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?

Busy day here! 8 workmen today and we have joists and scaffolding. Bricklayers are here this weekend too.
Finally completed on our remortgage so it’s time to get excited!

monkey I agree with PPs about having them both the same whether higher or lower. I'm not sure how much too short the new pair of curtains are to keep the poles the same as your current one but if it's not much you may find there's enough fabric in the hem you could let down. Curtains are often made with really quite large hems and if desperate you can reduce them. For example I made a pair for my sister with fabric she'd ordered and she didn't get quite enough. Instead of a traditional 7.5cm for cill length windows I did about 4cm and it was absolutely fine. Your room looks great btw.

Well we feel like things are finally moving. Most of the roof timber on our ground floor extension is in now and they're planning to finish cutting the gaps for the velux tomorrow. The bricklayer has also done a lot over the last couple of days. I will feel even better when they start the loft conversion, though.

I have the start of a utility room yah! Someone been here every single day this week for the first time ever!

Plasterers coming Tuesday fingers crossed he could be gone by this time next week if we're very lucky!

18th October will be 6 months from the day he started!

He's not doing kitchen or flooring or anything so really is down to us for skip- anyway no way would I let him put another one here, it would be seeing in the new year with us!

Our utility room has a roof! We'll hopefully have plasterers soon. They'll also be knocking down walls soon, they've been leaving it as long as possible, not looking forward to that but at least it should mean we're on the final leg.

Alas the builders still haven't arrived; spoke to them today and it seems all their workers have walked out. So they are no officially our ex-builders but to fair have returned the hefty deposit. So our xmas plans now def off....

was very upset, but think i may employ an architect and go out to tender (was managing this myself but clearly not well :()

String that's rubbish but at least you're not half way through looking on the bright side!

Oh no string that's not a good start.

string that's crappy It is nothing to do with your project management, though. Just bad luck.

string. I am sure it doesn't feel like it now but could be the best thing ever - imagine having to go the distance with unhappy builders and all that tension. We had our moments but we trusted ours and grew pretty fond of the workers. I hope you find similar.

Had a satisfying morning pulling out most of the old kitchen, have left the hob, oven & sink for now and still have the washer & dishwashers plumbed in.

Hoped to great a bit more space but haven't really managed to!

Create! Bloody spell check!

Monkey things settled down with you?

Nope

But it's not really building related now. Still massive anxiety about the structure being unsafe, but I think me and H are about to split. So I'm looking for another house anyway!

Oh monkey, so very sorry to hear this (am assuming you're being deadly serious here)

If so: and

Yeah I'm serious. It's my decision. We've been on dodgy ground for a long time. But all this has just pushed me over the edge and I've realised how I'd be happier and more independent without him. It's like having a 4th child, and parenting alone anyway!

Big unmumsnetty hugs to you. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself and good luck with everything moving forwards. And because it's Saturday, more

Bloody hell Monkey am sorry or pleased which ever is the most appropriate response

You really are going through it you poor thing!

We have FIL in hospital & other stuff going on which has made all this harder but blimey! I can't imagine how much pressure you're under.

Gin?

Im in my jammies. My best friends have just messaged me to say they've got lots of bottles of wine and chocolate ready and to walk up at 8.30, so I have a plan for the evening Luckily I live in the middle of nowhere with no street lights so I'm staying in my jammies too!

Hope you've all had productive building days.

I'm meant to have plumbers coming on Monday to put all yhe pipework in for the new kitchen. I've written a plan and all the appropriate phone numbers down for H. I've passed it all over to him. Its liberating!

I bet it is! Good for you!

Have a lovely evening with your friends!

V

monkey

Will respond properly to everyone soon. Am so tired tonight- already on way to bed!

Hope you had s good evening Monkey!

I did, thanks. I sank 2 bottles of wine and ate a family bag of m&m peanuts and it was ace.

Dh took kids out today. I've been very naughty. I took £300 that was earmarked for the plumber tomorrow and went shopping. I've got new boots, jeans, tops, jumper, slippers, pj's, the toddler even has some chocolate brown Uggs

What's your plan for next week then rick?

The plan is:
Monday -finish off plasterboard & stud walls
Tuesday- plasters in

That's what Twatchops says he's doing so we will see!

Our plans are
Plumber on standby to come & install boiler as soon as wall plastered & ready
Fella starting patio sometime this week so what's the betting I have a spanking new patio before I have a boiler! 🙄

Last night sounds great as does the shopping trip! I drank copious amounts of red wine last too! Had a stoned of a headache this morning! Good for you! I'm living in my ugg boots indoors at the moment- only things that keep my feet warm!

I bloody hate spell check!