Extension 2020 part 2: pandemics, plaster & plumbing

[birdbrained]

Original thread: Extension / loft conversion thread 2020 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3783237-extension-loft-conversion-thread-2020

Hopefully during the course of this thread the plaster will be in abundance, the windows will arrive and houses will be put back together...

@birdbrained thanks for the that we can do ready assembled, hoorah. And great tip for the shelves will check.

It’s a good and balanced contract. Sets out enough detail to be helpful, but isn’t crazy. To be clear though, once you’re reaching for the contract, you’re in trouble anyway, but imagine trying to go to a small claims court without it.

If you write a really detailed spec - plugs, lights, etc and have good building control drawings, then signing to say what’s agreed to be delivered seems a no brainer.

Things are starting to come together... should get final glazing this week. Then flooring in next week.

@birdbrained how lovely! Love that screen! And the tiles!

@birdbrained, that looks beautiful. I love your internal doors (from the glimpse i got in the middle photo), what kind are they? And your kitchen is gorgeous. Really enjoying the photo updates.

@SheriffCallie they are these ones... https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/interior-hardwood-doors/hardwood-oak-suffolk-internal-door-1981mm-x-838mm-x-35mm/p/480461?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WC4ym1wlvMDS11AEEL28CwdXAdMoR7nqomg1By65-hFd-ULPYFUvxoCQfoQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Will still need to oil them though...

@IggettyZiggetty

Hi everyone, I started a new thread for this but then spotted this one so thought you guys might be able to offer advice...hope you don’t mind me hijacking briefly.....

Just wondering whether people with experience of this think it’s sensible to start an extension at the moment?

My main concerns are:

1. Covid causing delays. E.g if there are issues with supplies, another lockdown, the team of builders having to self isolate etc.

(Builders have said that supply issues have improved and they don’t have major concerns but obviously can’t guarantee there won’t be disruptions.)

1. I’m pregnant and due in January. Is this enough time to get it done? (Builders have said 12 weeks under normal circumstances and should be done before Christmas but they can’t guarantee it.)

It’s a single storey wraparound extension with kitchen diner.... any advice would be appreciated!

If you decide to get started make it quick! There is genuinely never a 'best' time to have these thing done but just after a baby is one of the worst; if you start now the majority will be complete even if there is a delay. Make alternate plans for Christmas as builders tend to be optimistic on timing... Covid is wholly unpredictable but if you have any concern at all then postpone everything until you and baby are settled properly and can mentally cope with the upheaval. No point adding undue stress at this time.

Just as we are starting to make more progress, I have gone on a little inspection and found 5 new snags... I mean really words will be had. This is my favourite. I ask you who installs a radiator dial that sticks out in to the middle of the room?

@Slightlydustcovered 🤦🏼‍♀️ that really is pants, I'd be furious too!

We are into our 4th week of living with my dad 😭. We had to move out as bathroom will be a bedroom and they needed to knock through so there is no loo/running water in the house. Plasterboard, electrics and plumbing finally all done but plasterers cannot start for another 10 days. Getting inpatient now. Only half the amount of plaster we need to finish the house so we're going to have to prioritise kitchen and bathrooms so they can get fitted and leave the other rooms!

We have just had our scaffolding finished. Really pleased they can now get on with knocking down the roof.

@positivelynegative we are at a very similar stage to you! They started knocking down the roof this week. Just as the rain arrived! Feels like proper progress now. How long is yours expected to take? Ours is 16 weeks- at least. Hoping it won’t be too cold or too noisy to wfh !

@Thethingswedoforlove it’s exciting isn’t it. We were supposed to be 40 - 45 weeks in total, but suspect we’ve lost a couple of weeks to covid. We’re 15 weeks in already though. I’m just pleased it all up as high winds and rain seemed to stop them nearly every day.

Apparently the tin hat keeps them warmer as a side benefit.

I’m pleased to hear that re the tin hat!! I’m amazed how secure the scaffolding is in the high winds. It’s all so amazing.

Gee I'm glad we're in and it's only snagging and decorating now :) Garden took a big hit during the build so having to sort that while the weather's OK, in-filled with bouts of painting, filling etc. It never ends!

@Slightlydustcovered smashing find on the rad :(

We are moving in this Saturday! Floors going down this week.

Have realised there won't be that ta dah moment when we walk back into a finished house though, lots of bits still to do including decorating, worktops and rest of flooring. Not to mention my poor garden which got bulldozed this week...

Hope everyone else is making progress!

I had hoped we'd be done by the end of September but the worktops are taking forever!! I have a kitchen and all the trimmings but can't finish it without worktops. Sooooo frustrating. Hope everyone else is still moving forward.

@birdbrained looking great.
We have no roof now so progress, but feels like a step backwards!

@birdbrained what is that fancy window?

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo this is our bedroom window!

[quote birdbrained]@WhereDoesThisToiletGo this is our bedroom window! [/quote]
@birdbrained The seamstress in me wants to know your plans for curtains or blinds for that...

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo shhh don't point out this monumental downside of the fancy windows 😂😂

Seriously I have not idea...

Hi all! Great to see progress on all your projects, I've been lurking on the thread for a long time - commented on some earlier threads, but our extension has been the slowest in history! We're approaching three years since we first met with the architect!!

For those fitting new kitchens - what lighting do you have under wall cupboards - is it the traditional tubes, or LED strips? And for those with LED, how do you find them? Thanks in advance!

@birdbrained what an awesome window! Not sure about keeping light out, but for privacy a beautiful screen in front of it would be lovely. You must be so excited to move back in, we're still a week or so away from moving out...

@birdbrained Seriously, if light or privacy are an issue, I would install a ceiling mounted low profile track. Using the Wave system, have a single curtain which stacks to the right hand side.
They look neat and contemporary

@Spidershuffle

Hi all! Great to see progress on all your projects, I've been lurking on the thread for a long time - commented on some earlier threads, but our extension has been the slowest in history! We're approaching three years since we first met with the architect!!

For those fitting new kitchens - what lighting do you have under wall cupboards - is it the traditional tubes, or LED strips? And for those with LED, how do you find them? Thanks in advance!

We have LED strips underneath and they're great and dead easy to fit; also dimmable so you can get goody 'moody' lighting too :)