London 1930s semi renovation

[ali_kat]

Hi

Yeah, I know the fun of London pricing, fortunately we're in a much cheaper part of the country & both enjoy DIY And I really can’t imagine you getting your hands dirty

Once we get my parents house finally sold & settled, we can buy - and then I can start my own thread so I’m starting to hang out in here more to learn & get inspired I’m watching Zero7’s build too( as we used to work together and I used to live not far from there).

We have major plans, this is a 4 story house we've lived in for 2 years as a rental so have planned (drunk & sober) exactly what we'd do if it were ours; costs & feasibility have completely gone to hell in our dreaming, but now it can become reality we need to start finding out IF we can do what we want to do.

I'm very happy to hear that Lady F's bonus means you can keep the car You need to buy her a diamond for that

Edited by ali_kat on Thursday 11th February 12:02

[Harry Flashman]

Actually I love DIY - did a lot of my last renovation myself! But new job means I'm a little hectic at the moment. One of the frustrations to me of this build is really not being able to get stuck in myself. I bought a load of fully awesome power toold before this build, and swiftly realised I wouldn't really have time to get things done, and would just hold everything up and get in the way if I tried, with the limited time available. Still - I now have an awesome selection of tools, completely overspecced for the small DIY projects I'll need them form once the place is finished

Can you get me Zero7's e-mail? I was going to help him out with some costings (see his thread). As a mod I think you can see my e-mail address and contact me directly...

More pics of destruction will follow. Next - floor insulation, screeding and underfloor heating pipes going in.

[ali_kat]

Harry Flashman said:

Actually I love DIY - did a lot of my last renovation myself! But new job means I'm a little hectic at the moment. One of the frustrations to me of this build is really not being able to get stuck in myself. I bought a load of fully awesome power toold before this build, and swiftly realised I wouldn't really have time to get things done, and would just hold everything up and get in the way if I tried, with the limited time available. Still - I now have an awesome selection of tools, completely overspecced for the small DIY projects I'll need them form once the place is finished

Can you get me Zero7's e-mail? I was going to help him out with some costings (see his thread). As a mod I think you can see my e-mail address and contact me directly...

More pics of destruction will follow. Next - floor insulation, screeding and underfloor heating pipes going in.

Well there's a surprise Mind you, I don't think my husband expected me to have my own tool kit (especially not one that included a jigsaw )

I can, yes. But I can't see yours, short of hitting report on myself (which I shall do now)

[Shaw Tarse]

Mr Flashman, would like me to pass your email on to Ali?

[ali_kat]

Happy for you to pass mine to him?

[Harry Flashman]

Shaw Tarse said:

Mr Flashman, would like me to pass your email on to Ali?

Yes please!

[Shaw Tarse]

Harry Flashman said:

Yes please!

Sorted.

[ali_kat]

Thank you

I'm hoping I was suitably discreet Harry

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks guys. I've bombarded the poor man with spreadsheets, but he claims it's helpful!

[ali_kat]

[Harry Flashman]

Today's purchases that have damaged my bank account.

100 square metres of limestone flooring - kitchen, conservatory and utility room.

Kitchen units for an 8m run plus 3m island.

750 metres of Cat 6a cable - every room will have ethernet points.

Ouch.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Sunday 13th March 23:06

[Harry Flashman]

More photo diary updates. Progress has slowed as council are being very slow about the LDC for the loft conversion. Rest of house is stripped, but not much has happened.

Old conservatory dug out, new wall built to hold it up (so that it is no longer propped up on party wall...), and insulation laid in the floor. Doors will be replaced with new glass ones.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr



Kitchen dug out and floor insulated, and ceilings dropped, insulated and wiring going in. Cat 6a data, ceiling speakers and normal electrical cable.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr




Kitchen services channel to and from boiler being built. There was a lot of knackered old pipework cobbled together all over the place before.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr



Screed pored over the insulation and underfloor heating pipes. French windows will go where the current windows are, and on the left, where there is a half high breeze block wall and boarding is to be a giant glass window

Also visible is Lady Flashman, wondering why we spent so much money on something utterly inhabitable, and asking why the sums we have spent so far haven't made it look any better.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

[Harry Flashman]

PS - a big thank you to PHer E36Guy, who has answered many, many queries about lighting design and components. First tranche of stuff ordered from EcoLED, and there will be much, much more. He gave me advice despite thinking I would not be buying from him (clearly he's good at his job, as now I will be, and busting the original lighting budget!).

The lighting plan is complicated - all integrated LED, from basic spots and LED strips, through to RGB colour strips, security floodlights, garden lighting, PIR activated night lights, floor up lighters etc etc. And mostly on a home automation system...

[dirty_dog]

Looking good, thanks for the updates

[ali_kat]

It's moving

[E36GUY]

Harry Flashman said:

He gave me advice despite thinking I would not be buying from him

Never any doubt

[easytiger123]

Any updates Harry? Enjoying this thread so far (and it's providing light relief from my own renovation hell!)

[Harry Flashman]

Well, after initial speed, this has ground more and more slowly, most recently inability to get roof done due to torrential rain in London. Deadline supposedly 8 weeks away, and we still haven’t finished plumbing or electrics, let alone finished the loft conversion. Had my eye off the ball due to wedding etc, but now it’s time to get serious.

Apologies for poor iPhone pics

Has been a real pain shuttling stuff from storage to the house for fitting, but did not want to leave stuff like cabinets, tiles, plumbing bits etc in an empty house overnight, even if I do go over there every evening, and Lady Flash visits a couple of times a day to see how the builders are doing.

At least it now has security - proper window locks, double front door, walled garden and locked rear bifolds...and stuff is generally getting installed on the day of delivery. And a nice Polish bloke called Stan living in it at night-time!


Kitchen, full of cabinets to be installed this week. I cannot recommend solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk enough (sister company of worktopexpress.co.uk). The product is fantastic, and the service is honestly second to none. They say that customer service only really counts when something goes wrong. Ash worktops failed to arrive. They got me replacements the next day, and spent all afternoon sorting it, keeping me in the loop by e-mail at every stage. Great company, great product, great service.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

Garden – “mature” i.e. unbelievably overgrown.

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr


View to park at back of house from the loft
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

Loft
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More loft – opening for where bifold doors will go to Juliet balcony. They’re being widened to 3m wide from the 2.2m seen in this pic.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 29th June 11:28

[Harry Flashman]

The beginnings of a kitchen...

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr


The beginnings of a loft bedroom, with dressing room and en-suite.


Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr

[ali_kat]

Starting to look good!