Extension / loft conversion thread 2020

[missfliss]

Hello,

Thought I'd start a thread for 2020 extenders and converters.

Might be good for us each time say a bit about what works we have planned / are in the midst of if folks are happy to share some / al details.

Current house:
1970s semi with 2.5 (!) bedrooms on South Coast ( Sussex).
Single storey extension ( large kitchen / diner with bifolds) was completed in 2013.

Planned works
Loft conversion with full width rear dormer and small front dormer to create a new master bedroom with large bathroom.

Stage
Planning permission received, builder appointed to start in March

Costs
Build is £60k including VAT. Bathroom / decor extra.
It is a double dormer with aluminium sliding doors to rear and lots of pipe work due to siting the new bathroom at the opposite end to the existing bathroom below.
It's more than expected but we have non-standard plans and are doing the work to stay in the house for years as opposed to maximising profit to sell.

Reasons for doing work
An adult space to hide away and relax!
Also our son has additional needs and we may need to use au pairs in the future ( new room needed). As our son gets older he may need to live with us into adulthood

Plans
Attached

Next steps
Party wall agreement
Deciding on bathroom fittings / flooring within budget

Rhica that would massively annoy me, if there's another loo available just be straight with him and say I'm suffering with morning sickness right now so don't want anyone else in the upstairs bathroom in case I need to throw up, please don't use it. If he ignores that I'd find a lock for it and start carrying the key on me!

Yay @Loofah !! You've given me hope!!!

@Rhica YADNBU re plumber - just text him and ask xx

@Rhica I think you need to tell him that the upstairs loo is for throwing up in only! Make it clear that you can't wait, it must be available at all times, even if you are downstairs
It's not like you're not allowing them to use any loo whatsoever

I'm glad we're not the only people having our dormer done in lockdown.
I worry that the neighbours must think it's bad form but honestly builders still need to work, it's perfectly legal and we're social distancing.
Also I'm due our second baby in November and we need another bedroom.
Working at home with a toddler and building work is a bit chaotic but hopefully it'll all work out

Just because I can lol I was actually so happy I had to take the snap lol

Still no word on windows though :(

Joining this thread. We are planning a ground floor kitchen extension. Had a few architects/ designers around back in February/ March to quote but then we didn’t progress due to the lockdown. One of the designers has been in touch, apparently they can do the survey in a protective suit as long as we are out of the house. It’s tempting to move ahead but I am concerned that we will stall at the planning application stage as the council will probably not be able to send anyone around.. am I worrying unnecessarily?

@puffthemagicdragongoestobed my sister in law has just had planning approved. It was done via photos. It was straight forward though and was kind of assumed there wouldn't be an issue with it. I would press on as waiting game before it starts it is a killer

@cupoftea84 I worry the same. More so about people being stuck in having to listen to drilling and sawing all day plus all the vans they bring. Everyone has been great though. I'm relieved they can carry on- my biggest fear was being 8 months pregnant and still washing dishes in the bathroom but looks like should be alright now 🤞

Our builder hoping for a delivery this Friday. But still uncertain about how much progress they'll be able to make beyond getting the roof on.

@loofah01 what a great sight!

@Rhica that would piss me off no end, why the hell would they come upstairs?

We have steel, and some floor joists. hoorah for plaster, and progress. It already feels like a long week and it's only Wednesday.

@Slightlysulkingtillsaturday yes we ordered from Victorian Plumbing. Had to order quickly for 2 bathrooms as plumber doing first fit and it was the only place delivering. Arrived within 24 hours. Plumber says quality is what you pay for. We have a v v v low budget so have slightly up-spec'd on the loos at plumber's suggestion otherwise rest v basic. Can't comment yet on quality I'm afraid as not in situ yet but plumber said they are OK. Got a v small discount by ordering through plumber, can you do that?

@Slightlysulkingtillsaturday should add, bought on credit card!

@Slightlysulkingtillsaturday for security

Thanks @Italianna that's helpful. I agree you pay for quality but needs must to complete, I am trying to buy good quality items we touch so taps and shower etc but keep price of the basin etc low. Hoping to find a balance somewhere. Had been buying most stuff second hand which I like for environmental reasons but obviously lockdown means no collection so can't be done now. My husband has a supply of pallets through work and he has offered to build the things we can live without as a temporary fix . Love the enthusiasm but not so sure about living with a pallet kitchen . I really need to start ordering bits I am missing now. Oh and quick question when did you order the kitchen, off the plans or when the walls were up and you knew exactly the size?

@Puffthemagicdragongoestobed My advice would be to get started asap. By the time you're ready for planning the lockdown will be eased I would guess. Certainly by the time it's up for consideration anyway! No idea why they need to wear a protective suit for the survey if everyone is out though...

Can we talk about nice pretty things on this thread ? What are everyone's decor plans whilst we wait for plaster / windows/ builders and stuff?
I'm thinking about flooring now - thinking parquet LVT. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Oh good - the all important stuff for after the pain of building!

We're going for bamboo flooring in hallways and the kitchen (plus some other areas off kitchen). Did look at LVT but although nice to walk on and good to look at from a distance, there's no texture to it and it's immediately obvious it's not 'real'. We also looked at engineered flooring which is ace but opted for the bamboo in the end

Anyone know of a good supplier of solid oak internal doors?

I love bamboo @Loofah01
We have engineered wood downstairs and it looks great, but is loud. So want warmth and quiet underfoot upstairs so happy with LVT.

I've just ordered a shower:

Ah I thought the finishing touches woukd be the best bit but actually so so hard 😵

That shower is very pimp lol
We have an entire house to kit out so huge number of decisions and suppliers to consider. Tile colours, combinations, wall coverings, doors, kitchen... Going for online suppliers where possible but only after getting samples sent through. My home office is looking more like a depot at the moment!

@Loofah01 how on earth did you get hold of that delivery of plaster??? It's gold dust at the moment!!! Causing us a real nightmare

My builders are pricey but well connected!

Fingers crossed for a roof going on this week ...

Ours starts tomorrow 😬

Demolishing the existing garage and half the kitchen first, how easy is this going to be in lockdown with a 2 year old at home all week, working full time from home and husband out all week at work... bring on the fun 😄

Please indulge me. Just one thing that has given me a little boost.

I asked a joinery to build a double vanity unit for our new bathroom and obviously it's all been delayed because of covid. It's still my ready but they just sent a picture asking about handle direction - and even this tiny little glimpse of it has really cheered me up.

It's going to have a marble top and upstand and it has been sprayed blue