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

[Sewfrickinamazeballs]

Hi! New thread!

That is very tough @Newhome321 and so relatable too.

Little consolation but most stone can be repaired. Someone I know had a huge chunk taken out of the limestone countertop and had it repaired for £100!! Worth a call to the manufacturer?

Victoria plumbing sent us a very expensive shattered shower tray! The delivery guy said it happens all the time as they had no wrapping on it - literally just plastic. I only noticed on delivery because we couldn’t fit it in and I was dismantling the package to get it indoors off the pallet.

@Newhome321 that sounds really tough, hopefully there’s some repair that can be done. Is almost impossible to check every delivery when it arrives, especially for large, heavy items. We had a terrible delivery a few weeks back from AO, our American FF is 120 kgs so couldn’t safely get it in the house at the time. We’ve had to store it in the garage but the delivery guys damaged the polystyrene base. Tomorrow will be the day we find out if it survived. I’ll cry if not.
Most of our cabinets are in place and I’ve even got a temporary sink rigged up on the makeshift island. Quartz templating will delay a useable hob/ proper sink for a couple of weeks, but was lovely to sit in the space tonight at the table when my DS was eating his (what feel like) 100th microwave spaghetti & meatballs. Cannot wait to get cooking again.
Our wall hung vanity finally arrived today for the en suite, unfortunately neither of us clicked about the weight of it so think it will need to be returned for a floor standing version. Is against an internal wall and is just too heavy.
I need to confirm my utility changes tomorrow with our builder. To be honest I hadn’t paid much attention to the utility as so focused on kitchen. Anyone able to share utility plans especially for laundry or boot room type storage much appreciated, Bonus points if Howdens designs. @LivingInaBuildingSite Would love to see your plans for utility.

So, utility plan. We ended up with a bigger utility than I’d originally planned and it’s now bigger than our first few kitchens!

it’s a long narrow space, with units along one wall. As you look at the picture, the back door is to the right hand end so the tumble dryer vents to outside - the first machine, then we’re having two washing machines, haven’t bought a second one yet and keeping current slightly old one so they hopefully wear out at different times.
then reusing the granite worktop that went in the kitchen originally as it was millimetres too short (as howdens guy forgot I was using my own freestanding dishwasher and measured for an integrated one).
there is a 600 cupboard, then an 800 cupboard under the sink (going for a larger sink than I have in the kitchen, a howdens own one not a Franke one).
then the second dishwasher (integrated)
then a 400 tall unit for the hoover and ironing board (if I ever put them away!), then an integrated tower freezer.

then there’s a wall with a door into the bike shed/storage which has doors out onto the driveway.

@LivingInaBuildingSite looks very similar to mine - we are having 2 of each (wm and td). I'll post a screenshot of my 2 options in a bit.

Mine has cabinets in a L
Stacked wm and td with space down the side for ironing board and clothes airers.
1000 corner unit with sink and left hand drainer.
1000 cupboard unit
600 3 drawer unit
800 floor to ceiling bookcase/shelving unit

On the other side is a large window with radiator underneath and then space for electric clothes airer and tower drawer freezer (freestanding)

In case anyone is looking for interior design inspiration, and cannot take Houzz/insta/themodernhouse anymore, I just discovered this website. www.shootfactory.co.uk

Lots of lustworthy homes...

@Newhome321 please don't stop posting. The reality, warts and all of a build are the reasons why most of us are here. If I wanted to just look or hear about perfect stuff, we have Instagram for that. I too have some bits of damage to repair. It takes the shine off fornicate, but there will be a solution. I agree with others in looking at getting a professional repair done. It's amazing what can be fixed.

I approve of the pink sink! Lovely. I do a pottery class and had a go at making mine but in the final firing it cracked. Such a shame but I moved on.

We are starting to see the wood for the trees inside now. Lots of small jobs to finish, but we cooked in the kitchen for the first time tonight. Folks, it's so worth the hassle. It was amazing. I physically felt the stress lifting.

Our utility is just awaiting some pins in the skirting then I can paint it. Ours is small, but beautiful and functional. I handmade the tiles, have a yellow tap and it just makes me smile. We have a broom cupboard, then a run of three wall cupboards, below are two cupboards and a bin unit. I left a gap at the end of the broom cupboard for the iron, drysoon etc. On the other side is the boiler, sink, tumble dryer and washing machine. Just have a pulley maid to put up and maybe a shelf or peg board.

@Newhome321 please stay. We all have hard times, and you’ve had more than your share lately. You will find many a sympathetic ear here xx

@Sewfrickinamazeballs you win autocorrect of the thread 😂

well, it does that too

😲 And I also do a pottery class! But I’ve not attempted a sink yet.

I also do upholstery... this house is going to have some funky looking seating 🧐

Man you lot make me feel useless - no skills whatsoever!
Loved the auto correct too ☺️

I love sewing to. Have my own sewing room in the new house

@NewHouseNewMe I recommend punch needling. It requires no skill whatsoever, except very agressive punching of the needle. Great way to let go of any angry thoughts...

Upholstery is also very good for that, plenty of power tools and the pneumatic stapler is just 💪🏼.

Pottery is a lot more meditative, you get lost in the moment, it’s really tactile. Very good for peace of mind. But also quite technical (especially on the wheel).

I also knit, much more mellow if you’re looking for a calmer pastime! Great fun though, and the kids fight over my knitted blankets, which is the greatest seal of approval 🙂.

I have a she-shed in the new house, and a garden room which is officially known as “the gym”. I prefer to think of it as “the room of possibilities”.

Thanks so much for your kind words, indeed only people who has done or doing renovation could relate.
Love the pink sink, very bold choice.
I called magicman today for the bath’s chip fix and was quoted £250 plus VAT, it isnt a big chip, just a chip but it is a chip on a brand new bath so I might just have to swallow it(and it felt they gave me that quote after I told them the postcode, its quite true in London).

I know @Newhome321 - I often feel that the quote doubles once they see my plans! It’s like weddings - mention London and it’s £££
@Yellownotblue punch needling sounds just my thing 😀

😂to the autocorrect! Made me chuckle this morning.
Very jealous of all the crafty handy people on this thread!
Postcode inflation is such a pain. Are you able to get other quotes @Newhome321 ?

This weekend are the usual jobs

• updating spreadsheet
• double checking measurements for furniture
• quotes for wardrobes/drawers

And added - checking all the boxes for chips etc.

Bang goes my weekend 😉
One of my colleagues rents out his house on a different website. It is not often rented but when it is they get lots of money! But usually they have to get out for a week.

Those of you that have had underfloor heating put down (the wet kind) how long did your builder leave the screed to dry before the floor was tiled? Thanks.

I think they told me a week per millimetre of screed, about 7 weeks for ours. But then there was a delay in tile ordering anyway so it’s worked out as ages longer than that.

the patio will probably be about 7/8 weeks if the delivery comes as scheduled and the tiler comes back straight away.

Various guys in and out today, I took the day off work s had a long running weekend but have spent most of it in my bedroom as nowhere is builder-free downstairs.

currrently a plasterer tidying up a new sort of archway where we had a doorway.
tiler and his assistant doing the living room.
couple of guys building the utility room stuff.
plumber loitering about unsure doing exactly what but hoping he’ll plumb in the second dishwasher asap as our main one is still not fixed!
electrician doing something with light switches which seems to involve a hole in the wall between the hallway and the office 🤷‍♀️

@nomoneytreehere same as @LivingInaBuildingSite 7weeks also here. I believe you can also get fast screed that @Sewfrickinamazeballs used.

@LivingInaBuildingSite "loitering about doing not sure what" totally understand that. Sometimes I am totally perplexed as to what some people are doing. I mean it makes no actual odds as we are paying for the job not the time/days but still. Sometimes they definitely need the break - the labourers working last week were running waterfalls of sweat.

Hi. Yes, we had a quick dry screed laid (about £500 more over 100 Sqm) as it was going to take 10 weeks to dry before we could lay our floor.

Back from a weekend away in the New Forest and a) living upstairs now seems huge compared to a caravan 🤭 and b) the scaffolding is up and I think we are possibly only 2 weeks away from extension build being finished. Then we can move on to phase 2: demolishing inside the house yippee!

Catching up on posts and didn't realise screed takes 7 weeks to dry! Good god! Any idea on lead times for bi folds or sliders? Our people have a 2 week wait just to measure up!