Chamonix studio renovation - build thread
Discussion
Day 5
All of the wall hangers for the mezzanine are up by lunch. We went through two drill bits finding some of the steel that's reinforcing the concrete walls.
Each end of each joist is routed and then chiselled to give a recess for the wall hanger, so that we have a nice flush finish for hanging plasterboard.
The last joist goes in by mid-afternoon and we move on to fixing batons to the end wall to support the floorboards on the top and plasterboard on the bottom.
A bit of skip shopping to find some 70mm timbers I know I threw in there somewhere.
So far we're about 1/2 a day ahead of schedule, though we're now planning a full re-wire of the electrics, which will likely add a day or two. We're also running about £2,000 under budget. Hopefully that trend will continue.
All of the wall hangers for the mezzanine are up by lunch. We went through two drill bits finding some of the steel that's reinforcing the concrete walls.
Each end of each joist is routed and then chiselled to give a recess for the wall hanger, so that we have a nice flush finish for hanging plasterboard.
The last joist goes in by mid-afternoon and we move on to fixing batons to the end wall to support the floorboards on the top and plasterboard on the bottom.
A bit of skip shopping to find some 70mm timbers I know I threw in there somewhere.
So far we're about 1/2 a day ahead of schedule, though we're now planning a full re-wire of the electrics, which will likely add a day or two. We're also running about £2,000 under budget. Hopefully that trend will continue.
d Automobiles? I must've bought a few motors from there in the past.
NorthDave said:
Good thread! I was in the Alps last week and it was stunning. Seems a lovely project and doing all this work it will properly feel like home when done.
Will you look to rent or just treat it like a pad for yourselves?
Keep the pictures coming!
You here too! I got your email, sounds like things went well with Wendy. Mind you the way she drives we will never see her on here!Will you look to rent or just treat it like a pad for yourselves?
Keep the pictures coming!
Drop me a line when you are out, come and visit us in Les Gets.
OscarIndia said:
You here too! I got your email, sounds like things went well with Wendy. Mind you the way she drives we will never see her on here!
Drop me a line when you are out, come and visit us in Les Gets.
Hi MaxDrop me a line when you are out, come and visit us in Les Gets.
Yep, went well. Very excited. Will definitely come and say hello. Just keeping my fingers crossed that it all goes smoothly now.
We lifted those beams in ourselves. They're 140x140mm and 3.75m long and not quite as heavy as they look. The ceiling height is only 2.2m and I'm 6'4" so I can lift them above the brackets to drop them in.
I'll be doing this winter in the apartment and then renting it out for the rest of the time, with the occasional week here and there for ourselves. I like the idea of keeping a stash of kit here and then if the snow looks promising and there's nobody booked, just flying out with hand luggage for a cheeky weekend of powder.
Have to say, I'm really enjoying the project and love the fact that I'll have done everything with my own hands. No shortcuts here, either. I'm putting in 10-20% of extra effort to avoid compromises and make it exactly what I want.
I'll be doing this winter in the apartment and then renting it out for the rest of the time, with the occasional week here and there for ourselves. I like the idea of keeping a stash of kit here and then if the snow looks promising and there's nobody booked, just flying out with hand luggage for a cheeky weekend of powder.
Have to say, I'm really enjoying the project and love the fact that I'll have done everything with my own hands. No shortcuts here, either. I'm putting in 10-20% of extra effort to avoid compromises and make it exactly what I want.
Gruffy said:
We lifted those beams in ourselves. They're 140x140mm and 3.75m long and not quite as heavy as they look. The ceiling height is only 2.2m and I'm 6'4" so I can lift them above the brackets to drop them in.
I'll be doing this winter in the apartment and then renting it out for the rest of the time, with the occasional week here and there for ourselves. I like the idea of keeping a stash of kit here and then if the snow looks promising and there's nobody booked, just flying out with hand luggage for a cheeky weekend of powder.
Have to say, I'm really enjoying the project and love the fact that I'll have done everything with my own hands. No shortcuts here, either. I'm putting in 10-20% of extra effort to avoid compromises and make it exactly what I want.
Fair play to you, looks a great job. Exactly the sort of place me and Mrs DoubleSix would seek to rent for the annual snow fix...I'll be doing this winter in the apartment and then renting it out for the rest of the time, with the occasional week here and there for ourselves. I like the idea of keeping a stash of kit here and then if the snow looks promising and there's nobody booked, just flying out with hand luggage for a cheeky weekend of powder.
Have to say, I'm really enjoying the project and love the fact that I'll have done everything with my own hands. No shortcuts here, either. I'm putting in 10-20% of extra effort to avoid compromises and make it exactly what I want.
I assume you are a tradesman to be attempting all this yourself?
DoubleSix said:
Fair play to you, looks a great job. Exactly the sort of place me and Mrs DoubleSix would seek to rent for the annual snow fix...
I assume you are a tradesman to be attempting all this yourself?
Not even close. I'm a glorified graphic designer. The closest I've come to being a tradesman is knocking together some IKEA flatpacks. My accomplice, Maurice, does a bit of DIY during the summer months (and runs a catered chalet during winter), so he knows enough about electrics and plumbing to see us through. The rest is mostly common sense stuff that is easily figured out with the help of my Collins Complete DIY book I assume you are a tradesman to be attempting all this yourself?
I like to think the design is well considered though, so we're not encountering many problems as we go. When we do hit snags I think it's actually helpful that I'm a bit new to everything, because it lets me take a fresh view on problem-solving. Those moments have been quite satisfying so far.
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