Our build thread, renovation and extension
Discussion
357RS said:
If the chimneys are no longer used and you can overcome the scaffold problem (an experienced gang with the right equipment will do it), then consider having the stack removed and the roof made good. Problem removed at source.
It's an option, but it's a last resort really.Little bit of an update for you, things have been a bit slow lately for one reason or another and we have now decided to concentrate on getting as much done outside before the weather turns bad for the winter. Whether we get the garage up this winter will depend on another project we have on the go and how that progresses but there are other bits to do.
This week we have replaced the side fence with the bowls club. I don't have a before photo but it was a mess of crumbling posts, panels that had been blown out and held back in place with rope, generally a right mess. A couple of the posts were lifted out with the help of a farm jack but the majority of them were cut off below ground level as there wasn't a lot to be gained from lifting huge chunks of concrete out.
We have used concrete posts which should last long after we have gone, these were set in concrete after drilling holes with an earth auger. The auger worked ok, but it's difficult to guide it down in exactly the right place and we hit an awful lot of buried bricks which made it slow going.
The fence is separated by an oak post which we will use to mount electric gates on in the future and is lower beyond that so we can get a nice view of the bowling green and their flowers from the kitchen windows. Due to the height of the green you would never get absolute privacy unless the fence was about 15 feet tall therefore we decided to make the most of the view. The capping is still to go on when it stops raining and the fence will continue towards the bottom of the garden for another 3m once the garage is up.
We have also removed the bottom fence to start replacing that, although it could prove a bit more tricky. We might be able to re-use some of the existing posts but we are struggling to get the old bolts out as they seem to be rusted solid and no amount of whacking with a hammer of cillit bang or brick acid will move them. If they can't come out it will mean new posts. The levels are also a bit more tricky to work out there so we might need a double height gravel board or similar as our side of the garden is higher than the neighbours.
We could also do with some suggestions as to what to do with the front garden. I have something like the following in mind but if anyone has any better ideas then I am all ears! At the moment there is a small raised bed approx 800mm deep from the low front wall, which is edged with brick. We want something which looks good but is low maintenance.
Any improvements on this?
This week we have replaced the side fence with the bowls club. I don't have a before photo but it was a mess of crumbling posts, panels that had been blown out and held back in place with rope, generally a right mess. A couple of the posts were lifted out with the help of a farm jack but the majority of them were cut off below ground level as there wasn't a lot to be gained from lifting huge chunks of concrete out.
We have used concrete posts which should last long after we have gone, these were set in concrete after drilling holes with an earth auger. The auger worked ok, but it's difficult to guide it down in exactly the right place and we hit an awful lot of buried bricks which made it slow going.
The fence is separated by an oak post which we will use to mount electric gates on in the future and is lower beyond that so we can get a nice view of the bowling green and their flowers from the kitchen windows. Due to the height of the green you would never get absolute privacy unless the fence was about 15 feet tall therefore we decided to make the most of the view. The capping is still to go on when it stops raining and the fence will continue towards the bottom of the garden for another 3m once the garage is up.
We have also removed the bottom fence to start replacing that, although it could prove a bit more tricky. We might be able to re-use some of the existing posts but we are struggling to get the old bolts out as they seem to be rusted solid and no amount of whacking with a hammer of cillit bang or brick acid will move them. If they can't come out it will mean new posts. The levels are also a bit more tricky to work out there so we might need a double height gravel board or similar as our side of the garden is higher than the neighbours.
We could also do with some suggestions as to what to do with the front garden. I have something like the following in mind but if anyone has any better ideas then I am all ears! At the moment there is a small raised bed approx 800mm deep from the low front wall, which is edged with brick. We want something which looks good but is low maintenance.
Any improvements on this?
Edited by Muncher on Monday 25th August 14:32
Firstly, another good bit of work there, Muncher. 
I really don't blame you for having a lower fence overlooking the bowls club, especially as they've planted so many flowers. It's also quite therapeutic to watch - even if you're doing the washing up. You never know - you may end up donning some whites and joining the club!
On the garden planning, thinking about the vertically planted sleepers, was that to help you with the shaping and not needing so many sleepers? You may find though that if you're using reclaimed sleepers, there's a risk of screwing up the chainsaw's chain when you're cutting as there can be large nails in the sleepers; we found this to our cost, and delay, a few years ago. This isn't a consideration if you're buying new, smart sleepers, though.
What will you have to do about the pavement? IIRC, it was damaged by some deliveries in your project. Can you repair this yourselves, or do you have to request that from the local authority, then prepare to bend over, no lube, on their price?
I really don't blame you for having a lower fence overlooking the bowls club, especially as they've planted so many flowers. It's also quite therapeutic to watch - even if you're doing the washing up. You never know - you may end up donning some whites and joining the club!
On the garden planning, thinking about the vertically planted sleepers, was that to help you with the shaping and not needing so many sleepers? You may find though that if you're using reclaimed sleepers, there's a risk of screwing up the chainsaw's chain when you're cutting as there can be large nails in the sleepers; we found this to our cost, and delay, a few years ago. This isn't a consideration if you're buying new, smart sleepers, though.
What will you have to do about the pavement? IIRC, it was damaged by some deliveries in your project. Can you repair this yourselves, or do you have to request that from the local authority, then prepare to bend over, no lube, on their price?
We are both members there and have played a fair bit , it's good fun and quite relaxing, we can play whenever we want and have had a few dinner parties where we have taken out guests over for a bowl beforehand and everyone has enjoyed it. Next season we will play in some competitions hopefully.
I was probably going to use new sleepers but that's a good point about nails. The raised bed section doesn't actually need to be that high, probably 9 inches for most of it will be fine.
We have to restore the footpath, we are just waiting until the garage is done and hopefully we can get it done without being completely bent over by the council, we haven't been given a quote but I expect about £1,200. Hopefully a friendly contractor had do it on the side but I have not found one yet.
I was probably going to use new sleepers but that's a good point about nails. The raised bed section doesn't actually need to be that high, probably 9 inches for most of it will be fine.
We have to restore the footpath, we are just waiting until the garage is done and hopefully we can get it done without being completely bent over by the council, we haven't been given a quote but I expect about £1,200. Hopefully a friendly contractor had do it on the side but I have not found one yet.
richtea78 said:
Muncher, without being too rude, how old are you?
I had the impression you were relatively young but now with the bowls I'm wondering. My dad plays and I would guess there is not one person under 60 at his club!
I am 30, (that still sounds really old to me!). There are quite a few younger members but it's mostly older people just because they have the time to play it. On a sunny afternoon with the green to ourselves it's pretty relaxing having a game with my OH, especially as she doesn't really play many other sports. It's a lot like golf without all the hassle!I had the impression you were relatively young but now with the bowls I'm wondering. My dad plays and I would guess there is not one person under 60 at his club!
Back off holiday now and spending most of my time looking for a new job (shout if you need a newly qualified lawyer!), planning for our wedding in France next year and trying to avoid spending too much cash!
I am trying to focus on getting the outside tidied up before the weather gets too much worse in the autumn, but the garden has to wait until the garage is built, as does the driveway and I am still waiting on the structural engineer to ok my revised foundation plans. Whether we start on the garage at the moment with another big project on the horizon I am not sure.
Over the last couple of days I have rebuilt the front step, replicating what was there before as closely as possible, pics of this will follow later once I have finished the pointing.
We also had the house revalued for a new mortgage and the valuation has surpassed what I expected at the outset, there is a profit in the loosest of terms of £200k and the market here hasn't exactly moved a lot in the last few years of its own accord.
In the absence of much else to show you at the moment, here's the new dining room lamp shades. They are interlocking opaque pieces of plastic from Singapore that you can make all kinds of different shapes from, only £9 each which is a bit of a bargain!
I am trying to focus on getting the outside tidied up before the weather gets too much worse in the autumn, but the garden has to wait until the garage is built, as does the driveway and I am still waiting on the structural engineer to ok my revised foundation plans. Whether we start on the garage at the moment with another big project on the horizon I am not sure.
Over the last couple of days I have rebuilt the front step, replicating what was there before as closely as possible, pics of this will follow later once I have finished the pointing.
We also had the house revalued for a new mortgage and the valuation has surpassed what I expected at the outset, there is a profit in the loosest of terms of £200k and the market here hasn't exactly moved a lot in the last few years of its own accord.
In the absence of much else to show you at the moment, here's the new dining room lamp shades. They are interlocking opaque pieces of plastic from Singapore that you can make all kinds of different shapes from, only £9 each which is a bit of a bargain!
mrsshpub - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321309391063?_trksid=p20...
SeanyD -
Stair Deposit Paid £120.00
Staircase £1,455.60
Glass £520.00
The Oak was from a company called Pear Stairs, I measured and installed myself so it was supply only. The glass was sourced locally as they wanted £1k for it. I would use them again for another staircase.
http://www.pearstairs.co.uk/
SeanyD -
Stair Deposit Paid £120.00
Staircase £1,455.60
Glass £520.00
The Oak was from a company called Pear Stairs, I measured and installed myself so it was supply only. The glass was sourced locally as they wanted £1k for it. I would use them again for another staircase.
http://www.pearstairs.co.uk/
Since coming back from holiday most of my time has been taken up talking to recruiters and attending interviews, I received 4 offers and have just accepted a role as a real estate lawyer with a good local firm which means no more commuting
The external brickwork has now been tidied up, all the holes where the scaffolding was fixed have been filled and the slots on the front where reinforcing rods were bonded in have been filled. It could do with a pressure wash and maybe a bit of brick acid to tidy it up but it's a big improvement. The support under the front jack and jill window has had the paint removed and the wood is pretty decent underneath so will probably just get oiled rather than repainted.
We've also just put in the acrylic splashback in the downstairs toilet, which looks good and providing it holds up well is far better value than glass. This morning I've also put the decal on the wall which finishes the room off quite nicely.
The external brickwork has now been tidied up, all the holes where the scaffolding was fixed have been filled and the slots on the front where reinforcing rods were bonded in have been filled. It could do with a pressure wash and maybe a bit of brick acid to tidy it up but it's a big improvement. The support under the front jack and jill window has had the paint removed and the wood is pretty decent underneath so will probably just get oiled rather than repainted.
We've also just put in the acrylic splashback in the downstairs toilet, which looks good and providing it holds up well is far better value than glass. This morning I've also put the decal on the wall which finishes the room off quite nicely.
Pheo said:
Is your kitchen all sorted now?
Quick question - did you replace the staircase or refurbish e siting?
Nope, neither Wren, Tesco or Barclays are pulling their fingers are out so the ombudsman is now involved.Quick question - did you replace the staircase or refurbish e siting?
The staircase is entirely new, the existing one was the wrong angle (the floor was lowered) and it turned at the top rather than being a straight run.
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