1960's to now : our renovation
Discussion
Glad people are still interested! It's far from the level of some of the amazing projects on here... but we all don't live in a beautiful French gitê or palacial landmark, which is good because I don't speak French nor can I afford neither lol.
Talking of affording ,this week has been a rollercoaster.
It started with Dyson doing a warranty repair on our year old upright (doesn't help when an errant tradesman had used it over the cheapy site spec karcher I bought to suck up plaster which has clogged various parts!). Whilst he was round I was nosing at his handheld one... and promplty upsold myself into buying one. Got a good deal and so far it has proved its worth.
And then promptly stood on the laptop.
I am yet to sort this but may purchase a friends MacBook as he's upgrading and I've got a habit of killing windows laptops!
Electrician has been and begun finishing the snagging, one last visit next week should see us straight. If anyone has similar IKEA pendant lights to ours the key to getting them flush is to ignore the instructions and trim the excess chord off inside.
Plumber is coming Monday and will be fitting the remaining radiators which should help our Nest work more efficiently as it's currently in the hall way with no radiator so had been relying on residual heat to set it self.
In other news the Volvo bus isn't back yet ...
So where is this leading?
I'd estimate (because I gave up counting when it reached 20k) we've spent somewhere around £30k to where we are now. With another 4-5k to finish including a wood burner.
Is it worth it? Financially yes as it looks like we've added around 50k equity.
But the fact our neglected unloved family home is now a fresh future proof family home...
For our family
The reason for it all. Our first child.. meet our daughter Darcey.
Cannot wait to get her home and use the house as it was intended
Talking of affording ,this week has been a rollercoaster.
It started with Dyson doing a warranty repair on our year old upright (doesn't help when an errant tradesman had used it over the cheapy site spec karcher I bought to suck up plaster which has clogged various parts!). Whilst he was round I was nosing at his handheld one... and promplty upsold myself into buying one. Got a good deal and so far it has proved its worth.
And then promptly stood on the laptop.
I am yet to sort this but may purchase a friends MacBook as he's upgrading and I've got a habit of killing windows laptops!
Electrician has been and begun finishing the snagging, one last visit next week should see us straight. If anyone has similar IKEA pendant lights to ours the key to getting them flush is to ignore the instructions and trim the excess chord off inside.
Plumber is coming Monday and will be fitting the remaining radiators which should help our Nest work more efficiently as it's currently in the hall way with no radiator so had been relying on residual heat to set it self.
In other news the Volvo bus isn't back yet ...
So where is this leading?
I'd estimate (because I gave up counting when it reached 20k) we've spent somewhere around £30k to where we are now. With another 4-5k to finish including a wood burner.
Is it worth it? Financially yes as it looks like we've added around 50k equity.
But the fact our neglected unloved family home is now a fresh future proof family home...
For our family
The reason for it all. Our first child.. meet our daughter Darcey.
Cannot wait to get her home and use the house as it was intended
Well played - enjoy.
One book of life closes a new one opens and make no mistake this is the better book /the best book that you will ever read and live. I remember thinking a while/says after our first that suddenly I /we are totally responsible for another being, their needs go beyond our dreams and hopes they are number 1. You'll do anything and everything for them - that first hold cuddle the first time they grip your finger the first time they run to the front door as you get home from work shouting daddy and hugging you (for me that day was a dire stressf
k - and I was in a foul mood. When o opened the door hearing her shout Daddy in he back of the house then her running towards me with the biggest smile ever and a hug that seeemed to last forever made that one of my best days. 3 years ago now I remember every second of it and always will. That changed everything made me think and realise when all is said and done what really matters is family and strictly our family everything else is passive)
One book of life closes a new one opens and make no mistake this is the better book /the best book that you will ever read and live. I remember thinking a while/says after our first that suddenly I /we are totally responsible for another being, their needs go beyond our dreams and hopes they are number 1. You'll do anything and everything for them - that first hold cuddle the first time they grip your finger the first time they run to the front door as you get home from work shouting daddy and hugging you (for me that day was a dire stressf
k - and I was in a foul mood. When o opened the door hearing her shout Daddy in he back of the house then her running towards me with the biggest smile ever and a hug that seeemed to last forever made that one of my best days. 3 years ago now I remember every second of it and always will. That changed everything made me think and realise when all is said and done what really matters is family and strictly our family everything else is passive)Welshbeef said:
Well played - enjoy.
One book of life closes a new one opens and make no mistake this is the better book /the best book that you will ever read and live. I remember thinking a while/says after our first that suddenly I /we are totally responsible for another being, their needs go beyond our dreams and hopes they are number 1. You'll do anything and everything for them - that first hold cuddle the first time they grip your finger the first time they run to the front door as you get home from work shouting daddy and hugging you (for me that day was a dire stressfk - and I was in a foul mood. When o opened the door hearing her shout Daddy in he back of the house then her running towards me with the biggest smile ever and a hug that seeemed to last forever made that one of my best days. 3 years ago now I remember every second of it and always will. That changed everything made me think and realise when all is said and done what really matters is family and strictly our family everything else is passive)
The first bit is especially true. Absolutely loving it already.One book of life closes a new one opens and make no mistake this is the better book /the best book that you will ever read and live. I remember thinking a while/says after our first that suddenly I /we are totally responsible for another being, their needs go beyond our dreams and hopes they are number 1. You'll do anything and everything for them - that first hold cuddle the first time they grip your finger the first time they run to the front door as you get home from work shouting daddy and hugging you (for me that day was a dire stressf
k - and I was in a foul mood. When o opened the door hearing her shout Daddy in he back of the house then her running towards me with the biggest smile ever and a hug that seeemed to last forever made that one of my best days. 3 years ago now I remember every second of it and always will. That changed everything made me think and realise when all is said and done what really matters is family and strictly our family everything else is passive)House related... plumber is coming tomorrow!
Just read this thread from start to finish - well done on the house and congratulations on your daughter! She's lovely. My house was built circa 1970, so I recognise the style (if you could call it that!) Sometime soon I will be attempting our kitchen, so thanks for the heads-up about diy-kitchens.
You think the house was hard work? A baby will put that into perspective
Never will you have as many half-drunk cups of tea....
Oh, one last thing - why does your front door open outwards?
You think the house was hard work? A baby will put that into perspective
Never will you have as many half-drunk cups of tea....Oh, one last thing - why does your front door open outwards?
Edited by Vroom101 on Monday 31st October 06:57
As above, just read this from start to finish, i'd love to be as handy as you as i have to pay for everything to be done in my house.
Very impressive transformation and have enjoyed the read, it's great finding update threads I've not seen before that have ran for a while I you can see the transformation on 1 sitting
Congratulations on the new arrival too
Very impressive transformation and have enjoyed the read, it's great finding update threads I've not seen before that have ran for a while I you can see the transformation on 1 sitting
Congratulations on the new arrival too
Vroom101 said:
Oh, one last thing - why does your front door open outwards?
Because who ever designed the porch made it so shallow if it opened inwards you'd have to stand inside the house to do it. Coming into the house it would be easier but going out or opening it for post would be a swine.Edited by Vroom101 on Monday 31st October 06:57
Plus it annoys delivery drivers
Congrats on your new arrival - you did the correct thing getting the house sorted before your bundle of joy turned up. Once you have kids DIY become a lot more challenging - I've done two houses while our family has grown.
I noticed your skirting board - if you have any left to do I would suggest looking at the fully finished, MDF foil coated stuff you can get from B&Q (and probably other places) - it's no good for the bathroom or places that may get damp, but it's really easy to work with and the best bit it that it does not need painting and will never go yellow!
Price wise it cost £300 rather than £200 to do the whole house, but once you factor in not having to paint it, it is more than worth it.
I noticed your skirting board - if you have any left to do I would suggest looking at the fully finished, MDF foil coated stuff you can get from B&Q (and probably other places) - it's no good for the bathroom or places that may get damp, but it's really easy to work with and the best bit it that it does not need painting and will never go yellow!
Price wise it cost £300 rather than £200 to do the whole house, but once you factor in not having to paint it, it is more than worth it.
croakey said:
Vroom101 said:
Oh, one last thing - why does your front door open outwards?
Because who ever designed the porch made it so shallow if it opened inwards you'd have to stand inside the house to do it. Coming into the house it would be easier but going out or opening it for post would be a swine.Edited by Vroom101 on Monday 31st October 06:57
croakey said:
Plus it annoys delivery drivers
But that makes it ALL worth it Vroom101 said:
croakey said:
Vroom101 said:
Oh, one last thing - why does your front door open outwards?
Because who ever designed the porch made it so shallow if it opened inwards you'd have to stand inside the house to do it. Coming into the house it would be easier but going out or opening it for post would be a swine.Edited by Vroom101 on Monday 31st October 06:57
croakey said:
Plus it annoys delivery drivers
But that makes it ALL worth it 2017!
I'm still snowed under with work related studying, that and a 3 month old daughter has meant that the house has not had anything else done to date.
Plans for this year:
1) Wood Burner
2) Remaining x2 rooms (porch and front/study)
3) Decking (and rear gate)
I'm still snowed under with work related studying, that and a 3 month old daughter has meant that the house has not had anything else done to date.
Plans for this year:
1) Wood Burner
2) Remaining x2 rooms (porch and front/study)
3) Decking (and rear gate)
Edited by croakey on Wednesday 1st February 15:00
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