laborers. For building material supplier it is good that he accepts crossed cheques.

Now plaster, water and gas line work will continue.  We have to make stair room (mumty) and overhead water tank after about a week or 10 days.

February 6, 2011

Plasters of ground floor ceiling continued today. Most of the living room ceiling and drawing room were done. Then walls. Climbed up the roof and the things seems better on first floor than on the ground. Lanter or the roof top concrete was settling well and there were light drizzle which is good for curing the concrete.

I have been receiving the reports from my contractor that the activities of security guard were become suspicious. I had warned him last week, but today I received report that he loaded some steel bars pieces onto a taxi just after dawn. I asked him and he admitted that he sold some four to five kilogram of steel waste. But I wonder then why he needed a cab for that. He could have sold it to the scrap vendor who comes on bi-cycle. Going to sack him tomorrow morning. Wanted to give him to police, but it would be useless.

February 7, 2011

Today I fired my security guard for stealing iron bars. Thought about handing him over to police, but let him go. He confessed his crime and asked for forgiveness, I told him that he can walk free instead of going to a police station and he was no more reliable to be entrusted with costly material at the site. His replacement is being arranged in a day or two. Called electrician and plumber who have dumped expensive pipes and fittings at the site to check if anything was not missing. Thanks Allah everything was there because the idiot did not get much opportunity to load more stuff in the cab.

Plaster work continued. Lots of cement is being used in the ceiling because the surface did not come leveled as the mud floor was not hard enough to sustain weight because the two days of rain after four months of dry spell had become soft.

It was pleasant and refreshing to climb up the roof and views around were breathtaking.

February 14, 2011

Today hired a new security guard (chowkidar) from a trusted reference. The guy is a senior but looks fine. He is from Mansehra and uncle of the gardener of a friend building his house nearby.

Today ordered bricks, sand and cement. Water supply was too little. Meanwhile plaster continued and now TV lounge and one bedroom plaster remains. Sewerage pile was also being laid. A lot of work requiring tons of money still remains, like outside plaster. I am leaving first floor unfinished from inside.

Overhead concrete water tank and staircase canopy or mumty also have yet to start, then is boundary wall, gate, floors, doors, windows, bathrooms tiles, sanitary fittings, kitchen cabinets. Electrical switchboards, wires, fans, paint and there is lot of other small stuff which is enough to blow ones mind when funds are low and loans are swelling. But there is silver lining and that is the peace of mind of living under ones own roof, which keeps one going.

Fatigue, frustration has started boggling me. I move one step forward while construction material moves two steps further far away. I was shocked to hear that just electric wires cost 124,000 PKR for a two-story house of same size as my house. But I am determined to go as far as I can have my own shelter as soon as possible, against all odds.

February 18, 2011

Plaster of the last room on ground floor started. While on the roof top work for mumty or roof room, overhead water tank and para-pit wall also started. The construction works seems too long and too expensive and requires a lot of quick decision-making.

Mumty is a tricky subject. It is useful to access the roof top as well as to serve as a store and a servant room with a toilet. I plan to leave the first floor inside unfinished and go for outer plaster throughout. Funds are drying up swiftly and the work ahead requires a lot of it. Here is a quick round up of the main expensive so far.

The status of construction is that two stories structure has been built and inside plaster of ground floor is about to complete, while work on mumty and overhead water tank started today. Pipes of one bathroom and gas pipes yet to be laid. Sewerage pipe is just buried not connected at joints.

Cement: 926 bags, 293,395 rupees (1USD=85PKR)  (plaster done only in ground floor inside, except one room, more cement will be required)

Sand: around nine trucks, 53,450 rs (would require now Ghazi one which is more expensive)

Gravel: 8 trucks, 100,100 rs (may be some more will be required)

Bricks: 81,000 for 360,000 rs (I hope no more, but may be some more)

Steel: 10,908 kg for 673,620 rs, binding wire 57 Kg for 7,765 (I think no more to be bought)

Payments to contractor:  483,000 rs

Total expenses so far: 22,77,107 + 145,000 (paid plot installments) = 2,422,107 (28, 495 dollars)

I am in process of documenting expenses on electrical and plumbing material and labour.

February 24, 2011

Plaster is complete from the ground floor inside and the outer sidewall also completed. Now work is in progress on the remaining three sides, the front, side and rear of the building. Shuttering was removed from the first floor and started for the roof top room.

Work on overhead water tank has also started.  Parapet wall on the top and terraces and shades below started. Water supply was ample during the past few days so no headaches. Thanks God. The new security guard is good and taking care of things well. The outer temporary store room was raised a couple of days ago and guard and labourers have shifted inside. Work on boundary wall also started today. Bought some water-proofing stuff for the boundary. Keeping it six-feet high and later on put razor wire on it.

An inspector from architect visited and checked if we had made some changes in the design. I told him about the porch roof which we built at the roof level, previously it was lower terrace, mumty or staircase-cum-servant-cum-store was built on roof top and it was not in the drawings despite my repeated reminders. Then he checked the front, side and rear open spaces and found them according to rules. We have to leave 10 feet in front, five feet on the side and seven feet in the backyard.

February 28, 2011

The cost of project, excluding the cost of land, has crossed 2.4 million PKR. Work on outer plaster and boundary wall is in progress. Electrician visited for lights and fans points in the staircase room or mumty. Tomorrow the contractor has planned pouring concrete in the staircase roof slab and then he will pour concrete in the overhead water tank.

I have started the process of selling my car so that I can start work on floor, kitchen, wardrobes, windows, wiring, doors. Though the loans were available from family, I preferred not to. Cars can be bought later. Now I also realize that are so many emotional stresses related to house construction when you are doing it alone and in limited resources. But it is a good learning process and has made me brave to take challenges head on when the heat is on.

Now I am facing dilemma whether to go for inside plaster at the upper floor or not. If I go for it then I will have to buy door frames and put all the electric, gas, water pipes and the cost is going to be just not for the plaster alone. I want to make the ground floor first, move and then think about first floor which is not a priority now. I plan to finish it when it is feasible for renting out. Currently the space in one story is enough for my requirements. The idea of going for two stories was that later it will be difficult and very expensive to build it plus one is not left with enough energy and single roof house becomes too hot and too cold in summer and winter. I think that I will require nearly one million more to finish the ground floor.

March 6, 2011

Boundary wall has been completed and today went for ordering the main gate. Had to chose between a sliding and traditional one. But the design that I have finalised is suited in sliding one and the gate.

Outer plaster is continuing as the structure is almost finished. Plumber is not showing up as he to do holes in the overhead tank. He promised that it would be done today. This is a typical problem, nobody fulfills commitments.

March 10, 2011

I was off today from office, had throat infection and very tired and wanted to sleep late, but my inner-self got me up and I was on the site at 10.00am, had meeting with contractor, oversaw some work, went to supplier to order material, then went to Rawat and visited a huge showroom of tiles and baths on GT Road, then went to a stone factory and surveyed marble stone and later checked doors at Wood Solutions. Also visited Minhas Corporation to check sanitary ware. Came home after 6.00pm, checked the doctor on the way and after having third gen antibiotics hit the bed and had a really good three-hour sleep.

March 20, 2011

The contractor is becoming a pain. Most of his time is spent in another house he has contracted to build in G-14 sector where owner is giving a tough time with bad language for his follies.

He is also too slow and dull to anticipate things. The inside plaster work was over for a month now and despite my gentle nudges to start clearing the floors so that plumber and electricians could lay pipes, he kept on saying that after this and this thing we will do it, but he did not do it. Then one day he said he was going to Bahawalpur for two days, he returned after eight days. When outer plasters were being done, he could have cleared the floors and today I would have been finished with electrical and plumbing work and done with floors as well.

Lot of work still remains. Wall of a bathroom under stairs is also awaiting Ghafoor's attention and I have told him thousands of time. Now a lot of hammer and wedge work is  being done to break walls and plinth beam to make way for pipes. I do not know what is the rocket science involved, first they make and then break. Why can't these dumb contractors plan ahead and leave out ducts, holes for the wires and pipes to cross under thresholds?

Then this electrician is also a funny character. On Saturday evening I told him that I had dropped the meter box at the site, but he did not tell me anything. Early Sunday morning he called and told me to buy pipes, cables, joints and deliver them as early as possible. Had he informed me an evening before, I could have done it right then and could enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning to give some rest to my aching bones. Another problem with these people is that it is hard to get them to work so I did not take any chance and told them to reach the site and I was coming after buying the stuff. Electric cables have really become too expensive, beyond imagination, so is the plumbing and sanitary pipes and fittings.

March 24, 2011

Today woke up early and went to bank as payments for plaster are due. Had a meeting with contractor and plumber and finalised the levels. Then surveyed two marble stone outlets. It is very difficult to chose and buy stone for floors. So far have shortlisted sunny grey for outdoor floors and porch, while for interior the choice is narrowing down to boticina marble to keep the costs low.

Next important task is the roof of underground water tank after which outer floors will be done. Concrete has been laid in indoors floor and bath rooms. More than half of leftover steel was bought by a friend. The contractor again made wrong calculations and I ended up buying one ton more steel. So friends intending to buy steel should have second opinion and then buy less steel as the shortfalls can be bought later locally.

Insane escalation in the cost of materials has really disrupted my financial planning and overstretched the borrowing. It is so far at a level that I can quickly repay by January. But beyond that may be a problem, but not so big. So I pray that things get better on this side.

About the energy level I feel that the fatigue is setting in. I was more energetic in late September when I started, but now I need more rest than before. Plus the early summer heat during the day drains out one faster.

March 27, 2011

It was early Sunday morning. Around 7.00am got a call from the sub-contractor that they needed cement, water and rail for the main gate. The labour always have their own plans. They undertake big chunks of work when someone has to go back to village to attend a wedding or a funeral.

At times I have told them that they should tell me by the afternoon what they are going to to the next day and what materials they required so that I can order the stuff. After taking tea and I began my drive to Media Town, it was Sunday morning and there was not much traffic. When reached Media Town, found the staff repairing the ruptured water pipeline. Again Police Foundation people laying their sewerage line had ripped it apart. Water supply was restored around 1.00 am and the work started. The labourers poured 1:8:4 mix of cement, sand and gravel on the outer floors. Had to order more gravel and cement. We started with 20 bags and ordered 20 more. The gate pillar was shaved to make place for the sliding gate.

April 2, 2011

Bought the marble and went to GT Road, near Rawat and ordered doors. Not going for any expensive stuff. It is become more steeper everyday. The morale gets suddenly too low when the effort is not acknowledged and trashed.

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April 2, 2011

Bought the marble and went to GT Road, near Rawat and ordered doors. Not going for any expensive stuff. It is become more steeper everyday. The morale gets suddenly too low when the effort is not acknowledged and trashed.

Anyways or marble I did a little research and visited the outlets in the area. Samples and prices quoted were not much different either, so after consulting the home government I picked up the sunny gray for outdoors. It is the least expensive marble stone available here. Then I wanted a beige floor inside and for this I chose Parlino but it is with spots. For the benefit of readers sunny gray costs 25 PKR per square feet, while Parlino with spot is 45 PKR, while without spots it is for PKR 70 per square feet.

I have also ordered least expensive skinned Malaysian doors and short listed a veneered kitchen cabinet set. Doors are going to cost more than 5,200 PKR per piece and kitchen cabinets estimate was around 53,000 PKR.

April 4, 2011

It was a cold and windy morning after a sudden change in hot weather. Had lined up the electrician to run the wires and today his men cleared up all the sockets. Was a surprise to see the contractor installing the rail for the main gate. Called the plumber to do his bit of work. In coming few days have to buy water tanks and gutters lids and wires and stuff.

Ordered 20 bags of cement and a small dumper of fine sand for the plaster of the rear boundary wall from outside. Half of gray marble stone has arrived. Marble workers are busy at a relative's site and they will take up the work here.

April 6, 2011

Today traced the steel workshop owner and finally made him see a main gate in Islamabad. We liked its design so much that decided to simply copy it. Also was lucky to get electricity company people, courtesy to a friend, for relocation of power distribution box which was blocking my main entrance. Made payment for sand and cement and returned home in the evening.

April 8, 2011

Marble work started today finally. The electricity distribution box was finally relocated away from the main gate thanks to Hashim bhai. Called electrician but he again gave goli. He needs to do the wiring before marble is fixed. Plumber finally fixed taps on the overhead tank. I saw minute seepage earlier, but the contractor insists there is none. I am going to give him a tough time for sure now as people do not understand polite language.

I did not like the way marble is being fixed. Called the contractor and he said it had to be that way as slopes were required to draw water towards the rain traps, but it did not look good. Contractor was adamant that inside the building marble is fixed at a level, but outside levels had to me made. I am consulting friends and relatives on this issue.

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April 11, 2010

It was a hectic day. Bought cables and wires worth 70K PKR to kick start the wiring part after catching hold of my electrician. Wires have become so expensive so the prospective builders should keep an estimate of 200,000 PKR for a double story house.

Finally plumbers also fitted pipes in the third bath room. The losers cut wires from my coils, the security guard also took the wire from it to make his light, plumber also took away a long piece earlier after finishing his work. The stuff is so expensive and they are plundering it. I sternly asked the guard not to let anyone touch the stuff again.

Marble guy after doing the backyard and side ally disappeared. On asking I was informed that he had gone to Sargodha to attend some religious gathering. Now I understand why these people remain poor all their lives despite earning handsome wages.

April 13, 2011

Today no work was being done on the site. Have to go early to sell the remaining sariya (steel bars). Contractor had overestimated the steel needed and I ended up buying around one tonne extra. Had to bear some loss but needed cash badly so let it go as it had started catching rust.

Lesson learned that always order less than what the contractor says, but again this is tricky how less and that how quickly you can source the steel locally whose prices are rising by leaps and bounds. For a 10 marla (2,800 sq feet) house about 10 tonnes (40 special grade) steel of different specs is required.

First batch of marble for indoors arrived, looks fine. The marble fixer is still not back from leave.

April 16, 2011

As expected the marble fixer did not return on Thursday. I called the contractor and he had a standard excuse that the guy was sick and he was taking him to a doctor. Then the contractor brought another man, saying he was the ustad (teacher) of the marble fixer and he will take up the work from Sunday morning. Man, nobody likes to work or interested in finishing a job. Even if someone has a circumcision in their native towns or villages, they leave the job and disappear for days and weeks.

There was a little progress though. The rear boundary wall plaster was done finally after months I had asked. Today the labourers were doing the ramp. I am not going to fix tiles on the ramp for now, because of the too many diggings in future. Once my street is fully constructed only then will put tiles on the ramp. Made payments for marble and cement. The plumber has still not returned. He has to connect pipes with overhead tank and also fix the water pump pipes.

April 19, 2011

It was the most disturbing day for me so far. Early in the morning I realised that the plumber had not put connecting sewerage pipe under the floor of rear terrace and side alley for the first floor baths and kitchen. I was under the impression that he had worked out something for the first floor. When I called the stupid plumber he said that I had asked him to leave them and I told him that how I could tell him that, was I mad or lunatic. I had just told him that I will do the first floor later and the stupid chap again said no problem, it will take just few marble stones/tiles to be taken out and that I should do it later on with the finishing of first floor. How stupid I told him that when I will be living there then it will be too difficult and messy to dig up the sewerage lines. Now the situation is that the freshly laid marble will be removed at three places, a thick layer of concrete will be dug up to make room for the joints for the drain pipes of first floor.

The contractor stupid goofy contractor has again gone on holidays for two weeks to attend two weddings leaving the marble fixers behind. He is also a great muppet, even he did not ask me about the pipe thingy. All he is interested in getting the money and he hardly spends anytime overseeing, advising the labor. He has no brain at all. Had he got one, he would have become a construction tycoon. I am stuck with stupid people around and this is driving me insane. But one has limited choices in today's world. In the end all are more or less same, stupid, retards.

One friend said that this why he had suggested me to finish first floor first and leave the ground floor for later. But living upstairs is not possible for me due to extreme temperatures.

April 26, 2011

Marble floor is finished except skirting and at windows base. If the skirting is delivered tomorrow the marble work will be over. Was happy to see that the marble fixer had fixed pipes under the gate railing to drain water. Electrician too has now laid main power cable and connected into distribution box. Gate fabrication has also started.

April 28, 2011

Marble tiles are almost fixed now in the entire house (ground floor) only indoor skirting remains. Today the plan to meet door manufacturer for size taking could not materialize so moved it to Saturday because I am having Saturday -Sunday off this week.  The weather was really nice (Europeans would hate it). Dark clouds covered the sky accentuating the colours of trees and the land and the houses. The breeze was so soothing as were the green environs in the rear of my house. Here is a video I made.

April 30, 2011

As it is getting nearer it is getting dearer. Well today called the doors manufacturer guy from Wood Solutions for taking the size of the doors. Decided to get a slightly better door for the main entrance. Personally I would not care for pomp and show and would do with any simple shutter.

The weekend sleep was disrupted again by marble fixer's call at 7:30am. He did not get the tiles for the skirting. After repeated calls those could be delivered in the late afternoon.

Checked the steel workshop and was disappointed to see the main gate. Despite showing him the real life design the steel wala has ruined it.  Another headache. Now I am going to find some marble grinding guy. Sometime I really curse myself for having taken a plunge to build a house and the odds are overwhelming in this game.May 1, 2005

Today marble stone floor fixing was completed. Now the contractor wants to make shelves and after that I will go for grinding of marble. After that paint, then doors and lights. Contractor is pressing me to get bathroom tiles (because he has free labour for this purpose, but I will go according to my own schedule).

Today went to DHA for doors beading and to order the main door. As I was not happy with the way the main gate was coming out I complained it to the master iron smith. He said that yes he was also not happy to see it and it required change. Since he was not in town he suggested that I should take the fabricator with me and show him the gate. Had to take him ll the way from police foundation to I-8 and then back to drop him at workshop. The senior guy who had seen the design with me himself was not in town and actually it was he  who blew it up.

I have heard many veterans in house construction saying it is too nerve wrecking and now I know why. A colleague said that he constructed one family house, but for his own he will buy a built up house because of the bad experiences he faced during the construction.

If I have the kind of finances I would go for a newly built house and just move in or contract a company like my friend referred.

The only advantage of building by yourself is that you chose the material but all the headaches are yours. Contractor has just to provide labour and take no responsibility.

May 15, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today visited the site after eight days. I retunred from Abbottabad on Thursday night and had no energy to go to my place on Friday. On Saturday was busy in office again, so on Sunday had no choice but to go. It was a very hot day and temperature (106-76 F and 41-24 c) is going to rise further in coming days.

Marble grinding was in progress and kitchen shelfs were done. Went to steel workshop, but still not happy with the result. This is beyond these guys. Bought a bag of white cement and paid outstanding bills.

May 19, 2011

Today finally went for bathroom tile selection and purchase. It was a tough task selecting from a wide range. We visited Shakeel Trading Corporation, Murree Road, near Shamsabad, Rawalpindi. Yesterday visited the site after two days. No work was done during these two days by marble grinder. He has finished stone grinding indoors and left after doing a portion of the porch. Today got a call from contractor that tiles should be purchased now. The hot weather is taking its toll and preventing me traveling all the way to site. I will have to finish before Ramadan otherwise there will be a long break and it would be difficult to keep pace of work during the fasting month.

May 22, 2011

The plumber has proved to be the most problematic character, not showing up when needed and missing after leaving a lot of pending work. Tomorrow I have called paint wala to just put wall putty, not going for full paint now as do not have sufficient funds and will go for the paint next year after checking possible seepage. The gate wala said he will install the gate today (Sunday), but he did not turn up.

Marble grinder and plumber are missing, today caught hold of them on phone, but they say labour has gone to village and blah, blah, all liars, they have more jobs at hand and go where danda is. Yesterday caught chowkidar he was missing all day, me, my contractor and another man with him had to unload the tiles ourselves. But given all these difficulties, the hope to have own roof keep me going on. Hot weather is also taking its toll and lot of trips to market in this heat are in the pipeline.

If it was not enough, OBL episode happened and disrupted by cash flow. I had an opportunity to raise some good cash this week by working on a project, but it was canceled following OBL episode :-( May be it's will of Allah and he has something better for me in His treasure.

May 23, 2011

Today met the painter at paints and hardware shop in PWD and bought wall putty, sand papers and scrappers and delivered the stuff at the site. The painter has agreed to do the wall putty in 16,000 rupees. He offered to do inside paint job for another 25,000 with his own material, paints, brushes etc. The wall putty will work he said will be started tomrrow morning (Tuesday) lets see. The painter said that the plaster was perfectly done so i will require less filling and more spread. I will go in first half to check. I had been up late Sunday night watching the news about terrorist attack on Pakistan naval base in Karachi, so had a few hours sleep. Thanks God was off from office so came back and a short nap after lunch. The hot weather is draining the physical energy, while plumber and company are causing mental tension. Main gate has still not arrived. This afternoon also got a call from Mr Nasir Mir of Nawa-i-Waqat, he is also starting the construction near my house, so it is good to see another hosue being built close to ours.

 

May 24, 2011

Well I had two surprises today when I went to see my house. First noticed that the gate has been installed and second surprise was marble grinding work had resumed. Also wall putty or wall filling started, it is a kind of white base coat for the paint. Initial plan is to just leave it there, I mean paint work, but then one is more tempted to go for paint despite money constraints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 28, 2011

Wall filling continues. Two days ago had issued stern warning to plumber to come and connect the pipes with overhead tank so that we can check any leakage before fixing bath tiles. This evening when I went there I was mad after seeing that warm water lines were not connected. I asked the contractor how could you start before checking the warm water lines? Called plumber and he also told me that the contractor has said that it was ok if warm water pipes were not connected.

Explained the tile fixers how to go about with the tiles and which colours will be fixed in which bathroom. Painter also called to ask if I had made my mind about the pain of the house, I told him to meet me on Sunday. Also carpenter is coming tomorrow for kitchen and wardrobes. I have been advised to buy all the stuff from City Sadar Road Rawalpindi because prices are much less there compared to local market. Called the doors vendor and he said that installation will be on Wednesday.

Tomorrow have to also order marble slabs for kitchen counter and door steps. Also one marble tile in the porch is cracked and have to buy that as well. Today ordered 20 bags of dry bond for bath tiles fixing work and two bags cement for fixing pocket gate into the pillar.

Another problem is coming up and that is the security guard. This one has also leaving and today he told me that I should hire his uncle from June 1. The chowkidars have been a headache all along. I think I paid more in terms of chowkidar salaries for guarding the stuff which was being stolen by the first, the second one also left after one month taking with him bedding, rechargeable light, wire, light and other stuff and now this one is also going. So I have lot on my plate in next two months or so.

May 29, 2011

So far one of the busiest and hectic day. Waking up at 8am on Sunday, except for office, is not my cup of tea. But since September 2010, I have had this luxury rarely. Filled up the water cooler, put some ice and set off for Media Town in hot blazing son. If weather is harsh, the journey feels longer. I am so anxious and fatigued that I have forgotten to switch on my car deck. Anyhow reached the site and met contractor and carpenter. Meanwhile bath room tiles work commenced. Got measurements for kitchen counter marble slabs - marble? Yes marble because granite seems too expensive now with the kind of cash in hand now.

Went towards Rawat to order kitchen tops and threshold steps. After that traveled straight to City Sadar Road to buy lasani wood, chip board and laminated sheets for wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. It was quick buy, but buying locks, hinges, bolts, catchers and stoppers took a very long time. City Sadar Road was not as crowded, congested as expected. So be advised, Sunday is a good day to go to Pindi for shopping any stuff.

Came back and met with painter to give him go ahead for paint. Also plumber came in to connect hot water lines for seepage check. It was around five pm when tile fixer informed me that eight tiles were short, so went to Shams Abad, Murree road and bought tiles. It was a long wait getting the tiles from the warehouse of Shakeel Trading Corporation. Grabbed lays on the way as there was no good restaurant on the way and I also did not have any time so I did not have anything whole day except water and two 7-ups. Also bought some filling, sandpaper and paint brushes for the work tomorrow. I could have gone straight home, but then on Monday morning I had to go very early to buy stuff and go to construction site as the labourers begin around 8 am. I reached home around 8pm. Totally exhausted. House construction is not for the faint-hearted, this is my conclusion. You need a lot of energy, patience, bags full of money (which I don't have and it makes the journey too steep) to do it. Even if I hit a fortune, I am not going to ever build a house again, rather will buy a ready made one. The only motivating factor so far is to get out of house rents bondage. Despite all odds, by the grace of Allah and the prayers and good wishes of my well wishers and family, I have come a long way, covered almost 80 percent of the arduous journey.

June 2, 2011

Yesterday I was shocked to see water tanker in my porch. I had to shout and sternly told the security guard not to let any loader enter the porch. It will ruin the marble and damage the rail of main gate. Lesson learnt when you are not there, nobody cares for the damage being caused to your property. But how can you be there 24/7? You pay duffers just to stand by and watch. No brains or common sense.

Carpenter started making kitchen cabinets and wardrobes. I went in the afternoon and was suprised to see the brisk work. He needed my nod for shelf designs and layout. Paint had also started, the guy was pressing for advance, so gave him. However, I was not happy to see the tile fixer leaving the second bath midway and working somewhere else. Aamir, the chowkidar (guard), left after getting salary and his replacement, his uncle took up the job. Met the almunium window maker, saw the samples and approved the colours. Today he gave an estimate of 75K with green reflective glass.

Today I did not go to site as I went to Murree Road to buy kitchen tiles and then had to go to Melody for some work. From Melody came home and after lunch left for office. Tomorrow plan to go to media town early, before office as will be busy at office till evening.

June 4, 2011

At quarter to eight, was woken up by a call from the painter complaining the marble grinder had disappeared after doing a little work two days ago. I am really mad at the marble grinder, he comes for a while then disappear for a week and after several calls, reminders come backs and for a while and then disappear.

I remember that he began work one month ago and now poor paint wallas area suffering because of him. Deprived of my weekend sleep, I called the grinder guy and he sweared that he the labourere was on his way to site. I said that I will be strict with him and will deduct 500 rupees per day for the interruption of work. When I reached site, the grinder machine man was working on floor skirting.

Went to aluminum vendor and checked samples for windows and windowglass. Paid him advance and he gave me samples to show at home. Marble slabs for kitchen cabinet tops and doorsteps also arrived. I also went to PWD market to buy curtain rails. Then went to material supplier to pay bills for sand, dry bond and cement.

So far the carpenter has worked very well and not given me any headach, except a trip again to City Sadar Road, Rawalpindi to get MDF sheets replaced because there are more white ones and now we need coloured ones more. Also have to load kitchen tiles into the car again as the tile fixers have returned.

 

June 5, 2011

On Sunday morning loaded the tiles and went to the site. Took the carpenter along and traveled to City Sadar Road again to replace some boards and buy additional wood. It was very hot day, but the good thing was very thin traffic. From City Sadar Road I traveled back to home and tried to shop kitchen hood from Murree Road, but did not find any shop near Shamsabad.

June 7, 2011

In the evening got a call from my contractor that some more tiles were needed for three baths so headed straight to Rawalpindi to buy them. After getting the tiles from Shakeel Trading Corporation, Shamsabad, went to Chandni Chowk and looked different hoods. I liked the Fotile ones, but they were damn expensive. There was lot of confusion, many unknown brands and different prices. A shopkeeper showed by Technogas kitchen hoods, but I could see these were not real technogas. So headed to Minhas Corporation and bought the nasgas hood which had way better build quality and finish than the stuff I saw at Murree Road. It was well after 9.00 pm when I started return journey after dropping tiles and hood at my new house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 8, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I noticed that a labourers was applying green filling on white tiles and I stopped him right there. I asked him that for how long he has been doing this job and he said for the past 10 years and I said then you do not have brain. The green filling is applied on green tiles and I have given you all colours of filling, why ruining my things. Then another shock came when we finished a bath's tiles and noticed that the plumber did not leave hole for the wash basin and then was adamant that it will be dropped into the floor waste. On day one, I asked the plumber that I need a tap near the porch and he said "don't worry saab, everything will be done" so far it has not been done and now I will have to run a very long pipe all the way from overhead tank down to the porch.

People tell me that I should use abusive language with these people because they do not understand polite language, but it is hard for me to lower myself at their level and hurl dirty abuses at them. So I am suffering. You are fortunate if you find a sensible bunch of people building your house.

It is a great learning experience and emotional one too. I wanted to document the entire process so that when my kids and then their kids grow up they know how it is done. Also other novices like me can go through my experience and have a fair idea what it is all about. I have also documented the mistakes, follies a newbie can make.

Nobody, the architect, the contractor, masons, electricians, plumbers will tell you that the work being done is not right and when they are finished, you yourself find out and bang your head on the wall.

I have been seeking advise of people who are in the business of house construction and have built six or seven houses, but even they could not detect the blunders in time.

June 10, 2011

Glad to see the hood was installed, tiles filling and marble floor grinding was in progress. Carpenter has really done a nice job and not given my any headache. Now the bath tiles and kitchen is almost done. In kitchen we need to cut the top to fix the sink in it. I hope next week windows are fixed and marble is done. Then will call the door vendor to fix the doors. After that window grills, electrical fittings. So the prospects of moving in July are there. Today gave a lecture to plumber and asked him what kind of a man he was. I told him to finish his job and disappear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 14, 2011

The carpenter did his job. A couple of days ago, I had asked him to make exhaust duct and steelnet frames for exhaust vents to prvent incsects and lizards from intrusions. When I arrived there I saw things made and installed. The marble grinder machine man was also working and he informed that the grinding will end by Thursday and chemical polish will start. On doors front not a good news as the doors installed from same company have developed faults at Mujtaba's house.

I called the company and sternly told them that I will be very harsh if they tried to give me low-quality stuff. Plumber is still missing and electricians is always busy in tackling his personal life problems. Have been calling him for the past three weeks to give me a list of electrical fittings like switches and sockets so that the house could be lightened up, a requirement by the pain guys. The paint team has also left because of grinding machine guy and will return once he is done.

The aluminum guy is also missing. He said will come and install windows in five days, but so far no word from him. On top of all this labour attitude, the heat wave is also taking its toll. It is a big headache to build a house, but then it is not bigger than living in a rented house and moving every couple of years. It is now mid year. Had I got a sensible lot of people, I would have moved about two months ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 17, 2011

Today was pleased to see the marble floor which has come out nice finally after weeks of agonising delays. Now chemical polishing will begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 20, 2011

On Saturday morning got call from doors company that carpenter would not be able to come, though the doors had been delivered minus the main one and another. They said that they are reinforcing the doors so that there should be no complaints. Meanwhile the indoor marble polishing was finished. I went to the house on Sunday morning, kept calling the door company and they kept telling that labourers were stuck at another site and will arrive soon and the soon was around 4. 00pm. It was a hot day.

Earlier in the morning visited the windows guy to finalise the glass and aluminum. Took him around in my car and showed him various houses to confirm that if I was getting the same green mercury glass. He said that it would be done Sunday evening, but he came in the evening to tell me that it will start on Monday morning. Meanwhile kept calling electrician and plumber. Electrician finally responded the call and said that he would be coming in an hour to make list of electrical fittings, switches etc, but he never came. Plumber never answered the phone. The outer marble floor grinding was in progress on Sunday. Called the painter and he said that he will be available after two days. Lets see.

I have to borrow more money to finish the job and I am really grateful to my two main sources of loan, may Allah bless them, because they gave me money even without asking me. It is a rare act of kindness and I intend to pay off all the loans by January 2012. Now I can hope to shift to new house by end July. Insha-Allah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 23, 2011

 

This week windows were fixed. Now chasing the steel workshop guy to start preparing grills. Window aluminum frame looks more black than brown. But the guy insisting it is brown. I should have gone for dark golden or champagne colours, but somehow I am no good at making choices. And done is done as I have to do most of the things alone.

Yesterday saw aluminum doors for wash rooms and it was big disappointment. Too frail and our kids are going to turn them into mangled junk in few days. So called the carpenter today morning and entrusted him the task of making three wooden door frames and doors. Then called the marble outlet for the guy to cut a hole in the kitchen top for the sink. He took almost took three hours to arrive and then another hour to cut the slab. After sending him. Meanwhile marble grinder kept glazing the outdoor floor.

It was very very hot day, but I decided to go to City Sadar Road as needed additional locks and hinges for the three bath doors and long bolts for the main door. It was awful traveling on Pindi roads and traffic moved at snail's pace at City Sadar Road. Being one of the hottest day (38-28 C or 101-83 F), there was less traffic than expected on a week day, so it was still a lucky escape. Have to go again there on Sunday. The distance between Media Town and City Sadar Road is just 10 kilometers, but the way seems too long. And from City Sadar road my current residence in I-8/4 is about 11 kms, but in this weather, despite a chilling car AC, one gets exhausted. On Saturday two remaining doors and hardware is to be installed and I will be in office on Fri-Sat, so had to buy the stuff today.

 

June 26, 2011

Another tough day. Went to City Sadar road, Rawalpindi, to buy fans, lights, switchboards etc. It was extremely hot and humid day and the prices of things were mind blowing, but somewhat lesser than other markets, because this place is whole sale market. The purchase was costly and has upset the entire budget. Have no experience with the stuff, but went on word of mouth and experience of someone with fans and switch boards.

Realised that despite my reluctance, the electrician had been successful in having 70 light bulb points just on the one floor I am building. Most of the lights are in porch, lounge and drawing room. I cut down the bulbs to 40 for the moment. Who needs so much light and the argument from electrician and family was that now you can have it but later it will be more messy and expensive to have these lights. Fans are a necessity and so could not cut down on them. Just imagine if 70 (even energy saver) bulbs are lit at once, what amount of electricity they will consume?

Plumber finally resumed work. They were connecting the underground water tank with the over head water tank and instead of taking the pipe via shortest route they broke parapet wall bricks and took the longest route wasting 100 percent more pipe and breaking my masonry.

That is why they say the owner has to be present when these stupid labouerers work. Since I was busy in Pindi,  they did it. When I asked why waste so much pipe and they said it is good to go along side the wall because if tomorrow pipes leak it can be traced and the breaking remains along the wall, otherwise roof will have to be broken to dig broken pipe.

And I told them that if the pipe buried in the roof failed, then I would lay a new pipe over unburied along side the wall. But they do not understand, perhaps this is the reason they are doing what they are doing and will continue to do it i.e mess up others property and money. They also vandalized my marble floor by doing pipe work and I told them to just do their job outside and do not ruin my floor.

The door company staff again did not show up as promised on Sunday.  They had already committed to come on Saturday. Now the manager says the remaining two doors will be fixed on Tuesday and polish will be done after paints are over. The electrician also says that he will finish the work by Friday, but I seriously doubt it. He made me buy all the stuff today and now says not starting from tomorrow. So I had to bring all the car-full stuff at home and unload and will have to again load when he is to start work. I am surrounded by clowns.

 

June 28, 2011

So the clowns continue. After the heavy rain on Monday night, the first thing in my mind was to go to my house to see the leakages as the retard contractor and plumber had not attached drain pipes and make drain holes anywhere and when I reached there I saw house drenched and dripping from various places. Called the contractor and plumber and they arrived suprisingly quickly.

Asked the guard to wipe the water on porch roof and some of the water on lounge's roof. The balcony had become a puddle. I had been asking the contractor and plumber from day one that water was accumulating at places and there was no way for the water to escape on the roof of the staircase (mumty) and on the shades. Got the holes made and asked them to grout pipes. Water had been flowing through walls and caused seepage in one of the bathroom walls and drawing room. Plumber was saying that the contractor must had put the pipes, while the contractor says that it was plumber's responsibility and I told both of them to now shut up and stop blaming each other and do the work. I do not know who had to do it.

Sometimes I wonder these people have been working on houses all their lives and they do not know to plan things ahead and when the structure and plaster are done, they take wedge and hammer in their hands and start breaking things again.

Wood Solution on GT Road is another stupid company. Keep away from it. Their quality is very poor and they are liars and never show up. For the last two weeks they are not coming to install main door and a door of a bedroom. "Sir it will be done tomorrow, Insha Allah" and then they do not show up.

Today also caught hold of electrician and now he has promised to come on Wednesday morning and start fixtures. Tomorrow I have to wake up early, load the fans and electrical fittings again and drop them at Media Town. Despite a security guard on the site it is not safe to leave the stuff at the construction site. Now I realise why people say that it is very difficulty to take work from labour during house construction.

July 1, 2011

On Wednesday electrician just assembled the fans and left. The glitch was that the vendor had not sent the remaining items like fan dimmers, tube lights and ac switches, which he had promised to send on the last Sunday or this Monday. The electrician had himself forgotten fan sheets.

I woke up early on Wednesday and loaded the stuff into my car and was perspiring profusely in very humid conditions. Reached the site and the chowkidar helped unloading the stuff.

Most of the seepage had been controlled after concrete was filled in the gaps left for downing the pipes.

When I was working in office, electrician called and I told him that it was not good that he was not good that he promised to come by 9.00am but he did not show up. He said that he needed the circuit breaker box cover and I was like why now. He also demanded the coils of cables, I had taken to home for safe keeping.

In the evening had to make a second trip to drop cables and the cover of circuit breakers. Just then the loadshedding started. Then I had to return home as had to attend a party at office.

On Thursday, after finishing the office when I reached the site, it was nice to see lights and fans working, but after a few minutes loadshedding started :-(. The electrician again needed more items and for the fancy lights. I said I will get them.

Earlier in the morning I had asked the electrician to first install the large fan in the kitchen and if it does not fit there he should go for the bigger one.

But he did the contrary and was insisting small fan would just be fine here and I told him, look I need a bigger one here after he measured and found out that the 56 inches fan would be fine. He agreed to go to Citi Sadar Road, Rawalpindi and get the replacement of fan and buy additional stuff.

Today I when I asked him that in kitchen I do not want two bulbs lighting up with one button, he was again saying that there is no cable, but I told him that sternly that I do not know, I need the bulbs to light up with separate button as I would not need two bulbs on all the time in kitchen.

I think he has also bungled the cable coils and when I asked he said that it was used for additional points which were left already and this cable was to be used for this purpose. God knows better.

The chowkidar also returned to duty after two days. He had locked the bath rooms and then locked the keys in his bag and electricians were bothering me to get the keys as they wanted to finish electric installations in baths.

The chowkidar had disappeared, was not attending phone and finally when I called from office number he was caught. He said that we could break open the small padlock of his bag and get the keys and that is how the work continued and did not stall.

July 2, 2010

Another tough day. Went for buying sanitary and in this hot and humid weather and power breakdowns it was a mind boggling exercise. Selecting the stuff took more than two hours. Minhas Corporation, PWD guys gave me a wet carton which caused the breakage of flush tank cover. I went back and complained that it was their fault and they should get me a replacement and they said that the cover and another set in ivory colour will arrive on Monday evening. Called the plumber and he promised to come on Sunday morning. The sanitary ware purchase also caused a big hole in my small pocket, like electrical fittings, cables. Take any building material stuff, the prices have gone skywards.

July 3, 2011

It was another mad day. Lots of troubles and trips to sanitary store since plumber was called in to install the sanitary ware and he really messed up things by breaking the wc. Then he disappeared for lunch and returned after thee hours. He asked me to bring things from sanitary store one by one, despite my asking that look around and tell me what he needs so that I can make one trip to sanitary store and buy the stuff. I was really mad when plumber's assistant used hammer on the Porta wc and broke its side. The plumber said that he will replace it at his own cost. He was able to fix wc, wash basin and shower in one bath room and the second bath room could be completed today if he had not broken the wc. He fixed the taps and the sink bowl in the kitchen.

Door manufacturer did not return today as well and offered lame excuses that the there was still some moisture in the pressed skin door. I asked him to leave the door but send the workmen to install locks and bolts. He promised to send them but it never happened as usual. Dear readers stay away from Wood Solution, GT Road, near DHA. They are just clowns with lousy stuff.

Met the gate maker and asked him to fix the gate, but he said that it would not stay in the wall as there should be a column to support it. Called the contractor and he was saying that it was the gate maker who asked him to remove the column (which he had not filled yet). So presently there is pillar on the one side holding the pocket gate and the large gate slides along a nine inches brick wall. Contractor says that the wall can hold the gate holder. I asked him to break the wall and construct a pillar there no matter who said what as it was dangerous to hook it on the simple wall. Another headache and expense.

July 9, 2011

Was awefully busy during the past six days and many things were happening at the same time so could not write the diary. As of today painters are back and they are expected to leave in four days. Door company guy has finished locks installation. Now I need the welder. Plumber finally replaced the broken toilet seat after some heated argument. He has still not joined the two separate overhead tanks and forgot to install drain pipe on one of the wash basin.

Another lesson learnt that while shopping stuff for the house or anything never buy all the stuff in one go and from the one shop. It is difficult to do that when you have limited time for the purchase and want to avoid the inconvenience but when you buy bulk, it is difficult to check the quality and price demanded of each item. Minhas Corporation, PWD, gave us different stuff than shown and then claimed that the stuff had been changed by the Sonex company and the new stuff was coming in different material. His prices are competitive in branded items so it is still convenient to buy from nearby.

Water is logged on the porch and first floor roof and the contractor has gone to his home town. I have asked someone else to fill up lower surfaces so that water should go towards the drain pipe. The contractor must have made a slope in the roof, but he also demonstrated his incompetence here. Now all he wanted is to lay gypsum floor on the roof for which I do not have any money. I will have to stop his remaining dues for long time now.

Another big tension coming is the moving of the house. Due to constrained schedule in office as others are also taking vacations was a hard squeeze. I dread moving but have to do it. Have arranged help for that.

The gate fixing, grills, water pump cover, mesh doors are still not in sight. Rasheed is too absent minded. I have got stiff neck, do not know whether it is because of tension or fatigue or both. There are some concerns. First it is a new neighbourhood so nobody already living there but a house is being built nearby and my house is also close to the main road where Bahria Town checkpost is manned 24x7. Second thing is the natural gas supply and there is no timeline when it will be available, so will have to do with LPG. Third thing is the kid's schools. The younger one would need change as he is going to F-7 and there is branch of the same school in Gulrez, but we liked the F-7 school. I hope to overcome these problems and adjust.

July 14, 2011

Today I visited the house in morning after heavy monsoon rain lashed the city and broke the hot spell. Could not go there since Sunday due to office work and on Tuesday because the highway was blocked after a bus accident.

Paint job on the walls and ceiling is done. Now paint of main gate, doors remain. Had called the painters at my home in Islamabad to discuss the paint shade and colour. Have yet to decide about grills which are expected to be made in a week. I have set July 27 date for moving.

Today met the steel workshop guy and checked some grill designs. Steel bars or sariya grills would be too expensive as the normal steel bars are selling for 72,000 rs per ton, while five months ago it was 59,000 rs per ton. Will have to settle for the steel pipe grills.

Also I am waiting for the steel guys to weld the doors with iron frames so that I can call the doors company to send guys for polishing.

As the move date is nearing I am getting tense about packing and transporting issues. The small Shehzor truck would at least take five trips, so looking for a bigger vehicle.

July 16, 2011
 

Today finally the welder arrived to weld doors and cut locks grooves. The chowkidar (security guard) had gone to attend some family wedding so I had to rush and look after things. The welder damaged the plaster and paint of drawing room wall :-(. Will have to ask the painters to retouch.

Gate is still hanging as the painters did not turn up because of rains. Grills were finally decided and work is to start today or tomorrow.

Water logging on the roof top is worrying me. The stupid contractor just packed up and left for his native town, weeks before Ramadan. He had only one solution in his empty head and it was the chips job. I have many temporary solutions in mind and will implementing the low cost measures myself now.

Moved a lot of empty cardboard boxes for packing the stuff for the move. Too tense these days.
 

July 19, 2011

Today gate was fixed, but the guys ruined the paint when fixing the lock. Will have to ask the painter to fix it now. These things really put me off. The steel worker had said that the lock will be fixed once paint is done and there will be no disruption of the paint. But since I was not present they went ahead with what came in their small mind.

When the steel worker was fixing the lid for UPS box under the stairs, he made the hooks outside and when I told that these would look better give more strength if he made them inside, so it was done. I wonder they do not have a bit of common sense. The doors company guy also arrived for polishing. Now only a week is left.

Gathering info about the LPG providers in the area and also arranged to move one airconditioner unit and make it operational before the move.

Yesterday it was good to see the gate painted, though I am not too happy with the finish that has come out. Made calls to window guys to deliver mesh frames before the grills are fixed.

July 22, 2011

Just four days left to the move and I am getting scared. Today I was disappointed to see that the Wood Solution workers had not appeared to start doors polishing.

They left three days ago leaving the rubbed red oxide paint on the floor and on the wall. Later in the evening got a call that they had arrived after I left in the morning. Told them not to spoil the walls and floor. They said that they will take one week to finish, but I told them to do it before 27th.

Asked the chowkidar to keep the floor clean and never allow anyone with shoes. Also a word of caution avoid Wood Solution they are just crap.

Have moved one air conditioner to the site and hope it is installed without any snag Saturday afternoon. The second one will be removed a night before the move.

Called the painter to tell him that the grills would be delivered by tomorrow. They are ready, but one steel mesh door for the kitchen which opens into the corridor still remains, though I have asked the workshop guy more than 100 times to make it first. Now it should be welded to the frame before polishing otherwise it will be another mess.

The aluminium guy has fixed the mesh frames, look to frail. Not something that makes you feel happy.

The beading or border around the door fixed by carpenter Iftikhar was way too better than the one fixed by Wood Solution. All along Iftikhar has done a good job without giving me any headache.

About moving. Called a mover in I-10 after I got his number from Google search. He have me an estimate of between 36,000 to 38,000 rupees. A 20 ft container would cost 8,000 rs, loading unloading 5,000 rupees and packing 25,000 rupees. I think it is too much for my budget.

A Shehzore pick up driver with two labourers has quoted 2,500 rupees per trip and I think it will be at least five trips.

Spoke to Farrukh Tanveer Malik of Geo tv who is the first to build his house in Media Town and got some very useful information about gas, solar geyser. A 50 gallons solar geyser costs around 40,000 rupees. It was good to hear that one of the house in D-Block, Media Town, has got natural gas connection. However, not good news about the state of pipeline in A block where IESCO is blamed for damaging water and gas pipelines whey they were laying the power cables. Also got information that LPG cylinders are available in Pakistan Town market. So will go there tomorrow.
 

July 23, 2011

Today I put all the glass table tops and two mirrors, some books and other stuff into my car and went to Media Town. Was mad at seeing the door polish. It was like some dark ink smeared on the wood. The wood workers was adamant that the skinned doors could not get the same polish that is being done on the main door. Wood Solution guy had told us while ordering that it would be done, though it would not be 100 percent match, but it was no even close to the main door gold and brown polish. So I told them to go for a light shade of brown as dark doors tend to darken the interior.

The AC installer had committed to come on Saturday and install the AC in the master bedroom. But surprisingly like all other guys he too disappeared and switched off his phone throughout the day. He was a good guy as he installed and once repaired the AC installed in my current house.

In the evening found the LPG shop in Pakistan Town. They give a cylinder for 1900 and keep 3000 rupees as security. When you return the cylinder they will pay you 2,500 rupees. Three hundred for the regulator and home delivery. Seems ok to me, but the guy said that  they would need to replace the jets of the cooking range because that is made for natural gas and will not work or give soot if run on current jets. He suggested that I should rather buy a small LPG stove, but I am not sure where I will keep it in the kitchen. So another problem to deal with. He also told me that LPG cylinder can be hooked to water heater or geyser.

The steel workshop guy when called told me that he forgot to make steel mesh door for the kitchen. He has taken the measurements five or six times before, but again he took measurements and promised me to fabricate the door this evening and also the small dog house type box for the water pump. I told him to deliver grills as well so I can ask the painter to come, but they were too slow. I don't think that he will be able to do it till 27th.

July 24, 2011

I went to bed just before dawn today as had to drop a guest at airport. Got a call from door polisher around 11 to finalise the shade of the polish. So rushed with the better off and after checking different samples finalised the polish shade. The guy was quoting 55 rs per foot for the extra job on three bathroom doors (one side each).

Have to check with my painter. The steel guy has still not prepared the door and delivered the grills, so pain job on them cannot start and I am now doubtful that the polishing will end before Wednesday. AC mechanic finally gave me 4pm time, so had to make second trip for that. AC was installed but it again hit another electrical snag. There was no neutral available. Called the stupid electrician but he had switched of both his mobiles. He is a total fraud. AC gas could only be checked once it is powered up.

Spotted a Mazda truck carrying household items for the move and stopped him and checked his rate. The guy was asking 6,000 rupees per trip with four labourers from I-8/4 to Media Town. Was willing to negotiate a bit as the charges for move from ground floor to ground floor are slightly lesser because of less labour.

Have called the carpenter to my current house tomorrow 8.00 am for replacing three broken door locks. Lots of work to do and the time is flying. Major concern is now stove as there is no gas. Too much worries and this humid weather has exhausted me already.

July 25, 2011

Started the day at 8am. Carpenter arrived in rain and fixed new locks at the rented house. He was wondering why I myself bought the locks and getting them replaced. He said that normally tenants do not do it while vacating a rented house.

I told him that my landlord wants me to hand over the house in the "same condition" in which he rented to me three and half years ago and he was amazed. I had deposit one month rent as security which is used by the owner if there is a major damage to the house or the fixtures. I have repaired most of the things, but the seepage from roof and walls and termite has already damaged the paint. I think I would have to have a hard talk on this issue with the owner.

Fortunately caught the electrician on phone, but that does not mean he will come and do the job as he agreed. I asked him to check why there is no neutral in the socket where airconditioner is hooked.

Made several calls to the steel workshop and asked them to deliver the grills and fix the two steel doors. And finally got a bad news that they messed up the wires while hooking the welding plant and caused a power break down in the area. They have created another big mess on this critical time.

Luckily got the number for the local area complaints guy. Do not know if they have caused any burn outs to the circuit breakers and lights installed inside the house. Now waiting anxiously to hear good or bad news.

Still buying and fixing an LPG stove and cylinder is on my mind. The guys sent by Wood Solution for polishing the doors are also funny character. I am asking them the charges for extra stuff and they are not giving it to me. So stupid of them.

July 26, 2011

The welder Monday evening messed up the wires from meter and almost burnt it and caused the transformer to trip. After dozens of calls got the guys to site during drizzle. I was unnerved over the IESCO guys not turning up, finally called the SDO and after some time electrician arrived. First they saw the meter and said that it had burnt out. They had no idea when they had to deal with the transformer. They were handling the underground power cable box for the first time as in the entire Rawalpindi division the underground power cabling (like Islamabad) is done only in Bahria Town and they maintain it on their own and second is our society Media Town. I helped them and gave them ideas to open the box as its lock and handle was broken. They called their colleagues who also did not know how this thing worked. I told them to just pull one of the three circuit breakers down and then up again and the supply to my house was restored. Thanks God no damage occurred to meter or to the wiring and fixtures in the house.
 

Bought the stove for LPG as our cooking range would need jet replacement and the process may ruin it . Even this two burner gas stove would require a jet change for use with LPG, bu this would be handled by the cylinder supplier. He wanted to come when I had already reached back home. I will keep the cooking range wrapped till natural gas connection is provided. Now have to find a sifarish (source) to expedite the process.

Electrician was badly needed today and he did not attend my calls. Finally called from another phone and was able to talk to him. Asked him to fix the switches and be available on Thursday to install UPS and do other repairs.

Also talked to Mazda truck owner and finalised the deal for moving the stuff to new house on Thursday.

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