Extension thread 2021 - countdown to Christmas

[Callmejudith]

New thread for continued celebrating, moaning and commiserating

@Callmejudith how annoying about your rooflight. I hope they can magic up the right one from somewhere. I’ve just started my spreadsheet. What did people do about VAT. Did you include it in your budget and actual columns or did you have a separate column?

On more exciting news the builders have said the changes I made to the plans wouldn’t affect the cost so we have told the architect to finalise the plans to submit. If all goes well we could be starting in March!

@nomoneytreehere it's really exciting when your are finalising plans as you know it's going to happen - enjoy it!
I just included the vat in the actual column as it has to be paid!

I’m also considering a post build clean. I got one quote and it was £660. Is that normal? I wonder how thoroughly they’d actually clean for that.

@nomoneytreehere I think you should start a 2022 thread! I've just been lurking on this thread as we've been researching extended and decided to go for it. Our plans have been submitted to planning and hope to have approval before Christmas. Very jealous of everyone coming to the end of their projects and kicking builders out 🤭 We have already had a heat pump installed so will be trying to make our house as insulated as possible which sounds like it's going to be pricey!

Most useful room in the house was finished yesterday!

@Indecisivelurcher that looks great and such a useful space!

Woooohooo @Indecisivelurcher that's very exciting 👏

Expecting similar or higher quote @Terracedtardis. Just make sure they guarantee that it will be done to your satisfaction, so repeat visits if needed.

@Indecisivelurcher, that looks lovely. It's great to have fully functioning laundry equipment isn't it? I am toying with putting my 2 machines on top of each other. Did you literally just build a strong shelf?
I have the week off to finish painting my new extension and use up some annual leave but have been very easily persuaded to go hunting for a vanity unit for the small wc instead.
Kitchen isn't coming till 24 Jan so after the painting and a few small jobs, we get to enjoy Christmas in peace.

What won't be done for you by Christmas?

For us, it's the kitchen backsplash that can't be measured till the worktop is fitted (mirror fitting now booked for 18th January, cos they close the factory for 2 weeks).

And upstairs carpet is touch and go. The guy I usually use said no way to fitting before Christmas, so I'm trying elsewhere 🙈

@sluj yes it's just mdf, wall to the left, mdf to the right, baton screwed in all around and shelf sat on it. We did have it stacked without the shelf and it was OK actually but made the washing machine squeak.

@Indecisivelurcher that looks fab. I’m obsessed with my new utility room.
Yesterday I went through the spare room/junkyard and finally found the rest of the kitchen stuff boxes so we now have glasses, and every single kitchen gadget under the sun

Rooflight is now coming on Wednesday- amazing how quick they can work when it’s their fuck in hey!

So next week is Monday - final fix on doors, Wednesday rooflight, Thursday flooring. I need to get the screed clean it’s currently minging.

Anyone who has their new worktop in - are you wiping it 5909 times a day?

I love the utility room. @Indecisivelurcher. We always stack the washing machine/dryer and am surprised more people don’t!

For those who moved out during renovations, did you just get a short-term assured let? Someone told me AirBnB was my friend but it was extortionate compared to a normal short-term let.

@NewHouseNewMe we're in an Airbnb property, but not through the website. Found it through a contact as the landlord is actually a nearby neighbour, so direct booking.

It's easier not having council tax and utilities to sort out and pay for.

@NewHouseNewMe we found our flat through air bnb but then arranged the majority of the rent separately which was far cheaper

We are in some local holiday cottages.

Our ensuite is taking shape; I'm really pleased with it!

Yay @MissFritton65 it looks lovely 🤩

When will you guys start using everything?

@PoshWatchShitShoes we are in the rental for at least another 10days but will need to use the bathrooms as soon as we return as they are all being replaced so have no option but to use them!

I love the wooden unit, really lovely

How difficult is it to wallpaper a ceiling??

@Callmejudith I'm really pleased with it too! Real wood vanity units are quite difficult to source especially at non exorbitant prices.

[quote Callmejudith]@NewHouseNewMe we found our flat through air bnb but then arranged the majority of the rent separately which was far cheaper[/quote]
Intrigued - how did you organise this? The airbnbs near me are about £400 a week. Appreciate any tips as we will need to move out.

Maybe I’m unlucky as the AirBnBs near me are minimum 1k/week!!

We looked for ones which were available for some of the time and then did the make an inquiry thing. They came back and said we could do the contract separately.

@Callmejudith

We looked for ones which were available for some of the time and then did the make an inquiry thing. They came back and said we could do the contract separately.

Great, thanks.

Oh joy I’m starting Monday with an arrrggggghhhhhh

Doors came last Thursday but were missing something so can’t be closed. We were told fitters would come on Friday and if not, definitely today. Just got a message “fitters not in today, bloody Monday”. I’m afraid I sent back a really arsy message saying I’d rearranged my whole day to be here (complete lie) and we’ve had an open back door for 4 nights and it’s freezing cold (not a lie)

WTF is wrong with these people?????