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Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition

1000 replies

DustandRubble · 08/06/2018 20:24

A thread to share the highs and lows of all things extension, loft conversion, renovation related. Bring your own dustpan and brush.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
151
Humptynumpty02 · 22/06/2018 20:57

Lots going on this week, doors arrived and hung, garage door arrived yesterday and installed, kitchen arrived and being fitted although had a fair few issues with the delivery (items damaged, wrong colour, wrong sized doors) but all being resolved quickly by DIY Kitchens. Skip now gone and going to start converting the front garden to an extra parking space. Walk through wardrobe now built by carpenter and loving it, although it still needs painting (my job, no ££'s), 2bd fix electrics almost complete utility room almost kitted out, radiators installed throughout the house today, decorating almost done, a mammoth week all round. Got 3 handmade kitchen larders arriving on Monday to complete the kitchen, started fixing the very broken garden which will take alot of effort to bring back to its former glory. Windows are still a problem, sitting waiting for the replacements to come.

Only other outstanding item is new front door which still haven't decided on and getting desperate. Anyobe recently installed a door, any suggestions?

4yearsnosleep · 23/06/2018 00:58

Wow Humpty what a week! Please share pics.

We went with a Solidor last year in a peacock blue & it's fantastic

Hopefully · 23/06/2018 05:53

Humpty that sounds like amazing progress. I've also heard good things about Solidor, but I'm going to try to look at some in the coming months - I haven't seen a composite door that I liked the look of yet. I fancy a timber one, but I suspect the styles we like will be more money than we want to spend (as always!).

Well we finally, late yesterday evening, got our rear elevations and outline schedule of works, so we're making progress towards my planning application deadline of 2nd July. Of course, the schedule of works has fairly crucial things missing like the replacement of the front door (although it has the removal of it!), and the fact that we stated from the get go that we wanted a mixture of standing seam roofing and timber cladding, and we currently have standing seam roofing and render. But, as you all know, my architect is clearly not there to listen to me, is he? Grin

We're using an online estimating service to get a rough cost together next week, which I'm really interested to see - we've seen a couple of examples of their estimates and they are really very thorough. And once that's done we're onto final snag bits of the design then hopefully into planning in 10-14 days. Or six months, if my architect has his way. Eye roll.

Hopefully · 23/06/2018 05:57

If anyone's interested, here's our current and proposed ground floor plans and the rear elevation. The rear view looks terrifyingly boxy, but the roof is actually sloped on the dormer to make it less imposing.

Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
Hopefully · 23/06/2018 05:59

And here's upstairs.

Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
4yearsnosleep · 23/06/2018 07:28

Hopefully it looks like a huge and will be a wonderful transformation. Your architect sounds exasperating. I hope that you get it all sorted soon and can get rid of the eejit

Threesocks · 23/06/2018 08:12

Humpty - wow sounds like loads of progress!
Hopefully - it looks lovely to me (note - I am not an architect!)

We are progressing through the demo. They have demolished the old extension and broken up all the old concrete this week- digger is coming on Monday (my son is VERY excited about it!!)

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 23/06/2018 14:03

So jealous of everyone's progress, we haven't even told the builder we like that he got the gig (will meet him Monday) and no idea when he'll be able to start. If it's all done this time next year I'll be over the moon tbh.

hendricksy · 23/06/2018 15:41

I finally got a quote !! It's surprisingly cheap ! ... 46 plus vat for a garage conversion and single storey extension to include fitting a kitchen Of our choice . I'm amazed it's so cheap .. I expected £100k but he seems legit and it was a very comprehensive quote ( 20 pages all itemised )

4yearsnosleep · 23/06/2018 16:26

That sounds like a great deal! Our single storey extension shell is £47k no plumbing/electrics/flooring/plastering etc Envy

hendricksy · 23/06/2018 16:42

I'm worried it's too cheap but I really liked him. 🤔.. I'm very upfront and asked him if he was honest and if not he could go and we could still be friends 😂... he really did seem genuine . I feel like I've watched too many 'builders from hell ' type programmes but there must be good decent builders out there ? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

BlueAnchor · 23/06/2018 18:36

Love to join and have enjoyed reading.
Six weeks into a house refurb (all rooms including bathrooms) plus loft conversion, moving of the kitchen, enlarging a room, creating a new cloakroom and digging out the garden to level.

So far so good. The builder is great, all on time, very organized and leaves the house as clean and tidy as possible. The young lads working for him even Hoover!

Some sleepless nights. Are the loft conversion windows in the right place! Are there enough of them? What is the head height going to be? Will we still have a view? Is the island worktop the right size, does the white of the sink match the white of the worktop? Why do I have to explain to the bank every time I withdraw my own money to spend ...and why do I have to share my toilet with 6 guys who never put the seat down! 😂😂😂

I am pleased that we have waited and refurbished the whole house, not trying to do it piecemeal. Initially it was because I wanted the same finishes throughout but actually the practicalities are so much improved. It doesn't matter that the carpet is dirty or that the ceiling plaster is dropping in the bedrooms as they convert the loft above as it will all be refinished and painted.

Too many decisions, appliances, lighting, flooring, kitchen, paint colors and finishes...for someone like me that hates stuff that doesn't match and tbh is a bit tight!

FiloPasty · 23/06/2018 23:12

Where in the country are you Hendricks? I wish that was my quote!

hendricksy · 23/06/2018 23:53

@FiloPasty .. the south east ..!!!! I'm amazed it's so cheap.

Whattodowithaminute · 24/06/2018 06:19

Wow hendricksy that’s an amazing quote. Will you need structural steel and glazing? Does it include flooring, carpentry, bathrooms etc? (Just trying to justify our total which sits at about 3 times yours...) have you got more quotes coming?

hendricksy · 24/06/2018 07:33

Yes I've got more coming but it's like pulling teeth to get anyone to come . I couldn't get anyone at all without plans so decided to get plans and submit for permission to try and get an idea of how much it will be expecting that we maybe couldn't justify the cost .
We are 'only' converting a garage to living with change to doors and windows and then building a single storey extension in a different place .
The quote includes the cost of all work, even the fitting of the kitchen and tiling the floor and walls . Also electric s and plumbing .
I found the company from trust a trader and he has a shop and everything so it all seems good . I will of course research him more if we decide to go with him but I really liked him as well .

hendricksy · 24/06/2018 07:35

Oh yes we do need a steel to answer your question and that isn't included because we decided to deal with that if we got permission but he said that would be around £2500 inc structural engineers costs . So not a lot really in the grand scale.
Oh and it also included paving to both areas ! We we don't even need !

FiloPasty · 24/06/2018 10:42

I think my structural engineer has cost me the best part of 2k, depends on the age of your house too with the steels, we’re basically adding a kitchen extension that’s about 2m x 6m and need 5 steels as some internal changes to layout if the downstairs.
It sounds like a through quote though, ask to see some of his previous work. I’m very much a gut person, sounds like he’s made a good impression.

BrandNewHouse · 24/06/2018 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hendricksy · 24/06/2018 11:38

Thanks , yes we only need one steel and as the builder works alongside the S.I they do a better price . I'll see what the other quotes come in at so that will give me a better idea if it's too cheap .

hendricksy · 24/06/2018 13:30

Structural engineer not S.I 🙄

Oblomov18 · 24/06/2018 19:24

Good to see all the progress!!

My kitchen is workable. I have used the dishwasher, washing machine, oven and fridge.

There is still a lot to do, skirting, plants above gloss units etc.

We have made a snagging list.

But the main thing, is that I feel we are finally getting somewhere.

Does anyone have any suggestions for colours, accessories to add?

Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition
VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 26/06/2018 15:37

Looks lovely Oblomov.
Are you arty/crafty? Into antiques? Books? Baking? Let your passions dictate accessories.
I'm adding an ikea wall hanging plate rack or two in the dining area for some pretty decorative white and blue plates and cookery books I love. Will also look nice with fairy lights in winter, is my thinking.
I'm also adding picture shelves for my art and the kids' projects. And a big new england style cotton rug under the dining table. (not practical perhaps but v cosy)

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 26/06/2018 15:41

(IKEA Mosslanda picture ledges and Stenstorp plate shelfs.)

Imsodonewithshit · 26/06/2018 15:42

Can I join!

My plans are going through building regs right now. Just at the getting quotes stage.

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