Home Extension Thread 2019 - The Extension

[TheFatberg]

Only a few posts left on the first thread of 2019, so here's a new one to get us started.

@MyNameIsJane Did you clear the shelves at Home Bargains?
I wish they did more sizes

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo Nearly!

:D :D :D Jane!! Leave some for the rest of us who are still kitchenless!! What a haul! I might have to visit tomorrow once the kids are back in school. I like those clear trays!

We've used those screws before and I agree, they really work for plasterboard. My plan is to get New Dad to put as many shelfs and things on wall up for me as possible. He has a huge range of spirit levels and knows his rawl plugs lol! He has already pooh poohed the fixings supplied with the wall dryer I have chosen.

@321pastamaker - some builders won't talk to you without plans but what I wished I'd known before is that some builders have affiliations with architects and vice versa.

I'd speak to a couple of architects first to get an idea of what might be possible and what planning permissions you might need. They will be able to give a very ballpark cost per sqm. They will give you an idea at least of if you might be able to do what you want within your budget.

If you have a builder recommended to you then speak to them and see if they have preferred architects.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your lovely comments.

@Spidershuffle - re the oven configuration - it's perhaps not obvious in the picture but we have a fairly standard double oven and then next to it on the right is the space where our existing microwave will go and below that a small warming drawer. The space above it is the one error our architect made - think he got a bit muddled and we are still awaiting a door to go in the space.

@WorrisomeHeart The whole process has been incredibly quick (by most people's standards). We didn't even start looking round until after Christmas them they started work mid-May and (more or less) finished by end of July.

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo The paint is just Dulux (trade) Daffodil White.

Updated splashback photos - it’s not quite done yet but boy it is purty.

Gorgeous @WorrisomeHeart. I think it looks good how you have kept the sockets to a minimum by tucking them round in the hidden corner.
How's your utility corner looking?

That alusplash looks great!

The splash backs look great @WorrisomeHeart . I especially like the way they did it around the wall above the hob

It's a lot prettier than the apprentice's attempt at cutting out my storage under the window seat! :D I am only laughing about it as New Dad builder has already sighed and knows how to fix it.

Thanks all, I am really pleased with it and can’t wait to see how it looks once we get the doors and velux opened up and some light in there.

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo I am unsure about the socket placement - I am a bit worried it will end up being a nightmare to get behind things to get to them, but we’ll see. There is also a socket in the island for as hoc usage.

Utility doors should be finished today so I’ll share a pic tonight. Apparently there are roofers onsite too which is hugely exciting!!

Kitchen fit continues. Again I'll sing the praises of Betterkitchens. I misordered and ended up an end panel short. They have been super helpful and waived the delivery charge and will send one asap. The guys there couldn't be more helpful. Flooring down as well...I haven't seen it in the flesh but pretty pleased so far

I'd also like to sing the praises of my builders. We are moving back in tomorrow and they apparently haven't stopped today in order to get the downstairs safe for the kids. My husband's at home and he says it's been nonstop. They're amazing

Oh that looks fantastic @Noroof how exciting!!

Such a lovely shade of blue. Very restful

The colour was a gamble... is actually a green in some lights and grey blue in others

I'm v impressed with your builders @noroof. It seems like only a few weeks ago they started!

I'm very impressed too ha ha. 6 weeks... in that time they've: stripped internal walls and put in supports; insulated all walls; ripped out kitchen and knocked down dividing wall; moved other walls and built new door frames; taken the entire roof off and rebuilt with higher trusses; put in several large velux; partitioned and plaster plated the new upstairs; fitted new kitchen; installed patio door and new back door and window; new ceilings and we are now waiting on staircase and shower room installation. They've also probably done shed loads of other stuff that's less noticeable.
They are well worth the money!

They sound incredible @noroof!!

Arrived home tonight to unconvered veluxes in the kitchen! Still getting a leak from one so fingers crossed for no rain tonight...

What a lot of light you've got there! Looks great

Is your roof a flat roof @WorrisomeHeart? We had a leak at one of our Velux and it turned out to be water getting under the lead flashing higher up and to the side then running down. Ours is the minimum 15 degree tiled pitch.

We had some brickies (who all seem to drive red Golfs here, brick coloured??) look again at our extension. I think they think one of our windows is not going to line up correctly with the bricks. I feel like asking them if it's "on the wonk" but fear they will laugh if it's an English only term. :D :D

Yep it’s definitely coming in one of the veluxes but they don’t have the lids on yet so hopefully it’s fixable.

How’s everyone else’s day been?

Ah, I see now, thanks @GreenShadow. I think we've now settled on a single oven and a combo oven/microwave thing. I really wanted two full ovens (which we have now) but just can't fit it in and we really don't use both of them enough at the moment to sacrifice the microwave for it (current microwave is not in the kitchen - one of the things we are aiming to fix). What have you all opted for?

What an awesome week for you guys, Worrisome and Noroof! Really impressed with your builders, Noroof, how did you go about finding them?

We've gone for a single oven (but with hide and slide door so slightly smaller than the norm) and a oven micro combo.
Same as we already have but the existing combi is the old style controls on the side so really small. Can't justify 2 full ovens.
We were offered a wide induction hob with ?6 zones but again apart from full Christmas Dinner, never required. I'd prefer the extra work surface and I have my Tillreda portable hob if 4 zones aren't enough.
Not having the "thread FF" but integrated full height fridge and separate freezer

We have 2 full ovens and a microwave although I’m currently having trouble with the microwave shutting down yesterday. As it’s only a week or two old I’m not sure whether to contact Indesit or Argos.

Oh and we moved in on Wednesday. Hope to move the children in with us by the end of the weekend. (Or maybe not if they keep squabbling... )