The full house refurbishment and basement conversion in Balham continues to progress steadily and we have now taken down the back of the house.

It is supported by two steels under the face of the house and two further steels known as needles. This sounds rather dramatic and is an example of the importance of using highly-skilled and experienced builders.

At this stage, we are taking small steps forward on this part of the project, but we cannot put our full focus onto starting the side extension to complete the new look ground floor until the basement underpinning is complete.

The excavation of the basement is going well, but we are aware of a potential challenge in the pipeline as the neighbour has some concrete foundations that were added for their own building project.

On the advice of the party wall surveyor, we have a Method Statement in place, which outlines a detailed plan for digging beneath the concrete.

Meanwhile the fit-out team have the loft conversion very near to completion. It has been plastered, the electrics have been completed, the bath and shower trays are in and they are in the process of fitting taps and shower valves, and tiling the bathroom.

The next stage is for the owners to decide on paint colours so that we can finish the loft conversion, then seal it off and put our full focus on the lower floors of the house refurbishment and basement conversion.