Home extension 2019 the Third thread- Drowning in Dust

[WhereDoesThisToiletGo]

And we're off again

but with a woodburner - the woodburner we're getting is very retro styled so hoping that the smooth lines will go

Been awol a bit here, but life outside the build has been manic. Also we are now sub 5 days from being finished (bar the painting and carpeting and furnishing etc etc). Just one or two more days of snagging, including reinstating all the doors and plinths because they weren’t trimmed enough for the floor, and then the final electric fix. Can’t believe that we will soon be in a position where we won’t have builders constantly here!!
The floor has continued to be brilliant - yes it’s amtico, can’t remember who asked - and it’s juar lovely. Feels really nice underfoot as well. Good luck to everyone for the week ahead!

Well done @WorrisomeHeart sounds fab. Can't wait to finish but in reality we have only just started. Been with family all weekend and my cousin's new baby so very distracted from planning. But kids in bed now so should really be cracking on.

I had lost my extension mojo but now we have a little progress. DH hopes to help with plaster boarding dd2’s room on Tuesday, we now have our boiling hot water tap working in the kitchen and the sink is now fitted. Plumber coming tomorrow to work on setting up the heating upstairs. Hoping to get upstairs fully done by the half term. 4 weeks eek!

Wow @WorrisomeHeart so exciting you're in the final stretch!!

It's mad how much time it all takes @Slightlysurviving

@northernruth that looks great!! I'm having wood burner woes as I read that you can't have one in the same room as an extractor fan. Does anyone know if this is true?! I'm hoping to speak to building control about it and that the room is big enough to allow it. Or perhaps you have to have extra vents fitted.

Lovely seeing everyone's progress but also down-heartening too owing to our delay.
Living out of boxes when there is no building work at all is so frustrating. I've lost my building mojo.

Looked in my work diary and my 1st appointment today is 'build week 2 '

Been hearing horrible things about llocal planning that is quite worrying- now 2 projects very close by are stalled as planning is having issues. The loft I told you all about a couple of weeks ago is having to be taken down and rebuilt

I am no longer confident that we will get permission against our current modest plans. And the planning portal says decision expected 11 Nov, when the planning person has told us 5 Oct.

We've decided that if they turn us down this time we will unpack and mount a legal challenge. Which will be a marvellous use if my time and energy.

I need feeding with larder porn to keep me happy. Keep it coming !

@WorrisomeHeart that's so exciting! What flooring did you go for? I think we are having marmolem in the kitchen, which means a level change if we keep our wood floor in the dining room and hall so I'm considering Amtico

Oh @lightlypoached I'm so sorry that sounds like a nightmare 😔 I hope things get sorted soon! What area of the country are you in?

I would love an extension if budget allows!

How accurate are these prices you reckon? Are they similar to what any of you have paid?

www.conservatoryprices-uk.co.uk/house-extensions-cost/

Yep sounds about right and depends on the size of the building company and your location. We had everything from £1000-£3000 per m2 not including the kitchen/flooring etc

@KirstyVal whereabouts in the country are you?

My quote was £80,000 not including windows electrics or plumbing, or kitchen and bathroom fittings. We have a double storey side extension and two small single storey extensions (one for a utility and one for a small breakfast area). Three big steels and a couple of supporting lintels and the house is rendered.

My quotes ranged from £65,000 (cash in hand no questions asked) to over £200k plus VAT (fancy full on building firm who get builds in Real Homes magazine). I've had to source my own windows and fittings etc but then I didnt' just want a Howdens kitchen and standard double glazing. So it depends what you want and how much leg work you are prepared to do yourself

We are getting quotes now, 3meter rear extension and partial wrap around 2nd story. So far £120k to £200 all local recommend builders. I Just hoping the one I liked right at the start comes in at the lower end. I guess it's lucky I can tile and we will do all decorating. Still a couple more quotes to go we are in the SE btw.

@WorrisomeHeart so close!!

@lightlypoached what a nightmare, fingers crossed you get some good news soon!

We are just getting quotes at the moment too. What factors (other than price!) did everyone take into account when choosing?

That's a grand fireplace @northernruth. Sure it will look lovely in.

I've also lost momentum...or rather new dad has def lost momentum. We were meant to get a visit from big groundsman on sat for extremal window sills and patio prep but nothing. Then nothing yesterday. Now we're down to last bits I'm extra worried about abandonment!

@lightlypoached, I feel for your neighbour having to pull down the loft extension and it does sound like your bc is super tough! Fingers crossed it doesn't get to legal action.

Oh @soakedat3 that's really annoying! Hope he comes and sorts everything out!

I'm really frustrated at the weather forecast!! Roof was supposed to go on this week and doors in next Thursday. I'm really worried we are going to be delayed 😭

@Spidershuffle personality was a big factor- you're practically living with these guys so you have to click! And previous work/recommendations. I only saw pictures but I did speak to a previous client on the phone who sung their praises so that sold it for me. We didn't go for the cheapest, think 3rd cheapest but was in budget still. Also ours included everything in the quote so (so far) not had any hidden extras to worry about!

@Spidershuffle Personality was also a factor for us. As @soakedat3 they are in your house A LOT! Some mornings I was just out of the shower when they arrived!!
Instinct plays a big part I think. I had to really imagine who I could leave in the house every day (myself and husband both work full time), and who would employ decent other trades that would also be in the house alone. We did send personal documents and passports to my mums house, just in case!
We had 3 quotes, all recommended by friends and we chose the middle one. We also had an 'all in' quote, even down to the painting.
I was super pleased with the whole team that were used that we now have all their contact details - as the rest of the house needs work! In fact the electrician is in today doing some switches in other rooms (we finished the build in April) and I just left the key under the mat as I know I can trust him!

Arco props finally down.
Dangly wires everywhere as First fix electrics underway
Little roof on extension just managed to get the waterproof felt on it before the heavens opened!

Eeek! How is it holding up @wheredoes?

No more larder porn here as still waiting on drawer boxes. Sigh! Anyway, I offer a "shelfie" that cheered me up.

Having a dither.
Had planned to drop the ceiling in living area /extension to be level with bottom of steel that separates it from the kitchen area.
But builder measured it out this afternoon and because the beam is bigger than originally planned, ergo the level ceiling would be lower and would be level with tops of windows /French doors. Which I think is too low.
Thoughts please?

I've gone for same ceiling height as in the original house @WhereDoesThisToiletGo - i thought I would prefer the higher ceilings and live with the box where the steel is

@avocuddl We'd decided to drop the ceiling in extension because I want to add some acoustic insulation (bedroom above big new kissass TV) but it doesn't need the full drop down to beam level.

I would not lower the ceilings. Top of the French doors is quite low.

Thanks for your views.
I'm so glad that I dithered before they timber up the new level.
I'll let him know first thing tomorrow.

And my fancy pants Italian radiators are on their way! (the ones with the trees on them)

oooh @WhereDoesThisToiletGo they sound nice, Pics please

I've had a fairly productive day, ordered 12 sets of bakelite handles for the doors, showed builder the broken light fitting and we didn't quite end up agreeing what would happen but he wasn't happy. Drove back to Brighouse and ordered the correct fireplace. Decorator turned up and started painting the back bedroom , lovely colour, Churlish Green.

I'm getting a little stressed about the french windows - we have heritage french doors that are Crittal style. The original supplier had a long lead time and was expensive. I found another supplier who was a lot cheaper and offered a seemingly shorter lead time, placed the order, lead time went longer but the windows are now in

However the spacing is all wrong. The panes of glass are supposed to be even and they're not. I have a small opening window in the smaller of the two french doors and it's just in completely the wrong place. There's no way it will line up with the transoms when they are fitted. I keep chasing the company but they aren't replying. I ordered these windows on 6 July and they're still not in!!! Have emailed again tonight but I might start commenting on their instagram feed......

@soakedat3 that's a worry I have too, I'm currently trying to ensure that all little snagging items get looked at before they embark on the final big knock through, so that I don't have to chase too much at the end!!! Hope you get it all sorted