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Property/DIY

Tell me it won't be like this forever

9 replies

happymschicken · 25/05/2012 18:38

Moved into new house last week. Whole house needs modernising and already fed up with the mess, builders not turning up to give us quotes and living with a tiny and hideous kitchen.

I just can't see the woods for the trees at the moment and not helping we're on a very tight budget and having a toddler and young baby living in this chaos.

I know I'm whinging on but I'm so fed up and got months of this yet!

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Yorky · 25/05/2012 19:12

It won't last forever, and when the work is done you will feel so proud of your lovely new looking home, and food will taste so much better without brick dust in everything!

You have my sympathy as I'm hoping to be in the same boat this time next year - we moved in last Sept and have laid flooring, redone the bathroom totally, opened a doorway, replaced some windows and a door, but are hoping to put an extension on as we currently have 2 adults and 4 DC aged 5 and under in a 3 bed semi - with a small and hideous kitchen!

Good luck

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happymschicken · 25/05/2012 20:56

Thanks! I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to tidiness so it's testing me to the very limits. The only saving grace is the fabulous garden!

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Rhubarbgarden · 25/05/2012 22:41

It will be worth it, I promise. It took us 18 months of hell, but the result is a house that's everything we wanted. It's like childbirth - despite swearing at the time I was never, ever renovating anything again we are now considering buying another doer-upper I must be mad.

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ogredownstairs · 26/05/2012 22:47

same here - we bought a monstrous house and moved in with a 10 week old baby and a toddler. Outside loo, 1950s kitchen ( not in a good way), condemned gas cooker etc. Totally worth it now - you do forget. It's only when I look back at the photos that I remember the hideousness.

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gomowthelawn · 27/05/2012 09:00

I've done this twice, and both times were hell so you have my sympathy. Have you got somewhere to stay when the kitchen and bathrooms are out, or the water is off? I found it very difficult without water or cooking facilities. It can work out very cost effective to stay in a local holiday let, off season, for a couple of weeks. Owners will usually give you a very discounted rate for a last minute booking when they would otherwise be empty.

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ogredownstairs · 27/05/2012 21:03

agree with gomow - we booked a few weeks in a holiday let round the corner for the worst bits. Much easier than a 'proper' let in terms of bills, CTax, parking etc if you can find one.

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lamandler · 29/05/2012 21:52

We have just had offer accepted on a doer upper and I am shaking with fear at the grownupness of it all! Had a builder round the other day and by the time he got to "structural engineering report" I was almost in tears Blush.

We are renting though so at least can stay away for the messiest work!

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legosaurus · 30/05/2012 08:52

We bought a doer upper two years ago and have had to renovate absolutely everything. We are now on the final push with ground floor kitchen and extension, etc but I cannot wait for it to be over. We still have another six weeks to go. It has also tested me to my limits and with renovations and demolition there is always that stage where it gets worse before it gets better.

Hang in there happymschicken, you are not alone in this!

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typicalvirgo · 30/05/2012 08:54

Gulp.

We are thinking about starting on ours. This thread is making me realise just what lies ahead.

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