Home Extensions 2017 - come along on the journey

[RedRobin1]

Hi just wondered if anyone has recently started or about to start a home extension. Haven’t seen a 2017 thread so starting one here.

Our two-storey extension is due to start on 1st March and we have just started packing boxes. The planning and research has been ongoing for 2-3 years. Had planning permission approved a few years back and completed all the research around what we would like in our new extended and how we would like to design it all - extending the kitchen / dining area downstairs to create an open plan living, dining and kitchen space and an extra bedroom upstairs.

Have two DCs under 4 and need help / advice / tips and general hand holding.

Is anyone else starting theirs soon?

Jigster- Our Kitchen is coming from Benchmarx, as recommended by our builders. The planner was great and is coming to remeasure everything soon as we now need a pier built to support the steel beams.

Team Rick- I feel our annoyance. Ours builders say they are going to be here then dont turn up! On those days im straight on the phone enquiring. They must hate me :)

Progress finally happening here.(week 9) The windows and doors are now in and the knock through is happening on Monday. Trying to clear the kitchen, hall and garage is proving challenging as we still need to use so much stuff. Plus its DD2's 7th birthday at the weekend and family have decided to descend on us on Sunday for a get together. Trying to sort party food and vacate the kitchen at the same time is going to be interesting!

End of week 4 here and finally had the concrete poured yesterday. We've had various delays, from sickness bugs (which we had too) to issues with access.... But building proper starts next week!

SPIE sounds like we're almost at the same stage! I'm going to keep an eye on your progress! PIgley I don't feel I can complain too much, builder texts DH every night telling him what's going on! Although this week he keeps repeating that once this bit is done it 'will fly up'!
After this weeks £7k invoice for materials DH says he wants to see 7k's worth of flying up!

Heading into week 4 here and our knock through is happening on mon. Kitchen coming from Yewtree - found them on here! What floors are you all having? Am currently deliberating between karndean opus Nero tiles or actual slate tiles but as we are not having underfloor heating, I'm unsure if slate tiles are a good idea ... Help!!

We're heading into week 4 too window ...I would like indoor /outdoor tiles for my bifolds which will have a low threshold to the patio but the prices are around £50m2 and though I will have a smaller garden ,patio will be needed at the back as well so still debating that..my kitchen is around 5x5m and then patio !! So will have to think hard ..

Window we have slate currently, it looks lovely but is a bugger to clean, phones and everything else break if you drop them and it's cold (though we have a 1930s house which probably doesn't have much under the floor)! I'm thinking karndean at the moment though we haven't had a proper look yet.

Annoyingly the suppliers have sold out of our matching bricks so fingers crossed they arrive this week as its all at a standstill untill they do!
I am however dreading the knockthrough as its dusty enough so far!

Our mAkeshift kitchen is being made at the end of the week. Building starts week on Monday. I also think the knocking through will be worst.

Can I join? Just starting a big build on our house, loft extension and ensuite for us, a remodel of the downstairs, new kitchen, new porch and small first floor extension. We move out next week. It's all a bit overwhelming as it's costing a fortune and our house is already lovely but it doesn't work for us anymore and the costs of moving are so huge that extending is the sensible option. My first stress is getting us into rented and my second that we've never spent so much money in our lives but trying to see it as an investment in the long term.

Knock through started here this morning at the same time that I was getting the kids out to school! It is full on. I am currently hiding up in the loft! The most stressful thing is managing the budget. Aside from that, it honestly isn't as horrendous as I thought it would be. Not fun, but manageable. Fridge and microwave in front room - we will manage!

Week 10 here and the knockthrough started today. Crazy timing for us though as today was also DD2's 7th birthday. Yesterday was her party (Bowling) then a family party here at home, so its been tricky doing party food and also trying to clear out the kitchen diner. Juggling builders whilst DD was opening presents this morning was fun too.
The dog also managed to get out sat afternoon as the side access wasnt left secure, so had a drama there too!
Very noisy and dusty but nice to see it finally taking shape although the lounge is pretty rammed with the makeshift kitchen in it too.

The steel beams go in tomorrow. At just over half a ton its going to be a task and I don't envy the builders.

Window- We are having Karndean Da Vinci , limestone.

Walks are starting to appear here, at last! I'm finding this bit quite exciting

Need to sort the kitchen out though....we are going to order from DIY and I'm worried about ordering based on the measurements from the plans. Builder thinks we will need it for 6 weeks time, and with the 3 ish week turnaround on delivery, nothing will be plastered at that point so how reliable will actual measurements be...!? Argh

Yes I understand what you mean spydie we are going to order shortly as they need 6weeks also but I am going to go by my plans with designer and then once it's fully plastered he will measure my actual kitchen space in situ ...on one wall it's got to be near the button otherwise I will need to go to a 550 unit instead of 600 but apparently as long as it's 2weeks or so before it should be ok ...

I think we are just going to have to wait tbh. I need to chat with builder, he wants us to use Howdens but I just don't like their range and am in love with the Silsden range from DIY. He keeps asking us if we have read all the reviews as he doesn't think their ordering/customer service is very good... I have but also believe people generally only like to report the bad. We also know a kitchen fitter who has DIY in his kitchen and they have nothing but good things to say. I need to get him round and walk through my plans and order list.

We also have a wall where the measurements are very tight so I really don't want to order until I've physically measured. Worst case we might have to get the range in and continue living out of boxes otherwise....

spydie builders do love Howdens I know. And with good reason- Howdens and Benchmarxx (their premium brand) are very reliable. Also they get good trade kickbacks.

Pigley - we are decided on Karndean and I think it's going to be concrete effect which I am slightly worried about but which DH loves! Steels going in next week, it's all a bit of a mess here, quite frankly. Nearly time for my G&T out of a tin!!

Window, Pigley and other Karndean users- how did you choose what to have? The guy from my local flooring shop stocks a big range and sent me off with a brochure- now I'm bamboozled by all their different ranges!

Tatler- On the karndean website you can order free samples. We ordered tons and once we had narrowed it down to what we thought we wanted we ordered a full size tile for about £3. It really helped to see it on a bigger scale and in different lights.

Spydie- Our kitchen is from Benchmarx after the builder recommended them. Only heard good things about them from various tradesmen.

Things are all go here. Steels are in, new doorways are appearing. Acro props coming down tomorrow and floor screed going down Sat. Boarding and plastering then the decorator is booked for the end of next week and the kitchen fitter booked for the 4th.
Hopefully we wont be without a kitchen for too long! Washing up in the bath is becoming tedious!

Thanks pigley! Good tip.
Which kitchen are you having? I like the Borrowdale (I want an inframe shaker) but have set my heart on a navy blue island and grey wall cupboards.

Tatlerer- We went with Sherwood in Bone white with a Walnut worktop.
Wanted something classic that wouldnt date too much too quickly.
So hard trying to imagine it though in a space that hadnt even been built then.
Benchmarx are coming to remeasure on wed as we have to add a steel beam down one wall ( for the supporting beam) and need to re arrange a few cupboards to accommodate this.

Floor screed was laid Sat. Company arrived at 7.15! Which was abit of a shock on a Saturday morning!

Very nice pigley! I'm sure a navy/grey combo will date terribly but I can't help it- I have to go for it! At DIY kitchens prices we can always replace it down the line if I fall out of love with it (or get the doors resprayed). Ha! 7.15 on a Sat! That is quite brutal

Our build has ground to a halt last week was a wash out due to rain and we made about 2 days progress. Coming up against issue after issue, mostly due to the difficult access. But add to that days when the builders b*gger off early we are getting less and less understanding, more and more frustrated!

That sounds very frustrating Spie, I share your pain!
my bricklayers have gone to centre parks! !
They will apparently be starting mid week, bricks were supposed to arrive today but are a no show, they are already a week behind and we're only on week 4!
I'm not filled with confidence either!

Not much happened here last week either, hampered by the rain and setting up another project at the same time! Our bricklayers are due next week. It's also half term here next week so am packing the DC off to granny's.

End of day 2 here. Yesterday they demolished the old wash house, which was attached to the house. Today they have nigh on finished digging the foundations. Tomorrow they'll finish that, peg out markings and the building regs man will come from the council. On Thursday the concrete should go in. They're aiming to start bricklaying on Friday. I'm shocked at the speed of it so far.