The ridiculous Edwardian...
Discussion
illmonkey said:
Scrunched up newspaper and plaster surely.
Of course, go trad or go bust 
Anyhoo, time has passed but work became all consuming so no further work was done. Picking it up again now.
Question for the knowledgeable ones on here
, has anyone used TIWI (thin internal wall insulation) before? For example:
https://www.twistfix.co.uk/thin-internal-wall-insu...
or this stuff
https://safeguardstore.co.uk/ultrotherm-internal-i...
There appears to be a move to actually research this stuff so that the millions of solid wall houses can get insulated with less disruption and reduced condensation and cold bridging issues. (Let me be clear, I know nothing about this, other than there are some diverse views on the subject!)
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/resea...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thin-in...
The en-suite is a small but quite cold room on the corner of the building, solid walls on 2 sides, plastered apart from that bodge. I can't put anything on the walls that will come in the room more than about total 20mm as I need all the space I can get for the shower and loo layout.
If anyone has used this kind of stuff and has thoughts to share, I would be very grateful.
judas said:
Well, things have taken a decidedly pear-shaped turn. This afternoon we fired the builder before he’d even bothered to make a start. After delays, mistakes, key things being missed on the quote, more delays, price increases, him dropping a bombshell about going off on holiday two days into the build, and the final straw of leaving the structural calcs to the last minute and finding out removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room was going to be much, much complicated yet unable to get a price for additional work we’d had enough. We’d lost all confidence that the job would be done anywhere near remotely on time or on budget.
Back to the drawing board. f
k 
Bad, but better than giving this clown your money, I promise.Back to the drawing board. f
k Update time, or not, as it happens...
We were hoping to be able to post here soon to unveil our lovely new kitchen. However, for the second time, it's all gone Pete Tong and we've just pulled the plug. This is developing into a tiresome pattern
There may have been a little nose-spite-face factoring into our decision this time, but after the last debacle we weren't going sit there having our chain yanked repeatedly until we got the message.
Long story short, we ended up going with a certain bird-related outfit as they could do everything. We made it clear we needed an all-in cost and here's our budget. All seemed to going swimmingly until they were required to do something other than show us pretty pictures and take our deposit. Despite them knowing we had several pre-fit jobs that were dependent on getting a proper survey done, it took weeks of chasing to get the fitter out to us. Then the bombshell: they'd split the order into two "to save us money" and it turns out the second half of the order was supply-only and hence didn't include any fitting costs. Budget was already looking a bit squeaky, so that was that. Called the showroom and asked for an urgent call-back from someone able to deal with this oversight, but no one, so far, has bothered to get back to us. So, the cancellation email has just been sent.
We were hoping to be able to post here soon to unveil our lovely new kitchen. However, for the second time, it's all gone Pete Tong and we've just pulled the plug. This is developing into a tiresome pattern
There may have been a little nose-spite-face factoring into our decision this time, but after the last debacle we weren't going sit there having our chain yanked repeatedly until we got the message.
Long story short, we ended up going with a certain bird-related outfit as they could do everything. We made it clear we needed an all-in cost and here's our budget. All seemed to going swimmingly until they were required to do something other than show us pretty pictures and take our deposit. Despite them knowing we had several pre-fit jobs that were dependent on getting a proper survey done, it took weeks of chasing to get the fitter out to us. Then the bombshell: they'd split the order into two "to save us money" and it turns out the second half of the order was supply-only and hence didn't include any fitting costs. Budget was already looking a bit squeaky, so that was that. Called the showroom and asked for an urgent call-back from someone able to deal with this oversight, but no one, so far, has bothered to get back to us. So, the cancellation email has just been sent.
Edited by judas on Wednesday 11th October 13:13
That sucks.
We completed a single story extension to our Edwardian this year, mainly changing the orientation of the kitchen to gain a downstairs toilet, utility and lighter kitchen.
We went with a local builder with a good rep and a rep for being expensive, I don't think they were in the end. It was night and day over any other building work we've had done. Professional and as hassle free as we could hope for. We got the kitchen from a local supplier, again no issues and worked with the builder, damages and anything other potential issues resolved without any hassle for us.
We completed a single story extension to our Edwardian this year, mainly changing the orientation of the kitchen to gain a downstairs toilet, utility and lighter kitchen.
We went with a local builder with a good rep and a rep for being expensive, I don't think they were in the end. It was night and day over any other building work we've had done. Professional and as hassle free as we could hope for. We got the kitchen from a local supplier, again no issues and worked with the builder, damages and anything other potential issues resolved without any hassle for us.
judas said:
Update time, or not, as it happens...
We were hoping to be able to post here soon to unveil our lovely new kitchen. However, for the second time, it's all gone Pete Tong and we've just pulled the plug. This is developing into a tiresome pattern
There may have been a little nose-spite-face factoring into our decision this time, but after the last debacle we weren't going sit there having our chain yanked repeatedly until we got the message.
Long story short, we ended up going with a certain bird-related outfit as they could do everything. We made it clear we needed an all-in cost and here's our budget. All seemed to going swimmingly until they were required to do something other than show us pretty pictures and take our deposit. Despite them knowing we had several pre-fit jobs that were dependent on getting a proper survey done, it took weeks of chasing to get the fitter out to us. Then the bombshell: they'd split the order into two "to save us money" and it turns out the second half of the order was supply-only and hence didn't include any fitting costs. Budget was already looking a bit squeaky, so that was that. Called the showroom and asked for an urgent call-back from someone able to deal with this oversight, but no one, so far, has bothered to get back to us. So, the cancellation email has just been sent.
I went with that bird related kitchen company and after we had spent ages designing the kitchen to the precise and awkward specification of my kitchen, they sent the paperwork through for me to sign off. I used this to help me get a fitting quote locally.We were hoping to be able to post here soon to unveil our lovely new kitchen. However, for the second time, it's all gone Pete Tong and we've just pulled the plug. This is developing into a tiresome pattern
There may have been a little nose-spite-face factoring into our decision this time, but after the last debacle we weren't going sit there having our chain yanked repeatedly until we got the message.
Long story short, we ended up going with a certain bird-related outfit as they could do everything. We made it clear we needed an all-in cost and here's our budget. All seemed to going swimmingly until they were required to do something other than show us pretty pictures and take our deposit. Despite them knowing we had several pre-fit jobs that were dependent on getting a proper survey done, it took weeks of chasing to get the fitter out to us. Then the bombshell: they'd split the order into two "to save us money" and it turns out the second half of the order was supply-only and hence didn't include any fitting costs. Budget was already looking a bit squeaky, so that was that. Called the showroom and asked for an urgent call-back from someone able to deal with this oversight, but no one, so far, has bothered to get back to us. So, the cancellation email has just been sent.
Edited by judas on Wednesday 11th October 13:13
Thank GOD one of the local kitchen fitters asked me why the units above the sink stopped 10cm short of the end of the wall and wouldn't line up with the units underneath. Apparently my "designer" had just decided unilaterally to lop 10cm off the originally agreed measurements to "be on the safe side" but didn't think it worth telling me. Obviously you can bet your life that if I hadn't caught it then I would have been blamed for signing off the specs.
In the end I'm actually very happy with the kitchen, it really is a nice job and the units are of good qualuty, but I feel like most of that is down to me and not them.
Just had a call from them half-heartedly trying to salvage the order. We remained unpersuaded and asked for our deposit to be refunded.
We still need a new kitchen but the missus is starting a new commission the other end of the country next week and I don't have the fortitude to go through this malarkey again this side of Christmas. At least we have a design we're happy with, which has been half the battle.
We still need a new kitchen but the missus is starting a new commission the other end of the country next week and I don't have the fortitude to go through this malarkey again this side of Christmas. At least we have a design we're happy with, which has been half the battle.
We split supplier and fitter.
Supplier - we used DIY-Kitchens - absolutely fantastic customer service, good quality and a lot of choice of cabinets - only down side is one showroom in the North - though they do plan to open one near Oxford soon.
Fitter - we used out builder and his chippy - both of whom had fitted kitchens before - chippy was traditional slow but sure and fitted it beautifully.
Worksurface - Natural Stone (through DIY Kitchens) - other than my querying one of their measurements - which they changed went well
End result - superb kitchen - however I did 3D model it / draw up scale plans / measure it xxx times / get the builder to sign off on the measurements / etc.
Supplier - we used DIY-Kitchens - absolutely fantastic customer service, good quality and a lot of choice of cabinets - only down side is one showroom in the North - though they do plan to open one near Oxford soon.
Fitter - we used out builder and his chippy - both of whom had fitted kitchens before - chippy was traditional slow but sure and fitted it beautifully.
Worksurface - Natural Stone (through DIY Kitchens) - other than my querying one of their measurements - which they changed went well
End result - superb kitchen - however I did 3D model it / draw up scale plans / measure it xxx times / get the builder to sign off on the measurements / etc.
After many months of doing nothing but working, I never got around to doing the en suite. Judas got (rightly) irked about this so sorted out a lovely chap called Cameron to come sort. If anyone in the East Mids needs a recommended bathroom fitter, give us a shout. It went as follows
After my half arsed attempt at demo, they cracked on with removing all the remaining wall tiles, plastic suspended ceiling and floor tiles. Only to find a rotten floor.
That got ripped out, made good and fixed, then on to putting some insulation in.
Cracking on with plaster and panelling
Now for some more stuff
And we needed to decorate so chose neutral colours, but went a bit mad with the wallpaper.
After my half arsed attempt at demo, they cracked on with removing all the remaining wall tiles, plastic suspended ceiling and floor tiles. Only to find a rotten floor.
That got ripped out, made good and fixed, then on to putting some insulation in.
Cracking on with plaster and panelling
Now for some more stuff
And we needed to decorate so chose neutral colours, but went a bit mad with the wallpaper.
Edited by Ace-T on Monday 20th May 21:41
Next, back to the garden.
After getting the garage built last winter the garden got left to fend for itself.
I am not a gardener, but I don't like using pesticide in the garden. As a result we have a fair amount of birds, insects, squirrels turn up. Not bad for an inner city garden.
We built a tandem garage to preserve the magnolia
There is quite a big space behind the tree, it was taken up by a lot of old slabs, paths, swings made from scaffold poles (?). I decided to take advantage of the potential of the space but set myself a bit of a challenge. Reuse as much as possible that I had unearthed in the garden. Slabs, bricks, chunks of concrete etc. Moved the shed and tucked it behind a big Laurel.
Moved that yukka of doom too. That was a chore!
Planted a Holm Oak. That will be big in 50 years. Shame I won't be around to deal with it
Leveling-ish the area and using all the old slabs and bricks to make a patio
Last pic is where I got to tonight. The bricks and stone on the left need laying properly, just placed at the mo.
View from kitchen window.
After getting the garage built last winter the garden got left to fend for itself.
I am not a gardener, but I don't like using pesticide in the garden. As a result we have a fair amount of birds, insects, squirrels turn up. Not bad for an inner city garden.
We built a tandem garage to preserve the magnolia
There is quite a big space behind the tree, it was taken up by a lot of old slabs, paths, swings made from scaffold poles (?). I decided to take advantage of the potential of the space but set myself a bit of a challenge. Reuse as much as possible that I had unearthed in the garden. Slabs, bricks, chunks of concrete etc. Moved the shed and tucked it behind a big Laurel.
Moved that yukka of doom too. That was a chore!
Planted a Holm Oak. That will be big in 50 years. Shame I won't be around to deal with it
Leveling-ish the area and using all the old slabs and bricks to make a patio
Last pic is where I got to tonight. The bricks and stone on the left need laying properly, just placed at the mo.
View from kitchen window.
Edited by Ace-T on Monday 20th May 22:00
Harry Flashman said:
I love that wallpaper. I'd have gone dark and nuts with the panelling and trim too!
One of our loos. I too went neutral on the wood, but floor and wall are stripped wood and brick so a bit of neutrality was useful...
That's a lovely loo Harry! One of our loos. I too went neutral on the wood, but floor and wall are stripped wood and brick so a bit of neutrality was useful...
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 20th May 21:58
J chose the wallpaper. It's even more vibrant in reality. We could have gone safe and sophisticated, but that ain't us
Ace-T said:
Harry Flashman said:
I love that wallpaper. I'd have gone dark and nuts with the panelling and trim too!
One of our loos. I too went neutral on the wood, but floor and wall are stripped wood and brick so a bit of neutrality was useful...
That's a lovely loo Harry! One of our loos. I too went neutral on the wood, but floor and wall are stripped wood and brick so a bit of neutrality was useful...
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 20th May 21:58
J chose the wallpaper. It's even more vibrant in reality. We could have gone safe and sophisticated, but that ain't us
Ace-T said:
^^That's quite a lovely house GT3M.
Yes you have some grey, but the lovely woods you have don't allow it to go into the dull grey everything you see so often.
Many tks . We bought the house last year . I'd always wanted a period home and this ticks all my boxes.Yes you have some grey, but the lovely woods you have don't allow it to go into the dull grey everything you see so often.
There was a rather large arch in the kitchen which we've since removed and instead added an island and some more cupboard space. Not quite period I know but the arch just had to go. We are still waiting for bathroom floor tiles to be fitted and we also changed the horrendous door for a period looking one although the bloody wife chose grey whereas I wanted a strong Edwardian colour.
Some more pics
We have the most beautiful rose bush that sits outside the kitchen door too .
dobly said:
That skull wallpaper is ace! Is it available in a really deep dark blue?
No idea as the previous owner had decorated before we bought the house. The house was pretty much done but as you can see from the above pics the wife wanted to reconfigure the kitchen.
The arch was quite a feature but so impracticable.
We also knocked a hole in the wall in the kitchen through to the sun room. Does make the house flow better.
Also means we can shut off the living room when we don't use it.
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