Building progress
2024
October 2024
September 2024
The large pool was waterproofed in September. The house was tiled and the roof terrace was covered with roughened stone marble slabs.
August 2024
The work from July continued in August. Concrete on the underfloor heating, waterproofing the roof, pool, bathrooms and roof terrace. Wood painted again, garden irrigation optimized. We also visited the island of Paximadia and Frangokastello Castle and enjoyed the turquoise sea.
July 2024
In July, work was carried out on the insulation of the floors and roof, as well as on the water and electrics. And underfloor heating and concrete. Nevertheless, there was still time for music in Matala, a cool stalactite cave and the museum in Spili.
June 2024
In June, the painter carried out preparatory work inside and the electricians were also active. The alarm system, WiFi and 2 wall boxes for electric cars were also considered and prepared accordingly.
May 2024
At the end of May, the painter started, repaired and primed. Upstairs, the access road and the fountain were optimized.
April 2024
In April, the masons clad the façade of the house and some of the interior walls with natural stones from northern Crete. Some of the stones contain fossils. Real works of art.
January 2024
Unfortunately, nothing happened on the construction site in January, but nature was happy about the rain. Hopefully some of the rainwater ended up in the cisterns.
2023
December 2023
Unfortunately, the bricklayers hardly did any work in December due to the ongoing olive harvest. I also diligently harvested many mandarins and some oranges. At least there was still some cleaning and work on the roof. I collected wood and did some planting in front of the small house. Return journey to Germany delayed due to storm.
November 2023
In November, brickwork was primarily carried out on the upper floor. Preparations were also made for the installation of windows and doors. Water pipes and lightweight concrete were also laid so that the underfloor heating can be installed soon. Luna the dog is always there, even in the fragrant Maravel Garden in Spili. A 1.50m poinsettia in Timpaki shows that summer is gradually coming to an end.
October 2023
In October, thanks to the summer weather, we were able to work well on the retaining wall on the upcoming terrace to the west, electrical work, water installation and final kitchen planning. In addition, measurements were taken and the top of the plateau was winterized.
September 2023
Work continues on the interior and exterior walls. The 2nd photovoltaic system and a private well are put into operation.
Kitchens and tiles are selected. Still full throttle. Things are progressing well.
August 2023
We continue with the pool. Huge amounts of steel are used. The construction of the interior walls of the large house begins with Poroton bricks. The North Cretan stones are used for the outer walls.
The plateau roof (at the top) is made winter-proof thanks to helping friends. One (or were there 2?) myths on top.
July 2023
After a few months of de facto construction standstill, I (Felix) fly to Crete to push ahead with the construction. We excavate and, above all, push ahead with the almost 50 square meter pool construction. We hear about a stone mine in the north of Crete that pre-cuts the stones so that they can be processed more quickly. We have to go there, because all the stones for the small house and the plateau were cut from large chunks.
March 2023
pipes and concrete. The aim is to complete the large house with 3 apartments for rent in 2024, followed by the outdoor facilities, garden and pool, so that everything will hopefully be ready for the 2025 season.
January 2023
Things get going again. The large house at the bottom of the plot is being built. 2 to 3 apartments with a large pool and sea view. 11 tons of steel for earthquake-proof construction.
2022
August 2022
In August 2022, the ramp, the kitchen on the plateau and the lighting were finally completed.
March 2022
September 2021 to March 2022: not much happens, garden blossoms. Large stable carport was built to install more photovoltaic power cells on it from April. This is to be our charging station for the first e-car.
2021
August 2021
The house is now finished. Pool, solar thermal and photovoltaics are up and running. Parking lot and oven with lamb inaugurated. Plateau has electricity and roof.
We are happy and proud!
June 2021
In June, work was carried out on the parking lot of the house and on the new stairs from the pool terrace to the technical room. We are happy that things are continuing despite Corona.
May 2021
The photovoltaic system was connected in May 2021, as was the solar thermal system, plus underfloor heating in case it gets cold in winter (currently +25 to 35 degrees….).
Very important is the activation of the water treatment from Germany by www.erdarbeiten-abwassertechnik.de Peter Kunst (1000 thanks!), which provides the water for the toilet and washing machine in drinking water quality for watering the garden. Pool technology is also connected, everything is clean and the garden is thriving. We are looking forward to the summer vacation.
Now the pool covers are being built and the carpenter is building a kitchen upstairs. It’s going well 😉
2020
December 2020
Terrace completely paved, dto. Entrance to technical room. Wall at the parking lot almost finished, door to the technical room finished. Despite lockdown, work continues.
November 2020
Due to the lockdown, it was only possible to work in the first few days. Earthworks in the garden, red-brown potting soil was spread and planting started.
Work continued in the bathroom, shower and kitchen on the upper plateau and gates were installed.
October 2020
The stone setting work was completed and grouted in October. Both pools are finished. The existing solar power and solar thermal systems still need to be connected. The plan is to start with the garden, including tree planting and irrigation system, in October. The underfloor heating in the house should also be connected before Christmas.
We are totally thrilled and proud!
September 2020
Electricity connection and installation of air conditioning inside and outside Work on pools, terraces and pavilion in focus. Right on target, then it’s the garden’s turn in winter.
July/August 2020
Things have been progressing on site since July 17: bricklayers, carpenters and plumbers are getting involved, the technical room under the pool is being fitted out, the power connection and pool technology are on the to-do list. It will be.
June 2020
After the break in construction due to the coronavirus, things are finally moving full speed ahead:
The technical room and the pool of the practically finished house are under construction. The electricity connection is still missing, which has now been promised for July (2020?).
Water is on the plot and is now to be connected to the house along with the pool technology.
The sidewalks are to be paved with stone slabs to match the house.
Our pickup, exported in December, now has Greek license plates – step by step we are making progress 😉 We are still full of joy and are sooo grateful to all the helpers and committed friends.
Hopefully the garden can be laid out in winter.
April 2020
As of 10.4.2020, there is a curfew on Crete from next week, so that cross-district work (Agia Galini belongs to Rethimnon, the companies and suppliers involved come from places that, although only 15km away, belong to Heraklion, 70km away ;-( ) will probably come to a standstill. What a pity.
But the small third residential unit at the top, the “dream plateau”, is taking shape. For couples who want to live there outdoors from April to October/November. This means an open-air kitchen and shower (bathroom and bedroom have a roof), a small private pool and terrace with sea views – above the small house for 2 to 4 people below.
We hope that construction can continue. Fingers crossed!
March 2020
We were on site until March 11, 2020 and were able to coordinate the construction progress with our great site manager. The consequences of the corona virus led to understandable delays and we don’t know exactly when and how things will continue. As long as the electricity connection, which we have been waiting for 8 months, comes, we would be happy.
We are exercising patience and looking at the pictures we are already looking forward to the time when loved ones can spend their vacation there. There are more important things right now than the progress of the building work.
February 2020
February 2020 is all about the interior work. Brick or plaster the interior walls, insulate the floor, install underfloor heating on the new screed, then tiling. The kitchen and stairs will be white, the furniture white and gray, so that it will match the tiles found in nearby Timpaki.
We are delighted with the progress of the work and would like to thank all the craftsmen we found on Crete! The carpenters and tilers were also great, and they built the north wall outside and prepared the pool and terrace construction.
January 2020
We continue with exterior and interior brickwork, floor insulation and much more. Piece by piece, we work on the upstairs bedroom (called “Oda”), the wood-burning stove, etc.
Storms up to force 11 make the work more difficult. After the last very wet winter, many Cretans are worried about climate change, as the frequent storms this winter are also unprecedented. We share these concerns. But we are very satisfied with the construction quality.
The house will be earthquake-proof, perfectly insulated and can be used all year round. The unobstructed view towards the village and the sea is a dream every day. A carpenter from the village is a great help, and now the exterior concrete work on the north driveway, terrace, pool and utility room is on the agenda.
May the weather play along.
2019
December 2019
In mid-December 2019, a 40-ton truck with building materials left for Crete, from water treatment to heating technology, kitchen, plus A+++ electrical appliances and very good windows and old wooden beams. Shortly before Christmas, we set off to export a used pickup truck from Germany to Greece via Italy. Everything went so well that the building work, which had (unfortunately) been suspended since the beginning of September, was resumed at Christmas. Windows and doors from Germany were installed and the bricklayers are working very well with the natural stone. We’re happy and in T-shirts during the day on Christmas Eve. Our pickup pulls the truck with the glass panes up our property – what an adventure.
The house is now closed on the outside, which means we can work inside regardless of the weather.
September 2019
Earth was poured after applying the moisture protection to the house walls. Extension of the upper floor is now starting.
August 2019
Construction paused due to vacations and high temperatures. But our dream of a big old olive tree on the plot is coming true. For the construction it was helpful not to have any existing trees on the plot, but we want to plant lots of trees once the 2 houses are finished. 1 olive tree is now there, we are very happy. Of course it will be watered 😉
July 2019
Now it’s time for the upper floor. So far it’s right on schedule, i.e. the target completion date is May/June 2020, but the heat is making it difficult for the workers. 5 tons (!) of water are also helping to prevent the concrete from drying too quickly. If it gets any warmer, there will be a break in construction – in summer, and not in winter like in Germany 😉
