Dubai Villa Renovation

[ronski]

Quick update. After ordering the final bathroom tiles I headed back over to Dragon Mart in search of some water resistant downlighters for the shower cubicles. After a bit of searching I found a place called Opple Lighting:

Here I got the IP54 downlighters with bulb, case and transformer for a bargain 4 quid each (I picked up a few extras as spares) and while in there I also got some waterproof LED white lighting for the kitchen under cabinet lighting. Again super cheap at one pound a meter and the transformers for them at just over a pound as well.

 

[ronski]

I am currently saving for my own place and its things like this that keep me going. Making something truly your own. Just fantastic.

Thanks mate. It is so very worth it but it is not without its headaches and challenges. There was a small war this morning about position of some items in the house. Usual thing in this type of project. Just have to work through it and hope for a great result.

 

[ronski]

I have had to make a few trips out of the country but luckily my good mate and Father have been around to work with the contractor and keep things moving along.

There has been a lot of work done on the AC ducting and kitchen exhaust route in the ceiling of the kitchen and there is just about ready to receive the cooker hood:

In the study the new ceiling has been installed (ripped out when the en-suite was removed), new AC ducting and exhaust and the down lighters are ready to go in:

The dead space under the stairs will now have a cupboard - mainly for storing suitcases and the like:

Work is ongoing on the master bathroom - plumbing has been done so the tiling is happening now. This wall will have the mirror, vanity units and some cupboards:

The shower wall will feature floor to ceiling mosaic tiles along with two over head drenchers. Just above the tile line they will make some recesses for shampoo bottles etc

The rest of the walls in the master bathroom will have the large tiles contrasting against the mosaic for the shower wall:

Another team of guys are busy spraying the various doors:

and they seem to have done a decent job on all the drawers:

Outside of this plenty of other work going on as the final electrical points are put in place for the kitchen, a water line installed for the fridge, the architraves are being sprayed and we finalise the kitchen design.

This week should also see the installation of the Nest smoke alarms and the Ubiquity Access Points.

It is just over 4 weeks till the removal men deliver our furniture so the pressure is on the contractor!

 

[ronski]

Looks like it's coming along really well though, the standard of the work looks very high.

Thanks mate - I am really happy with how they are going. There are some very good tradesman on site in particular the electrician and the tiling team. They are really taking their time and have a great eye for detail.

B&Q have a 3for2 deal on those Nest Smoke alarms if anyone is interested.

Doh - that would have save me a few quid

That is stunning!

What are your short term holiday rental prices like?

Hah thanks mate - I cant wait to move in myself.

 

[ronski]

So plenty of things have been happening this weekend:

1. Plenty of time in Dragon Mart selecting various lights for each room of the house (my wife's choice)

2. The fabricators for the kitchen counters and bathroom vanities came over this morning and measured everything up and have provided a quote

3. The guys for plantation shutters came around today as well to measure up the windows in the front room

Otherwise the contractor continues to crack on at a fair lick. They have started installing the tile skirting boards which is making an amazing difference in making some of the rooms feel completed:

The sparky after installing all the downlighters has now made a start on replacing the light switches and sockets:

Here is where the TV will go in the lounge:

The painstaking task of grouting the floors also started today. The guy below is scraping all the junk out of the gap between the tiles before the grout goes down:

The final grouting has been applied to the powder room:

Work has also started on tiling the guest en-suites:

There are another team of guys rubbing the walls down for a third and final coat of paint:

And it was cool to see the nasty black wrought iron staircase railings get a lick of silver paint today, apparently two more coats to go on:

I am really happy with how things are moving on and work will start later this week on an exterior annexe. With four weeks to the day that the removal men move in I am finally reasonably confident that the majority of the work will be done and the house will be ready to move into.

 

[ronski]

It looks amazing already, can't wait to see the pics when you've finished.

Thanks mate! There is a lot to move in so it might be a little while for final house shots but certainly the finished work for sure will get posted as quick as I can.

Looks fantastic. The level off workmanship looks very high; is that pretty typical?

To be honest it seems to be a bit hit and miss. I have been lucky with the contractor I employed and the skill level of his guys. He was telling me a horror story today of a guy's villa he visited that needed a huge amount of fixing up after a renovation gone bad.

The key trades on site are excellent particularly one team of tilers and the sparky - just brilliant. Apparently there is a master carpenter coming onto site this week to build the kitchen island. I look forward to meeting him.

I remember having to scrape out tile lines pre-grouting, seeing this thread makes me appreciate my current job even more.

I can't even imagine - looks like gruelling work

Im still waiting for that TV to go in....

Me too! It's killing me....

 

[ronski]

It has been a super busy day on site today with two teams of carpenters busy on the kitchen, the structured cabling guys came back to install the Access Points, the electrician continues to install the new sockets/light switches, the tiling teams continue in the guest bathrooms and the painters continue the spraying of the cabinets and doors.

While all this is going we have managed to finally lock down the kitchen design and the counter-top guy is coming over tomorrow to measure up and go through some design details with us:

Front Kitchen Elevation

Overhead Kitchen Plan

Kitchen Island Plan

There are a mind bending number of decisions that still need to be made in the villa but all good fun!

 

[ronski]

Thanks mate.

This week saw the wireless access points finally installed. They look very discrete alongside the new downlighters are now gently glowing white till I get the house connected to the internet and AP's configured:

The cabinet work in the bathrooms is well on its ways - here the master bathroom cabinets and vanity unit being tested for fit:

We have also converted one of the upstairs balconies (one to the side of the house with no real view) into a little bit of additional inside space - the french doors removed that lead onto the balcony, the floor retiled, walls painted and a new window installed. This will be used for some additional wardrobe space.

Also we have the go-ahead on the external annexe - work started today on digging out the foundations (by hand!) The build will take about 5 weeks but will not impede us moving into the main house

While I was up on the front balcony I was admiring the nice street scaping:

So three weeks to go and the end is in sight. The tiling in all the bathrooms is just a couple of days away from completion. The doors will start to be rehung on the frames and the cabinet doors are also ready to go back on in the kitchen and we are closing in on the countertop choice (gone off quartz/granite now) and are looking at Corian or LG Hausys to get the finish we want on the kitchen island. Fingers crossed the house will be ready on 15th March for the move in and hopefully not too much snagging to do.

 

[ronski]

Stupid question, but what is the neighborhood like?
Friendly neighbors you talk to? Nearest corner shop? Supermarket?

That is actually a great question. The neighbourhood is very quiet and relaxing. I have met the neighbours across the road and the new tenants who have moved in next door and all have been very pleasant. We have also had a few of the other neighbours ask to have a look around while the work has been going on as they are considering doing similar. So far so good.

Arabian Ranches is probably best described as a very large housing estate with a golf course in the middle that is sub divided into "villages"of differing sizes and architecture. The developer built a central "community centre"that is a short drive/cycle away there they have a Geant supermarket, coffee shops, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Pharmacy, HSBC, Pet store and a few other bits and pieces. There are about 20 outlets there. The community center also houses a medical clinic and the local mosque with a junior/secondary school across the road. It is well thought out and there is little need to leave the community. The map below probably explains a little bit better:

The other place to meet neighbours are in the communal facilities of each of the village - for example a 2min walk from my villa is the communal pool and 2mins the other direction is a children's playground and basketball court. Other villages have tennis courts (which we can book) and parks.

If the TV isnt up soon im stealing it. You cant say that is not fair notice ok?

Hah! I have actually put up in our current villa as I could not wait to have a play with it.

Just got back from Dubai/Abu Dhabi seeing my dad. Glad to see the villa is coming along nicely!

Thanks mate - hope you had a good time in the UAE - the weather has been very moderate

 

[ronski]

Nice, I went to Dubai on holiday, but obviosuly never got much further than the main 'strip' so hard to get a feel of what life is like there. In my head it's similar to Las Vegas?
But having that much community structure so close is handy.

Thanks mate - It's similar to Las Vegas in so much that there are lots of huge hotels with fancy bars and restaurants in them in the middle of the desert. But after that the similarity ends it's really a bustling trade hub for the middle east region which is developing at quite a clip.

 

[ronski]

Thanks for sharing this. It looks like I might have just landed a contract in qatar for 2 years. Have you been to qatar before or know anything about the place? I'll be getting accommodation supplied but might just buy somewhere if I decide to stay

Thanks mate and congratulations on your contract. Living in Doha is getting better as there are a vast amount of things that are being built in preparation for the 2020 world cup. The downside is that the huge amount of construction and population influx to do this has led to some pretty heavy traffic at rush hour as the roads are now struggling to cope with the traffic load.

I wouldn't call it a mini Dubai as Doha has its own identity but sure there are a few malls there and some fancy hotels where you can get a drink but it really is quite a small city.

A lot of expat live/own in a beach line development called "The Pearl" and while I have never been, I hear there are some nice restaurants there.

I wish you the very best of luck - maybe join a club of some description or get on some Doha expat forums which will allow you to meet some people outside of the office.

 

[ronski]

Is the cost of living relatively similar to Dubai? This is quite an inspiring project you have shared so will have to face the questions Congrats on the build and hope you get moved in soon. Ditto on the comments about the TV!

No worries mate - the overall cost of living is broadly similar to Dubai i.e. expensive. Petrol and bottled water are cheap after that it soon ratchets up and if you like a bevy $10 - $12 a pint of beer can soon add up. I see you have housing included - where is that? Also will they provide you a car? If not budget around $1000 for a 4x4 rental a month. Maybe drop me PM if you want some more detail mate.

 

[ronski]

Glad you had a good time! How was Yas Waterpark? I have been meaning to go!

 

[ronski]

I have been away this week and in two short weeks we plan to be moving in and there still is a lot of things that need to be completed but I think we are getting there. What is showing some good progress is the outside annexe. Took this one this morning:

and by the end of the day when I popped back:

The foreman thinks he will be finished in about 12 working days on the annexe then allowing the interior fit out. I will be impressed is he meets this timeframe.

Meanwhile on the inside the kitchen tiling was happening today:

and the kitchen island is starting to look great:

We have elected to go Corian for the kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity units. This work should start by the end of next week with some luck. Also this weekend the local internet/TV provider will come over to the villa to connect up the services. I am excited to finally get to use the Ubiquity access points.

 

[ronski]

Im surprised that the paint doesn't blister outside in that heat! Coming together nicely ronski

Thanks mate - I do have some blistering on some of the exterior wood work which needs some attention. People mostly seem to be using Jotun which have a range formulated for middle east heat.

 

[ronski]

Very envious of you. Looks like it is coming along very nicely and the contractors look like they are very skilled.

Slightly off topic. In all the photos you've shown. None of the contractors are wearing any kind steel toecaps. Sandles, or slippers! Can you imagine going to a building site in the UK like that?

Thanks mate - yes the contractors are doing a super job and I really pleased with them.

I hadn't really thought about the safety aspects - but for sure the guys building the annexe are all in sandles and without hard hats. No one seems to worry about it - I will mention this to the foreman when I next see him and look for the reaction.

In other news we went over to the villa today and got the Access Points configured prior to the internet connection going in tomorrow. All went fairly smoothly though it does appear that one of the outdoor AP's appears to be dead. Will do some more trouble shooting on it tomorrow. Otherwise very pleased to see each of the indoor AP's have a nice blue glowing ring showing they are connected into the network

 

[ronski]

Bit of a sad question, are the 13a sockets what they use in Dubai or did you have them put in at request?

- Yes they are standard in the UAE which made things when moving over here so much easier.

 

[ronski]

I love the six day working week in Dubai when there are things to be getting on with.....

So a full complement of guys back working on the villa today. The last coat of paint went onto two of the bedrooms (wardrobes arriving tomorrow), the carpenters on site prepping the kitchen for the Corian counter tops, the last of the tiling in the bathrooms is going on and the bathroom ceilings are also being put up. The removal guys are coming in 11 days and it is going to be very tight for completion of everything, as such I am thinking to push the removals back a couple of days but that is all the leeway I have left. Anywhere onto a few pictures.

The outside annexe is going at a fair old rate with the interior walls being put in and the rebar in the corners up:

The old built in wardrobes have had their final coat of paint and are ready to have their doors hung back on :

The cupboard for the washing machine and dryer had the walls tiled today:

The ISP guy turned up today to activate the phone/TV/Internet which has been something I have been waiting a really long time for. Set top box one:

Also with the internet now installed I was finally able to get the AP's up and running. They really do look sleek on the ceiling with a nice blue glow showing they are connected:

I had some fun with the AP controller software and uploaded the floor plan to see the estimated coverage - looks like I am bathed in wifi everywhere I go. We have one dead outside AP - the supplier is coming over tomorrow to have a look at it

Everything is moving ahead and I am getting anxious to move in!

 

[ronski]

Yeah really good actually, especially as it was so quiet when we went. Would recommend the Cabanas. I think they're 399AED but well worth it; nice central and private space in the park with a safe, fridge, aircon unit, sunloungers etc, plus you can call up food and drink orders rather than queuing at a shack half way round the park.

Get there early too because wit a bit of sunbathing and bobbing up and down on a ring there's easily enough to do for a whole day.

Only downside was a couple of the main rides were closed for maintenance, so I'd definitely wait until they're back up and running.

Thanks for the tips mate - I have some of my nephews coming to Dubai later this year so the Cabana thing defo sounds like the way to go. I also see there are rides at Aqua Aventure and Wild Wadi - time to go on a tour of the waterparks!

Those coverage estimates from the UAP software might as well be a fairy tale as there's no way of telling the software where the walls are and what they are made of. Don't expect them to go through more than one concrete block wall and still have a decent speed afterwards. Fortunately it seems like you have enough of them for that not to be an issue.

If you want a bit of insight into what RF does when it hits walls then shove your floorplan on here and have a play:

http://www.aerohive.com/planner

Heheh - you are right. Had a play with the Aerohive planner and that really is a proper tool. Amazing the effect of concrete slab walls - just kills the signal. I had more time last night to get some decent testing around the house with Wifi Analyser and my iPad and was pleased with the results. Especially putting the outside AP was a good idea as without the WiFi signal in the garden is very weak.

The Du guys came back around again yesterday to upgrade the fibre receiver and services switch so I can get the 100MBPs service (he completely screwed up my data cabinet but thats another story). Did a quick wireless speed test while stood under one of the APs with my iPad:

Otherwise am getting a consistent 30MBps + wherever I am in the villa. So really pleased that I made the time and investment to get these all chased in and setup.

 

[ronski]

Dubia must have a really good infrastructure. Well when I say really good, a damm sight better than we get back home.

Did you talk to the foreman about safety boots?

When I asked one of the guys he just smiled at me. Actually a lot of the guys working on the inside of the house were wearing safety boots - I wish the guys working on the outside were.