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About to start a 6-month extension build...

546 replies

AppropriateAdult · 04/01/2024 19:04

... and moving in with the in-laws for the duration. Come join me on this wild ride! Gin

OP posts:
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19
Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon · 11/06/2024 15:36

Oh no @sickofbuilders that's really crap? Can they disassemble and reassemble it in the house?

So painful. That would definitely happen to me!

sickofbuilders · 11/06/2024 18:27

@Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon sadly not as it’s chesterfield size so in one piece. We’re trying to negotiate a swap with a different sofa but it’s going to cost us 500-700 extra which is just draining after this house has given us so many nasty surprises and drained all our cash. I really feel like selling this fucking house

Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon · 12/06/2024 07:40

Oh I feel your pain @sickofbuilders I know how disheartening it is when stuff goes wrong :( and the costs increase through no fault of your own.

Driverpicksthemusic · 13/06/2024 11:31

Oh @sickofbuilders I am so sorry to hear you are still having a rough time. I hope you can get it sorted without too much extra expense.

I have had a major health crash after our crazy attempt to clear the rest of the house in two days last weekend. Also been pathetically tearful, mostly being caused by the exhaustion I think. I am really struggling with the driving to get dd to school and back, which I was expecting. The second half of the journey is fine, but the first part seems to be heavily populated by the worst kind of aggressive, pushy drivers, which is making things so much worse while I am still learning the route.

Popped into the house to pick up the post yesterday and despite the builder sending photos and videos and chatting with dh via WhatsApp every evening when they finish, it was still a shock to see it. They have really got a shift on in three days. Every room has been stripped of carpets, wallpaper and woodwork, the kitchen has gone, and the rear window is out with the acro-props in place ready for the steel to go in. All gas and electric has been disconnected, so there’s festoon lighting everywhere and temporary circuit boards. Builder was clearly in his element, very jolly and keen and full of new ideas for how we can tweak things to improve them. He has told us we aren’t to go in without him there now, as it’s now a proper building site and not safe. The rear is being secured with that site fencing I can never remember the name of, but they decided not to do it in the front, as it just advertises that the house is empty.

While I am pleased they are moving so fast, it was still a shock and it kind of hit me afterwards that I can’t go home till it’s done. Silly really, as obviously I knew that, but it did make it all very real.

Oh and the tile samples came, but we really didn’t like them. They were supposed to be matt, but had a sort of sheen to them, which spoiled the design. So back to the drawing board.. again!

Toooldtoworry · 13/06/2024 13:51

Seem to be moving quickly with the brick work. Roof will be next weeks or week after project I imagine.

pashmina696 · 14/06/2024 17:16

@sickofbuilders so sorry to hear about the sofa that so annoying- I am sure you will love your new one

@Driverpicksthemusic I could tile a wall with tile samples!!! What sort of tiles are you looking for maybe I can make a suggestion of where to look!!

My roof is being constructed at the moment and hopefully we will be water tight in about a month! All windows and door are ordered.., but so many decisions still to make.

Driverpicksthemusic · 14/06/2024 21:54

@pashmina696 thank you. I think I am either looking for the impossible or far too picky. I have the family bathroom and my en-suite to do.

Dh is adamant he wants large format tiles. He wants to keep grout lines to a minimum, to reduce the possibility of mould developing, as our old bathroom was a nightmare. I think he’s over-thinking a bit, as our old extractor was useless and the plumber is putting a high extraction fan with a humidistat in the new one. Also, our old bathroom had three fully tiled external walls which resulted in a lot of contact condensation from cold walls, whereas the new bathroom will only have one. Most of the tiles I have loved, bar the ones we initially agreed on for the en-suite have been smaller format. 😫

In the end I decided it would be easiest to just go for simple matt white for the bathroom and matt blue for the ensuite, but for some reason the samples have all had a weird faux-hessian style finish that I really don’t like. I think we are going to have to make the time to visit some tile shops, instead of ordering endless samples online.

Building inspector came out today. Apparently they were very impressed with our builder’s handywork and commented that it was lovely to see quality craftmanship and jokingly asked if would he like to visit some of the other local builders to show them how it should be done! 😂 All work approved and next inspection will be when we are weather tight. They also helped with some decisions re our chimney (range is going in there) and how best to open it up and accommodate the extractor.

mrssunshinexxx · 15/06/2024 00:29

@Driverpicksthemusic might not be your thing but we have shower board in both new en-suite and family bathroom so much cheaper , quicker to fit so less labour and minuscule grout which is what we wanted to. Nice designs to x

Driverpicksthemusic · 15/06/2024 07:22

@mrssunshinexxx which shower boards did you go for, if you don’t mind me asking? Our builder suggested we look at them.

I did send for a couple of samples of the Linda Barker range, but dh didn’t like them. We also considered Naturewall reeded panels for the bathroom, as that is going to have a nod to Art Deco style, but it worked out too expensive.

pashmina696 · 15/06/2024 09:50

Driverpicksthemusic · 14/06/2024 21:54

@pashmina696 thank you. I think I am either looking for the impossible or far too picky. I have the family bathroom and my en-suite to do.

Dh is adamant he wants large format tiles. He wants to keep grout lines to a minimum, to reduce the possibility of mould developing, as our old bathroom was a nightmare. I think he’s over-thinking a bit, as our old extractor was useless and the plumber is putting a high extraction fan with a humidistat in the new one. Also, our old bathroom had three fully tiled external walls which resulted in a lot of contact condensation from cold walls, whereas the new bathroom will only have one. Most of the tiles I have loved, bar the ones we initially agreed on for the en-suite have been smaller format. 😫

In the end I decided it would be easiest to just go for simple matt white for the bathroom and matt blue for the ensuite, but for some reason the samples have all had a weird faux-hessian style finish that I really don’t like. I think we are going to have to make the time to visit some tile shops, instead of ordering endless samples online.

Building inspector came out today. Apparently they were very impressed with our builder’s handywork and commented that it was lovely to see quality craftmanship and jokingly asked if would he like to visit some of the other local builders to show them how it should be done! 😂 All work approved and next inspection will be when we are weather tight. They also helped with some decisions re our chimney (range is going in there) and how best to open it up and accommodate the extractor.

You definitely have to go and see them, there are a lot of stone effect white tiles which are very nice

mrssunshinexxx · 15/06/2024 13:51

@Driverpicksthemusic the shower panel company that's our new ones in the en-suite I know they won't be to everyone's taste but really happy with them and for £50 a board in the sale can't go wrong plumber has also put them on window ledge and behind vanity to tie it all in

About to start a 6-month extension build...
Driverpicksthemusic · 15/06/2024 18:30

@pashmina696 I agree, we’re just struggling to the find the time.

@mrssunshinexxx That looks lovely. I was looking at something similar in green, but dh vetoed it. (Are we noticing a pattern here? 🤔)

mrssunshinexxx · 16/06/2024 06:27

@Driverpicksthemusic haha yes I'm lucky my husband lets me crack on we have a very pale subtle palen pink front door coming 😂

Driverpicksthemusic · 16/06/2024 10:30

@mrssunshinexxx It’s unusual for my husband to be fair. I think it’s probably just because we’ve waited such a long time to get this done and of course, for the cost, he wants to love it.

pashmina696 · 16/06/2024 11:26

I am very lucky in that my husband doesn't care a jot about much - he has helped pick the sofa and the table but really doesn't mind much about the tile choices or much else so it's all on me.... no pressure 🤯

newtoitalldammit · 16/06/2024 12:01

Builders took a whole wall out on Friday to make way for the stairs to loft, my god the dust!
Even though all the carpets were covered there is dust everywhere, how the hell do I get it out, have hoovered constantly and it's still there...loads of tips please to get rid.

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 16/06/2024 12:41

@newtoitalldammit ah we had this for our upstairs renovations. We hired a super strong hepa vacuum from the tool hire place, and then a good carpet wash after all the dusty debris has gone. Had to go over the carpet with the hepa vacuum a lot

IWishIWasABaller · 16/06/2024 15:16

Hope everyone is well , I'm going to read back on posts now to catch up. We have been delayed by a few weeks clearing the house has taken way longer than planned due to health issues and the local council office requesting lots of extra info 🙈 but we have fully moved into the mobile home in the garden and are getting used to that now

Driverpicksthemusic · 16/06/2024 21:17

We were the same @IWishIWasABaller. Clearing the house seemed to take forever, not helped by my health issues flaring up. We’ve been at my PIL’s for a week now and only just got around to unpacking the things we need here today.

Fingers crossed things go smoothly for you from here.

Toooldtoworry · 17/06/2024 06:22

Brickies back today assuming it stays dry to finish up, then roof starts tomorrow. Builder said that the slower work starts now.

pashmina696 · 17/06/2024 06:52

@IWishIWasABaller I still shudder thinking about emptying the house, it was a nightmare and impeded by ill health as well, so a lot wasn't done as I wanted but it will have to be sorted out when we unpack! I had to ask the builders to take down some of the blinds and curtains as I had forgotten about them...! So they need a good wash

Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon · 17/06/2024 14:50

Looking for advice on carpeting for my stairs x 2 and landing. Anyone any tips for saving money on this? I just got a quote for very basic carpet for this and my attic room and it was €3,400. I'm shocked! I have a budget of 2k

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 17/06/2024 15:12

Buy room sized remnants online. I've done this in two properties now. Always have bought good quality wool carpet, about 70% cheaper for the carpet. The bedrooms were £300 each plus £180 fitting per room with an independent fitter. The carpets match, I bought a few pieces of the same in different sizes.

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 17/06/2024 15:14

My carpet plus large landing should be £640, plus about £300 fitting roughly. Haven't had it done yet but have picked two possible remnants

mrssunshinexxx · 17/06/2024 15:27

Ours for large master , walk in wardrobe large corridor and stairs is £895 fitted it's nothing fancy tho just middle range x

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