The past two weeks have been amongst the most frustrating for 2Cs Building UnLtd.  That magnificent slab was poured, and the last blog reported that the team would return to the site, full time, on 15 June.  Well, what happened?  Nothing, that’s what.  Not a builder, nor an apprentice, to be seen. 

Once, a bricklayer visited and erected the block walls behind Cherrie’s garden shed.

And, another day the pest man came and laid the termite barrier, cunningly avoiding the windows and doors which were delivered weeks ago. On schedule.

Apparently termites don’t like green.

In fairness to the builder, uncharacteristic I know, there is a serious shortage of timber due to last year’s catastrophic fires. So many of the State Forests were burnt out and those that weren’t are largely inaccessible due to fire damage.  And it’s the pine from the State Forests that provides the framing timber.  Our builder had originally planned for the frames to be built off site but such is the timber shortage that the frame builder has closed his doors and laid off his staff, 12 of them. So our team is now scraping together as many sticks as possible.  At a pace resembling a disabled snail, the frames are constructed on site.  Occasionally. 

Lazy frames that they are.

The site supervisor is unimpressed

Our usually calm and tranquil demeanour (yes, even hers) boiled over on Monday and very gently we read the riot act to our builder.  Success. 

Ah, the wonder of it all

We assume these frames are for the kids room

So nice to see it taking shape. Here is a view of the swimming pool

On a less exciting note, there doesn’t seem to be enough timber on site to finish the framing. What would Kevin say?