Well today I looked at a new house in sunny Westbury on Trym. Despite it being a lovely day I soon got rather depressed. This house is new but already there is a slate that has slipped on the roof and damaged states remain in situ together with a very slight sag to the roof. The brick layer probably took time out from evening classes, looking at the way mortar was left on the bricks and the rather indifferent widths of the vertical joints. Some of the stone lintels were not exact, being proud or setback from the brickwork. There wasn't a joiner on site either, because if there had been door and window hinges would have been the correct way up, all would have had screws and they would have fitted the openings rather better. The carpenter – a chippy in this case - was also probably a trainee. The person who designed the kitchen, didn't. This is a good size house where an opportunity has been lost, sad really, but knowing my Clients I think they may be able to turn this round …   more »