Is there a 2021 extension thread?

[Yellownotblue]

Just that really, I found it very informative (and exhilarating and at times heart breaking!) to read the 2020 extension threads. I couldn’t find a 2021 extension thread. Please can you direct me, or if there isn’t one, let’s start it! All welcome.

As for us - we’re awaiting PP for our extension and our architect said the work might start as early as March (ha! I’ll believe it when I see it). It’s a large extension and we will need to move out for about 9 months so I’m a bit flustered at the thought of moving out in 7 weeks’ time. We’re extending over the garage, in the garden and in the loft, and doing a shedload of other stuff from electrics to roofing and redecorating everything. We’re in SW London.

I was in a similar situation with receiving items and not being able to fully check them. Thankfully DIY Kitchens was all OK but I would advise anyone to make sure you open and check any appliances as usually for the extended warranty you have to register within 30 days of receipt.

@Ecthelion good advice, thanks. I've now got my appliances arriving on Wednesday. A month earlier than originally planned, but I'll be stressed if I they're not on site.

Carpenter didn't come over to quote earlier, as he's low on fuel. Totally understandable, but scary when you're reliant on so many trades and deliveries.

My tiles just arrived, which is exciting. Just my master bath and guest sink left to arrive and then the bathrooms are at least there ready for fitting!

@RebelGeek76 your new space looks amazing 👏

RebelGeek - the space looks brilliant! We are doing very similar except I have to keep a wall in the middle along the edge of your wooden flooring.

Feels like lots happening here today, with 4 guys cracking on. Think the drilling up of old floors is finished thank goodness. Until they move inside at least.

@LivingInABuildingSite thanks it was hard to visualise it whilst it felt like 3 separate rooms, but the plasterboard really makes a difference to make the space more integrated. Shame about your dividing wall, we wouldn't have bothered if we couldn't have opened up, that was a teeny steel compared to the other 3 that went across the back of the house.

Had resigned to the fact that we wouldn't be getting our kitchen delivered today but lo and behold got a call from driver around 5pm saying their ETA would be between 9:30 and 10:30pm tonight! That'll be fun as we have no lights in garage or utility atm just 2 little work lights.

Love the space @RebelGeek76 It is huge. Can you remember the dimensions as it might help me visualise my future extension?

@NewHouseNewMe

Love the space *@RebelGeek76* It is huge. Can you remember the dimensions as it might help me visualise my future extension?

Thank you, we actually have only extended out by 1.75m as we already had a rear extension in place but more or less had to rebuild that so it was just over 3.5m x 8m in total. The open plan area is 7.25m x 6.2m

Okay so that's very close to mine too @RebelGeek76
If we ever get it done, it'll be approx 8x8 but with a laundry/utility room taken out of that. So similar really. I'm hoping you will post a photo when done but no pressure 😉

Just caught up on the thread.

@LivingOnABuildingSite OMG that gap is giving me palpitations!

@RebelGeek76 that's annoying re the kitchen delivery but probably good in the long run for storage issues
Your space is looking amazing though

@mrsfritton Crikey re your kitchen delivery! What a nightmare though to have so much wrong with the order.

@StrongArm you are being so patient.

@PoshWatchShitShoes tile pic please

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone out.

Still feeling completely blah over here though we are making progress. Electricians have completed first fix and done an amazing job, they worked so hard. Brickie has filled up the big holes, completed the pointing and built bricks above the back door. Gas has been moved for the cooker. Most of the main room is now ready for the plasterboard. Plasterer is here today actually plastering some of the utility room and toilet and upstairs bedroom.

We have extended our rental for a week until 7 October. I really really didn't want to but DH made the sensible decision to insist.

Also managed to speak to someone at the door/rooflight place who has promised me an estimated install date by the end of tomorrow.

Velux was supposed to be in on 17th but delayed until today. Will feel much better once that is installed. Also booked some cleaners to come in before we move back in to try and eliminate some dust in the kids' rooms.

We still have a random steel in the hallway. I've told the builder if it doesn't go today I'm selling it on ebay.

Also just found out we have new neighbours moving in tomorrow. I feel utterly crap that they are moving next to a noisy building site. Will be there with wine and chocolate straightaway.

Yep, our house is upside down today, full of builders, and the only 'clean' room is the sitting room - and the door handle stopped working this morning so we can't get in there.

They were standing waiting with massive hammers to knock down a wall while I was ducktaping polythene over the airing cupboard and all the doors. DH slightly shiftily saying - they might have mentioned they were starting today.....

RebelGeek- did it arrive ok last night?

Callmejudith- sounds like lots going on today. Hope the lantern people sort it out.

Fillyerboots - good luck!

I must work out a better way to use MN as I can’t easily go back and forth and see who to reply to so sorry if I miss people out.

More side roof being constructed today, more materials being delivered as I type, lots of noise from the back. Think the rubber roof guy is here too, haven’t actually been out to check as I have lots of jobs before my amateur orchestra meets again this eve, first time back since March 2020. I’m in charge of music but having a mental blank about how many of each instrument might be there! Need enough copies as the more nervous types won’t want to share a stand. Have a range of people from the extremely covid-anxious to primary school teachers who’ve been in the thick of it all along.

@FillyerBoots good luck! We are here for you.

Sounds lovely @LivingOnABuildingSite - I bet it'll be quite emotional to play all together again.

I've just spent an absolute fortune on door handles for the kitchen. They were the first sample I bought during planning and I absolutely love them. I've also bought some silver sockets and switches. Finger prints will probably drive me mad but I love the look.

Thanks Callmejudith, photo of the handles?

I’ve gone for handleless in the kitchen. Haven’t decided on light switches, most in the house already are silver. I try and remember to give them a wipe down every now and then, don’t find them too annoying.

But wondering about just getting white and painting the walls white and be done with it. Or see through? Which I’ve seen on a friend’s Instagram.

Is this bloody rain stopping work for anyone else? My phone says it’s going to rain every day apart from tomorrow. My builders are supposed to be installing steels so they can crack on with building the flat roof.

@Terracedtardis the rain has stopped here today and my roofers are hopefully finishing off so the scaffolding can come down and we can get on my the single storey extension.

• with

Never seen see through sockets before! They look cool.

Here are my beautiful handles

If my builder blames the rain for anything I may actually kill him once and for all

www.wandsworthelectrical.com/collections/crystal/ clear switches & sockets.
Probably more for wallpaper but I like them for plain walls too.

Rain stopped stuff yesterday morning then dried up so everyone cracked on.
Just started pouring again but they’re on lunch anyway.

My utility room has been plastered - praise be

@Callmejudith

Never seen see through sockets before! They look cool.

Here are my beautiful handles

They look fabulous, very touchy feely. In a good way!

@Callmejudith I’ve got those same handles in brass! Eye wateringly expensive for how many I needed but I figure these are the things that really make a kitchen.

@LivingInABuildingSite yes they turned up not long after 9:30 thankfully and offloaded it all like a military operation. OH sent me to bed early as I've picked up another of 2yo's nursery lurgy, but as soon as I heard the rumble of the delivery truck I had to be nosey. We'd ordered a laminate worktop and upstand from them for our utility but drivers think the upstand and edging strip weren't included so that's definitely 1 thing I need to follow up. Still feeling unwell so not had chance to go through the boxes and check it's all there and undamaged. Driver suggested we ask DIY for an extension to check it all over if we're not fitting it just yet as only get 10 days normally.

OH called earlier to say plasterers can't start until next Wed/Thu so we're kinda stuck until then, he's got a bit more boarding to sort in utility but will have to move units to get to some of it. Bit gutted about delay as felt like end was in sight but I'm sure a week will fly by. I'm due to return back to office next week for 3 days a week but am trying to negotiate switching to becoming a permanent homeworker. Not sure how it's going to work getting rest of extension finished and being around for tradesmen/deliveries when I have to go back to office, not looking forward to the commute again 😭!

@NewHouseNewMe with our utility added in its a very similar size. Will definitely be sharing pics when done.

@Callmejudith those are beautiful handles, we've just gone with standard pull cup handles and knobs as we've gone for a shaker kitchen. Must feel great having new plaster on walls.

Sorry for all of you having to down tools due to the rain, hoping it doesn't slow things down too much.

Just chatting with the roof guy, I was planning to have two skylights in the side extension. (Was originally a utility, small shower & loo and a shed. Already ditched the small shower and loo and changed to just the utility and shed combo making both bigger.)
Now looking at it, it’s a lot of work to make a skylight hole, and pay for the skylight. It’s just a shed, not big enough for a garage, bikes and crap storage. So I’m cancelling the skylight in that bit. Hope the skylight people let me cancel, I’m paying them lots of money for the other bits, doors and lantern etc. They haven’t measured for it yet.

My utility is going to be enormous, can’t believe I will have one at all and one that’s so big!

Guys tamping down the floor at the back, v noisy machine!

We’re a way off plastering, (jealous face)!

@LivingInABuildingSite Yay for a big utility room. I’m shoehorning a very narrow one in to our side return.

Our builders have managed to crack on with the steel work in between downpours. I just hope they can get the flat roof at least started this week. I’m feeling really impatient with it all now. On the upside my shopping bill has reduced massively as I’ve nowhere to put anything and no facilities to make much.