New house build - Luxembourg
Discussion
Blower test was done on Weds. Passed with flying colours. That means we have a good interior airflow with the circulation system, but no draughts. 
Mains electric's being connected on 28th, so hopefully I'll get to see the house with power connected when I get back from the U.S on 28th, before I head to the UK on 29th.....
Sparks are pretty much done. It's now a job of cleaning up, touching up marked paintwork and odds and sods. Everything should be ready by end 1st week of Nov, then we can have the kitchen installed.
I ordered our LG 'Murrican fridge freezer this week from Auchan in Lux. They've a waiting list for deliveries as they're €400 cheaper than everywhere else! It's still €1,600 but the kitchen company wanted €2,600 for the Neff one to match the appliances they're installing. *cough* Hopefully it will be available for delivery before we move in, but we have a good contingency, in case.
In the meantime, work's very, very busy and I've chosen my next new car - Fiat 595 Competizione. It was a toss up between that and a GT86.... The Toyota dealers were tossers and the GT interior's pretty crap. The Abarth sales guy was really helpful and gave me >1h test drive on my own, and it was a fun car to drive. It'll be a big change from my 2.5T S-Max, that's for sure! I don't want to change before the final house move, for obvious reasons.
Mains electric's being connected on 28th, so hopefully I'll get to see the house with power connected when I get back from the U.S on 28th, before I head to the UK on 29th.....
Sparks are pretty much done. It's now a job of cleaning up, touching up marked paintwork and odds and sods. Everything should be ready by end 1st week of Nov, then we can have the kitchen installed.
I ordered our LG 'Murrican fridge freezer this week from Auchan in Lux. They've a waiting list for deliveries as they're €400 cheaper than everywhere else! It's still €1,600 but the kitchen company wanted €2,600 for the Neff one to match the appliances they're installing. *cough* Hopefully it will be available for delivery before we move in, but we have a good contingency, in case.
In the meantime, work's very, very busy and I've chosen my next new car - Fiat 595 Competizione. It was a toss up between that and a GT86.... The Toyota dealers were tossers and the GT interior's pretty crap. The Abarth sales guy was really helpful and gave me >1h test drive on my own, and it was a fun car to drive. It'll be a big change from my 2.5T S-Max, that's for sure! I don't want to change before the final house move, for obvious reasons.
slow_poke said:
Great build diary, 5pot. But you never gave us closure (neither sliding nor swinging!) on your patio door issue!
I'm sorry - I didn't realise - people are actually reading the details... 5potTurbo said:
...but those aren't sliding patio doors, like I ordered, like are in the plans, and like I was charged an enormous supplement to have....
A quick word with one of the window fitters (in a mixture of German & English as he didn't speak French, typical!) and he called his office to find the contruction company didn't order and sliding doors for my house. Hmmm.... they'll need to sort that out or give me a big chunk of change back then.
A quick word with one of the window fitters (in a mixture of German & English as he didn't speak French, typical!) and he called his office to find the contruction company didn't order and sliding doors for my house. Hmmm.... they'll need to sort that out or give me a big chunk of change back then.
The doors on the rear were switched for the sliding versions ordered. The doors pictured no doubt were fitted elsewhere on the site as there are another 10 houses with windows now fitted.
Surgery? I struggle cutting my toe nails! 
Got back from Chicago yesterday afternoon and went straight to the site. The sparks were finishing off a few bits. The main guy there has agreed to fit my (still to be ordered) LED down lights, so they'll be done much quicker than if I do it.
Power was connected to the house yesterday, too, finally. The heating/ventilation can now be switched on and tested properly.
I'm now in the UK with my girls for a few days having driven over today. Just a 450 mile blat. I must be mad!
ETA: the grass is coming along, but the soil wasn't rolled before seed was sown. As a result, anyone who steps on the soil leaves indented footprints, which is rather annoying. I'm not sure we'll need to cut the grass this year. Give it a chance.
Got back from Chicago yesterday afternoon and went straight to the site. The sparks were finishing off a few bits. The main guy there has agreed to fit my (still to be ordered) LED down lights, so they'll be done much quicker than if I do it.
Power was connected to the house yesterday, too, finally. The heating/ventilation can now be switched on and tested properly.
I'm now in the UK with my girls for a few days having driven over today. Just a 450 mile blat. I must be mad!
ETA: the grass is coming along, but the soil wasn't rolled before seed was sown. As a result, anyone who steps on the soil leaves indented footprints, which is rather annoying. I'm not sure we'll need to cut the grass this year. Give it a chance.
Edited by 5potTurbo on Tuesday 29th October 17:02
Kitchen fitting's been delayed for a few weeks, but, since we had the great news that we're getting the keys on 2nd December, we're having the kitchen fitted on the 3rd! 
We could have had the keys a week earlier, but of course, I'm travelling for work again and will be on the other side of the world!
We'll now get on and order everything else that we need for the place, EcoLED ZEP 1's, bedroom furniture, kitchen stools, etc., so we'll be ready to relax over Christmas.
We could have had the keys a week earlier, but of course, I'm travelling for work again and will be on the other side of the world!
We'll now get on and order everything else that we need for the place, EcoLED ZEP 1's, bedroom furniture, kitchen stools, etc., so we'll be ready to relax over Christmas.
Thanks guys, and, err Guy!
Russ_a: thanks for hanging in there! Trust me, it's been more frustrating as the buyer being oh so close in the Summer time. Still, it's actually ahead of the contract.
Nick, yes, it sur will be. The fitters have been in an laser scanned and measured everything again already, so they know all the services and sockets are where they're supposed to be, no underfloor heating on the island, so that can be bolted down, etc. It SHOULD all be simple from now now....
Poor E36Guy's been waiting a year for my lighting order.... It'll be with you VERY soon, Guy - I PROMISE!!
How long would it typically take your firm to pack and ship to Lux, Guy?
Russ_a: thanks for hanging in there! Trust me, it's been more frustrating as the buyer being oh so close in the Summer time. Still, it's actually ahead of the contract.
Nick, yes, it sur will be. The fitters have been in an laser scanned and measured everything again already, so they know all the services and sockets are where they're supposed to be, no underfloor heating on the island, so that can be bolted down, etc. It SHOULD all be simple from now now....
Poor E36Guy's been waiting a year for my lighting order.... It'll be with you VERY soon, Guy - I PROMISE!!
How long would it typically take your firm to pack and ship to Lux, Guy?
It's flippin' rollercoaster at the moment!
Yesterday, when I was in London, the kitchen suppliers in Germany called me to advise they've delays receiving appliances from Siemens/Neff, and that may delay our kitchen fitting - but they couldn't say by how long! Fortunately, however, they confirmed 2 hours later that they'd now received the appliances that morning! Phew!
So, finally, the kitchen's being fitted on 3rd December - but, the granite won't be fitted until 16th December.... so no hob, no sink until then, so we're now planned to move in on 17th December - rather too close to Christmas for my liking! Between getting the keys and actually moving to sleep there we can at least buy and build all the new bedroom furniture and have the new leather couch delivered to the new house. I'll also be able to install (or get the sparky to!) all the new lights and I'll move all the new dining/living furniture to the new house that we currently have stashed in the basement of the rental.
Yesterday, when I was in London, the kitchen suppliers in Germany called me to advise they've delays receiving appliances from Siemens/Neff, and that may delay our kitchen fitting - but they couldn't say by how long! Fortunately, however, they confirmed 2 hours later that they'd now received the appliances that morning! Phew!
So, finally, the kitchen's being fitted on 3rd December - but, the granite won't be fitted until 16th December.... so no hob, no sink until then, so we're now planned to move in on 17th December - rather too close to Christmas for my liking! Between getting the keys and actually moving to sleep there we can at least buy and build all the new bedroom furniture and have the new leather couch delivered to the new house. I'll also be able to install (or get the sparky to!) all the new lights and I'll move all the new dining/living furniture to the new house that we currently have stashed in the basement of the rental.
Things all seem to be coming together all of a sudden. Purchased bathroom cabinets for my daughters' shower room today, bar stools ordered for the kitchen - ready next week - and whilst at the furniture store across the border in Chermany, Auchan Luxembourg called to tell me they've received the lovely new 'Murrican fridge freezer. That can be delivered once the kitchen's in.
I popped by the site earlier on the way out. Garden's coming along, the grass is growing and the beech hedge 'twigs' have been planted, and the borders are all nicely filled with mulch. I can't get in to the house any longer in the manner I used to, so I'll have to wait until 2nd December for the keys handover now.
I popped by the site earlier on the way out. Garden's coming along, the grass is growing and the beech hedge 'twigs' have been planted, and the borders are all nicely filled with mulch. I can't get in to the house any longer in the manner I used to, so I'll have to wait until 2nd December for the keys handover now.
Famous last words - it's been bloody freezing the last 2 mornings!
Our rental house is sooooo cold, even though there was a brand new boiler was fitted in July, the rads are crap.
I drove home via the site last night but couldn't get to my house as there was a film being shot right next to it! It's a small budget Luxembourgish film, so no-one will ever see my house on the big screen.
I was busy on Sunday checking online stock and creating my shopping list for (p)Ikea, Arlon [Belgium]. It amounts to some 104 packages and 1,349kg of stuff to purchase - most of it's needed in one trip! I guess I'll be renting a tail lift LWB van for the bulk of that and also loading my S-Max up to the gunwales with Mrs.5pot at the wheel.
I've an appointment with my bank adviser later to see how I claim the remaining VAT I'm due. That will cover ALL of the (p)Ikea shopping.
In 10 days I'm heading to Singapore and HK for a week for work, but immediately when I'm back we get the keys to the house. We're VERY excited.
ETA: ....and since I've taken very little holiday time this year, I'm off work for most of December.
Our rental house is sooooo cold, even though there was a brand new boiler was fitted in July, the rads are crap.
I drove home via the site last night but couldn't get to my house as there was a film being shot right next to it! It's a small budget Luxembourgish film, so no-one will ever see my house on the big screen.
I was busy on Sunday checking online stock and creating my shopping list for (p)Ikea, Arlon [Belgium]. It amounts to some 104 packages and 1,349kg of stuff to purchase - most of it's needed in one trip! I guess I'll be renting a tail lift LWB van for the bulk of that and also loading my S-Max up to the gunwales with Mrs.5pot at the wheel.
I've an appointment with my bank adviser later to see how I claim the remaining VAT I'm due. That will cover ALL of the (p)Ikea shopping.
In 10 days I'm heading to Singapore and HK for a week for work, but immediately when I'm back we get the keys to the house. We're VERY excited.
ETA: ....and since I've taken very little holiday time this year, I'm off work for most of December.
Edited by 5potTurbo on Friday 15th November 07:35
5potTurbo said:
Ok, zbc, your challenge..... Here's a barcode from under one of the V&B items
The code is 59/250 148 233-2
zbc advised this is,The code is 59/250 148 233-2
[Arkwright mode]
"Hungarian!?"
[/Arkwright mode]
I had no idea V&B made stuff so far and wide... and yet still stamp everything with "Villeroy & Boch, Luxembourg 1748"! Tsk....
ker today. Yes, Alex - buses here are fine. Since mine's considered "long distance" between Junglinster and the City (it's about 8 miles, mostly on the Route d'Echternach, which is straight) the bus is more like a coach. Can't argue for €2!
The double-bendy buses now run the #16 route - Airport>Kirchberg>City>Hesperange. They're lethal on the Kirchberg roundabout and turning left at the Glacis junction.
Nick, I wouldn't even have made it out of the driveway today, I fear. Fines for driving on summer tyres now are ~€80 and we'll need my S-Max when I'm back from Asia to move stuff to the new house, so I didn't want to risk smacking the car. I'll see later how much snow's left... perhaps I'll find an empty car park somewhere for some messing about.
The double-bendy buses now run the #16 route - Airport>Kirchberg>City>Hesperange. They're lethal on the Kirchberg roundabout and turning left at the Glacis junction.
Nick, I wouldn't even have made it out of the driveway today, I fear. Fines for driving on summer tyres now are ~€80 and we'll need my S-Max when I'm back from Asia to move stuff to the new house, so I didn't want to risk smacking the car. I'll see later how much snow's left... perhaps I'll find an empty car park somewhere for some messing about.
Our long awaited satellite dish has been installed. It's a quad LNB and the dish is bloody massive. Not sure why they installed such a beast of a dish as the Sky mini dishes work perfectly ok here....something to change later on, perhaps. The fact I wasn't allowed to sub-contract someone myself to do that has cost me more than an arm and a leg, the gits. Ho, hum...
The snow only lasted a day here, so no big deal at all. My wife's just dropped me at the airport as I'm heading to Singapore tonight, back next Saturday. Of course, being British, I'll be moaning how sweaty it is in Singapore - it's our way!
Learned yesterday that a friend and colleague arrives in Sing about 8h ahead of me, so we're meeting for dinner and drinks on Sunday evening.
I'll likely miss the Brazilian GP due to the time difference, though.
Oh, and it's 8 days 'til the keys handover.
The snow only lasted a day here, so no big deal at all. My wife's just dropped me at the airport as I'm heading to Singapore tonight, back next Saturday. Of course, being British, I'll be moaning how sweaty it is in Singapore - it's our way!
Learned yesterday that a friend and colleague arrives in Sing about 8h ahead of me, so we're meeting for dinner and drinks on Sunday evening.
I'll likely miss the Brazilian GP due to the time difference, though.
Oh, and it's 8 days 'til the keys handover.
I finally ordered my lights from Guy and they've arrived whilst I've been away. Thanks for your patience there, Guy. 
Looking forward to getting 'home' later today, although the rental house is, according to my wife, "Fookin' freezing!", and I've just had a week in warmer climes!
I also want to see how the grass is coming along, and whether the construction company have sorted out the footprints in the garden from the film crew and other builders using our garden as a shortcut.
Keys handover in 2 days! x1000 !!!
Looking forward to getting 'home' later today, although the rental house is, according to my wife, "Fookin' freezing!", and I've just had a week in warmer climes!
I also want to see how the grass is coming along, and whether the construction company have sorted out the footprints in the garden from the film crew and other builders using our garden as a shortcut.
Keys handover in 2 days!
x1000 !!!Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff