Thatched cottage project (Cambs)

[Harry Flashman]

What a great old house. Keep 'em coming!

[mattnovak]

Thanks Harry - I’ve been following your project when time allows, it’s spectacular!

Why would you carpet this lovely staircase?



God knows how many years of dirt... I’ve clean the upper step for contrast:

[mattnovak]

Kitchen coming along nicely. Ghastly splashback needs to go.

[Harry Flashman]

That is pretty interesting! What are you going to replace it with?

[richatnort]

Is it listed at all? What are your plans for it?

[singlecoil]

Safe to assume the rest of the (previous) kitchen is out of shot?

[AndrewO]

Have you got Insurance sorted ?

If its anything like our policy the electrics will need to be signed off, open fires/woodburners have to conform to...., fire blanket in the kitchen, etc, etc

[CharlesdeGaulle]

AndrewO said:

Have you got Insurance sorted ?
... fire blanket in the kitchen, etc, etc

For a domestic residence ... Really?

[Jobbo]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

AndrewO said:

Have you got Insurance sorted ?
... fire blanket in the kitchen, etc, etc

For a domestic residence ... Really?

For my place the insurance requires a fire blanket and two fire extinguishers (one for each floor rather than different types in the same place). There is a limited range of insurers and they clearly want to mitigate fire risk as much as possible.

NFU were less worried about seeing certificates etc, though they still had more requirements than a usual domestic buildings policy. I switched when their premiums went up about two or three years ago (Thatched Owners Group are my recommendation) and complying with the requirements is fairly straightforward.

[AndrewO]

Previous owner had the house insured with NFU but it came in 3x the price of my current insurer.

[Murph7355]

Jobbo said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

AndrewO said:

Have you got Insurance sorted ?
... fire blanket in the kitchen, etc, etc

For a domestic residence ... Really?

For my place the insurance requires a fire blanket and two fire extinguishers (one for each floor rather than different types in the same place). There is a limited range of insurers and they clearly want to mitigate fire risk as much as possible.

NFU were less worried about seeing certificates etc, though they still had more requirements than a usual domestic buildings policy. I switched when their premiums went up about two or three years ago (Thatched Owners Group are my recommendation) and complying with the requirements is fairly straightforward.

More importantly it makes sense to have this sort of gear available.

It doesn't cost much these days.

[crankedup]

We found that the NFU too expensive, at least 35% more e expensive than competitors for the same level of cover. Also the majority of thatched home fires are started as a result of the introduction of multifuel stoves into old brick flues. Thatch catches fire and the owners can be unaware of he fire. Thatcher covered in wire protection makes the job even more difficult for the firefighters, when they eventually turn up, by which time the fire has fallen through into the1st floor. The thatch catches light from deep within the covering, spraying with water has little effect.
Would I live in another thatched home? in a heartbeat, can’t beat the character and homeliness of these lovely old places.

[mattnovak]

Answers in no particular order:

Yup, it’s insured via Thatched Owners Group - chimneys being inspected and swept next week.

Harry - the kitchen is going to be built to my specs, but that’s for next year. Just a lick of paint to make it Christmas ready.

I reckon the big barn could fit 5 cars, but for now at least it fits on the drive:

[mattnovak]

Oh and yes, it’s Grade II listed

[singlecoil]

I'd like to send you a PM but your profile doesn't allow them,

[mattnovak]

Hi singlecoil, I’ll change my settings - wasn’t aware that I had messages blocked. From your user name I assume you are a Fender man?

[mattnovak]

Not averse to a P90 myself

[Harry Flashman]

Nice Maserati! I wish I could get hold of a barn for cars: what a great future project...

We have a bit of space to build a car port (too narrow for a proper garage) at the side of our house, which means that at least the two old convertibles can sit under cover. My sports car, like many in London, will be outdoors, under a cover.

Watching this with great interest: keep posting!

[singlecoil]

mattnovak said:

From your user name I assume you are a Fender man?

Indeed, there's something about Fender's classic designs that is just so right (and Gibson's various attempts to emulate their success as just so ...)

[mattnovak]

Okay - so in addition to the large barn (which will be either a self contained residence or a 5 car garage, depending on who you ask) we have 2 further outbuildings, rather generously described by the EA as ‘excellent’.

The first picture is of the larger of the two, around detached garage size. The door is wedged shut so that is a quick pic through the gap - the door inside looks interesting (and maybe salvageable) but the fireplace looks beyond repair, which is fine as the open fire and log burner both have the original inglenooks. For this, we are considering a home cinema / music room / summer house.

The second picture is of ‘the copper shed’ - this is where washing used to be done, and as such has a open fire, large copper pan and chimney etc. This is in a state of disrepair, but we would like to retain as much as possible when we repurpose it - I threw a pic up on Facebook and top ideas so far are pizza oven / tandoor / smokehouse.

This thread will likely run for a decade or so, given that we need to sort out the parts we actually live in first but curious to hear PH’s views!