The 4 Month House Renovation
Discussion
Welcome to our renovation thread.......
The house was purchased in 2018 to make a step up from the previous Victorian semi. That had been extended and improved in 2008 with a 50sq m kitchen/diner, re-wired, re-plumbed etc, etc.
The new plot of nearly half an acre was just what we needed for the new dog and the much improved parking and garaging space meant we could extend the fleet too.
The elephant in the room is the house itself, a mid-60s chalet bungalow.
EAs pic when it was sold in the 80s (the white wooden cladding has been replaced by hanging tiles)
It’s been the subject of improvement work all it’s life. The original 2-bed property with a garage, was converted to a 3 bed by converting the garage into an en-suite bedroom and building a double garage at the back of the plot. It had been the subject of PP to knock it down and start again, that design was quite nice, but was beyond our budget as well as needing work to make ‘ours’ and it removed the double garage so that ended up expiring just before the purchase went through. Some parts have been updated, others, completely un touched and the whole thing needs a good makeover.
That’s where we come in……
The pics here are from the EA’s particulars and include such notable architectural design points as the crazy paving fireplace
The layout isn’t to our taste either with a small kitchen and a lounge/diner. So, there was only one thing for it – renovate!
EAs floor plan at purchase
Also the original plans, which were found in a drawer
The plans are to go out above the old garage and build a new master en-suite bedroom. The existing bedrooms will have new lighting, the old built-in wardrobes removed and re-plastered. The ground floor will be completely gutted and re-configure to have a Kitchen/Diner, Lounge, Study, Snug and Utility/Boot room. Yes, DIY Kitchens are the supplier of choice for the new kitchen and utility.
New ground floor plan
There’s obviously lots of work to do on the ground floor with steels to open up the space and levelling the floor, which will be wet UFH. The first floor is actually quite a simple addition, large enough for a decent size bedroom, dormers east and west and an en-suite through a walk-in wardrobe layout.
New first floor plan
This is a model of what we think the final version will look like. Part of the planning conditions is that we have to keep the hanging tiles and use the same materials for the new dormers. The porch has already been re-designed and won’t be as the model. What we do have as a bit of a feature is a 7ft Oak front door.
At this point we’re in the final stages of engaging a builder – we’ve been through almost the whole of lock-down watching prices rise and experiencing being ghosted by builders being pulled from pillar to post by wealthy clients. It’s not an easy process!
I hope I’ve piqued your interest and I should say that without a builder on contract we won’t be starting for a while yet. There is more to come – let me know what you think about the design, always interest to hear ideas.
The house was purchased in 2018 to make a step up from the previous Victorian semi. That had been extended and improved in 2008 with a 50sq m kitchen/diner, re-wired, re-plumbed etc, etc.
The new plot of nearly half an acre was just what we needed for the new dog and the much improved parking and garaging space meant we could extend the fleet too.
The elephant in the room is the house itself, a mid-60s chalet bungalow.
EAs pic when it was sold in the 80s (the white wooden cladding has been replaced by hanging tiles)
It’s been the subject of improvement work all it’s life. The original 2-bed property with a garage, was converted to a 3 bed by converting the garage into an en-suite bedroom and building a double garage at the back of the plot. It had been the subject of PP to knock it down and start again, that design was quite nice, but was beyond our budget as well as needing work to make ‘ours’ and it removed the double garage so that ended up expiring just before the purchase went through. Some parts have been updated, others, completely un touched and the whole thing needs a good makeover.
That’s where we come in……
The pics here are from the EA’s particulars and include such notable architectural design points as the crazy paving fireplace
The layout isn’t to our taste either with a small kitchen and a lounge/diner. So, there was only one thing for it – renovate!
EAs floor plan at purchase
Also the original plans, which were found in a drawer
The plans are to go out above the old garage and build a new master en-suite bedroom. The existing bedrooms will have new lighting, the old built-in wardrobes removed and re-plastered. The ground floor will be completely gutted and re-configure to have a Kitchen/Diner, Lounge, Study, Snug and Utility/Boot room. Yes, DIY Kitchens are the supplier of choice for the new kitchen and utility.
New ground floor plan
There’s obviously lots of work to do on the ground floor with steels to open up the space and levelling the floor, which will be wet UFH. The first floor is actually quite a simple addition, large enough for a decent size bedroom, dormers east and west and an en-suite through a walk-in wardrobe layout.
New first floor plan
This is a model of what we think the final version will look like. Part of the planning conditions is that we have to keep the hanging tiles and use the same materials for the new dormers. The porch has already been re-designed and won’t be as the model. What we do have as a bit of a feature is a 7ft Oak front door.
At this point we’re in the final stages of engaging a builder – we’ve been through almost the whole of lock-down watching prices rise and experiencing being ghosted by builders being pulled from pillar to post by wealthy clients. It’s not an easy process!
I hope I’ve piqued your interest and I should say that without a builder on contract we won’t be starting for a while yet. There is more to come – let me know what you think about the design, always interest to hear ideas.
Is it wise to have the en-suite opening into the walk-in (walk through) wardrobe bearing in mind the lack of natural ventilation? Also no natural light in the en-suite (maybe a skylight) and is there a need for the small alcove giving a bit of sticking out wall as you enter the master bedroom. Could make the walk-in smaller or the ensuite bigger.
Otherwise nice to see the big room sizes rather than trying for as many bedrooms as possible
Otherwise nice to see the big room sizes rather than trying for as many bedrooms as possible
I've converted a chalet bungalow in a similar way. Really look at how many triple glazed velux windows you can get onto the pitched roofs. (rooves?).
Adds additional height and massive light. lf you plan carefully, they can be used to sacrific some eves space to create wells of light to your ground floor rooms too.
Adds additional height and massive light. lf you plan carefully, they can be used to sacrific some eves space to create wells of light to your ground floor rooms too.
Great responses - thanks!
Velux windows - yes, not clear on the plans. There will be one in the master en-suite and another over the stairs
Downstairs WC - again yes, considered and we are having a decent extractor in there - understand it could be an issue with guests
Builder negotiations are closing and we're doing a 'quote analysis' meeting in a couple of weeks. Nearly there, and potential start in August
Velux windows - yes, not clear on the plans. There will be one in the master en-suite and another over the stairs
Downstairs WC - again yes, considered and we are having a decent extractor in there - understand it could be an issue with guests
Builder negotiations are closing and we're doing a 'quote analysis' meeting in a couple of weeks. Nearly there, and potential start in August
Picked up above but the ensuite opening into wardrobe is one you'd do well to avoid. Also the WC opening into kitchen; regardless of extraction it's just quite an odd thing. A friend of ours had it and whilst we all hated it as guests, they were really uncomfortable with it as home owners too.
Appreciate your mileage may vary but would definitely urge caution on both.
Appreciate your mileage may vary but would definitely urge caution on both.
Picking up on the downstairs WC again.....
This was the architects first version, with a wall between the hall/stairs. We then took that out to open up the space a bit more.
Do I gauge from the reactions, that could've been a step too far?
Second question - why the no walking through the clothes storage to get to the bathroom? The door in the current bedroom is about 3 feet from the bathroom door and is much worse? The bathroom will be properly ventilated and the flooring will be separated
This was the architects first version, with a wall between the hall/stairs. We then took that out to open up the space a bit more.
Do I gauge from the reactions, that could've been a step too far?
Second question - why the no walking through the clothes storage to get to the bathroom? The door in the current bedroom is about 3 feet from the bathroom door and is much worse? The bathroom will be properly ventilated and the flooring will be separated
Ranger 6 said:
Second question - why the no walking through the clothes storage to get to the bathroom? The door in the current bedroom is about 3 feet from the bathroom door and is much worse? The bathroom will be properly ventilated and the flooring will be separated
I wouldnt see that as a problem at all and it is quite a common approach which makes sense from a use perspective. 
Ranger 6 said:
Picking up on the downstairs WC again.....
This was the architects first version, with a wall between the hall/stairs. We then took that out to open up the space a bit more.
Do I gauge from the reactions, that could've been a step too far?
Well, it would be for me. We had a previous house where the hall had been knocked through into the lounge, so the toilet that was previously in the hall, was now just round the corner and effectively in the lounge. There was definitely a problem with sound effects. I looked at the house on Rightmove just now, and a later owner has actually reinstated the wall, so make of that what you will...This was the architects first version, with a wall between the hall/stairs. We then took that out to open up the space a bit more.
Do I gauge from the reactions, that could've been a step too far?
Well, we now have a builder on board and the construction is due to start in August 
We're now at the stage where we're collecting specifications for the various fittings and details that we will be asked for. One of those details is the lighting. Particularly in the sitting room and snug.
Just to remind you of the delights of the crazy paving chimney breast
in the sitting room.
From another thread I've seen some very good LED strip lights which we'd like in some coving at ceiling level.
LED strip - https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAUTIX-Flexible-Cabinet-L...
This would be all the way round the room and be dimmable. What experiences have you folks had with doing this and what suggestions would you make about the coving and lighting?
I've found this stuff in Screwfix & ToolStation
https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lighting-coving-58m...
https://www.toolstation.com/lighting-coving-il4/p1...
We're now at the stage where we're collecting specifications for the various fittings and details that we will be asked for. One of those details is the lighting. Particularly in the sitting room and snug.
Just to remind you of the delights of the crazy paving chimney breast
in the sitting room.From another thread I've seen some very good LED strip lights which we'd like in some coving at ceiling level.
LED strip - https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAUTIX-Flexible-Cabinet-L...
This would be all the way round the room and be dimmable. What experiences have you folks had with doing this and what suggestions would you make about the coving and lighting?
I've found this stuff in Screwfix & ToolStation
https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lighting-coving-58m...
https://www.toolstation.com/lighting-coving-il4/p1...
I can't believe that I started this in March - it feels like yesterday.
Well, it won't surprise you to know that the builders will be delayed. A concern as our planning permission window is rapidly running out so they need to extract the digit and get moving.
Building control sorted - they're just waiting for the builder
First skip - filled and collected yesterday
Kitchen - sold, the proceeds will go towards the worktops
From this (EA pic)
To this
And to give us something to work with until the builders do arrive, I've re-connected a couple of appliances
Caravan - cleaned to within an inch of it's life, connected to the house electricity supply and ready for occupation.
Just need some awning poles as our cheap caravan purchase came with an awning, but nothing to hold it up, so paracord is now suspending it from a pergola.
I found an auction on eBay for some poles - won it, but the fella is now in hospital so I can't collect them yet
Hopefully, the next update will be someone either digging, or breaking something.
Well, it won't surprise you to know that the builders will be delayed. A concern as our planning permission window is rapidly running out so they need to extract the digit and get moving.
Building control sorted - they're just waiting for the builder
First skip - filled and collected yesterday
Kitchen - sold, the proceeds will go towards the worktops
From this (EA pic)
To this
And to give us something to work with until the builders do arrive, I've re-connected a couple of appliances
Caravan - cleaned to within an inch of it's life, connected to the house electricity supply and ready for occupation.
Just need some awning poles as our cheap caravan purchase came with an awning, but nothing to hold it up, so paracord is now suspending it from a pergola.
I found an auction on eBay for some poles - won it, but the fella is now in hospital so I can't collect them yet
Hopefully, the next update will be someone either digging, or breaking something.
Ranger 6 said:
Well, we now have a builder on board and the construction is due to start in August
We're now at the stage where we're collecting specifications for the various fittings and details that we will be asked for. One of those details is the lighting. Particularly in the sitting room and snug.
Just to remind you of the delights of the crazy paving chimney breast in the sitting room.
From another thread I've seen some very good LED strip lights which we'd like in some coving at ceiling level.
LED strip - https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAUTIX-Flexible-Cabinet-L...
This would be all the way round the room and be dimmable. What experiences have you folks had with doing this and what suggestions would you make about the coving and lighting?
I've found this stuff in Screwfix & ToolStation
https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lighting-coving-58m...
https://www.toolstation.com/lighting-coving-il4/p1...
I recently had complete back to bricks refurb on my annexe (actually wood frame so no bricks!). In the kitchen lounge diner part we have a vaulted ceiling and had coving with dimmable led light strips shining upwards. Definitely really pleased with the lighting effect they give off. The only issue with them is they show up the tiniest imperfection of the painting and plastering on the ceiling just above them. Still very happy with them but worth considering if you have ocd issues! Will try to get a photo of them later so you can see.We're now at the stage where we're collecting specifications for the various fittings and details that we will be asked for. One of those details is the lighting. Particularly in the sitting room and snug.
Just to remind you of the delights of the crazy paving chimney breast
in the sitting room.From another thread I've seen some very good LED strip lights which we'd like in some coving at ceiling level.
LED strip - https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAUTIX-Flexible-Cabinet-L...
This would be all the way round the room and be dimmable. What experiences have you folks had with doing this and what suggestions would you make about the coving and lighting?
I've found this stuff in Screwfix & ToolStation
https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lighting-coving-58m...
https://www.toolstation.com/lighting-coving-il4/p1...
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