Renovation through lockdown

[TiddleTaddleTat]

Anyone else trying to renovate through the lockdown ?

Would be great to hear from others and have a thread of experiences.

We are mainly renovating our 1930s semi on a DIY basis but there are some jobs we need trades and pros for - kitchen fitting, carpet, painting exterior of hardwood windows and bathroom refit for starters.

We have got a decorator coming to quote for the windows on Monday. Think this should be doable from outside ? They need maintenance before the winter.

Also got a remote kitchen planning appointment with IKEA for next Saturday. Have also enquired with a local kitchen showroom but I think they may be totally shut. Need to get it booked in, the kitchen is a state!

Money is a worry but the house is half renovated so we will try and access low/no interest credit if needed to get it done.

Anyone else on a similar path?

Meant to say we could clear sofa from conservatory and cook in there. We can access from the back so wouldn't need to walk through the kitchen.

Sounds like you have some flexibility. I meant ‘wm’ instead of ‘am’. Are you able to plumb the washing machine into the garage?
I honestly think the preparation beforehand is a nightmare but makes the actual work not too horrendous. We were having a lot done and had builders in but created a mini kitchen in our living room and hallway.
I’ve watched some YouTube videos on plastering and it does seem easy to muck up but not impossible.

@PETRONELLAS
Plumbing the washer/dryer into the garage wouldn't work just now as it's some distance away and no plumbing. We did once consider siting it in the bathroom but it's under the boiler and I'd be worried about safety (in case of fire). The plumber seemed to think it would be OK but I changed my mind at the last minute and put it in the kitchen.

We have also been renovating through the lockdown. We moved into our new house (complete project!) in February. We temporarily moved into a holiday cottage in March whilst the rewire took place but this unfortunately overran and we ended up in a hotel room. We finally got back home and the next day had to self isolate due to some symptoms we were getting, then lockdown.

It’s added more stress to an already stressful time. When we arrived back post-rewire we were all quite ill and the house was filled with thick dust from the channelling in (I was freaking out as our youngest nearly ended up on a ventilator last year with respiratory illness). We’ve thankfully got it cleaned up but our other contractors have understandably cancelled for the time being. We have one toilet/bathroom with no sink (ideal for hand washing!) and the walls stripped back to the brick and our kitchen is tiny and pretty gross with units that have collapsed in places.

It could be worse though, my sister is also renovating and had a load bearing wall taken out just before the workmen downed tools. Their house is basically propped up!

We’ve been doing what we can ourselves but I’ve been feeling guilty about buying DIY stuff as wasn’t sure if our work classes as ‘essential’, after the announcement last night though hopefully the tradesmen can come back? Especially as the work they’re doing is mostly external.

@Bobbinsmama that sounds really hard. It must have been especially worrying while you were ill and there was all the dust.... I thought I had it bad when I had to sleep on DD's floor while I was ill, because our bedroom had only been half decorated. I had to finish the painting while I was still feeling ill... and was so grateful when I got into my bed in our room again.

I've listed down the priorities that we have to get done before the winter. Had to give up on a lot of stuff due to not wanting the disruption and cost if it can be avoided.