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Original poster

Extension Thread 2021.....aka "where's the bloody builder?"

999 replies

Callmejudith · 18/11/2021 12:03

New thread!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
165
Original poster
Callmejudith · 06/01/2022 17:27

@sluj no just on one wall and the rest of the room is hot pink - it’s completely crazy and I love it

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 06/01/2022 17:42

@Callmejudith love the lemurs they look fab, I bet they look great with the hot pink.

@PoshWatchShitShoes it's a fairly normal request as it's the only way to really get an idea for the quality of work as what one person says is good may not be good enough for another but it's really up to you and lots of people aren't comfortable with people coming for a neb and say no.
I have clients that won't let me feature their projects (annoyingly it's some of the best ones) even anonymously and lots don't even want speak to other clients and will only give written references.

Original poster
Callmejudith · 06/01/2022 17:55

With the hot pink - I think this may be my greatest ever idea

Extension Thread 2021.....aka "where's the bloody builder?"
OP posts:
GardensandGrandDesigns · 06/01/2022 18:12

@Callmejudith

With the hot pink - I think this may be my greatest ever idea
That is gorgeous!
LimpLettice · 06/01/2022 18:29

@Callmejudith I have large samples of that paper framed in my upstairs bathroom alongside jungle green. I would have had it properly papered but I knew it would peel. Love it though! I'm not a pink person but that combination is fab.

whenwillthedecoratingend · 06/01/2022 19:22

@Callmejudith I've got those lemurs on my dining room wall but with the teal background! I love them!

Original poster
Callmejudith · 06/01/2022 20:12

Loving the lemur love!

OP posts:
HopelessOptimistism · 07/01/2022 11:59

Hi all,

Hope you don't mind that I join this thread. We are planning a renovation and extension in 2022, have just confirmed our architect but still at very early stages (haven't even had the initial drawings done!). I realise it seems like a crazy time to do a big reno project but the house needs it and we don't want to wait. Also I am currently pregnant with #3 so hoping to get most of the work done whilst I'm off on mat leave!

I do have one question which some may be able to advise on (sorry if it's a bit cheeky!). How did everyone fund their renovation? We have some savings (approx. 30% of total budget) and planning to get the rest through remortgage/loans, but I'm just not sure if this is the norm? Also do people generally go way over budget?! We have built contingency in but still concerned that we won't have the funds if this happens.

Thanks and good luck to all currently in the middle of the sh*tstorm Grin Gin

Original poster
Callmejudith · 07/01/2022 12:40

Welcome @HopelessOptimistism. We remortgaged for our extension and have also put money on credit cards (more than we wanted to tbh)

OP posts:
GardensandGrandDesigns · 07/01/2022 12:55

@HopelessOptimistism

Hi all,

Hope you don't mind that I join this thread. We are planning a renovation and extension in 2022, have just confirmed our architect but still at very early stages (haven't even had the initial drawings done!). I realise it seems like a crazy time to do a big reno project but the house needs it and we don't want to wait. Also I am currently pregnant with #3 so hoping to get most of the work done whilst I'm off on mat leave!

I do have one question which some may be able to advise on (sorry if it's a bit cheeky!). How did everyone fund their renovation? We have some savings (approx. 30% of total budget) and planning to get the rest through remortgage/loans, but I'm just not sure if this is the norm? Also do people generally go way over budget?! We have built contingency in but still concerned that we won't have the funds if this happens.

Thanks and good luck to all currently in the middle of the sh*tstorm Grin Gin

Hiya, we are starting in March and the money is coming from us remortgaging but we will need to take out a loan at the end too. Prices are just sky high but we have lived in a cold, falling apart house for 3 years so we're just going for it.
LivingInaBuildingSite · 07/01/2022 13:09

We thought we’d saved up enough to get started.

And my Dmum died and I inherited a lump sum which we thought would ‘help’.

We’ve used all of that ( 😞) and next step is borrowing some to get it all finished. I’m lucky and my brother is a high earner with huge savings gaining no interest atm anyway, so he’s lending us a big sum that we’ll pay back (obviously!) at some point.

We do own a rental flat that we could sell for the equity but the longer we can hold onto it the better, and we’d lose so much in capital gains that it feels painful!

LaBelleSausage · 07/01/2022 13:15

After instructing the builder in April last year and staying off this thread in case I jinxed it, I have just had a text, he's going to start on my garage conversion/home office extension on Wednesday Grin

Hello to everyone in the thread. I'm going to make a large cup of strong tea and then settle in to torture myself with everyone's progress in here (or lack of).

Sewfrickinamazeballs · 07/01/2022 13:57

@HopelessOptimistism

Hi all,

Hope you don't mind that I join this thread. We are planning a renovation and extension in 2022, have just confirmed our architect but still at very early stages (haven't even had the initial drawings done!). I realise it seems like a crazy time to do a big reno project but the house needs it and we don't want to wait. Also I am currently pregnant with #3 so hoping to get most of the work done whilst I'm off on mat leave!

I do have one question which some may be able to advise on (sorry if it's a bit cheeky!). How did everyone fund their renovation? We have some savings (approx. 30% of total budget) and planning to get the rest through remortgage/loans, but I'm just not sure if this is the norm? Also do people generally go way over budget?! We have built contingency in but still concerned that we won't have the funds if this happens.

Thanks and good luck to all currently in the middle of the sh*tstorm Grin Gin

Hi! Welcome and good luck.

We had some money from an inheritance, had to borrow more on top and have been saving for a few years too. Our initial budget we gave the architect was £150k with a 30k contingency. We will pay our builder at lease 210k, have around 50k on top (kitchens, bathrooms, removals, fees etc), and this may still not be enoughConfused

whataboutbob · 07/01/2022 14:01

Mine’s most likely the lowest budget project on here, I’m renovating my rental flat and am doing the redecoration myself so it’s “just” a new kitchen and flooring throughout, I’ve been saving up for it.

sluj · 07/01/2022 14:42

Well DIY kitchens just delivered- lovely chaps. We now have 40 boxes of stuff including 3 Corner units still in the hall which will need to be dismantled to get through the kitchen door. There is going to be an absolutely massive cardboard mountain but just now we are warming up with the Yorkshire Tea and flapjacks included with the delivery.
They have 7 more deliveries back in Yorkshire (100 miles from here) and literally deliver till 11pm if they need to. What a job !

whenwillthedecoratingend · 07/01/2022 15:02

HI @HopelessOptimistism we have remortgaged realising £60k equity and we have also taken out a £20k personal loan, and have also (unfortunately) ended up with £9k on credit cards. Hopefully that should be just enough... I'm waiting on a couple of final bills and if necessary to pay those we are lucky to have a family member who will lend us a couple of k.
The £20k loan is over 5 years so we feel that's an amount of reasonable time to tighten our belts a bit for the benefit of having the work done!

GardensandGrandDesigns · 07/01/2022 15:23

Excellent! Which kitchen style did you go for?

Original poster
Callmejudith · 07/01/2022 16:18

Actually we also put our kitchen on finance (0% interest)

OP posts:
sluj · 07/01/2022 16:24

We got Linwood dove grey as DH wanted wood. They are really, really solid. It was great fun getting the 1000 larder unit and the 3 x 900 corner units down the stairs to the new kitchen. I have just stood in front of the 1000 larder unit and imagined all the stuff I can fit in it.
The flapjacks were delicious Grin

GardensandGrandDesigns · 07/01/2022 16:46

@sluj

We got Linwood dove grey as DH wanted wood. They are really, really solid. It was great fun getting the 1000 larder unit and the 3 x 900 corner units down the stairs to the new kitchen. I have just stood in front of the 1000 larder unit and imagined all the stuff I can fit in it. The flapjacks were delicious Grin
Look forward to seeing a pic when it is all fitted! The larder will be amazing!
PoshWatchShitShoes · 07/01/2022 18:49

Evening all - that's so exciting to have your kitchen arrive @sluj!! And yum to the tea and flapjacks.

I've just confirmed order of x4 1m double larder units from our kitchen company...to make wardrobes in my bedroom. Not cheap, but fantastic quality for a fair price, I think. They're being delivered on 26th January, then Picasso will come back to paint them for me 😊

Welcome @LaBelleSausage and @HopelessOptimistism 👋

We remortgaged for what we thought was the total budget (great fixed term rate) and overspend is from savings. Also stuck a pile of furniture on a 0% credit card for 2 years, which seemed like a no brainer.

Good luck with getting your plans off the ground!! Biggest issue for many nowadays is getting actual quotes in (being ghosted by builders etc) and then trying not to have a heart attack at the cost!! Yes, definitely plan for overspend and going overtime.

LimpLettice · 07/01/2022 19:24

We've added to the mortgage for the initial quote plus a few £k. It will not be enough, but borrowing some from my parents to ride us over and have 2 mortgage products due for renewal towards the end of the build, so will revalue and add some more. It's expensive, but doable, mostly covered by a large pay rise DH got last year. His bonus will pay off parents.

We have a base! Concrete poured today so keeping fat cat in. Huge fox prints in the cement this morning at the front where drainage was rerouted, didn't want her getting stuck.

Extension Thread 2021.....aka "where's the bloody builder?"
LimpLettice · 07/01/2022 19:28

So far, still loving the builders. They bumped my car for me this morning as it died from neglect in this cold snap, and kept it running while I stayed in the warm. They were bored waiting on concrete, so decided to wash it, which was no mean feat as there's a huge sycamore tree over the drive which drowns it in sludge. With cold water at 8.30am, and it was about 1 degree this morning.

Original poster
Callmejudith · 08/01/2022 10:44

@LimpLettice they sound like good ones!

Our utility and loo painting is all done. Next step is the hallway. I persuaded DH to get a new radiator in there so need to find something

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LimpLettice · 08/01/2022 11:21

I've just collected a brand new 1400mm stone shower tray from someone off FB for £75. I get such a little glow at a good bargain!