House Construction 2008
Unfortunately, the construction company Adar Casa stopped work at the end of April 2008 due to their financial problems. They told us in May that they did not have money to continue construction. We found out that they had considerable debts (millions) with owners like us and also with workers. They had hoped to borrow more money to continue and we asked for any new proposal to be given in WRITING to our lawyer but we got nothing. The money we already paid them is more than the value of the house as it stands now so we cannot afford to finish it. In July 2008 our Civil Engineer Nikos Tsouknakis of Sitia who designed the house confirmed that, in comparing what we paid so far with what is built, we have lost approx 70,000 euros. We have been seeking further advice from Nikos T. In the meantime one of the construction partners did say again that they intended paying back money they owe us if they can settle their debts.
As the construction company could not continue, in September 2008, we paid contractors to do a small amount of work ourselves : floor tiles and some landscaping to protect the house for the winter. I also paid a guy to clear up all the rubbish left by the builders so it looks a lot better. We aim to continue more work on it in 2009 but we may need to sell it.
The house is very spacious indeed with 4 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, balconies, huge sun-deck and with the most fantastic views. All walls, floors and roof are built and all walls and ceilings plastered, wiring & plumbing installed, 2 baths, floor tiles etc. It now needs windows, doors, kitchen, cupboards, aircon, solar panel, tank etc and some more landscaping. The main construction is done so it is a good project for anyone who has the money. The location is superb as it sits in a 5,100 sq m olive grove with views of sea and mountains.
12 Sept 2008 : After making no progress throughout the summer, it was clearly necessary to move the soil from on top of the natural stream before the autumn rain. Our friend Nikos Hatzidakis (Kouremenos Beach Apartments) kindly organised a man with a JCB from the village to move the soil away to allow rainwater from the field above ours to run once again into the stream. As the JCB operator spoke no English, having Nikos to give him instructions was very useful ! Both good guys.
We only did the minimum work to move some soil which was at my expense. Proper landscaping is still needed.
12 Sept 2008 : Below : this shows how water can now run past the house to the stream after moving the soil above. Thanks to our friend Nikos and George the JCB man.
Note the rubbish left by builders over the whole summer.
Below is the house in July - soil pushed up to the house walls but still many tons of soil completely blocking the stream. Now impossible to enter the house through the front door !!
Below is how it was before the soil was moved. It was completely blocking the stream.
Front entrance via a plank ... Note pile of rubbish left by builders.
10 June 2008 : everything ground to a halt in May due to the builders' problems. Now waiting for them to solve their problems and finish the work we have already paid them for in order to complete stage 2 of construction ! Then we can move to stage 3.
Watch this space ....
Background : Construction of the house in Kouremenos started in June 2007 and the building company "Adar Casa" made very goood progress last summer. However, things slowed down considerably over the winter, mainly due to rain.
23 May 2008 : We arrived back in Crete for 2 weeks to try and expedite the completion of the house. The lack of communication from the builders has been very frustrating !
Anyway, the concrete floors are now laid on top of the pipes and cables, ready for tiles to be laid. The baths are installed.
(See "House Construction first stages" for more info and photos.)
22 May 2008 : from east side
22 April 2008 : plumbing and cabling in progress :
Feb 08 : There has been quite a lot of rain and some gale force winds in January/February which slowed down progress a bit. However, work has been continuing on the interior wiring and floors as well as plumbing. Apart from affecting building work, the winter rain has been very welcome for the olive trees and other crops. 2007 was very dry and gave a poor olive harvest.
When we visited in the first week of December, all walls were complete and the wiring and pipes for air-conditioning were being installed.
8th December 07 :
8th Dec : View from hill, house under the red V
windsurf beach in foreground 
8th Dec : south side of house from olive grove showing balconies
07 Dec 07 : View from the main road - south side of house
05 Dec 07 : Further wall-coating. Interior walls plaster complete