In November 2007 the builders had to move on to other work and we were ready for a break from the constant construction zone we lived in. We now had a kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, 2 studies, and everything else needed for creature comforts.
Our builder headed off overseas for a well earned break after 2 years on the job and we declared the house finished. We decided it was as good as any of the houses our friends lived in and any further work could be deemed maintenance or renovation.
CelebrationOpen the champagne ! We invited everyone who had given us direction or moral support and eighty people turned up to celebrate with us.
This was also an excuse to finally buy a decent BBQ and open the magnum of bubbly we had been saving up.
In conclusion, we are still on good terms with the builders and architect as well as each other and that alone is no small achievement. The house uses about half the electricity than we used before and we are 100% water self-sufficient. In winter, the sun and combustion heater keeps the house at a very comfortable temperature. In summer during 40+ degree heat waves the hottest the house got was 27 degrees. Nothing could convince us to build a house again soon. It’s just like having kids; if you thought too much about it you wouldn’t do it – but now it’s done we would never give it back. Our building project is now our home.