Another bungalow loft extension build...
Discussion
Its being 12 months exactly since we started the project. At times especially during the complex steel install, we did wonder, WTF have we done.....But we are 100% now heading towards the home straight. The plaster boards are going on next week, and than it'll be on to 2nd fix/kitchen install. Most of the interior space is going to be unrecognisable compared to before despite no change in the footprint of the house, and adding only a limited amount of elevation.
Plasterboarding is well underway now, the new bedroom suite is starting to resemble a potential usable space versus some steels/bricks.
The downstairs is still what I find amazing. The difference in light between the new entrance hall and existing part of the old entrance corridor is literally night versus day. The ability of the architect totally transform the feel of the house without actually changing the footprint of the building is quite astounding.
The builders seem to have better handwriting than me though, I’m pretty sure they have downed many mugs of tea/coffee over the last few horrible cold/wet winter months getting on with the job. Total respect for the work the guys are doing on site, I couldn’t do what they are doing if you gave me a million + all the time in the world!!
The downstairs is still what I find amazing. The difference in light between the new entrance hall and existing part of the old entrance corridor is literally night versus day. The ability of the architect totally transform the feel of the house without actually changing the footprint of the building is quite astounding.
The builders seem to have better handwriting than me though, I’m pretty sure they have downed many mugs of tea/coffee over the last few horrible cold/wet winter months getting on with the job. Total respect for the work the guys are doing on site, I couldn’t do what they are doing if you gave me a million + all the time in the world!!
^Good luck with the build, ours started as an loft extension and quickly esclated. Builders tell me they will start prepping for external render and cladding next week. So things are now progressing nicely every week, it's a long process but we are starting to see the light, just wish we started the project 12-18 months earlier as we would be in by now.
We now have something that's starting to resemble rooms and even plaster on the walls 
. I would guess by the end of next week boarding will be done everywhere, and than probably another week for skimming.
Leveling of the ground floor and start of 2nd fix hopefully will start in April, than it'll be tilling followed by kitchen and stairs install May/June......Cannot wait to be back in
. I would guess by the end of next week boarding will be done everywhere, and than probably another week for skimming. Leveling of the ground floor and start of 2nd fix hopefully will start in April, than it'll be tilling followed by kitchen and stairs install May/June......Cannot wait to be back in
Phil. said:
Are you putting in one of those BBQ huts? Or a climbing frame/swing for the kids?
Humm....must try to be less predictable.Grand Design was the cause of this whole madness, so its fitting Grand Designs Live adds to it!! Went to the show last summer just for ideas on decoration, the counter current swimming spas really caught my eye but we cannot afford £30k+maintenance on whim at present, but these things proved too hard to ignore, especially when my daughter battered her eyelids.........
It's coming hopefully before Easter break, utterly pointless, our builders could probably built it for half the price, but after 14 months of building works, fatigue is a very real thing. Having something onsite that's 'finished' is going to be quite enjoyable for all.
^Thanks, for some reasons it’s only this week the true madness of what we have done is sinking in. I’m not sure why, but work keeps us so busy I don’t think we’ve had time to process the consequences of some pretty unexpected conversations we’ve had with the builders over the last 14 months.
The end however is neigh, I’m really looking forwards to enjoying at least some of the Easter holidays onsite with proper shelter away from the site. Once it’s all done, I’m going to find wall space for a print of something like this, madness is the only word I can describe my current reflection on this whole venture…….But what’s there to live for in life if isn’t bit of madness
.
The end however is neigh, I’m really looking forwards to enjoying at least some of the Easter holidays onsite with proper shelter away from the site. Once it’s all done, I’m going to find wall space for a print of something like this, madness is the only word I can describe my current reflection on this whole venture…….But what’s there to live for in life if isn’t bit of madness
. Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 16th March 21:54
gangzoom said:
Even though we are getting close the finishing line, I'm finding building fatigue is very real.
I guess if you're not on site it's somewhat different - although not sure which way - but I felt drained after ours took 6mths (was originally scheduled as 5mths). We were off site for 6 weeks in a fantasic place at a very reasonable cost but paying for it was still grating.I've described the end bit of our extension/ refurb earlier in the tread - in some ways it was the most frustrating part as nothing seemed to happen for days with waiting for kitchen stuff, flooring etc and we were back in the house by then.
The lawn thread has reminded me how lucky we are in regards to the plot the house sits in.
We are still months away from completing our house renovations but I cannot wait to be back in the house, it's there is just something so calming about having a view like this every time you look out into the garden.
The architect's vision of having a direct line of sight from the front door into the garden is simply a stunning bit of design, and even the front 'garden' is something that can be admired from almost any where in the kitchen/hall way.
We are currently just finalising fixture and fittings details, trying to keep the budget under control, but at the same time we feel likes kids in a candy shop, it's hard to 'cheap out' when the design/surrounding of the building is looking so good.
I never really asked what kind of coating was put on the glazing for the gables, but what ever is on there is pretty effective at reflecting light for privacy during day time, though we have essentially zero pedestrian foot traffic in front of the house so privacy isn't a major issue.
We are still months away from completing our house renovations but I cannot wait to be back in the house, it's there is just something so calming about having a view like this every time you look out into the garden.
The architect's vision of having a direct line of sight from the front door into the garden is simply a stunning bit of design, and even the front 'garden' is something that can be admired from almost any where in the kitchen/hall way.
We are currently just finalising fixture and fittings details, trying to keep the budget under control, but at the same time we feel likes kids in a candy shop, it's hard to 'cheap out' when the design/surrounding of the building is looking so good.
I never really asked what kind of coating was put on the glazing for the gables, but what ever is on there is pretty effective at reflecting light for privacy during day time, though we have essentially zero pedestrian foot traffic in front of the house so privacy isn't a major issue.
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 23 March 05:36
Lots of stuff going on in the house now, we have base layer of paint going on to the walls, 2nd fix is on going, kitchen install pretty much done pending work tops and 2nd fixes, even the stairs are here but cannot be installed till the flooring is done.
Need to keep the momentum going but it amazing to see the rooms finally starting to take shape after all the hardwork by the lads onsite over the last 14 months!!
Need to keep the momentum going but it amazing to see the rooms finally starting to take shape after all the hardwork by the lads onsite over the last 14 months!!
The work tops were installed today, had forgotten what we had gone for, looks good against the black units, though at this stage anything close to finished looks good .
One thing I really like is running the worktop into the window still, it was the kitchen fitters idea and I think it looks great. Amazingly the fitters have booked in 2 more days to finish things off, like the top of the wall cupboards. It’s starting to come together nicely now.
.One thing I really like is running the worktop into the window still, it was the kitchen fitters idea and I think it looks great. Amazingly the fitters have booked in 2 more days to finish things off, like the top of the wall cupboards. It’s starting to come together nicely now.
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