Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas

999 replies

Callmejudith · 04/10/2021 09:52

New thread for continued celebrating, moaning and commiserating

OP posts:
Thread gallery
143
Indecisivelurcher · 16/10/2021 14:00

It's definitely the floor that's tipped things over the edge. We've gone from tiles to concrete, it's bare, sharp and extremely dusty. Flooring company is coming 27th and have said it'll take a week... Half term will be fun! After that we'll be on the home straight, it'll be kitchen units going back up, radiators, downstairs w.c. which we really miss!

Callmejudith · 16/10/2021 14:03

Having a date to work with is good though and you know you just have to survive until then

OP posts:
PoshWatchShitShoes · 16/10/2021 14:07

@Indecisivelurcher birthday plans sound fun. Agree though that getting basic things done in such chaos sounds overwhelming. Hoping your builders get a move on and this is a long distance memory soon!!!

RebelGeek76 · 16/10/2021 21:20

Exciting times we have some units in place! It's been a nightmare getting them level and lined up as the wall isn't square and floor not completely level. Got plumber coming in morning to fit pipes for sink and dishwasher so means we'll have to pull some out and line back up again 😭! Not got dishwasher yet but hopefully will be able to pick one up in the week, had to fit utility base unit in its place as temporary measure just to make sure everything else lined up.

@Callmejudith loving your new FF, I decided to go for a French style with 4 doors as wasn't sure the drawer versions would be big enough for the freezer section. I need to arrange delivery as they're still holding it for us but we don't really want it until we have flooring sorted.

@sluj I need to confirm this with our quartz fitters but they've asked for sink etc not to be fitted when they come to template but assume they will put sink, tap, hob in place when fitting worktop but I suspect they likely won't connect up pipework etc. Also we're pulling our tall units forward that are going either side of FF but think can only put them in line with the back edge of the FF doors so they can open properly as the top box above was only available up to 1000mm wide, hopefully it won't look like it sticks out as much.

Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas
MissFritton65 · 16/10/2021 21:42

Looking good, ladies! This thread is fabulous as it's boosting me up as flagging at the moment and I know it will be all ok .......eventually: thank you!

Callmejudith · 17/10/2021 12:40

Yes I think when you’re in the middle of it and you see people with plastered rooms you can’t ever imagine being at that stage but then it finally comes

I really need to go and pick a radiator but I have no energy today

OP posts:
LivingInABuildingSite · 17/10/2021 13:34

I’ve got a similar ff to that Haier ff on my wish list!
We’ll probably start off with our current ancient one in the space for now until we’re sure what’s happening with finances.
Same for lots of appliances to start with. It would be nice to have everything all shiny and new at the same time but money and life left in the machines says otherwise.

Having today after a fab evening at friends last night.
DD of course is not lol. So she attacking the old stickers on her wardrobe and we’re heading to B&Q later for paint. She wants one purple wall and a purple wardrobe in the theme of Six the musical. As you do. Have ordered some stick on crowns as decoration. This is the third time we’ll have painted the wardrobe, but it is easier than doing a whole room. I’m giving in a little on the one wall.

Re the house - lots of cabling run through, some socket boxes in place, data cables runs to various points too. They’ve chosen 5e which they assure me is enough. Ds (15) wanted more I think.

Think next week they’ll start on battening the walls for plasterboard, finish cabling. Some plumbing pipes need setting up. Gas pipe has been run for the hob in the island.
They’re also running some alarm cables for a new house alarm, just a bit tricky as not sure what’s needed by the alarm company so it’s a bit of a guess.

Sympathies to those struggling, that was me last weekend! Think it goes in waves.

Hothammock · 17/10/2021 21:18

Did a bit of painting today, sealing new plaster. Everything feels like it's taking ages. We hopefully only have a month left to go but until we have real life windows and doors it just feels life forever...
Huge sympathies to those facing up to a Monday morning of dust and sleepy builders... It will all be worth it in the end!

MissFritton65 · 17/10/2021 21:25

The mantra is .......it will be worth it in the end!

MissFritton65 · 17/10/2021 21:28

My extension is terrible at the moment; dust, no heating, bathroom and kitchen fixtures in every available space!
It will be worth it in the end!

Indecisivelurcher · 18/10/2021 08:12

What's everyone hoping for this week?
Level floors and a finished roof 🤞

sluj · 18/10/2021 08:18

The FF and microwave are coming this morning along with the electrician to finish off. Then it's the long wait till the kitchen arrives next year which gives me plenty of time to paint the extension. It will be strange to just have the room sitting there waiting.
Hopefully the slab grout will arrive and the builder can do the patio at some point but really we are at that strange point where we can't really do anything for now till the final flurry with the kitchen fitting. So close.....

Callmejudith · 18/10/2021 10:04

@LivingInABuildingSite it definitely goes in waves - a total emotional rollercoaster.

We have the kitchen installers here today (YEY!). The plumber put the pipes in the wrong place but he has suggested swapping around the sink and dishwasher which is actually what I wanted in the showroom so I'm happy with that. I'm still in love with the fridge. Tonight I'm going to move our trestle table downstairs so we can start using the space a bit.

Tiler hasn't turned up and no answer on the phone. Cross because he promised me 8am this morning. I have a feeling he's still asleep. There's only a few more tiles to go down and then the grouting but we can't install the utility room unit until he is done and we also can't put in the WC and sink and having the open waste pipe in the WC is just gross!!

I am also not talking to DH (again). I always knew he was a lazy sod but this build has shown me just how bad it is.

OP posts:
Sewfrickinamazeballs · 18/10/2021 10:17

[quote Callmejudith]@LivingInABuildingSite it definitely goes in waves - a total emotional rollercoaster.

We have the kitchen installers here today (YEY!). The plumber put the pipes in the wrong place but he has suggested swapping around the sink and dishwasher which is actually what I wanted in the showroom so I'm happy with that. I'm still in love with the fridge. Tonight I'm going to move our trestle table downstairs so we can start using the space a bit.

Tiler hasn't turned up and no answer on the phone. Cross because he promised me 8am this morning. I have a feeling he's still asleep. There's only a few more tiles to go down and then the grouting but we can't install the utility room unit until he is done and we also can't put in the WC and sink and having the open waste pipe in the WC is just gross!!

I am also not talking to DH (again). I always knew he was a lazy sod but this build has shown me just how bad it is.[/quote]

Sounds like some progress is being made. Yay to the kitchen, that's exciting.

My DH is the same. The lazy thinking gets to me the most. I keep trying to talk to him about kitchen designs, and he just keeps saying that we have already discussed it and we know what we are doing. We don't. We have said we want handleless and modern. That's it. I'm dreading it when the builders actually start.

Starting to really get concerned about living in the build. I'm looking at all alternate options if we can't stay for some parts. We have a cat so rentals are pretty much a no go, as are hotels, air bnb etc. No family or friends nearby. Huge garden but no access to put a caravan in at the back. At the front, because we are in a cul-de-sac, our driveway narrows towards the front so not much room for one there either given the space needed for skips, materials etc. Argh!

Sewfrickinamazeballs · 18/10/2021 10:18

Oh, and chattery a no go to. She's old, and won't cope with being in one.

Sewfrickinamazeballs · 18/10/2021 10:18

Cattery!

wonkylegs · 18/10/2021 10:28

After a ridiculously long wait due to shortages - today the windows and doors have arrived so very excited that the end may be in sight.
Once they are in I will be cracking out some bubbly.

Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas
Hothammock · 18/10/2021 10:35

I make my DH order skips, deal with deliveries and fetch items from places and do the payrun for the trades men. He is mentally and emotionally incapable of engaging with the details of the build or keeping the tradesmen on track. He just shuts down and can't think ahead. I literally have to give him a list of simple tasks. And yet I can also point to a doorway and say make a door for that space and he can engage with that and produce something amazing. Everyone is different I guess. It is frustrating when you are investing so much energy into making something successful and your supposed partner is just muddling along in a haze. I'm not sure it is total laziness, it's more total ineptitude. I have learned have I would never employ my dh ha. Anyway that is enough DH bashing. Just find something your DHs can do and make them do it over and over, doesn't matter how trivial.

Indecisivelurcher · 18/10/2021 10:58

The full skip that's been taking up my driveway for 3 weeks has just been picked up!!!! Yey!!!!! Means we can access the car charger again!

Callmejudith · 18/10/2021 11:13

@wonkylegs that looks AMAZING! How exciting! Please post pics of it in situ.

Yep DH is king of lazy thinking and stupid questions. Absolutely infuriating. If he had any redeeming talents like making beautiful doors I think I could cope with it but he can't even put up a shelf. He thinks because he can cook that he's some kind of demi-god. The reason I hated cooking in our old kitchen was because it was cold and dark and we had no dishwasher. I am really looking forward to getting into cooking again in the new kitchen so his one skill is going to be pretty redundant.

OP posts:
PoshWatchShitShoes · 18/10/2021 11:27

I have a living room full of kitchen!!!!

I can't actually believe it

Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas
PoshWatchShitShoes · 18/10/2021 11:29

So exciting. It's being fitted first week of November...

Although I'm stressing that I made my very big kitchen smaller with a stud wall. I hope I don't hate it 🙈

Callmejudith · 18/10/2021 11:29

So exciting! Remind me which colour you went for again please?

OP posts:
PoshWatchShitShoes · 18/10/2021 11:52

@Callmejudith I haven't decided yet. I've got a month till the kitchen painted starts...so procrastinating till then 😂

Likely something like Slaked Lime mid or who knows.

Just on site having a mini freak out that every room looks so messy. I can't imagine it being finished

nomoneytreehere · 18/10/2021 11:58

So, we've had an initial quote back. It's gone off to the quantity surveyor to work through but what started at £220k soon morphed into £320k.

However, it's a big extension. Double storey about 120sq m in total. £320k is about £2k a m2 plus vat plus 10% contingency. Obviously that's overcooking it because there shouldn't be vat on everything. From what I've read online people are paying a lot more than that. The builder said the rate comes down a bit because it's a bigger project and the architect has tried to design it so
It's cheaper to build. I feel so so nervous at the moment.

Swipe left for the next trending thread