Anyone renovating this year?

[LittleCheesyPineappleOne]

We're renovating and internally remodelling our Victorian cottage this year. Loft extension, removing/moving staircases, moving walls, replastering - a big job. We have a super architect who is helping us convert our ideas into reality. He's just been over with the plans and we're now at the stage of getting quotes from builders and approaching the mortgage company. We hope to start in early summer.

I am now feeling increasingly nervous as to what a huge undertaking it is. We need to think seriously about details - shopping for a new kitchen/utility/bathroom/loo - deciding on doors/ironmongery/windows/decor. We will have to move out for 3-4 months so need to think about rental properties too.

Anyone else doing big work this year, who might hold my hand? Or point me to a thread if there's one going - I couldn't see one on the first few pages.

Thanks

We are coming to the end of a big renovation. Fortunately not living in this time.

In terms of decisions one of the first things that needs doing is a plan of the electrics, so you need to have a good idea of furniture placement/kitchen layout in order to get this sorted. Colour schemes can wait and be changed, but electrics are a real pain to change once the plastering is done.

You can get around the electrics problem by putting a double socket in each corner (more where you have audio visual equipment) - radiators are much trickier to place.

Love this thread already. My husband couldn't fine me earlier as I had nearly drowned under a pile of brochures and home magazines.

Good tip re electrics

Hmmm radiator placing in the extension is something I'm not sure about, have one wall free (i.e. not french window or kitchen units) and trying to work out best place for rad. Couldn't afford under floor heating & not sure about it anyway, was worried about leaks. All other rooms are fairly straightforward.

Gracie - re attic conversion - you may need planning permission for roof windows if you live e.g. in a conservation area. Will definitely need building regs approval. Have a look at the Planning Portal online , it is good for explaining what you can do within your permitted development rights.

Out loft extension is a dormer, but we needed a Certificate of Permitted Development. Speak to your planning officer; they're really helpful IME.

A double socket in each corner would be no good to me, especially in a kitchen. We have 21 sockets in our kitchen at home, 16 in the renovation.

Sockets need to be where they are needed to prevent trailing wires, so not all of my sockets are at skirting board level, sockets are either side of the bed for lamps, next to the phone point for the broadband box, next to the tv wall bracket for the TV (with ariel and satelite sockets next to it) etc etc.

I agree about radiators though, we don't like under floor heating either.

Sockets aren't allowed to be at skirting level now anyway. They have to be easily accessible from a wheelchair (can't remember the exact height).

We are currently debating the best way to take down a concrete wall so that I have space for washing machine and tumble dryer in the bathroom. I hate having to do laundry downstairs and want the kitchen space for a dishwasher.

For some bizarre reason, whoever built our house decided to fill the plaster board with concrete presumably so that they could attach their firesafe and it wouldn't get nicked. Very annoying. What could have been a claw hammer job is now a diamond saw job

Oh me too!

We are buying our first house in a matter of weeks (I hope). It's a Victorian semi which was rented out as bedsits before repossession, so it needs a fair bit of cosmetic work doing (hideous light fittings) as well as some structural work - strapping & restraints, apparently. We are - perhaps naively - hoping it will all be done by July when we have to relocate ready for DP to start his new job.

Strapping/restraints, new floors, new kitchen, bathroom, insulation, painting, new fittins etc... maybe a small extension...

I would always go through planning and you def need b-regs as you are changing it into an habitable room (fire escape etc) plus if you ever sell the property you will need to show eviedence that it was converted correctly.

You can insert velux type roof lights without planning.

If its a terrace then I would be suprised if there is enough head height plus the amount of actual useable room area.

You can do some measurements yourself before even thinking about it.

I had a dream about kitchen layouts last night. It really does take over your life....