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

[Sewfrickinamazeballs]

Hi! New thread!

We started in February and a kitchen isn’t even a twinkle in my eye yet! I haven’t been able to go on site this week because I caught Covid, but the photos show good progress and we’re resolving lots of niggles. Am now deep into joinery quotes, and seriously thinking of re-training as a carpenter...

I also need a joiner for the wardrobes etc. If you happen to be in my area, let me know if you find a good one!

@NewHouseNewMe whereabouts are you? I’m SW London. Quotes are crazy. It reminds me of a Reader’s Digest joke from my childhood, a man goes to the dentist and is given a quote for his dentistry work.

Patient: “That’s really expensive.”
Dentist: “ Yes, but I had to study for years at dentistry school to learn my skills”
Patient: “I understand, but why does it befall on me to pay for your entire degree?”

Ha ha yes I feel i am personally responsible for every tradesman having a great year! I’m in N London and the prices are insane..

Bit of a weird day today. We are unexpectedly moving the kitchen door about 5 inches to the left
Builder suggested it after marking out where the stud wall would go (we are dividing the current dining area which you walk through to get to the kitchen, creating a hallway & sectioning off the future study). The architect plans were just to put the wall next to the existing door but this gave us a disproportionately wide hallway when that 4-5 inches would make the study a more comfortable size.

I know a very good joiner based in North London. I'll PM details once I work out how!

So yesterday was eventful... Walked back from the school run and the builder was stuck between his van and the skip (his van had rolled back) I had to quickly get a brick from the skip and put it behind the back wheels and jump in his van to pull the handbrake up as high as I could!! I'm basically one of the team now and feel like we bonded 🤣 he's getting his handbrake fixed. Good job I came back else I would have a squished builder.

@HouseyHouse21 That would be amazing! If you’re in the area and need recommendations I’m happy to repay the favour.
@GardensandGrandDesigns oh boy that’s worth a discount this week??

We’ve one of those conundrums like @AwkwardPaws27 at the moment where a staircase and a soil stack location are forcing a rethink of our family bathroom. The shower door will open out onto the toilet and although it’s workable it’s very tight so we are looking into a quadrant shower. It was that or combine the bath with a shower which wouldn’t suit all the old people in our lives. Or a corner bath.. I don’t love quadrant showers but it is what it is and it won’t get used much. Compromises, compromises.. I only wish that occasionally we’d find a new room or similar!

Funnily enough that's exactly what husband said 🤣 @NewHouseNewMe

@NewHouseNewMe could you opt for sliding shower doors?
We have a bit of a tight squeeze in our upstairs shower room as its only about 1300mm wide, the shower is 1100 wide and I was really worried that it would be too tight with the loo next to it, but it actually works really well.

I have a duck board rather than a fabric mat as it feels more hygienic, being just in front of the loo.

My only conundrum is where to put the loo roll holder as if I put the holder in front of the loo it'll get damp when you reach for a towel current the roll is still sitting on the unit sans holder!

@AwkwardPaws27 so pleased to see a pic of this mirror in a real bathroom, we’re looking at the same for our en suite. It looks lovely.
I have just realised today I’ve not allowed for the soil pipe in the dimensions of our en suite, so may need to reduce down either our shower enclosure or width of sink vanity.
We’re now in week 5 and roof structure is on, tiling hopefully next week with bricklayer on-site tomorrow. We’re seeing real progress but am struggling with the lack of proper kitchen, kids are begging for proper home cooked meals. 🙈
I need to start thinking about ordering en suite, radiators etc but don’t want to do too soon with no storage but acutely aware of the delays in deliveries, etc.

@JoanDarc we absolutely love the mirror. It also gives the perfect amount of light for 3am loo trips, so I tend to leave it on overnight.

We originally planned a 1200 shower but had to cut down to 1100 as the soil pipe couldn't go under the floorboards, as our joists ran the wrong way.

lovely bathroom and love the mirror.

We are in Sw too.

not much progress on our side, so frustrated. The pocket door frame delivered and was damaged so waiting for a replacement. The builder is a big company and the builder has already moved onto the next job while waiting for delivery(windows, doors, pocket door frame etc.). We need some bespoke door and was told that it could take up to 5 months so had to give up the design we wanted to have a standard one instead. And I need 1 of the side window lowered, they have put the tiles up so that would be some cost if they agree to do it. Will speak to PM this Friday.

@AwkwardPaws27 - great inspiration there! We’ve returned the toilet around and are now got a way to avoid the round shower. Thanks!
Where is the mirror from?

@Newhome321 - why do you need the side window lowered?

Guess who can’t sleep and is up ordering stuff?!

@NewHouseNewMe well done! Sometimes its worth going back to the drawing board. I need to remeasure the downstairs bathroom - might need to get the door rehung so it opens outwards in order to fit a full length bath in there!
It's the Harbour Status on from Drench (www.drench.co.uk/p/harbour-status-led-black-round-mirror-leds-600)

When the staircase went in I realised that it was too high up, its above my head when standing on the staircase next to it. The builder agreed to lower it £2k for the stupid mistake.

Our downstairs bathroom is pretty tiny (about 4.5x8ft), I keep trying to work out how to fit a full length bath but I'm reconsidering now - a 1500 will work better for the space. I need to go and sit in one really but I'm 38 weeks pregnant so may not be able to get back out 😆

We made it to the bnb on Monday so apologies for not keeping up here. Sorry if I miss anyone as I round up.

It's all systems go at home. Electrics and plumbing being started. Ufh going in. Stud walls mostly up. Half the windows are in. Lighting and sockets design completed. Pretty much mostly to spec - when we get back home on Monday I need to make a record of the changes. I've added an LED strip but think have less downlighters so hoping the price will work out overall.

Been working through tile and bathroom quotes and am pretty happy with what I've chosen now. Have had to make some compromises as ever :) but budget broadly on track.

Has anyone decided to put in an electric shower as a back up? We're putting one in the guest ensuite so shouldn't get too much use but during covid when we had no hot water due to a boiler issue it was just horrendous. Not sure though whether it's the right idea?

Are posters here having to buy toilet fixing kits etc etc or is it expected that plumbers supply them?

@AwkwardPaws27 I guess it depends on how tall you are! Do you have a bathtub now? Could you stick a cardboard box or something at the bottom to try and visualise/test out a 1500mm size?

Was that yours or the PMs? It's so hard to try and see every outcome but frustrating to pay for things that seem totally obvious now

Could you do a pocket door?

How exciting! What are you ordering?
My credit card has also taken an absolute hammering this week 😬

Our kitchen is also the last thing to go in. September will come! We can hang on in together - when is yours scheduled for?