First Restoration. South Manchester Victorian Terrace
Discussion
Hello. Just agreed price on my girlfriend and I's first house purchase together. (First property either of us has owned actually!)
We really wanted three bedrooms and not too far from the Chorlton/Whalley Range areas.
This meant buying a house that needs a little work.
It's needs central heating, rewiring, a new kitchen and bathroom.
It's on a quiet cut de sac, with a communal garden at the end of the street. House has a yard too.
The kitchen is tiny. We'd like to knock down the wall between the kitchen and back room. There's a chimney in there though.
Anyone recommend a South Manchester builder?!
The property is empty at the moment and we are first time buyers, so hopefully we'll get the keys in the next few weeks.
Can wait to get in and strip all the wallpaper, carpets etc.
All thoughts and advice appreciated!
Some photos from the first viewing, better shot and floor plans to follow...
We really wanted three bedrooms and not too far from the Chorlton/Whalley Range areas.
This meant buying a house that needs a little work.
It's needs central heating, rewiring, a new kitchen and bathroom.
It's on a quiet cut de sac, with a communal garden at the end of the street. House has a yard too.
The kitchen is tiny. We'd like to knock down the wall between the kitchen and back room. There's a chimney in there though.
Anyone recommend a South Manchester builder?!
The property is empty at the moment and we are first time buyers, so hopefully we'll get the keys in the next few weeks.
Can wait to get in and strip all the wallpaper, carpets etc.
All thoughts and advice appreciated!
Some photos from the first viewing, better shot and floor plans to follow...
Other houses on the the street have loft conversions/ three floor extensions, so there is a bit of potential.
Our plan at the moment is just to get the house habitable as soon as possible.
The roof needs a very small amount of work, there's a little damp to sort soon.
The double glazing installed eleven years ago. There's no certificate from the council or FENSA stuff. I think a few pieces of glass may need swapping out for safety glass before we have kids.
We'll maybe put french doors out to the yard. Would that need planning permission?
Our plan at the moment is just to get the house habitable as soon as possible.
The roof needs a very small amount of work, there's a little damp to sort soon.
The double glazing installed eleven years ago. There's no certificate from the council or FENSA stuff. I think a few pieces of glass may need swapping out for safety glass before we have kids.
We'll maybe put french doors out to the yard. Would that need planning permission?
Edited by Parabola on Wednesday 21st September 16:26
NorthDave said:
I've got loads of contacts in South Manchester but mainly around Chorlton. Where abouts is your new place?
Enjoy doing it up!
It's in Fallowfield. Not somewhere I thought I'd ever live again, but the house came up at the right price and on a nice quiet street. Can still walk to Alexandra Park, which is a bonus.Enjoy doing it up!
Currently living in Whalley Range (Which everyone calls Chorlton annoyingly!)
If you could recommend a builder who would be able to quote on removing the chimney, that would be really useful.
Thanks. PM or parabola117 at outlook dot com
tleefox said:
No.
Sound, thats good. Thanks. You can tell this is all new to us!
Thanks all.
Had a lad from British Gas electric round this eve to asses the fusebox. He freaked out a bit, sealed everything under some clear fireproof sheeting. Another team is coming tomrrow eve to update it all!
Will start on the wallpaper stripping tomorrow.
What's the best method for removal?
I've got sponges & sugar soap. Am borrowing a couple of steamers too.
Had a lad from British Gas electric round this eve to asses the fusebox. He freaked out a bit, sealed everything under some clear fireproof sheeting. Another team is coming tomrrow eve to update it all!
Will start on the wallpaper stripping tomorrow.
What's the best method for removal?
I've got sponges & sugar soap. Am borrowing a couple of steamers too.
Congratulations on spring and house!
Lots you could do. Always have an idea of design you want to end with or prefer before knocking things down/through. Get on www.houzz.co.uk for ideas and articles on all sorts of things. Try to slowly have a vague idea of how you want to use the space, and where you want things and have a bash at designing the layout yourselves.
Lots you could do. Always have an idea of design you want to end with or prefer before knocking things down/through. Get on www.houzz.co.uk for ideas and articles on all sorts of things. Try to slowly have a vague idea of how you want to use the space, and where you want things and have a bash at designing the layout yourselves.
Congratulations!
After 3 years we finally finished removing wallpaper/woodchip from all the walls and ceilings in our house. We started off using steamers, but it was horrible work, especially on the ceiling with the drips of boiling water. For the last few rooms I used a long handled scraper and that was less messy. Only needing a final wipe to get rid of the last bits of glue. Another tip is to put plastic sheeting on the floor, then you can just roll it back up with all the wallpaper in it.
Other than getting the electrics safe and giving the house a good clean I wouldn't advise starting any big work until the baby is into a decent routine. It could arrive any day now, and you don't want a newborn in a dusty house/building site.
Our lad was born in June and it was a struggle to finish off the jobs we had started - he arrived early, about 3/4 of the way through us renovating the hall, stairs and landing. Now that he's sleeping well at night we've been able to make a bit more progress.
After 3 years we finally finished removing wallpaper/woodchip from all the walls and ceilings in our house. We started off using steamers, but it was horrible work, especially on the ceiling with the drips of boiling water. For the last few rooms I used a long handled scraper and that was less messy. Only needing a final wipe to get rid of the last bits of glue. Another tip is to put plastic sheeting on the floor, then you can just roll it back up with all the wallpaper in it.
Other than getting the electrics safe and giving the house a good clean I wouldn't advise starting any big work until the baby is into a decent routine. It could arrive any day now, and you don't want a newborn in a dusty house/building site.
Our lad was born in June and it was a struggle to finish off the jobs we had started - he arrived early, about 3/4 of the way through us renovating the hall, stairs and landing. Now that he's sleeping well at night we've been able to make a bit more progress.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Friday 28th October 12:50
Well, I've been terrible at updating this thread! Will try harder.
Finally got the electric supply sorted. Now have the dangerous part (The bit before the meter) replaced.
Have had the consumer unit we'll use (After the rewire) temporally wired in with a couple of double sockets.
This was the fusebox for the house when we moved in!
|http://thumbsnap.com/xXSE6VYD[/url]
And the bit that was condemned, live wires showing at it's bottom!
Harry Flashman said:
Congratulations on spring and house!
Get on www.houzz.co.uk for ideas and articles on all sorts of things.
Cheers for the link, really good. lots to get through.Get on www.houzz.co.uk for ideas and articles on all sorts of things.
Craikeybaby said:
For the last few rooms I used a long handled scraper and that was less messy.
Superb bit of kit. Have bought two. Really handy, saved us loads of time!Craikeybaby said:
Other than getting the electrics safe and giving the house a good clean I wouldn't advise starting any big work until the baby is into a decent routine
We're in the lucky position where the rent on our current flat is quite reasonable, and the mortgage on the new house is quite low. Should be able to afford about three more months living here in the flat before we move to the house. Baby is due this Friday!Finally got the electric supply sorted. Now have the dangerous part (The bit before the meter) replaced.
Have had the consumer unit we'll use (After the rewire) temporally wired in with a couple of double sockets.
This was the fusebox for the house when we moved in!
|http://thumbsnap.com/xXSE6VYD[/url]And the bit that was condemned, live wires showing at it's bottom!
Edited by Parabola on Sunday 13th November 20:17
There a patch of land at the end of the Cul de sac that the council has given to street. A bit longer than a tennis court.
The four council houses behind it complained their gardens were too big, so the council halved their gardens size!
It's now a communal garden for the residents of our street. So happy with this. Had a little gathering there on bonfire night.
The council planted some apple, plum & pear trees there eleven years ago when they handed the land over.
Load of massive pears and apples on the ground today.
Girlfriend (Baby bump on show!) just made an excellent apple & pear crumble.
The four council houses behind it complained their gardens were too big, so the council halved their gardens size!
It's now a communal garden for the residents of our street. So happy with this. Had a little gathering there on bonfire night.
The council planted some apple, plum & pear trees there eleven years ago when they handed the land over.
Load of massive pears and apples on the ground today.
Girlfriend (Baby bump on show!) just made an excellent apple & pear crumble.
Wallpaper stripping going well. Been going there most nights after work. You find out who your friends are too when there's wallpaper stripping to be done!
Really enjoy a couple of beers afterwards each night too. Tastes better when you've done some work!
I'm almost sad to see this amazing wallpaper go!
Most walls look pretty decent after stripping.
Really enjoy a couple of beers afterwards each night too. Tastes better when you've done some work!
I'm almost sad to see this amazing wallpaper go!
Most walls look pretty decent after stripping.
Did a basic layout plan thing using an iPhone app.
The measurements only seem to show when I zoom in on a room.
The ominous black space between the bathroom. & bedroom one is the huge chimney that will come out. Not sure why it doesn't show on the downstairs plan.
Still waiting to get quotes back from the builders for that work.
The measurements only seem to show when I zoom in on a room.
The ominous black space between the bathroom. & bedroom one is the huge chimney that will come out. Not sure why it doesn't show on the downstairs plan.
Still waiting to get quotes back from the builders for that work.
Edited by Parabola on Sunday 13th November 20:29
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