Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas

[Callmejudith]

New thread for continued celebrating, moaning and commiserating

Ooooo pic of the wallpaper please!

I've been calculating the BTU of radiator combinations today. I can only get it under or over. Does anyone know which way it's best to go? I'm assuming a bit over, because I can turn the radiator down. If it's under I've got no options. Help?!

@Indecisivelurcher we've gone under but we are both warm blooded, the house is well insulated and has considerable solar gain at the front. The plumber pulled faces and stuff but we've done it in every house we've renovated (this is the third) and never regretted it.

I am the opposite and cold blooded
Our builder reckoned they always over egg it.

Meaning they say you need more than you do.
Confused...

@Callmejudith here it is. Such a lovely aqua colour 🥰

Recently got some refurb and extension quotes back and, somewhat predictably, they are considerably more than we hoped! We're not so much worried that we can't afford it, we're more worried that the house won't be worth what we've spent on it. Anyone else having these worries? How did you justify continuing?

Marking my place on the new thread.

Plasterers started today and have made amazing progress. We've been so lucky with tradesmen it's just been a PITA getting quotes in the first place and getting them booked in. Sorry again to those of you still having issues with yours.

Once plastering is done then we can finally look at final finishing for main extension - painting walls/ceiling, fitting kitchen units, UFH and flooring. Booked our worktop templating in today so gives us 3 weeks to hopefully get everything done. Will still have utility and understairs shower room to finish by Christmas though.

@RebelGeek76 that looks a fantastic space; it's getting very exciting for you now!
@Callmejudith hopefully the poo is a lucky sign!

@Flymeaway4 it's very tricky at the moment as the costs seem insane. I have at times considered whether the house is going to be worth the time and money we will end up spending.
I would consider if there are many other houses like yours around, i.e. is the ceiling price well known for your type of house and will it be exceeded by doing the work?
Also consider if it's your forever home as it doesn't matter if you will be there for 15-20 years.

Feeling the strain tonight so i have come to find you guys for sympathy! We are a year into our extension. Very close to finishing but this final stage feels like it's dragging on forever. We are really delayed by doors and windows. Been waiting for nearly 18 weeks. The doors are in sight but windows a problem. The builders can't finish until the doors and windows are in but can't string their time out here waiting for them any longer... It's so frustrating!

@Indecisivelurcher when calculating your BTU you need to look at the delta figure for your rads - are you over calculating based on Delta T50 or T60? There will be a big difference in BTU between the 2 and you might not be as far over as you think. Also it depends on the rest of your house and the capacity of your boiler. Are you going to reach or exceed the total BTU capacity of your boiler? Is your main house drafty and old like mine or generally well insulated? Do you have high or low ceilings... All these things will influence whether you need to go higher or lower with your BTU.

@Flymeaway4 I agree with the previous poster that you need to look at how long you want to stay put and that is a factor in whether that is worth it or not. Also, what would be the comparable cost of moving somewhere you would be happy with both size and location wise. Factor in the purchase cost, stamp duty, mortgage fees, moving fees and general agro, and is the right kind of house even available... This helps show if it's worth it or not for you.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. For those battling the dust, commiserations!!

@RebelGeek76 I'm eyeing your lovely doors with envy... It looks fabulous!! This gives me hope it will be worth it soon!

@RebelGeek76 yours is looking amazing!

We are back in the house. No hot water but that should be sorted this morning. No tiler but a replacement is supposed to be coming this weekend. Toilet and sink unit delivered but no where to put them. Temporary kitchen up but already hate it.

Going for takeaway and to sleep at a friend's tonight with the kids, I reckon I slept for about 3hrs total last night I feel utterly drained.

The one good news is our doors and rooflight should be installed on 12th November

@Callmejudith sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time; just remember it will be worth it in the end...even if you feel you've aged 10 years!

@Callmejudith oh I feel your pain. Great to take those opportunities to feel a bit more normal when you can and stay with friends.
I too am sleeping badly, obsessing over details that aren't going well.
It can be difficult to keep perspective and remember all the progress that is happening.
We have a whole room full of piles of stuff now I tried to keep it under control but gave up. The fridge is in the hallway.
Great about your doors and rooflight!

The sleep issues have been the worst. I'm up almost every night at 3am worrying about things. A neighbour has just finished their build and I popped in this morning and it's so lovely and clean - I am keeping that feeling in mind for ours

Can I join?

The money went in this morning to start our build in January. No contracts signed yet as we are waiting on planning but looking at a 12-16 week build with toddlers in the house. Builder is prepped for January but we are cutting it fine. @RebelGeek76 - wow! Looks quite similar to our planned kitchen, much as I'm dreading it seeing that is definitely exciting!

Great advice from @Hothammock. I was using the wrong delta for BTUs on the Best Heating website. Actually it's their fault for advertising the wrong one, which is misleading!! You need to look at their second tab for the correct figure.

@Callmejudith congrats on getting back into your house!! Hope you manage some more sleep x

I've just extended our Airbnb by 2 weeks to end November. It's booked by someone else for month of December, so I'll be moving back in with the builders in situ if they're delayed 😂

Callmejudith- how exhaustingly frustrating. Hope you have a good night with friends.

I am out of words really. The boss guy came round to discuss tiles, and getting more accurate measurements so I can order them.

Then let’s me know that the screed (that can’t go down until the lantern and bifolds are in, due 2/3 Nov but not holding my breath!) will take 7 weeks to dry out before the tiles can go down.

I know it’s all second nature to them, but this is my first (& last!) time doing this big a job on a house and I don’t know stuff.
He can add chemicals to try and speed up the drying but they don’t always work.

Basically time is running out before everybody buggers off to have a jolly Christmas holiday and I can’t see that things will be much different other than we can watch screed dry….

I wasn’t happy, but when I get frustrated or angry I tend to cry and I hate that. So just said do whatever, nothing I say can change anything anyway.
🤯

Thanks for the heating advice @PoshWatchShitShoes and @Hothammock - it doesn't mean anything to me at the mo so will have to look it up at the weekend! Was actually looking at the Best heating website so will be careful.

@LivingInABuildingSite our screed went down today, had a similar discussion about drying time and moisture content. We are having karndean flooring laid 27th Oct. They're going to put some sort of membrane down to make it possible. Might be worth asking if that's an option for you with tiles.

Just got back from DIY kitchens, there was only one other set of visitors there so we stayed 2 hours and found them really helpful. I still like the dove grey shaker kitchens but worry that they are out of date already . Even if I order today they won't be available till January 12th.
I started with the mist coat on the walls before I went, thats a mammoth job. The electrician wants the paint finished before he does the 2nd fixing, presumably for the spotlights? I also need to paint the bit where the tall radiators will go so they can be installed and we can get some heat on. Most importantly we have to finish installing the high tech app controlled cat flap. At the moment they are just using a hole in the wall which is very draughty.
After waiting 6 months for the windows to come, it does feel that it's moving on swiftly now. Just a bit of bad news that the grout for the new slabs is out of stock and may be some weeks but that's not the end of the world.

@indecisivelurcher Pretty sure best heating use delta t60 and you will need to go into the details for each rad to find out their delta T50 rating and use that to add up to your desired total BTU

@LivingInABuildingSite I'm so sorry for you. We have been going since last year October. I've been close to tears. I will never do this again. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end but the end never seems in sight. The goalposts continually move.

@LimpLettice I would advise you plan for it to take twice as long and prepare accordingly and that way you will be pleasantly surprised and not crazy like the rest of us. Your tots are going to love the diggers and other machinery. There are some perks.