1960's to now : our renovation
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
Croaked - talk me through the CCTV system. What did you use, and is it any good?
It was only a cheap 4 cam HD thing off eBay... Someone on here commented it was decent on another thread so i figured why not.Sadly it's not yet installed as there is some further work needed to facilitate the cable runs etc.
We shall call this chapter:
"The reality of renovation"
Unlike the tv shows that show a very short overview of a project in reality it's a whole lot slower and a hell of a lot more dirty. For someone like me who is a bit obsessive about order it's a boundary tester!
Living in a building site is not for the feint hearted, however tidy you want it to be it just won't!
A small catch up!
Kitchen is now stripped of the evil wood chip and my plasterer friend has begun his prep work before cracking on this week.
Plans this week are to get the ceiling and walls bonded and then plastered, floor levelled and new flooring down and make a major push at getting the kitchen in. Ideally all before Friday before my spark goes skiing for 10 days.
Also this week a well recommend builder has dropped by to say he's free for some small jobs including creating our new ground floor lay out.
(Ignore the wife's attempt at Xmas decor!)
The wall to the right of the kitchen door is being cut through to a mirror a window in what will become the dining area and the existing double doors will be blocked shut to allow a more useable space in the living room.
This is the current view as you enter the house from the porch
I'll stick up one once the opening is cut to show the reasoning behind this.
With no kitchen it's back to student living
"The reality of renovation"
Unlike the tv shows that show a very short overview of a project in reality it's a whole lot slower and a hell of a lot more dirty. For someone like me who is a bit obsessive about order it's a boundary tester!
Living in a building site is not for the feint hearted, however tidy you want it to be it just won't!
A small catch up!
Kitchen is now stripped of the evil wood chip and my plasterer friend has begun his prep work before cracking on this week.
Plans this week are to get the ceiling and walls bonded and then plastered, floor levelled and new flooring down and make a major push at getting the kitchen in. Ideally all before Friday before my spark goes skiing for 10 days.
Also this week a well recommend builder has dropped by to say he's free for some small jobs including creating our new ground floor lay out.
(Ignore the wife's attempt at Xmas decor!)
The wall to the right of the kitchen door is being cut through to a mirror a window in what will become the dining area and the existing double doors will be blocked shut to allow a more useable space in the living room.
This is the current view as you enter the house from the porch
I'll stick up one once the opening is cut to show the reasoning behind this.
With no kitchen it's back to student living
VEX said:
How have you found DIY-Kitchens to deal with and visit?
I am looking to use them for the girls den / desk and storage plan and my study/office with their shallow tambor units, they look great for the money.
V.
Tbh I didn't visit them and chanced nearly 4K on a company off the interwebs.I am looking to use them for the girls den / desk and storage plan and my study/office with their shallow tambor units, they look great for the money.
V.
I did however do a lot of research and having worked in a similar industry before changing a number of years ago there's manufacturing process was good news.
I've only briefly looked over the delivery but it seems very well made so far!
If you're doing lots of building work... A Volvo is the best tool you can buy!
Edited by croakey on Monday 4th April 18:03
Wish said:
It's a small world.
I have read this project from the start as it was the same layout as our first house. I showed the wife this evening as I was impressed with your renavations so far. I also pointed out how the house was very much like our first.
She takes a look then tells me that she know where the house is. We pop out in the car and drive straight too it. We use to live in Arden Road the house at the bottom of your road that has a silver Renault on the drive now.
We now live in Herne.
Very small world indeed! I have read this project from the start as it was the same layout as our first house. I showed the wife this evening as I was impressed with your renavations so far. I also pointed out how the house was very much like our first.
She takes a look then tells me that she know where the house is. We pop out in the car and drive straight too it. We use to live in Arden Road the house at the bottom of your road that has a silver Renault on the drive now.
We now live in Herne.
I'll pm you later a number of questions you might know the answers to!
Progress.
We're slowly getting to see the vision becoming reality.
Plasterer has been and done the whole kitchen, it's drying nicely as well and makes such a huge change to the feel of the room.
And the builders have been on site doing the alterations, downstairs new opening is done and today is bricking up the existing doorway and building a false chimney breast
In this photo you can just about see the reason behind this building work...
I'll try and grab some more as the day goes on, I also need to try and latex level the kitchen floor at some point today when I can find the energy!
We're slowly getting to see the vision becoming reality.
Plasterer has been and done the whole kitchen, it's drying nicely as well and makes such a huge change to the feel of the room.
And the builders have been on site doing the alterations, downstairs new opening is done and today is bricking up the existing doorway and building a false chimney breast
In this photo you can just about see the reason behind this building work...
I'll try and grab some more as the day goes on, I also need to try and latex level the kitchen floor at some point today when I can find the energy!
A middle of the day update.
I've still not leveled the kitchen floor because its full of stuff that needs to back into the hallway..and i'm worn out.
The dwarf door upstairs (1 1/2 ft wide and 6ft tall) is no more....
Means i can crack on and order off the shelf doors to replace the existing ones.
Builders have created the "marmite" bit of our plans, the fireplace.
Some say it clutters the room, others say it'll look cracking with a woodburner and shelves etc either side.
I personally think it adds some character to an otherwise very boring house architecturally and make it a bit more homely
Just now need to figure how i can afford a woodburner to go in it!
I've still not leveled the kitchen floor because its full of stuff that needs to back into the hallway..and i'm worn out.
The dwarf door upstairs (1 1/2 ft wide and 6ft tall) is no more....
Means i can crack on and order off the shelf doors to replace the existing ones.
Builders have created the "marmite" bit of our plans, the fireplace.
Some say it clutters the room, others say it'll look cracking with a woodburner and shelves etc either side.
I personally think it adds some character to an otherwise very boring house architecturally and make it a bit more homely
Just now need to figure how i can afford a woodburner to go in it!
Well the momentum has continued and then ground to a halt.
Floor dried overnight and ended up being reasonably level, baring in mind it was horrendous before I'm reasonably happy with it.
Managed to lay the floor in a couple of hours; highly recommend quickstep vinyl livn flooring.
The panoramic effect combined with the variation in floor colours makes it look like we have an indoor ski slope...
A better picture of it...
Then begun fitting the first run of units ... And promptly drilled straight through a power cable. Some sparks and darkness ensued.
To top it off the Sparks on holiday for 2 weeks now.
Downed tools and going to the pub instead.
Thoroughly f**ked off.
Floor dried overnight and ended up being reasonably level, baring in mind it was horrendous before I'm reasonably happy with it.
Managed to lay the floor in a couple of hours; highly recommend quickstep vinyl livn flooring.
The panoramic effect combined with the variation in floor colours makes it look like we have an indoor ski slope...
A better picture of it...
Then begun fitting the first run of units ... And promptly drilled straight through a power cable. Some sparks and darkness ensued.
To top it off the Sparks on holiday for 2 weeks now.
Downed tools and going to the pub instead.
Thoroughly f**ked off.
Fortunately I got my dates wrong the electrician managed to get round last night to repair my cock up.
Didn't charge me as he said he owed me for falling through the ceiling during the rewire.
No more work this weekend as it's the beginning of the Six Nations and that means beers in town.
Didn't charge me as he said he owed me for falling through the ceiling during the rewire.
No more work this weekend as it's the beginning of the Six Nations and that means beers in town.
Cracked on with the kitchen the last couple of days and put a substantial dent in it.
Got to learn to scribe panels tomorrow and get the end panels all buttoned up.
Be glad to get a plumber round to sort the pipework for the sink/dishwasher/washing machine as can finish that run then.
My second favourite tool after the Volvo!
Got to learn to scribe panels tomorrow and get the end panels all buttoned up.
Be glad to get a plumber round to sort the pipework for the sink/dishwasher/washing machine as can finish that run then.
My second favourite tool after the Volvo!
I've also got a 3 week old Dewalt 18v cordless... Not convinced by it, infact in think it's on it's way out already (makes a nasty clonk letting off the power).
The mighty little Makita has to be getting on for 12 years old now and despite being abused, soaked in the rain, used as a hammer and various other things a drill shouldn't be used for it runs like a dream.
An impact driver would be nice, but for a Makita they seem to be big money!
Hoping to get a decent amount done tomorrow as back to work Wednesday!
The mighty little Makita has to be getting on for 12 years old now and despite being abused, soaked in the rain, used as a hammer and various other things a drill shouldn't be used for it runs like a dream.
An impact driver would be nice, but for a Makita they seem to be big money!
Hoping to get a decent amount done tomorrow as back to work Wednesday!
Some Gump said:
8Ace said:
I bought a DeWalt twin set about 6 months ago. The drill does that too, think it's the electronic brake.
The impact driver is AMAZING. Mine's got about 160nm torque, and the way it wallops a long, thick screw into hard timber is ridiculous.
^ What he said.The impact driver is AMAZING. Mine's got about 160nm torque, and the way it wallops a long, thick screw into hard timber is ridiculous.
...Basically my mighty little makita doesnt do it and for that reason alone its not as good
Have managed to pull something in my back yesterday so today has been spent watching some telly before back into work this week.
Oh and the plumber has resurfaced again and is booked for next Tuesday to install the new sink etc etc
Progress has slowed this week as I've been back at work with limited days off.
Have had to back down and order a skip as the local tip have been whinging that utilisation of the Volvo breaches their bootful of rubble per day.
The kitchen is just waiting for a carpenter to work their magic and the electrician to wire it finally.
Gravity called time on the wardrobe I broke so off it went...
... To the tip. No limit on wood so I feel like a small victory.
Had to construct some hanging rails. Off cuts of timber, a scrap banister, and a bit of pallet wood and voila.
Hoping to get the kitchen finished next couple of weeks and then can crack on with the hallway/living room
Have had to back down and order a skip as the local tip have been whinging that utilisation of the Volvo breaches their bootful of rubble per day.
The kitchen is just waiting for a carpenter to work their magic and the electrician to wire it finally.
Gravity called time on the wardrobe I broke so off it went...
... To the tip. No limit on wood so I feel like a small victory.
Had to construct some hanging rails. Off cuts of timber, a scrap banister, and a bit of pallet wood and voila.
Hoping to get the kitchen finished next couple of weeks and then can crack on with the hallway/living room
To avoid losing this into the ether i figured i best post an update of sorts.
1) Kitchen is 95% in... just needs Plinths fitting, skirting board and final coat of paint
2) New appliances take some getting use to, very impressed with the oven with things like soft close and touch screens etc. Yet to use the induction hob so unsure of whether it was a good choice or not yet.
3) Installing integrated fridge freezers is a dreadful job and one i will avoid ever again!
4) Tiles are ordered and will be a marmite choice; they should bring enough character and colour to an otherwise monotone box without being too over powering.
5) My plumber despite being reasonably priced and very OCD about detail is driving me mad with his constant disappearing acts.
Hoping that the kitchen will be 100% finished by the end of next week but will rely on me having the time to get on with it and the energy to see it through!
Looking now for undercabinet lighting which is proving to be a pain as the depth we have to play with is 30mm max... any suggestions? Have seen LED blades but at £45 per unit it is very very expensive.
1) Kitchen is 95% in... just needs Plinths fitting, skirting board and final coat of paint
2) New appliances take some getting use to, very impressed with the oven with things like soft close and touch screens etc. Yet to use the induction hob so unsure of whether it was a good choice or not yet.
3) Installing integrated fridge freezers is a dreadful job and one i will avoid ever again!
4) Tiles are ordered and will be a marmite choice; they should bring enough character and colour to an otherwise monotone box without being too over powering.
5) My plumber despite being reasonably priced and very OCD about detail is driving me mad with his constant disappearing acts.
Hoping that the kitchen will be 100% finished by the end of next week but will rely on me having the time to get on with it and the energy to see it through!
Looking now for undercabinet lighting which is proving to be a pain as the depth we have to play with is 30mm max... any suggestions? Have seen LED blades but at £45 per unit it is very very expensive.
Chester draws said:
Do you know I was just wondering how this was going. 
Nearly there and looking really good. 100% agree on the integrated fridges and freezers.
I got my led under cabinet lights from toolstation.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lighting/d220/Kitc...
Are they cut to size strips with a requirement for a driver unit per cupboard (i.e one to power both top and bottom)? Nearly there and looking really good. 100% agree on the integrated fridges and freezers.
I got my led under cabinet lights from toolstation.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lighting/d220/Kitc...
How did you find them price wise for the complete kitchen?
Yours is looking great, I wish mine was as finished!!!!
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