Detached Victorian renovation, London.
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
Houzz? That was me!
Just read the thread and realised 
Although I deliberately didn't mention the site in case it attracted mad stalkers from here... apart from me of course.
Good luck with everything, hope the 'expected unexpected' doesn't arise this time.
Our 'unexpected' with our 'new to us' Victorian currently has a very squidgy cellar, probably caused by next doors blocked drain, that has probably caused subsidence
Insurance bod turning up at 9.30 tomoz. 
ali_kat said:
Ace-T said:
Our 'unexpected' with our 'new to us' Victorian currently has a very squidgy cellar, probably caused by next doors blocked drain, that has probably caused subsidence Insurance bod turning up at 9.30 tomoz.
Blast! Insurance bod turning up at 9.30 tomoz. What did they say?
In the meantime, builders ate cracking on Harry! Blimey!
Our cellar also periodically gets a few inches of water in it, as the tanking has failed, and our area has loads of underground streams. Honestly, these old houses have frequently flooded for years without issues. People are very quick to shout "subsidence" - make sure you get a quality surveyor who is a period house specialist, who understands that these houses breathe, move and flood over time.
Sometimes digging a drain and fitting a sump pump is all you need to do, unless you want to make the space habitable.
Hoping that your is this simple.
Sometimes digging a drain and fitting a sump pump is all you need to do, unless you want to make the space habitable.
Hoping that your is this simple.
So, time for some of the week's pics!
The start of the opening. Opens the longest part of the house from bay window in living room to garden doors in kitchen. That's a 14 metre stretch.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
The start of the opening. Opens the longest part of the house from bay window in living room to garden doors in kitchen. That's a 14 metre stretch.
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrKitchen electrics and plumbing going in. Island:
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Lots of cables:
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrLots of cables:
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrUntitled by baconrashers, on FlickrThis house has some weird features:
Access to cellar is through a "hidden" door in the panelling under the staircase:
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
nearly 6 foot void under the ground floor - just begging to be a wine cellar under the kitchen accessed by a hatch.
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Anyone have any idea what this weird mushroom feature is? It's the only one on the house. Mooring a hot air balloon?
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickr
Access to cellar is through a "hidden" door in the panelling under the staircase:
Untitled by baconrashers, on Flickrnearly 6 foot void under the ground floor - just begging to be a wine cellar under the kitchen accessed by a hatch.
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrAnyone have any idea what this weird mushroom feature is? It's the only one on the house. Mooring a hot air balloon?
Untitled by baconrashers, on FlickrHarry Flashman said:
So, time for some of the week's pics!
The start of the opening. Opens the longest part of the house from bay window in living room to garden doors in kitchen. That's a 14 metre stretch.
Horrified to hear The start of the opening. Opens the longest part of the house from bay window in living room to garden doors in kitchen. That's a 14 metre stretch.
For hundreds of years people were quite happy to have multiple rooms, but now people are obsessed with open plan. Everyone I know has done it and mind boggles. If I am watching telly in the front room, I don't want to hear wife and kids in the Kitchen.
Mind you, due to the size of your house and separate utility and another reception room it is a different matter, but I feel like moaning anyway
Was parodied in this weeks South Park episode funnily enough, so sounds like knock through's are also reaching saturation point across the pond too.
Aha - but this isn't really open plan. That opening will be fitted with the old double patio doors: so you can see through, or open up, but also close and keep the rooms separate. Living room will be used a lot more if in can be connected to the kitchen.
TV room is totally separate, and noisy washing machines etc are in a separate utility.
TV room is totally separate, and noisy washing machines etc are in a separate utility.
Harry,
Why don't you expand the basement - the void is already there? Currently looking at a Victorian detached on the borders of Dulwich - has a smallish basement, but similar voids under the rest of the house. If it was possible to further dig them out I may stomach the asking... The house is a project, btw, but with 2900sqft before basement expansion has piqued my interest.
Why don't you expand the basement - the void is already there? Currently looking at a Victorian detached on the borders of Dulwich - has a smallish basement, but similar voids under the rest of the house. If it was possible to further dig them out I may stomach the asking... The house is a project, btw, but with 2900sqft before basement expansion has piqued my interest.
Heh - the "patio doors" going in there are the old Victorian French windows currently at the end of the kitchen. They will be replaced with double glazed, draughtproofed replicas with proper locks etc.
In terms of digging a basement, that is simply out of budget right now. But in the future, it could be done relatively easily with minimal disruption. It would be comparable in cost to paying stamp duty to upgrade...so worth it. But this house will be at 3500 square feet without basement, and frankly there is ni real need unless I wanted a massive home cinema, or gym, or separate flat - no need for these right now!
Sure - I'd like to have a games room or similar. But I don't want it enough to spend six figures on it right now!
In terms of digging a basement, that is simply out of budget right now. But in the future, it could be done relatively easily with minimal disruption. It would be comparable in cost to paying stamp duty to upgrade...so worth it. But this house will be at 3500 square feet without basement, and frankly there is ni real need unless I wanted a massive home cinema, or gym, or separate flat - no need for these right now!
Sure - I'd like to have a games room or similar. But I don't want it enough to spend six figures on it right now!
Harry Flashman said:
This house has some weird features:
Access to cellar is through a "hidden" door in the panelling under the staircase:
I love the idea of hidden doorways and my dream house would have a secret room. Sadly I'm stuck in a bog-standard 70s semi-detached but hey ho it's better than no home at all. Access to cellar is through a "hidden" door in the panelling under the staircase:
Great house and thread btw
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