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

[Callmejudith]

New thread!

I don't believe it. Was just waiting on a final quote from our preferred builders (we made some changes to the scope to reduce costs) and they have just emailed us a 'thanks but no thanks, good luck with your project'. Gutted!

@niki26 I remember your carpet drama. They just said to me that winter is the worst time to fit carpet, but if there are any bumps etc after heating goes back on, they'll stretch and refit it. They need to come back to 2 weeks to fit the landing carpet and stair runner 🤞

@Classicblunder they definitely won't clean it!! Totally gross.

@GardensandGrandDesigns that sucks. Sorry they've done that. I had the same happen with 2 builders. One I was really excited about turned round suddenly and said they'd just signed a contract to build 2 new houses so were now busy for next 12 months and the other ghosted me. So tough to get even a quote nowadays. Good luck for the other ones coming though

Thank you, well at least I don't need to stress about finding a flat to rent for March anymore...

@GardensandGrandDesigns I'm sorry that's completely crap. Do you have a second choice?

I started really keenly for teas and stuff and bought a huge bag of tea bags, coffee and loads of biscuits. They barely got touched. We weren't living in the house so no way was I making them drinks.

For the portaloo it was on our quote but never transpired. Again because we were living there I didn't care that they used the main bathroom and they were very clean. When the new cloakroom loo went in though I did put a sign on it saying "DO NOT USE" haha

Decorator reckons he'll the hallway all lined by the end of this week and is then on another job for 10 days so we can hopefully get the floor guy in.

@Callmejudith yes we do, he comes highly recommended but his quote is very vague. The other one had line for line detail and gannt charts of weekly schedules but never mind we adapt! Builder no 2 can't start till May so that's a downside too but 2 extra months of saving.

@GardensandGrandDesigns that's shitty but unfortunately common at the moment due to being more work than decent people to do it.

Our heating is off at the moment as it's underfloor heating and the tiles need to cure without it being on so I've asked my clients to wrap up warm when they come for the first official meeting in the studio 🥳 this week.

It's not finished but it's finished enough to hold a socially distanced meeting on folding chairs around my new desk with the windows - which I prefer to zoom with these clients because they aren't very tech savvy. So ridiculously excited.

@GardensandGrandDesigns
The extended length of our build has definitely helped with the finances

With the vague builder just make sure you confirm everything that's said in writing / email. When you speak to them just jot it down in an email starting something "great to speak to you today, just to confirm....."
It just helps if they ever dispute progress or costs and avoids any miscommunication.

@wonkylegs that’s so exciting to be using the space!

Loving the progress, sympathies for those with delays.

Re drinks - my lot are self sufficient. I’ve offered but they say sometimes they’re in a field so they have to be prepared to sort themselves.
One guy does bring a sort of plug in flask thing for soup I guess that he plugs in.
It’s more I wish they’d use tap water and reusable bottles when it’s hot, I hate seeing plastic bottles in the skip.

Re toilet - again they sorted the portaloo. I’m intrigued to see if it shows up on my bills but think it’s absorbed into ‘site management’.

Plumber working away, under the floor and above it, hoping he’ll connect the fridge water soon as Ds1 is badgering me for it.
Waiting on Qettle to get back to me on delivery date for my tap.

Electrician here too, hopefully connecting up the fridge, ovens, etc. and ….drinks fridge (rubs hands)!! 😂🤞

Found myself a little heater 👏 Currently cuddling it!! Just noticed I'm wearing odd socks. Builder guy just told me I look tired. Wonder why that is??! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE 😂

@wonkylegs wooohooo that must be amazing to get to use your new space!!!

@PoshWatchShitShoes

Found myself a little heater 👏 Currently cuddling it!! Just noticed I'm wearing odd socks. Builder guy just told me I look tired. Wonder why that is??! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE 😂

🤣🤣🤣

@PoshWatchShitShoes what colour is that wall? It's lovely!

One week in and the builders have really cracked on. Garage down and now dealing with the huge amount of concrete and stone from the existing patio and garage floor. It's like a war zone. Two huge piles of rubble. They reckon they can get the trenches done and pour the new foundations but I guess this depends on BC signing the trenches off (and hopefully saying the existing extension foundations are ok, eek).

Does anyone else have an Instagram account for documenting their builds. I have one. I'm not posting on there to get followers or anything but using it as a convenient diary to document the whole process and for friends and family to keep updated if they so wish so I'm not boring everyone with endless updates.

@PoshWatchShitShoes

Found myself a little heater 👏 Currently cuddling it!! Just noticed I'm wearing odd socks. Builder guy just told me I look tired. Wonder why that is??! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE 😂

I never wear matching socks. Life's too short for matching them up!

@Sewfrickinamazeballs mines documented on my work Insta account along with all my other architecture projects
One of the earliest photos and one of the more recent ones

[quote wonkylegs]@Sewfrickinamazeballs mines documented on my work Insta account along with all my other architecture projects
One of the earliest photos and one of the more recent ones [/quote]

This is such an amazing space! Very jealous.

@LimpLettice thanks, it's Storm by Fired Earth. Such a lovely colour.

@Sewfrickinamazeballs great to see a massive pile of rubble. I haven't bothered with Insta for building works. I like paint colours and pretty fabrics, rather than mess. So much dust still 🙈

I’ve documented on my personal Instagram and even managed to do a highlight which I’m very proud of. Happy to share if you PM me

Just started a new thread about how to deal with this fucking builder. I hate him with all my being.

Had a big chat with DH this morning about dosh and priorities after he suggested a very expensive Easter break . We agreed that we need to actually not spend any money and prioritise doing the garden before the summer so we can pretend we're on holiday instead.

Callmejudith I've commented on your other thread.

I also hate my architect who doesn't seem to know anything. This is such a stressful process.

My architect is brilliant but goes on holiday on what feels like a monthly basis so disappears every five minutes.

We have external walls. The builder asked me late yesterday if I could be out today so they could lift the floor and start the main internal wall - we need that so I have some internal space for the toddlers. I went to DParents, and wish I hadn't. Kids ran riot. Now on driveway with sleeping babies eating bloody chicken Selects and waiting to do the school run because I can't go in yet. Going to be bloody nightmarish in this weather until I can close the door inside.

Good luck getting it resolved @Callmejudith

Todays excitement is a connected gas hob! Even cooked the kids pasta on it!

Tomorrow should be fridge, ovens and microwaves.
Then move current dishwasher to the new space, somehow temporarily rehome the washing machine somewhere…
Then we’re out of the old kitchen!

New hob photo!