Extension Thread 2022....plaster, panic and pics

[Callmejudith]

Slightly naff title but I haven't had enough coffee yet

@HouseyHouse21 good luck to you too! Looks like our conservatory is very sturdy as it's not down yet and they started at 8am and 3 of them! Nearly there now. Lots of rain forecast this afternoon in Hertfordshire.

@BlueMooMoo can you go abroad for a fortnight? That's what we are doing - it doesn't feel like such a waste of money when you are getting a holiday too. I figured with zoom etc it's easy to talk to the builder if needed and you can leave pretty clear instructions. I have a 1 year old so feel your pain about naps etc.

I'm trying to find somewhere with good Wi-Fi so I can work for a week in the sun!

@AwkwardPaws27 - I feel your pain on this one. Builders only want to work with a small number of kitchen suppliers. I've tried to hire a kitchen fitter to help with an order and ultimate fitting of a DIY like kitchen supplier but didn't get anywhere really.

Has anyone had a quote from velfac for windows. Their website is really frustrating and doesn't say who their local distributor is so I'm stuck waiting for them to call when I haven't got much decision making time.

I’ve got 15, 14 & 10 (11 tomorrow) yr olds.

They’re mostly fine with the building works, as long as the wifi works.

I’m about to commit to a new toilet for downstairs. Thinking comfort height as both Dh and eldest DS say that helps with aim…🙄

Haven’t found the right basin yet. Small but not too small. Still searching.

Our roof lantern went in in November, today is the first day the sun has made it round the side of the house to shine in (north facing). Yey!

Will melt all the Easter eggs on the temporary sideboard though!

@BlueMooMoo mine were 12, 2 and 1 when we started. We didn't move out or go away. DH wfh as well. He has had a tough year! We are halfway done, in that the kitchen is finished apart from floors and woodwork. I have 3 rooms of bare plaster behind a door which we will get to over this year.

We managed quite well with air fryer / microwave, but largely due to my amazing mil who prepped me 3 meals a week to reheat. Including roasts, curries, cannelloni, sausage and mash...love her.

Biggest issue has been the dust. It's just vile and can't be good for littlies. Seal everything you can, damp dust as often as possible and grit your teeth is my top tip.

So day 1 gosh I can't believe how much they did! We've decided to live in it and frequent cheap hotels regularly!

Wow, nice progress in one day!

I am thinking I will need to move out for the worst bit, if it were just me and the kids I’d be fine but I have a nanny and so my home is also a workplace and as fabulous a nanny as she is she is a neat freak and I know she would find living in a building site horrendous and therefore would make my life a misery, no shortage of complaints or suggestions or “observations” at the best of times. Though the rental supply looks dire (and expensive!) but it won’t be for a few months yet.

Oh dear WW3 with the neighbours ALREADY. Today we had to remove a section of hedge for the digger. We always said we would replace it but they are not happy to put it mildly. Deep breath and carry on...

Is it your hedge? I don’t know how they can complain if so!

A colleague’s builder started work and knocked down his neighbour’s garage instead of his. Now that is a problem

That does put things into perspective @NewHouseNewMe !!
It is their hedge so I do understand but our architect said we have planning permission to build there and we are replacing it at our cost. Still think they will report us to the council ☹️

That’s a real shame as it’s hassle you don’t need and all over a hedge!
My own neighbours have been good so far. It started rocky but improved as they realised the builders were considerate and good, plus don’t work on a Saturday which helps. Perhaps it’ll go the same way for you?

I really hope so!

Well they were rather silly for planting their hedge on your land, weren't they!

We’re still going and getting things lined up for an August start date, have reserved the bathroom fittings which are beautiful and I’m so excited about them and spending our weekends going around kitchen suppliers (we have an awkward shape so need bespoke very sadly). Can anyone recommend a good quality solid wood flooring company who will measure, supply and fit in London? Thought we’d go with our local one but they seem to be messing me around on price, the quote came through at 30 percent more per meter sq than we were told in the shop, and on query and promise to stick to the original they’ve downgraded the quality in the small print 🙄 so hoping that it’s a genuine mistake and not an attempt to pull the wool over our eyes 😁
lovely to hear of everyone’s progress - I’m sure the hedge will be fine, if you have planning you have planning so the council won’t do anything (although curious how it’s their hedge on your land - does it boundary cross?)
Good luck everyone and at least the weather is good for it!

@martinis not sure where you are but Surbiton Wood Floors did a good job for us about 8 years ago. Not sure if that helps at all.

[quote nomoneytree]@BlueMooMoo can you go abroad for a fortnight? That's what we are doing - it doesn't feel like such a waste of money when you are getting a holiday too. I figured with zoom etc it's easy to talk to the builder if needed and you can leave pretty clear instructions. I have a 1 year old so feel your pain about naps etc.

I'm trying to find somewhere with good Wi-Fi so I can work for a week in the sun![/quote]Sadly partners working pattern doesn't allow us to take holiday outside of set times. We've booked a holiday in July but ideally need to go somewhere in May.
Hoping we'll be able to house sit for friends for a week at the end of May which will be useful.

[quote RinklyRomaine]@BlueMooMoo mine were 12, 2 and 1 when we started. We didn't move out or go away. DH wfh as well. He has had a tough year! We are halfway done, in that the kitchen is finished apart from floors and woodwork. I have 3 rooms of bare plaster behind a door which we will get to over this year.

We managed quite well with air fryer / microwave, but largely due to my amazing mil who prepped me 3 meals a week to reheat. Including roasts, curries, cannelloni, sausage and mash...love her.

Biggest issue has been the dust. It's just vile and can't be good for littlies. Seal everything you can, damp dust as often as possible and grit your teeth is my top tip.[/quote]I've decided to basically accept I am living in filth. I clean up at night but there's no way to keep up during the day at all.
Please send me your MIL! I have a feeling we're going to be on first name terms with our local restaurants :grin:
I'm thankful the 3yo is at preschool full time so I'm only dealing with the baby in the day.
I find i really look forward to the weekends when the builders aren't here (they've been fantastic but oh to escape from the drilling and banging!)

@GardensandGrandDesigns

Oh dear WW3 with the neighbours ALREADY. Today we had to remove a section of hedge for the digger. We always said we would replace it but they are not happy to put it mildly. Deep breath and carry on...

Oh dear! How is it their hedge if it's on your land?

@gardens great progress already! Are you feeling the excitement?

The excitement has gone, I feel constantly like I will be sick! The hedge goes down the boundary but they say it is theirs and on their land. The deeds aren't clear. We are building on our side of the boundary but they needed to take a metre of hedge out for the digger to get in. Hence all the drama. Bad news is they need to take about 30cm more out today. I will grovel but we have to do it!

It sounds a pretty huge hedge if over 1m30 needs to be taken out!
Do you think your nbs will continue to be difficult? Or they're just kicking up a fuss that will die down?

@awkward just thought if you'd tried contacting a joiner and electrician/plumber instead of specifically a kitchen fitter? A 5k saving in the units and worktop seems to maybe be worth having to project manage individual trades.

Tentatively joining. Due to start in June if finances work out!

@BlueMooMoo the guy our builder recommended is a joiner.
The second person is an independent kitchen maker and fitter.

I'm awful at finding trades so have no confidence except in recommendations - the electrician I found a few years ago left us with no working lights downstairs & the carpenter who hung a couple of doors massively overcharged (bathroom door so I was desperate!).