My first house and rennovation / build thread

[anonymous-user]

I'd think very carefully before tearing up the parquet flooring.

[fizz47]

Inkyfingers said:

I'd think very carefully before tearing up the parquet flooring.

Ideally we would have liked to keep it, however the problem is the previous owners had filled in any spare gap with cemeent. They then went and laid laminate flooring above it. However as there was no room for movement because of the cement about 1 square metere has risen off the floor level by about 1 ft!

Also the extension part of the house needs levelling again therefore, have no choice but to take this section of the flooring up too.

[milner993]

If I could give you piece of advice it would be to have a plan I smashed up everything in my house and then thought what now for a few days, after realising I now have no bathroom, kitchen or anything for that matter and I would need to keep going back to my parents house for the toilet whoops I put together a plan and the house started to take shape although I had to do bits and pieces in the wrong order at times due to my destruction at the very beginning.
I still havent finished almost 3 months on but I'm really pleased with each room so far.
I will follow with interest and might post pictures of my build.

failing to plan is a plan to fail !!!

[SheikhYerBouti]

Any updates OP?

[spats]

skintemma said:

Good work on the purchase - plenty you can do to that place! If it hasn't been lived in for more than five years, and you can get the empty homes officer to write you a letter to that effect, then you only have to pay 5% VAT on supply and install. For supply only, you pay 20% but can claim the extra 15% back (as a generalisation, anything that needs screwing down, can be claimed from wooden floors to curtain poles) That's your first saving Have a look at the gov VAT website, specifically buildings and renovations.

Why did I not spot this 4 years ago? the house we now live in was unoccupied for 10 years at least! We replaced almost everything. Gutted.

[fizz47]

Unfortunately not- nothing has been done since the last update.


The main builders we are using have been working on another project of one of my family members where the work is more urgent...

Yes it is annoying that I can't live in a house that I am paying a mortgage for however in the grand scheme of things i don't mind, besides it has allowed us to save more money and refine some of our designs - something we couldn't have done if the builders started immediately.


I did speak to the builders this morning and looks like they should be starting in 2 -3 weeks on my project.

[fizz47]

UPDATE

Wooohoooo - am so happy as my builders have finally started.

Still at the demolishing stage but the basics at this moment

1)Chimney breast removed from 3 floors
2)Wall knocked through to make space for larger built in wardrobes in the main bedroom.
3)Wall knocked out in the kitchen to make space for a kitchen/diner.

[Chess1]

Enjoying following your build!! It looks like a substantial project- who is project managing or are you doing that yourself?
I noticed you mentioned you have refined some designs,I am considering investing some money in buying a 3 bed house in similar condition. Question is if whether I have the budget to do a full refurb and expertise to oversee the work myself.
A few questions if you don't mind me asking
1 where are you sourcing your kitchen from and what sort of costs am I looking at including decent appliances (kitchen is similar in size to what I am looking at)
2 same question for bathroom
3 you mentioned in your thread you have a 4th bedroom with bathroom. What is your plan with this? Rent or use for guests?

Post more pics intrigued to see the progress!