Help with house projects in Zaandam, situated in a beautiful nature area just outside Amsterdam, Netherlands

Details

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  Description

  Looking for some help renovating an old house in Zaandam, situated in the beautiful nature area just outside Amsterdam.
  I moved from Scotland to the Netherlands in 2017 and fell in love with the country.
  I recently bought a property and live on my own. It needed a lot of work done, complete refurbishment and I have builders doing to main essentials such as putting in a bathroom and plumbing, plastering and basic elecrtical work.
  Once they go from the end of September, there is still a lot of work, the not so urgent work, that needs done from more plastering, painting, tiling floors and walls, putting up and tearing down some walls and plenty more electrical, plumbing and joinery/carpentery work required. Looking to tear down an old shed and put up a new one (probably 2019 given weather) and fix fences and gates. Garden needs trees cut down and removed. And a lot of help cleaning and organizing.
  
  I myself am a very keen biker. I go everywhere on my bike and I have spares for visitors. You can borrow and explore yourself or I would be happy to go on a bike ride and show you round! There is some amazing spots very close by Zaanse Schans Windmills is about 15 mins away, Het Twiske Nature reserve with beach and swimming and watersports about 15 mins by bike and if you want to go into Amsterdam you can on the bike in about 30 mins or there is a bus stop right outside the house takes 25 mins dropping you at Central Station and runs 24 hours if you really want to enjoy the Amsterdam nightlife. Train station is around 1.5km at the end of a great shopping precinct with nice bars and restaurants. Takes 12 mins to get to Amsterdam or you can go to any of the other main cities such as Haarlem, Den Haag, Eindhoven...the public transport is excellent.
  
  Amsterdam is very close by and you have so much to do and see from Museums, to beautiful parks, red lights of Amsterdam and everything in between. And if it is winter, and winter is cold in the Netherlands...I also drive and would be happy to show you the sights. And for those wet days I have digital TV and PS3 & PS4.
  
  I returned from travelling after a year in 2016 and since then just love meeting people from all over the globe and having some amazing experiences. I would love to hear from you what are your top 3 must do/see items on your list for Amsterdam?

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Art & design

  

  Books

  

  Fashion or beauty

  

  Technology

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Events & social

  

  Music

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Dancing

  

  Beach

  

  Cycling
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Being British you can learn English from a native. Unfortunately my Dutch is still very limited but I can either facilitate a bike for you to explore or would be happy to show you round. I still love being a tourist in my own town.
  
  If you are not up for a bike ride then we can drive to some of the most beautiful nature areas and farms round the Netherlands.
  
  I want to hear and experience other cultures and it would be fun for us to share cooking recipes and stories, so I know where to go next too, find those hidden spots not everyone knows about. I am not long back from travelling and love to hear from people about their home town so I have ideas for the future too. Maybe my stories can help and inspire you too .

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  Help

  Joiner - shelves, shed, fence, convert cupboard to office
  Electrician - lighting, setting up TV, wifi, happy to discuss more
  Plumber - instal en-suite in attic
  Tiler - flooring in bathrooms, walls in bathrooms.
  Builder - couple rooms need altered
  Plastering/Painting/Sanding stairs
  Garden - tree removal - small shrub trees , weeds
  Car/bike mechanic - general maintance
  Cleaning - due to amount of work on going there is always cleaning large and small.
  
  If you are a couple, there would be plenty for the partner to do if you are not a tradesperson. There will be cleaning, cooking and plenty light duties, even sewing (I have the machine).
  
  It would be around 5 hours work, 5 days per week and I would be very flexible about the working hours as I work shifts myself.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  I have a good sized 4 bedroom house and by the time the rooms will be available you will have your own bed, access to wifi, shared bathroom with full size bath, second toilet on ground floor. Kitchen is due to be fitted by end of September, update...now mid October and should be ready for guests. Meantime I need to improvise with a kettle, microwave and grill pan. If I manage to get success and have a plumber at the start there may even be an en-suite in the attic for guests.
  
  I tend to work shifts, so I do not always have time myself to sit and eat dinner if I work late shift. I would enjoy a nice breakfast with guests before we start our day. You will have plenty food for lunch and dinner (which hopefully we can share)
  
  You will have your own space and be able to come and go as you please once the work is done for the day or on your days off.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I recently changed the internet which seems to be working on the first 2 floors. I haven't tried the attic, but if there is an issue, you are more than welcome to use the office space.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is free parking around the area. However, when I owned my camper, due to the limited parking spaces on the actual street, the neighbours complain. However, within a few minutes walk, there are a lot of good secure spots which regularly hosts fellow campers in the summer.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I have a large super friendly rescued Maremma sheepdog who loves the company of other dogs. But, he does not get along with cats, that's a definite no-go for him. We would be happy to host workawayers who travel with their dogs and Oscar would love to show them his favourite parks and beaches.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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