Work on the basement has now resumed and the final stages are underway. The electrical installation is almost complete, with lighting, sockets and the wired internet connection now largely in place. Flooring, skirting and painting have all been finished, giving the rooms their final appearance.

The doors and windows have also been installed, and the bathroom fittings are nearing completion. Once these last elements are finished and tested, the basement will effectively be complete and ready to be used as a guest space.

With the unusual and unsettled weather we have been experiencing recently, renovation work has been on hold for a short period. Now that conditions have become more settled again, work can finally resume.

This means the final stages of the project can now move forward, allowing the team to make the last push towards completing the renovation.

Particular attention has been paid to detail, with the marble veining carefully aligned to flow seamlessly into adjoining tiles, creating a harmonious overall appearance. The use of laser lines ensures precise and accurate tile alignment throughout.

This week’s focus has been on the basement, following the completion and successful testing of the damp-proofing system for full effectiveness. With moisture protection confirmed, works were able to progress to the installation of wall coverings and the underfloor heating system.

This week, installation is well underway on the complete hydraulic pipework systems for both the pool and jacuzzi. The layout incorporates multiple circulation, filtration, and return lines, all precisely routed and clearly identified to maintain balanced flow rates and minimise pressure loss. The pipework has been installed in a clean, structured, and methodical manner to ensure long-term reliability, ease of maintenance, and optimal system performance.

A dedicated pump and plant room is being constructed to house independent control systems for the pool and jacuzzi. Each system operates on its own dedicated pumps, filters, valves, and control components, allowing both bodies of water to function independently without cross-interference. This dual-plant configuration requires a detailed understanding of hydraulic principles, system sizing, and flow management to ensure efficient operation, accurate control, and consistently high-quality performance.

In the basement, waterproofing works are now underway to permanently address the historic issues with water ingress. Due to the specialist nature of this work, Tarik’s company has been appointed to carry out the installation, as they have proven expertise in this field.

The basement electrical installations and skimming works are also progressing in parallel.

The pool pipework and sidewalls have now been skimmed, providing a uniform and accurately prepared substrate.

Downstairs in the basement, all pipe runs are being set out methodically, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, support spacing, and clean jointing to ensure long-term reliability and efficient system performance.

The pool walls have now been fully set out and aligned using precision levelling equipment to confirm they are perfectly level, square, and true. This is essential to achieve correct tolerances and provide a stable, accurate substrate for the installation of the large-format pool tiles.

Week 5 was pretty wet, but work still cracked on inside while the water was pumped out of the pool after the heavy rain. More materials have arrived and are ready for the pool once everything dries out.

As this is a skimming pool, precision and accuracy are paramount, with quality levels being absolutely critical.

Downstairs in the basement, levels are being carefully worked out using laser equipment to ensure a perfectly level result for the electrics and over the old flooring, which was well out of level. Combined with the reinforced foundations, this will ensure a super-strong and high-quality result.

Around the lower pool area, the steps leading up to the raised pool section are now finished. The pool pump room—which we used to have to crawl into!—has been transformed into a proper walk-in space where all the controls are easy to reach. This room will house two systems: one for the main pool and another for the jacuzzi.

Significant progress has been made this week as preparations continue for the new foundation and structural enhancements.

The concrete delivery has arrived, and the pumping boom has successfully reached all required areas, supplying concrete to the previously metalled sections. This will give the poolside greater strength than ever before. The patio areas at the bottom—around the basement apartment and beneath the pool surround—now have an exceptionally strong foundation ready for the new tiles.

Things have really started to take shape this week. Most of the clearing and preparation work is now complete, and the site is looking ready for the next big step. The focus will now shift to getting all the metalwork in place — an important stage that will form the foundations for both the pool and the basement. It’s exciting to see the groundwork turning into something tangible as the project moves into its next phase.

The old red brickwork between the main concrete structure has been removed after Taric (Mr T) noticed that the bricks had absorbed too much moisture, compromising their integrity. To ensure a solid and long-lasting result, new walls and foundations are being built. Since the walls were being redone, it was also a perfect opportunity to use thermal blocks — a great step towards improving the apartment’s overall energy efficiency.

The pool area has also been fully cleared and is now ready for the next phase. This will involve installing the metalwork for the pool structure and laying new pipework to replace the old, now redundant system. Once that’s completed, the next step will be to screed over the metal and pipework, setting a solid base for the pool to take shape.

Week 2 Update:
Week 2 has been all about clearing and making space for what’s to come — and it’s amazing to see how quickly things are transforming! Most of the demolishing work is now complete, and all the rubble has been cleared away and taken off-site by lorry. The area is now open, clean, and ready for the next stage. It’s such a relief not having to step around piles of debris — the team makes sure everything is tidied up at the end of each day, which keeps the site looking neat and organised.

The pool and terrace have been stripped back to their concrete structures to allow for the installation of a new waterproof membrane and waterproof screed. This will ensure a high-quality, watertight finish before the area is retiled.

After living in our villa in Üzümlü for over 20 years, we decided it was well overdue for a renovation.

We’d been having ongoing problems with our above-ground pool subsiding, and this year it became impossible to ignore. The leaks had worsened noticeably — the amount of water we were using was a clear sign that it was now or never!

At the same time, we had a basement apartment that had mostly been used as a storage space for things we probably didn’t need anymore. Over the years, damp patches had developed, and it was no longer suitable for living in.

As it happened, our son — who works as a paramedic in Turkey — found himself facing a steep rent increase on his apartment in Fethiye. Since the new rent was more than he could comfortably afford, it made perfect sense to renovate the basement apartment so he could move in.

We chose a company called “Better Call Mr T ” based in Fethiye. They were very professional and provided a detailed explanation of how they would carry out the work. The quote included not only a complete breakdown of the tasks but also pictures and diagrams illustrating how the pool and damp proofing would be completed, along with a list of high-quality branded materials to be used.

Once we made the decision, things moved quickly — at least in spirit! The reality, as anyone who’s taken on a renovation in Turkey (or anywhere!) knows, is that things rarely go exactly to plan.

Our first big challenge was the pool. Because it had been above ground and the base had started to subside, we had to decide whether to repair or completely rebuild. In the end, we opted for a complete redesign — something more permanent and better integrated with the garden. It was a big decision, but we knew it would save us a lot of frustration (and water!) in the long run.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the basement apartment, we began clearing out years of accumulated belongings. It was amazing — and slightly horrifying — to see just how much we had managed to store over the years! Once the space was finally emptied, we could properly assess the damp problem. As it turned out, poor ventilation and no damp proof course in the outer walls and floor were to blame.