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

[Sewfrickinamazeballs]

Hi! New thread!

A day of highs and lows today... the last of the steels were delivered, which resulted in the steel supplier blocking the road (there’s no way through at the other end, so basically a cul de sac) for half an hour. During rush hour/school run. I’ve had neighbours calling me, people swearing at me on the street. The builders said they tried to refuse delivery, but the driver was agressive and abusive so they caved in. It’s so hard to manage.

But on the other side, we’ve got walls almost everywhere, the last of the timber structure (a pod on the second floor) has gone up, we’ve got final details of the glazing and cladding so will be placing orders next week, final lighting and small power plans have been agreed, and our appliances (which we were told needed to be ordered months ahead) turned up in 3 days!

Next week the final steels will be in place, the external walls will be complete, then the roof will go on, interior walls, and all of a sudden the first fix is starting.

@Sewfrickinamazeballs looking fantastic. What colour are you painting the walls?

@Yellownotblue sounds stressful. You're doing your best that's all you can do. The other progress sounds so exciting!

We have stalled to a bit of a halt awaiting doors which means we can't plaster etc.etc.etc. so only 2 on site today. Frustrating but nothing we can do. Apparently they are due to come next week but the team have been waiting 3weeks already for them. Boss builder is also on holiday which I don't think helps.

Glad the steel was delivered safely in the end and indeed it sounds so stressful.

We are still plastering and tiling is next week before the bathroom furniture fitting. I have been day dreaming about having a bath, which hasnt happened since we moved in this house last year( there was only 1 bathroom and I didnt trust the bath to be as clean to have one.

The brick layer has been blowing the appointment 3 times, I was told I am needed so had to book at work to be home every time and he didnt turn up this morning as scheduled(8am.

@Newhome321 that’s so annoying!

@AwkwardPaws27 - congratulations! In awe if you managing a baby as well. Mine are all 11-16 so can retreat to their own rooms and understand why things are noisy or dusty or whatever.

steel delivery sounds v stressful, I tend to hide whenever the road gets blocked by the skip lorry etc. people don’t need to be so rude though.

haven’t posted much in a while but this week things are progressing.
wooden wall in the middle of the kitchen is down for good. Really nice to be able to see the space - and walk around the other end of the island!

they are sorting out floor levels that are a bit off (trying not to be annoyed by that as they did them but hey ho) as the tiler came and sorted his layout, he’ll start on Tuesday.
can’t quite imagine the chaos of latex and tiling whilst living here….

sorted out the utility plans with howdens today, almost a v embarrassing moment when I couldn’t really read the numbers on the screen and thought it was coming out as £40K. I did say that’s much more expensive than I’d planned for, we worked on tweaking a few things and got it down to starting with a 2.

only right at the very end did I see it was £2K not £20k. 😂 meanwhile I’d texted DH to warn him about the cost and I actually must have lost the plot as I was happy to spend £20k in my utility……

Nightmare on steel delivery. I get so anxious about pissing off the neighbors. Skip guy came to switch skips at 6:30am on a weekend and I couldn’t relax for ages wondering who would have a go at me, but noone did.

@LivingInaBuildingSite Founs your post so helpful as I am going with a hOwdens utility - want the Chelford paintable. And have NO IDEA how much it will cost as haven’t had them out to do a design and cost it yet.

Sorry @Yellownotblue it's not your fault, it must be tricky when it is a cul de sac but it is all temporary. Big hugs! I know I felt horrible with our whole hedge thing and next door feeling angry with us. We had wine with them on our front garden yesterday so it's very temporary unpleasantness. Although you don't deserve it in the first place.

So last night I was drifting off and my heart skipped a beat when I realised I'd just accepted a business trip to Italy at the start of Sep and my passport and all ID is in storage (the type you can't access) I had meant to put it in a folder and leave at family members but last minute we forgot as was in a furniture unit! Should I report lost and just get a new one?

If it is expired soon then best to get a new one as you have time. I hate paper work so I would try to find it rather than filing for a new one unless it needs to be replaced soon.
We are doing a bit of outdoor painting today to kill the time as builder isnt working today.

A colleague has waited 3 months for his wife’s passport now. Maybe try to find it at the storage place first and quickly before cancelling it!

@GardensandGrandDesigns I'd try and get access. There are significant delays to passports at the moment.

So it's Monday again. What are everyone's plans/jobs for the week?

Mine are
Off to carpetright to have a look
Buy bed (and mattress?)
Get quote for m2m curtains
Confirm kitchen tile delivery with boss builder

We have tilers in this week! Two of the 4/5 bathrooms (insane I know) are getting done this week.

We are also getting the windows (not doors) installed.

our jobs:

• order rest of tiles and bathroom fittings


• Order lights


• finalise the electrics design downstairs


• finalise design for walk-in wardrobes.

This week is going to see a lot of difference I think.

Is this the week the roofers finish?!

Sounds exciting @NewHouseNewMe
We also have the tilers in but only one bathroom being done today. Can't wait to see it come together and hope we have the right amount of tiles!
I'd love to see the design of your walk in wardrobe if that's possible? We don't have a walk in but would be good to see what others are going for as we will have one wall and have a large alcove we are planning as a wardrobe 'area'

@GardensandGrandDesigns really hope you can get your passport in time! That's added stress I'm sure you could do without at the moment.

Our big steel just went in, apparently the biggest our builder has ever seen. 😥
It seems that the structural engineer was rather overzealous with his calculations but there was no way of knowing just by looking at the plans. We were worried we'd have to duck under it, but we've walked under it and the clearance is ok.

Need to finalise kitchen & utility layouts this week. Please someone tell me they're having two dishwashers so I can stop second-guessing myself?

I would def have 2 if I ever come to kitchen renovation and there are room for it. I hate seeing the dry rack on the kitchen but we have no better choice with 1 washing machine.

We have no trade booked for next week while there is still so much to do: level 1 bathroom, carpenter, 2nd fix, porch build. So my job is just as usual: chasing!!!

@HouseyHouse21 I'm having 2! Our big plan is to have a (relatively) clear island so hoping that 2 does the job.
We're also having 2 fridges but future proofing for 2 children/teenagers and potential parents moving in.

Oh no, DH wanted 2 I said no. There wasn’t really space in the kitchen but we could’ve put another one in the utility. I just don’t think we’ll use it apart from big celebrations or parties. Maybe I should’ve said yes….

our tiler starts tomorrow! Chaos will ensue, don’t know how we’ll manage living here at the same time.
they were sticking more floorboard stuff down today in one section as the tiler wasn’t happy with the one layer.

various electrics work starting with new sockets, hoping they’ll move the light switches soon too.

the cats brought in a bird this morning. Feathers everywhere. Hoovered the offcut of carpet we have laid down in the back over concrete (put it down in winter in the hole of some warmth!). Hoping that’s the last time I hoover it! 😂

Tiling the downstairs bathroom has begun!
Hoping the replacement bath actually shows up soon...

Nothing really happening here. I’m disappointed if I’m honest; though as my H points out we aren’t paying them by the day. Apparently they can’t get the building inspector out until later this week and that’s delayed them. They were only here for 2 hours on Friday and not at all today so I don’t know if they just won’t show up until the day the building inspector is due. The boss is on holiday too so I guess no one is really pushing anything.

@HouseyHouse21 we are also having two dishwashers. One in the kitchen and one in the scullery (along with second fridge and second sink).

Loving this talk of 2 dishwashers! Sadly we haven’t the space but a friend has had this for years and thinks it’s the only way.

@Yellownotblue talk to me about a scullery. What is it? (I don’t even know but I like the sound of it!)

@AwkwardPaws27 your downstairs loo looks fab! Lovely tiles.

For anyone getting a larder, are you fitting electric sockets in it? I’ve left it late but could just about make it work.. (Kitchen designer may be mad at me though).

@NewHouseNewMe I use the term loosely, but for us, it’s basically an overflow kitchen. It’s a room off the kitchen, bigger than a pantry and separate from the laundry room (which we’ve relocated upstairs).

It will have lots of storage for food, cleaning products and occasional dinnerware (I’m a bit compulsive when it comes to ceramics and serving dishes...) as well as a second dishwasher, fridge/freezer and sink. I’m also secretly planning space for the dog and cat food, for the pets I’m planning to get ☺️

I like to entertain and I cook a fair amount, so we need more than a standard pantry. It made sense to create a room in the darkest part of the house and use it for storage.

We used to live in Asia where it’s fairly standard to have a closed room for storage off the kitchen. We really miss it now that we’ve moved back.

See attached photo.

And yes, we’re also getting a larder (more of a breakfast cupboard really) in the kitchen, and it will have electric sockets for lots of appliances (kettle, toaster, microwave etc).

It was good to read the updates tonight, I’ve been incredibly busy both work/personally and had only minor scans of info in last few days, seems to be lots of progress all round.
@AwkwardPaws27 exciting to see tiling, the end is in sight! Hope you’re doing well.
@HouseyHouse21 I would have loved 2 dishwashers but my DH thought it was ridiculously indulgent despite having enough space, TBH I’ve had to be tactical in my battles. Very envious of those with.
@NewHouseNewMe @BlueMooMoo I’m planning dressing room space just now. In fact we had a family trip to IKEA tonight for PAX wardrobe planning and meatballs (still no kitchen! 🙈) Is a relatively small space, 2.4m x 2.48m and want to include space for a dressing table, which is proving slightly problematic. Any hints or tips much appreciated. We’re not set on IKEA.
I’ve been trigger happy online shopping for tiles, bathrooms, radiators. Unfortunately the tiles I had based all my en suite plans around for our bathroom shower enclosure are out of stock so had to go for a plan B. A bit disappointed as is a very different look but am sure it will be lovely all the same.
The plasterers are on-site this week with the kitchen units going into position by end of the week. Quartz templating on Monday, en suite tiling next mon/tues, plumbers/ electricians on-site too so we’re hoping to have most interiors completed within 3 weeks. Flooring will be later into beginning of August unfortunately.
Terrazzo tiles arrived for my downstairs wc (the one with the pink sink 😜), could use some input so will post pics tomorrow.
@NewHouseNewMe I’m doing x 2 1000mm larder units on my long run of tall units. One has power going to it, I’m calling it my breakfasting larder (DH loves to do massive eye rolls at that phrase) it will have my coffee machine and toaster in it. I’ve not bothered with the other one as will be only food storage. Not sure if you’re doing cabinet or walk in larders but definitely worthwhile seeing if you can add in, always good to have the option.

Loving the 2 dishwashers! I fear I would be cut off from our bank cards if I did this as I've already gone for 2 single ovens (for kitchen symmetry 🤣) and a full size fridge and full size freezer. Same as someone said, future proofing 2 teenage boys and family gatherings in the future!

Bathroom tiling looks great @AwkwardPaws27

Today I'm off to a big flooring shop to select our engineered wood as they need to know the thickness to order our sliding doors
DH has got a meeting with an audio specialist for speakers in the snug so we can give the plan to the electrician.
Also need to call roof maker this morning before that order is placed. Not sure of the difference between their standard roof lantern and the pyramid version. They both look exactly the same and same price!

Yesterday the guys ripped out the ceilings downstairs and pulled up the original parquet flooring. It is now in the skip which makes me feel sick but it just won't work with ufh and it scratches so easy. Good luck everyone for the week!

Loveeee the scullery and its usefulness and design. Indeed, the dishwasher has to be located conveniently and always next to a sink. My friend has hers few metres away from the sink and its a pain to rinse and bring dishes to the dish washer from the sink which isnt immediately next to it.

The plasterer finishes majority of bits today and will need to be back for 3 days when site is ready.