Extension and renovation thread 2026

[needmorespace2026]

Looks like we are finally starting building on our extension in Feb. I’ve been mentally planning it ever since we met bed in over 10 years ago, and first met our architect in autumn 2024 so it’s been a long time coming

Wondered if there are others out there who want a space to share the highs and lows? Ours is supposed to be an 8 month build so maybe done by Christmas (famous last words!)

I am in awe of your DIY abilities. I’m ok at the “taking things out” side but completely useless at putting it all back. I can paint but that’s about it. Tiling a floor would be way beyond me.

We’ve had a builder come around today to give a quote to fix the joists in the main bedroom after our previous builder went MIA. The quote was decent and he can come to do it in a few weeks then we can have the en suite put in. Let’s just hope this one sticks around because we have a baby coming in 3 months and time is ticking!!

Oh no @EllieWalesthats so frustrating that the previous builder dropped out. It’s so hard finding people- most of the builders we contacted ghosted us before actually sending a quote :-( I’m very happy with the people we have now, but it’s very much a sellers market for trades.

@EllieWales fingers crossed this builder comes through for you!

I just read back to my post of 23 Feb when I said we'd turned the corner- ha ha ha ha ha. We so hadn't and not sure we have yet although the dust generation seems to have slowed down and we have floors downstairs and one outside tap (previously just using the stopcock as a tap).

The dramas of the last few weeks have included

• All the roof tiles are fit only for the skip and need replacing
• Neighbours are pissed off as it's taking so long - wait till they find out about the demolition and rebuild down the road.
• The whole of upstairs needs reskimming
• We have 2 weeks to tile 90 square metres of floor so they can fit the kitchen/ utility/ downstairs loo.
• All the soakaways need redoing.
• I've extended the Airbnb booking by a month as we are nowhere close to finishing.

Argggh.