DumbStick

Had a good day today. The "other guy" really came up with the goods. He was amazingly well prepared and had obviously spent a very large amount of time on our plan. Days, I would guess. Very in depth, explaining each bit of detail for us and having printouts of everything used. As a first idea, we were very impressed both with the idea itself and the amount of effort he had obviously put into it. Lots of ideas and thoughts were thrown around and in about a week he promises to give us a new version. He gave us an 'about' of around the same price as well - while at the same time showin

Nozawa Onsen tonight. Hope it's a good one.

How are the moguls made?

Thanks for those recommendations, they look very nice actually! Will take a closer look later. Not been particularly impressed with any 'shed' yet. They're all just.... sheds. Something that looks nice is a plus.

Thanks. The plan I was mentioning so far is still only in my head really. I'm waiting for someone to visualise it! The company that sent me their plan yesterday, yappari, while I know it's just an original thing I just get the feeling that they don't have the kind of modern (for want of a better word) ideas I want. They also don't seem to want to communicate by email - I just get the feeling they are....... old-fashioned. I like to throw ideas around quickly and be in lots of contact, so not sure that kind of thing would work with those guys. I'll give them a chance though and meet at

Thanks Mr Wiggles. Tons of good info as always. The initial plan/idea was for a tiered and curvy garden bed in front of the fencing with flowers and shrubs in there.

I was just looking at that. Fence-related is actually close to 40% of the total. Yikes! Perhaps fence ideas need to be rethought!

Apart from a row of conifers, these are the trees they have chosen. Possibly based on what we said, they said will explain when meet.... ヤマボウシ カリン サルスベリ

Good thing is that they did give a pretty detailed breakdown of costs, not just a big number. That is very interesting to see. It's clear that a lot of nice fence (the idea was brick lower + iron/metal design top) is ---- not cheap.

I must admit that I do have this habit of liking things that always seem to be quite expensive. And it does include a lot of stuff right through to a complete garden with drainage and very nice fencing etc. But this costing does seem too much for what it is. He says, without having any experience. Just a feeling. I know nothing! Will be very interesting to see what the other dudes come up with. Perhaps I'll get more of an idea of about what I need to be thinking of.

Just got the first plan back from the more traditional company. 2.5 million yen without the garden shed. Oh and without tax. So basically well over 3 mill. I know it's their starting point and all but. Funny how the numbers add up. The plan is ok but somewhat underwhelming. I can't say I'm particularly excited about it. Given me a few ideas though. It's the other company that we both seem to be hoping will come up with the goods, they have been very responsive to ideas over the last week. Hopefully we'll get their initial idea by the weekend.

Haven't got the initial plans yet, but I gave the companies a call and asked them about the tax situation. Yappari, it will be 8%. We won't even be able to begin making the garden until April at the earliest so finishing it at the earliest will be May perhaps later. So 8%, even if we agree what we want and sign a contract before April 1st.

Haha, no. The bath powder sachet I used was Towada. It was good, nice smell.

The　十和田 one last night was good. I think that might even be fairly close to you!

This series is good When you say tablets are they the ones that kind of fizz?

Yes me too the onsen ones are cool.

I will be sure to let you know how that goes. Makes me wish I had started the processs a bit earlier now. Won't get my hopes up at all though as it all seems way too tight considering. Can't complain I suppose, I was rather busy until late in the year and our house is pretty much fully kitted out, so got all of that lot in before any increase.

Interesting. Will be keen to hear how that works re: gardens. If all goes well, I can see us perhaps being able to agree a price and sign a contract before 1st April. But obviously won't be able to have a garden that soon!

You know what, I really hadn't thought about that much. And a very good point to. Will be sure to ask about that when I get these plans, hopefully incoming soon. How does the tax thing work for things that are ordered and contracts signed? Or do the purchases have to be 'delivered'?

Looks easy. Niseko snow is light soft dry and fluffy!

Reading your stuff, Tachypsychia.

Thanks kokodoko. Did you not offer to help the guy?!

Interesting points all. They did explain to us about grass and how it was different type to what you'll see in UK etc. Basically a no show in winter. But did stress that if you look after it, it can be nice - just needs quite a lot of care. Got to admit that I feel a bit a hole now where the house planning was last year. Kind of wanting to get back to busy with this.

Hold on. No that fence wasn't plastic, I have it written here it's aluminium (?) Obviously my questions are building up quickly!

They also showed us a garden shed type thing which was actually a strong metal skeleton but very attractive looking on the outside. Wasn't cheap but it looked great.