House Build Thread As Promised
Discussion
Ha! That's a good question!
If I'd known then what I know now I may well have flattened it and started from scratch but (and it's a big but) that would have raised (a) further planning difficulties and (b) issues around VAT.
(a) We had enough problems getting planning for what was effectively a renovation (albeit a major one)- the chances of getting it for a new-build woudl have been less
(b) The old bungalow had been empty for over 3 years so most of the work benefitted from a reduced rate - if we were going down the new-build route we would have had to pay VAT in full and claim it back at the end - given the overall tiem the build took this would have caused serious cash-flow issues!
If I'd known then what I know now I may well have flattened it and started from scratch but (and it's a big but) that would have raised (a) further planning difficulties and (b) issues around VAT.
(a) We had enough problems getting planning for what was effectively a renovation (albeit a major one)- the chances of getting it for a new-build woudl have been less
(b) The old bungalow had been empty for over 3 years so most of the work benefitted from a reduced rate - if we were going down the new-build route we would have had to pay VAT in full and claim it back at the end - given the overall tiem the build took this would have caused serious cash-flow issues!
Then the multi fuel stove went in
And the cold weather arrived!
This was the end of November and with Christmas also approaching work pretty much stopped.
At this point I should also mention that we had put our house on the market in October - hadn't had a sniff of a buyer until mid Dec when two people said they wanted it. One lot came for a second viewing on Christmas Eve (!!!! - who does that!) and made an offer for almost the full asking price (bear in mind this was 2010!) which we accepted. All then went quiet for the holidays and they came around again in mid Jan to take some measurements etc.
That's when he said he had sold his house to a cash buyer so they wanted to move things along quite quickly. Lovely I thought until I got a phone call from them on the evening of Jan 28th (a Friday) announcing that they would be moving in on Feb 11th - 2 weeks!
Couldn't take the risk of losing the sale so I spoke to my solicitor on the Monday, signed contracts on the Tuesday morning and exchanged in the afternoon. I then broke the news to the builder who nearly wet himself!
I should point out that, at that stage, we didn't have a staircase!
And the cold weather arrived!
This was the end of November and with Christmas also approaching work pretty much stopped.
At this point I should also mention that we had put our house on the market in October - hadn't had a sniff of a buyer until mid Dec when two people said they wanted it. One lot came for a second viewing on Christmas Eve (!!!! - who does that!) and made an offer for almost the full asking price (bear in mind this was 2010!) which we accepted. All then went quiet for the holidays and they came around again in mid Jan to take some measurements etc.
That's when he said he had sold his house to a cash buyer so they wanted to move things along quite quickly. Lovely I thought until I got a phone call from them on the evening of Jan 28th (a Friday) announcing that they would be moving in on Feb 11th - 2 weeks!
Couldn't take the risk of losing the sale so I spoke to my solicitor on the Monday, signed contracts on the Tuesday morning and exchanged in the afternoon. I then broke the news to the builder who nearly wet himself!
I should point out that, at that stage, we didn't have a staircase!
The staircase went in - the day we exchanged contracts - and 10 days before we moved in!
As you will appreciate, taking photographs of the build was not a priority at this stage so I haven't got any for the next few days - we were a bit busy packing and organising removal men (I should mention that my wife was waiting for a hip replacement and was on crutches during this time).
As you will appreciate, taking photographs of the build was not a priority at this stage so I haven't got any for the next few days - we were a bit busy packing and organising removal men (I should mention that my wife was waiting for a hip replacement and was on crutches during this time).
FFG - the lamp does indeed go back up - stick with the thread & you will see the finished product when I upload the later pics. It was an old gas lamp which came out of a factory where my dad used to work - the builders had a hell of a job moving it because of the weight & were worried about it being stolen. My line was that if they were big enough to move it I wasn't brave enough to argue with them!
My dad used to get 2s 6d per annum (by postal order!!) for the wayleave but sold it out for the grand lump sum of £5 - which he game to me - is came as a cheque so I had to open my first bank account - must have been about 1970!
Monthefish - tell me about it! One of the planning rejections came after the case officer agreed to approve it but his boss told him to reject it as it was "horrible" - I still have an e-mail to that effect! One of the reasons for earlier rejection had been "over development of the site" and another was "too many alterations to a traditional Welsh long cottage". But I'm not bitter!
My dad used to get 2s 6d per annum (by postal order!!) for the wayleave but sold it out for the grand lump sum of £5 - which he game to me - is came as a cheque so I had to open my first bank account - must have been about 1970!
Monthefish - tell me about it! One of the planning rejections came after the case officer agreed to approve it but his boss told him to reject it as it was "horrible" - I still have an e-mail to that effect! One of the reasons for earlier rejection had been "over development of the site" and another was "too many alterations to a traditional Welsh long cottage". But I'm not bitter!
BIGDAI said:
FFG - the lamp does indeed go back up - stick with the thread & you will see the finished product when I upload the later pics. It was an old gas lamp which came out of a factory where my dad used to work - the builders had a hell of a job moving it because of the weight & were worried about it being stolen. My line was that if they were big enough to move it I wasn't brave enough to argue with them!
Pleased to hear. They are very heavy as we've got one in the garden and had to travel 100 miles to collect it, not easy.All fully refurbished and now on a light sensor so it comes on/goes off automatically which is brilliant and makes the place look more occupied. I put a 12w LED bulb in which is brighter than the 100w one which was in their when I collected it.
FFG
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