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Tips for living through building work?

2 replies

Ericaceae · 13/08/2019 00:14

The short version of my story is that our 100-odd year old house has developed dry rot because of shoddy DIY by the last owner, and we're facing floors coming up, walls back to brick, ceilings coming down, and the boiler out of action - with two young kids.
At least we've got an electric shower, and a dining room to spread out into.
Any hints or tips for getting through the next few weeks (months?) in terms of mess/practicality?

OP posts:
PazRaz10 · 13/08/2019 15:55

Pack away anything you don't need every day as you cannot imagine the dust until it's too late!
Will you have a kitchen / fringe freezer?

If you already have quotes or an agreed builder, make sure you have or have access to 20% contingency fund. Especially in an older property, they cannot predict what they are going to find/not find.

Depending on when they are starting, if in winter buy a couple of electric heaters. We were unexpectedly without heating for a weekend when plumbing went wrong on a Friday afternoon - with only sheets of plywood between us and the outside - our kitchen was 8degrees!

Expect it to take longer than they are predicting.

Buy cheap mugs for the builders to use - I bought 5x £1 from Asda and glad I did as they get left in all sorts of places and used with cement covered hands etc!

Set boundaries in the beginning if you need to - eg if they can or cannot use your facilities, loo etc. No shoes if going on carpets (unless being replaced!),

Ask questions, if you are not sure ask - it saves bother in the long run. If you're unhappy, shout it out (not literally) but don't be afraid to speak up - it's your house and you want no regrets.
Use their expertise though, they will likely have done some things a million times, but it's new to you - they may be able to help with decision making that seems daunting at first - like light locations, or paint types etc!

Good luck!

Pipandmum · 13/08/2019 15:58

I’d move out. But if not an option beware dust will get every where. Try to seal off the rooms being worked on if possible.
But really move out if you can - work will go quicker.

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