Our French farmhouse build thread.
Discussion
RC1807 said:
Neilsfirst said:
RC1807 said:
Nice to see updates and that not everyone with major projects in France had their thread closed 
Sounds like this thread could be on borrowed time. Any reasons why?K50 DEL said:
RC1807 said:
Neilsfirst said:
RC1807 said:
Nice to see updates and that not everyone with major projects in France had their thread closed
Sounds like this thread could be on borrowed time. Any reasons why?
Greetings to you both - what an fab read this has been for me. I have just read it all whilst waiting for a client to send me a work package update. I remember a friend of mine on here (LivingTheDream) mentioning it and commenting in the early stages.
Being in the interiors refurbishment industry (commercial) myself, I have to say you have done a stand up job - all 22 pages are dripping with courage and enthusiasm. In the pictures I can see how you have grown as a builder in experience and confidence. It really is amazing what can be achieved with a couple of pairs of hands and the right attitude.
Hats off to your missus, she is clearly one in a million and so refreshing to read about a "proper gal" who gets stuck in.
It looks like you are nearly there now - love that floor you just laid - proper!
Strangely intrigued to see a picture of Wilfred - it's like I have an image in my mind from reading a novel but he would prove to be completely different.
This whole thing should be mandatory reading for anyone who has that romantic notion of just buying a European rustic property and "doing it up" - it is so much more involved, time taking and tricky!!
Please keep popping up a progress post until the finish line is crossed and be sure to put in a link for letting details when ready.
Nice one
Luke
cartart said:
Greetings to you both - what an fab read this has been for me. I have just read it all whilst waiting for a client to send me a work package update. I remember a friend of mine on here (LivingTheDream) mentioning it and commenting in the early stages.
Being in the interiors refurbishment industry (commercial) myself, I have to say you have done a stand up job - all 22 pages are dripping with courage and enthusiasm. In the pictures I can see how you have grown as a builder in experience and confidence. It really is amazing what can be achieved with a couple of pairs of hands and the right attitude.
Hats off to your missus, she is clearly one in a million and so refreshing to read about a "proper gal" who gets stuck in.
It looks like you are nearly there now - love that floor you just laid - proper!
Strangely intrigued to see a picture of Wilfred - it's like I have an image in my mind from reading a novel but he would prove to be completely different.
This whole thing should be mandatory reading for anyone who has that romantic notion of just buying a European rustic property and "doing it up" - it is so much more involved, time taking and tricky!!
Please keep popping up a progress post until the finish line is crossed and be sure to put in a link for letting details when ready.
Nice one
Luke
Thanks Luke for your kind words. It has been a massive journey for the past 2 years and I doubt I have had so much to learn in such a short space of time.Being in the interiors refurbishment industry (commercial) myself, I have to say you have done a stand up job - all 22 pages are dripping with courage and enthusiasm. In the pictures I can see how you have grown as a builder in experience and confidence. It really is amazing what can be achieved with a couple of pairs of hands and the right attitude.
Hats off to your missus, she is clearly one in a million and so refreshing to read about a "proper gal" who gets stuck in.
It looks like you are nearly there now - love that floor you just laid - proper!
Strangely intrigued to see a picture of Wilfred - it's like I have an image in my mind from reading a novel but he would prove to be completely different.
This whole thing should be mandatory reading for anyone who has that romantic notion of just buying a European rustic property and "doing it up" - it is so much more involved, time taking and tricky!!
Please keep popping up a progress post until the finish line is crossed and be sure to put in a link for letting details when ready.
Nice one
Luke
Will see if we have a picture of Wilfred, but I am certain it won't match your image.
Our aim is to have it finished in the next month so there will be updates right to the end.
I've put the flamegun to good use already to prepare for finishing off the drive. It is a bit of a beast and sounds like a jet engine.
We had our first delivery today. 9 tonnes of calcaire dropped on the driveway for us to shift around. We have been very lucky that 2 friends had a moment of madness and helped us shift it around today. We are ready for the delivery of the top layer tomorrow and our friends are coming back to help again!
Within the building itself, I have tiled around the edge of the floor in the kitchen as far as I have completed and tonight sealed it. The 3 lights to hang off the ladder are also in place. Last thing to report on is I have started to cut up the shutters that Pippa started over 6 months ago!
Yesterday we had a massive rain storm with big winds that forced the rain under the roof tiles on our house. Millie’s bedroom took a soaking in the corner right above her wardrobe. We had a mad dash to remove a plasterboard that had sealed the void above her bedroom and get in there with buckets. So lunchtime today between the rain I got up on the roof and replaced a roof tile. I hope that we are now back to a watertight house. So far so good.
We had our first delivery today. 9 tonnes of calcaire dropped on the driveway for us to shift around. We have been very lucky that 2 friends had a moment of madness and helped us shift it around today. We are ready for the delivery of the top layer tomorrow and our friends are coming back to help again!
Within the building itself, I have tiled around the edge of the floor in the kitchen as far as I have completed and tonight sealed it. The 3 lights to hang off the ladder are also in place. Last thing to report on is I have started to cut up the shutters that Pippa started over 6 months ago!
Yesterday we had a massive rain storm with big winds that forced the rain under the roof tiles on our house. Millie’s bedroom took a soaking in the corner right above her wardrobe. We had a mad dash to remove a plasterboard that had sealed the void above her bedroom and get in there with buckets. So lunchtime today between the rain I got up on the roof and replaced a roof tile. I hope that we are now back to a watertight house. So far so good.
Edited by Neilsfirst on Wednesday 28th June 22:29
Second delivery came in this morning of the top layer of gravel. Dodging the rain we have managed to get it all spread around and now have a drive in drive out drive. With a little spare time at the end of the day we weeded out the front of the barn and got the last of our gravel distributed wherfe the weeds once were.
Progress is going well now. Our friend has almost cleared the front garden area of its jungle of weeds and stones. He has done an incredible job in some rather high temperatures.
Inside the barn I have fully tiled one shower and have nearly finished the 2nd one. Just awaiting our shopping trip on Monday to get some more tile adhesive, grout and silicon to finish those off. The other bathroom has now been silicon sealed all around. I did have 1 issue with the tile around my shower controls. I had made the cut too wide at the top so when I placed the plate that goes over them we had a gap. This would have been ok if I had checked when the glue was still wet, but as I hadn’t I had to break it out and do another one. This will be the third tile I have cut as I pressed too hard on the first one when fitting it and broke it.
The kitchen has been sealed around the worktop and the sink put back in place. On testing the sink I discovered that the guy who fitted the kitchen hadn’t done up one of the waste pipes tight enough and my test water promptly fell into the draw below! Cleaned up the mess and tightened to test again with no leaks. Waterfall edge has been cut and fitted on 1 side. Some more floor tiles have gone in and I have finished the first 25kg bag of grout on it.
As I have run out of materials to complete some jobs I started making shutters. I measured up and cut them nice and square, but this being an old building they just don’t quite measure up so easily! So far I have 3 done and now we have a search on to find the other 2 packets of bolts we bought to make them. Somehow we have manged to lose them and a little box of clips that we need for finishing the lights off in the bedrooms. We are re-using the old hardware from any original shutters left. For something that has been left outside exposed to all elements the majority of the bolts have undone without issue. A couple have needed mole grips on the other side to hold them and release the rust and only one has required the angle grinder.
Inside the barn I have fully tiled one shower and have nearly finished the 2nd one. Just awaiting our shopping trip on Monday to get some more tile adhesive, grout and silicon to finish those off. The other bathroom has now been silicon sealed all around. I did have 1 issue with the tile around my shower controls. I had made the cut too wide at the top so when I placed the plate that goes over them we had a gap. This would have been ok if I had checked when the glue was still wet, but as I hadn’t I had to break it out and do another one. This will be the third tile I have cut as I pressed too hard on the first one when fitting it and broke it.
The kitchen has been sealed around the worktop and the sink put back in place. On testing the sink I discovered that the guy who fitted the kitchen hadn’t done up one of the waste pipes tight enough and my test water promptly fell into the draw below! Cleaned up the mess and tightened to test again with no leaks. Waterfall edge has been cut and fitted on 1 side. Some more floor tiles have gone in and I have finished the first 25kg bag of grout on it.
As I have run out of materials to complete some jobs I started making shutters. I measured up and cut them nice and square, but this being an old building they just don’t quite measure up so easily! So far I have 3 done and now we have a search on to find the other 2 packets of bolts we bought to make them. Somehow we have manged to lose them and a little box of clips that we need for finishing the lights off in the bedrooms. We are re-using the old hardware from any original shutters left. For something that has been left outside exposed to all elements the majority of the bolts have undone without issue. A couple have needed mole grips on the other side to hold them and release the rust and only one has required the angle grinder.
Doesn’t time fly when you work long hours! In a rush to get things closer to the finish IK have been starting around 7am and finishing around 1am, but it has been worth it. Inside all that is left to do is a little plumbing, fitting the skirts and architrave around the doors and painting all the wood along with the downstairs loo. Then it is the big clean up.
Outside I have 5 more sets of shutters to make and fit, then finishing off the walls and mounting the gates.
Outside I have 5 more sets of shutters to make and fit, then finishing off the walls and mounting the gates.
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