Extension thread 2022 part II...demolition, delays and decisions, decisions, decisions

[Sewfrickinamazeballs]

Hi! New thread!

I’ve used Sanctuary bathrooms before, they are pretty good. The only thing I would say is don’t wait for everything to be in stock before delivery as we had a problem with some crosswater taps, and crosswater wouldn’t refund them as Sanctuary had had them for a while. Sanctuary did get us all the missing parts but it was a bit rubbish (when they delivered we needed them so couldn’t really wait for new to come in to stock).

Am I the only one who didn't realise how eye-wateringly expensive a back door would be? I need to order a door for my utility room ASAP and it's pretty much blowing my budget - I'll have to downgrade to uPVC but I can't bring myself to get it in white. I think having it open outwards is also making it more expensive, but it's a small room and don't want the door swing taking up even more space.

On a positive note, the roofers are here and are going great guns, so we're on track for knocking through next week. Just need to find a local laundrette as I don't think we'll have a washer or dryer once the downstairs walls come down. What fun!

DH has finally arranged some storage & help from a friend to take the kitchen boxes there this evening.

Big relief as deliveries of tiles, radiators etc are starting to arrive and we are very quickly running out of space, & keep having to move things to allow work/access to different bits of wall.

I've just unpacked a few boxes of essentials into two base units our builders have temporarily set up in the new study. Just need to set up the microwave in there and we're set!

Bathroom suite & floor tiles arriving next week, first draft of Howdens plan sent back with a few minor changes, and my kitchen floor is a big muddy hole...

How much is it costing? We had a uPVC door (white) opening out and it was about £800 fitted. Our front door was about £1800 and that's a huge uPVC door, coloured trim, handles etc. Both unexpected costs as we hoped to use the ones we had which weren't too old. I agree, doors are expensive!

@HouseyHouse21 doors and windows are so expensive. Our front door is a navy blue composite one, chosen by previous owners. Its absolutely fine but every now and then DH makes noises about not liking the colour. Soon shuts up when I remind him how much they are!

We have ordered front door and it was £5600, nothing very special about it, standard size, composite.

The loft sliding door is £5000 plus £2000 on shutter.

not mentioning 6 new windows and 2 veluxes.

We had a small success yesterday when the almost 100kg stone bath was successfully carried to the loft bathroom to everyone relief. It took 4 very strong men because of the size and narrow staircase to the loft too.

Other than that, everything else hasnt been progressed much. Small things like plaster boards havent finished or done properly and the plasterer is threatening to leave if it hasnt been done by next week as his quote is for a ready site.

We are still having a very difficult conversation with the builder with regard to the porch build’s size. It wasnt specified in the quote or drawing. We’d like them to honour the architectural drawing which we signed off(build to meet the bay area) while they wanted to save on cost by pressing for much smaller one. So so stressful.

And yes, taps are expensive. We spent £8k on taps for 2 bathrooms. The shower taps are £2k more each. Then bath standing taps, basin taps. I kept telling myself that this is DEFINiTELY the forever home!

We had a quote for a solid wood front door for £4800 - needless to say we are sticking with what we have for now.
@HouseyHouse21 it might be worth checking out your local dry cleaners or ironing services as many will do laundry too.
@AwkwardPaws27 you may have this already but I'd think about getting 2 good size washing up bowls/rubber/plastic buckets so when the new baby arrives you have a bottles/dummies etc. Clean station you can fill with boiling hot water for sterilising and another one for pooey/sickey clothes that need soaking before a wash. Otherwise one sink might be challenging. It wasn't that long ago (3weeks) that our family room looked like yours and now our doors are getting fitted and the plastering has started.
@Newhome321 that sounds like an incredible bath and sensational taps! Is there anything particular about the taps or are they very high spec?
Sorry to hear about the continued porch discussions. I hope you can resolve it.

@BlueMooMoo that's a really good idea - I actually have a spare washing up bowl that I found under the sink, so I'll relocate that to the upstairs bathroom as a soaking bowl now (before I lose it in the chaos!).

I'm really hoping to breastfeed & I'm hoping all this work will be an even bigger incentive to stick with it, but with the caveat that DH will run out for a Perfect Prep machine, bottles etc if needed (luckily we have a big shopping centre literally 8 minutes walk away).

Thanks very much @Sewfrickinamazeballs - super helpful to know what kind of ballpark ££ I should be aiming for.

Of course @AwkwardPaws27 I didn't intend it as a commentary on your feeding possibilities more just anything that goes in the mouth - plastic rattles or anything like that. And please do access support if you need to. People can have lots of different experiences with their midwives so make sure your dh gets involved in helping find the right support for your feeding journey.
I was very lucky in that I was able to breastfeed but I know lots of my friends have struggled and accessing the right support at the right time can make all the difference.

Will you still have a bathroom during the works?

Are anyone's builders working on Bank Holiday? We have 2 working tomorrow and 1 on Friday.

@BlueMooMoo no worries, not taken as such at all. Good point about other items in mouths - I had only really thought about sterilising bottles & dummies so I'll definitely need to get some Milton!

We put in an upstairs shower room a couple of years ago, so luckily that's fully accessible and literally 2 steps from our bedroom door. Else getting to the loo at 3am (and 4am and 5am now!) would be a nightmare as opposed to just a bit inconvenient!

@AwkwardPaws27 That's handy. We are missing our downstairs loo quite a lot but think it's one of the last things that gets kitted out.

Ours have worked 7 days a week for the last 2 months! Plasterers and chippy in this weekend mainly.

We are moving back in Sunday! Yay! We will only have one unpainted bare floored room to stay in, and will have the utility (I hope), toilet and tap working but we will be back and the cat can finally get out in the garden. I can't wait.

Also found a lovely local chap who is sorting out our splashback. Going for a grey mirror to go with the Bond villain kitchen.

Our front door is composite not uPVC. I was mistaken. Still not loads though. Ours was from eurocell through the builder

@Sewfrickinamazeballs that's amazing. I actually quite enjoy the respite at the weekend especially for the baby's naps.
I kinda would rather the whole team was in rather than just the ones who I assume have chosen to work as it means we still get the noise but not as much progress. But trying to think long term and that any hours worked means we'll be finished quicker.
You must be so pleased to move back 😀 there's nowhere quite like home.

Thanks. I'm so homesick, I can't wait to get back. We are also spending so much on petrol going back and forth, will be nice to be local again!

Will you have heating, hot water, etc.? @Sewfrickinamazeballs

I'm debating carpetright for carpet as they have a 0% deal. Are they actually decent in terms of products does anyone know? Fitting I appreciate is down to the individual subcontracted fitters in your area.

Definitely no heating as no radiators are up (thankfully warm weather), question mark on the hot water. Not sure the boiler is up and running yet, but we have some power and a kettle or two so will cope. We also have absolutely amazing neighbours so can call on them if we get really stuck for showers etc.

We had a nice lamb wool carpet imported from New Zealand from Carpet right in our previous home and everyone was really impressed with it, nice, thick and feel great and for 10 years stays great. I actually really miss it but we brave ourself and go with engineer wood this time for a change.

We put in two carpets in our previous house: one high end wool from a local specialist and one more budget one from CarpetRight. Hand on heart no-one could tell the difference and we are going to Carpet Right this time!

Ours are off for the long weekend. Our troublesome neighbour complained when the builders worked over Easter, and she’s quite belligerent, so I worry she might report us to the local council. We’re at a very noisy stage of the build, so I don’t want to take any chances.

I’m shocked at the prices you guys are paying for taps and doors - I may actually show this to DH as back up for the fact that ours are cheap as chips 😁.

Lots of progress here too - timber frame and walls have gone up on the first and second floor, render is done at the back, glazing and cladding guys are lined up, I’ve ordered appliances this week, we’re about to order doors (if we can get a quote that’s free of errors on sizes), plumbing and a/c guys are visiting next week for their survey.

The guys have started talking about the first fix happening in a month or so 😳. All very exciting. My lovely project manager and contractor have suggested additional architectural details and storage that we can squeeze in, as well as a skylight over the kids’ shower.

It’s really starting to take shape.

Our builders aren't back till Monday now as our neighbours would report us too! They have only just forgiven us over hedgegate! We're away for half term so looking forward to seeing the progress. In bad news, we didn't win the premium bonds jackpot again this month 🤣 we really do need some sort of financial miracle to complete the build especially when I spent £175 on new make up yesterday 😳🤭