Home extension 2019 the Third thread- Drowning in Dust

[WhereDoesThisToiletGo]

And we're off again

New dad has dumped us I think. Been waiting for him to fix outside sill for couple of weeks. Sigh. I hope he doesn't abandon me completely!

@soakedat3 have you given him his final payment yet?
I think @Noroof decided her builders were cheating on her too. Mine have definitely mentally moved on - BBB has an OW (Other Worksite)

SCAFFOLDING CAME DOWN TODAY!
This is major progress as we can finally get daylight thru new window which has been blocked by boards until now

Sadly yes as everything was completed. OH says it's just low priority and he's keeping faith. I could fix it myself but I don't want to unless I have to. We have New Dad's broom, spade, hose and a backing board still as I said I would rather use his spade to move mud around than mine so he left it for me. Parting gifts?

How does the room look with all the LIGHT @wheredoes?? Are you pleased?

Yes mine are definitely cheating on me now and dont even try to hide it
Ah well they've still done a brilliant job. Its just the little things now and the plumber and electrician still to complete. The plumber has been the worst ever. I honestly will be glad to see the back. Typically I think he's for too many jobs on so he stomps in, clatters about trying to do things too fast and then makes an arse of it. I genuinely have mentioned the fact the boiler is leaking and the fact that the pressure in the house isn't great about 10 times to the builder but nothing ever seems to happen.
Well it'll all be done eventually or the final payment will not happen.
Forn the final payment...do you wait until it's all signed off by building control? I feel an issue as we need a form Q but the builder and the surveyor don't seem to be communicating effectively. Would I be right to withhold payment until I'm certain it'll be signed off? I cant afford to start again with a different surveyor so I need this to work. Argh.

Definitely hold something back until it's all signed off by Building Control

@soakedat3 It's really light considering what a dark room it essentially was, no south light at all.
I was a bit concerned that the kitchen end (which only has a small east window) was a bit dark and I was worried I'd made a mistake going for warm rather than cool LEDS.
But now the walls have dried and lightened it looks better, plus the lights are positioned to reflect light off the fronts of the white wall units, not the beige walls 34cm further back.
Junior Builder has been and cleared a lot of crap out of the garage so that there's room for kitchen delivery people to get through.

:( I really hope New Dad hasn't really abandoned us. Sign off will be a while away as we are still waiting for the amendment to go through. I think that can take almost as long as planning permission!

I know it is not unusual for some bits to be missing when your kitchen units are delivered, but we got some "extras" delivered this afternoon before the proper delivery which is coming tomorrow!

Anything that you actually want to keep?

I dunno, apparently it's 9 cupboard doors which I assume got missed from the main consignment and somehow managed to overtake it!

Main kitchen delivery arrived this morning Whoop whoop!

Anyone else just fucking hating this?

The constant 'unforeseen extras', the dust, the cold, the need to make decisions on the spot for things that should have been highlighted months ago, just all of it.

And my main builder is nice and all - but every time I try and talk money, he acts like it's a massive personal insult. So he needs to add insulation to get through building control. The quote covers insulation. Ah but it doesn't cover this insulation. OK so what does it cover, i.e. does the new bill take account of the savings on the original quote - and he virtually downs tools with the sheer audacity of the question.

And did I mention hating this

Ahhh penguin that sounds tough and I dread that bit. We are struggling to find builders we have had a few quotes but they are all coming in at £3.5k per m2 for just build. We can't and won't pay this. The one we liked recommended and affordable now can't do a job of this size. So we are back to square 1. We have asked our old builder to quote us as better the devil you know in all and he was good last time but will cost more as now isn't local. Ahhhh I just want to start. Sorry needed a rant. Going to have a cuppa and and get on with something else. I am loving all the updates by the way your home's all look fabulous and learning lots from you guys. Remember to make sure paint is in budget etc.

We're struggling to find a builder too. We are south east and it's just extortionate! Waiting for another quote but already had one for £72000 not including the structural beam, flooring and kitchen!
Waiting to get our second quote at the moment.
We did go and get a kitchen plan with Howdens so we had a rough idea of cost. Hopefully I've attached a picture!

@PenguindreamsofDraco yeah, I'm not looking forward to the "extras" discussion. However since we've nearly finished with the real buildery things it would be pointless if he had a flounce now.
However I've been pleasantly surprised that our admittedly large quite has covered so much.
I expected plastering where essential but assumed they wouldn't bother on the walls that will be hidden behind tall units. But he's pretty much plastered all the walls and the decorating is equally thorough.

Kitchen looks great. I went to Wickes the other day and was very disappointed in their design. Every time I suggested something he said that's a good idea and changed it. I could have done it from home. Where did you lovely lot go for kitchen design that isn't something I could do? In other news their quote came in roughly what I budgeted so that's a positive.

@minniemooblue could I ask you why you went for the integrated door instead of true handle less? I am kinda regretting my choice but too late to change now

We are also SE by the way. I just hope we can find sensible quotes good luck and if you find one let me know

@chopc no real reason other than that is the style I preferred. The designer did mention hand prints/marks if it was a push door style.
This was just our first visit and I'm sure the design will change a bit.

I was really impressed as she added in my storage and sofa which really had nothing to do with her designing the kitchen but it meant I got to see what it will look like in 'real life' rather than just in my head!

@Slightlysurviving
We are West Sussex. Have you had many quotes?

@Slightlysurviving for builders I mean?

@Slightlysurviving
Sorry!! Just read your last post!
We are really struggling to find something my husband is willing to pay. He is not a 'southerner' and thinks the prices are crazy. He's even mentioned getting builders from his area and paying them to stay in a hotel! He still thinks it will be cheaper!

We are Berkshire, we have had 4. One still to come and 2 higher than we would like at £140k and £110 and the one we were considering at £100. We have another builder visiting next week so waiting on 2 more. I had 7 for replacing the front door so I am inclined to get a couple more. So far we have only used personal recommendations.

@Slightlysurviving
Remind me what you're having done.
We want a single storey 6 by 3.5 with remodelling the inside to include a utility room with toilet and shower.

Demolition and moving garage, and 2 story extension new large kitchen and utility and bedroom and ensuite. Involves drainage moving though which ups the cost. And asbestos removal. Its not huge though 8 by 3 but lots of rejigging inside. That makes your quote seem quite expensive now.