2008 - Denbies

I could hardly believe the start of the year. I had an innocuous phone call from someone who wanted to put awnings in a vineyard in Surrey. I had visions of cottage industry and a pretty barn with a trailing vine and it made me feel romantic. What I was to find was far removed from a 'cottage' industry!

I have to confess that I hadn't heard of Denbies and the huge wine estate on the outskirts of Dorking before. I'd seen the building as I'd driven past, it's hard not to, but had presumed it was a private residence. The initial meeting was great, I answered all questions asked of me and you can't do much more than that. Money didn't need to be discussed, they knew exactly what they needed and I knew I would be quoting along with a few others. I can't say what swung the order my way, could've been my willingness to leave colours and charts for their perusal, could've been price (although I know I wasn't the cheapest) and it could've been that we were prepared to be patient. Who knows.

This was to be, and still is, my largest job. Ben and I spent a total of 20 days on site, with my dad coming on 10 occasions too, 30 man days in total. The job went smoothly although slowly. Planning the bracketry was key to success, and carried a huge financial cost to me if incorrect. The awnings were not to be attached to the stunning arched walls but the fascias had guttering all around the perimeter, it needed something special. Luckily we got it right. 50 heavy steel brackets had to be manoeuvred in to place and bolted to the roof rafters. Then the heavy timber cladding had to be bolted on to the brackets, the soffits replaced and then finally we could install the awnings. I've not used this method of installation since, but I have the knowledge now and wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

There were four awning in total, 2 of which were 17m long and the other 2 10m long. We had to try to get them to meet as close as possible in the four corners of an internal courtyard. So much could go wrong! I'm patting myself on the bag furiously here as the job went without a single glitch, except perhaps sore backs shared by Ben and myself. The result was stunning, I'm really proud of my achievement and just wish that I could tempt all potential customers to take a trip down there and see the scale of the work. Go there anyway, the lunches are great and the Surrey Gold is a lovely tipple.

Green Cuisine

Last job of 2007, The Woodman

And what a contrast to the previous job in Whetstone!

Lori and Vikki of The Woodman pub had contacted me in the summer as they were compiling an application to the local council for planning consent. They struck me straight away as focused, professional and with a clear idea on where their business was going. I spent some time working through the plans and worked out the correct bracketry to hang a 4m awning with lights and heaters. They knew what this sort of product would cost, and that's knowledge that is invaluable to me. I know I'm competitive and happily pitch myself against my competitors.

The planning was accepted and we were given the go ahead, beating 2 other quotes. My only concern was that I was having nose surgery a week before the proposed installation date, and I was supposed to spend 2 weeks resting after. Oh well, that's not going to happen!

The awning was delivered and installed on time, the colour scheme was perfect and I got paid straight away, faith truly restored. Thanks to everyone concerned. I wish them the very best of luck for the World Cup in 2010, let's hope England go all the way as it'll be great for the business. I'll be bussing over there for a few games in the summer

I know the customer's always right, but...

The penultimate job of 2007 was a nightmare, I'm not sure I should even include it on here. I'd completed a great awning on a pub in central London and was recommended to visit a guy in Whetstone. Immediately I knew it was going to be a pain, he made me wait 30 mins while he flitted around looking important. His wife kindly made me a coffee and they had a large screen showing a football game repeat, so it wasn't that bad. When he finally came and sat down with me he wanted something he couldn't afford. The area they needed to shade/shelter was huge - 12m x 5m and yet he was only prepared to pay a certain amount which was impossible to work with. I gave my price by email later than evening and we were still in disagreement. I should've left it there but didn't, although I wish I had.

I didn't hear anything else for 3 weeks or so and, confident that he couldn't possibly have got a better deal than the one I was offering, I emailed to ask how he was. He said we should meet and so I made the long journey from Caterham to Whetstone for a second time. We hit upon some middle ground and I found ways to reduce material costs in order to get the job done - something that I hate to do, although I must hastily add that at no time would I compromise on safety in order to make a sale. The job started on schedule, a date set by the client so that he could be there to oversee work. He wasn't there, but there were a million other tradesman jostling for position. When he did turn up it was to criticise work and make alterations that may not have seemed too major to him, but to us added days to the schedule and snuffled out any hint of profit from the job. We got it done though, and the finished job was brilliant. I've stuck that bit in bold in case anyone misses it. We're awning installers but I'm also a man of integrity. I could've walked away at any time whilst dealing with a very awkward customer but I didn't, and never would.

12 months later I banked my final post dated cheque from the client too and on a recent visit past the site I now note that the whole facade's been changed, the awnings have gone and it's not even a pub anymore. Shame, as it looked rather good to be fair and 14 days of work were lost for nothing now.

Utopia Brides

Atwood School - my big thank you

Rarely am I in a position to do something really worthwhile which is why I ceased the bull by the horns at Atwood Primary School. Both my children attended the school and the atmosphere there is one of harmony and unity. When my daughter left at the end of 2007 I was heart broken and I miss the place awfully.

Luckily, just before the summer of 2007, Alex Clarke, the head teacher, asked me to come in to discuss the possibility of shading the huge atrium roof that loomed large over the infant's hall. They'd toyed with the idea of shading the outside, the inside and any other side that you care to mention and had exhausted all avenues - not to mention scary quotations from other companies. It needed a fresh approach and so they called me in...

Immediately, once the briefing had been given, it was clear that the roof space itself could be ignored entirely and that shade could be achieved without needing to go anywhere near the glass. What was more important to me was that the vent windows would remain totally untouched and operational and that the awnings would be installed at a much lower height, aiding maintenance and installation. We designed a bracket that would hang on to the horizontal roof beams and set about creating a Thunderbirds/James Bond style opening and closing roof. There would be gaps around the perimeter, but these could be addressed as or when needed and with great ease*

I spent 2 days on a 5m high platform, drilling and tapping 48 holdes in to 10mm thick metal and after which another day bolting on the brackets and awning tracks. I then called upon the help of my father and two ex-pupils (my son Kris and his friend Ben - who impressed so much that he was later set to work for me full time) as we lifted the heavy awnings in to place. Once up there, which was a task and a half, we quickly tensioned the fabric and the awnings worked brilliantly. I visited the school recently and am happy to say they're still looking good.

The Chester Arms