Three months after the Bhoomi Pooja started the foundation work. Digging started full swing and once ready, the iron rods are woven(I use the word 'woven' because it looked like a work of art by itself) and placed for the belt and the pillars.
Now, in Hinduism again, we were asked to add a 'thari' of gold dust when the concrete is put along with the grains and flowers handed over from the bhoomi pooja time. This is as offering to the Goddess Earth. Reasoning maybe that it is an offering of thanks and request for blessings from mother earth who is bearing us and our home So, we added that just before the concrete was to be poured in.
Now, in Hinduism again, we were asked to add a 'thari' of gold dust when the concrete is put along with the grains and flowers handed over from the bhoomi pooja time. This is as offering to the Goddess Earth. Reasoning maybe that it is an offering of thanks and request for blessings from mother earth who is bearing us and our home So, we added that just before the concrete was to be poured in.
It is a time when you really start building hopes for your home. Reason is, what was abstract till now is physically starting to take shape. Also, the sleepless nights start off. Everyday after that, we were present at the sight morning or evening to check if it was properly cured. Despite the supervisors words and their assurances on schedule followed, we were present to check it up. Without a strong foundation, nothing will stand - be it your home or software. Laying the foundation also brought in an idea of the size of the house.
On the side, payments start too. In case you are funding on your own, then you would have bought the material. However, payment towards labour is a substantial amount. With a builder, he is going to ask you for the phase wise payment.
Following this, was a period of quiet till work progressed on the ground for the foundation of the rooms. We walked around with the plan and bought a tape. In our case, we found a bed being laid where our car park was. When we reasoned with the supervisor, we were told that they have been given the drawing from the office and that is exactly what will be followed. Further, there was an area laid out similar to the bathroom foundation. That was sorted out by the supervisor who checked in his file and said, yes, that has been laid extra but no problem, we shall not build up - it will be covered by the flooring. For the car park area, when we realized that we might get an extra room that we didn't want or will have to lift the car and park it on the raised flooring, we rushed to the office of the builder who was sure there was no mistake. After a few words and calls to the site office, supervisors were sent to check measurements on site. That made them realize someone had goofed up.
The lesson we learnt from our experience early on is that once something is built, pulling it down is a nasty business. Nasty because the finishing may not be the same(especially in the later stages) or structural issues may come up, it wastes time and three, it is wastage of resource - no matter who pays. Sand, brick, water and cement are all products obtained directly or indirectly from earth and once used cannot be returned back. It may cost the builder or you a few thousands, but multiplied by the population of the earth is a waste of resource.
Lessons learnt :
1. Carry the plan with you all the time - in paper and your phone. Paper is better because labour on the ground work better with paper. Phone works for you and as a backup. Over time you will remember the measurements by-heart. I could never get it, though my husband did all the time. He could imagine room sizes from measurements, not me. So, we will measure and stand on opposite sides for me to visualize the room size.
2. Buy a tape. Keep measuring things yourself. If you are building your home for the first time, it is fun and a learning experience. If you are experienced, you will measure by experience. However, measuring with tape will bring the supervisor to site, telling you that he has measured everything and that you can trust him and the builder completely. Know a way of assuring them of your confidence at the same time needing to know things are going to plan. It is a fine balancing act you need to acquire. Thankfully, our interactions with the supervisors at the time was very cordial. We learnt a lot from them and they grew to understand us being hands-on and appreciated it sometimes. We had fun going to the site and sitting there nibbling on food and generally trying to know and own the place. Many a time, we ordered and packed extra snacks knowing the labourers would be working at the site.
We had visitors, but one of the first we had was this one. He watched the proceedings for a long time.
We had visitors, but one of the first we had was this one. He watched the proceedings for a long time.
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