Advise on a newly built home please
Chris Osullivan
5 years ago
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5 years agoChris Osullivan
5 years agoRelated Discussions
please help me colour this house
Comments (6)Hello maraboe, Look at the land for inspiration... Warm chalky colours like stone, creams, or soft greys... even concrete colours... You have some interesting detailing on the facades so work with those too... Even plaster colours could work really beautifully or ochres and other earthy tones.. then add some foliage.. Either large planters with lovely trees or succulent type plants would be fabulous... Consider too painting the garage doors something to blend rather than stand out.. In this way you are focusing on the elements of the home you want to stand out... : ))...See MoreBathoom renovation advise please!
Comments (7)I think the only sensible option is this one:- It's to scale and gives you a 1200 x 900 shower, this leaves you 900mm to place a toilet at the far end. Also, when exiting the shower, in the direction of the wall opposite, you will have 1200mm of space to dry off in, so, spacious enough! Opposite is a vanity with mirror, i've used a 900mm vanity, so you can see you've got a good amount of room around you . I used the same tiles all over to give the illusion of space, so wall and floor matching...See MoreFirst home - layout advice, please?
Comments (4)Hi Kjsher77, Just as I am passing through, (and realising that this is a very old post) I would still advise moving the boiler to the loft so you can, in the future install an extra water tank or Megaflow for increased pressure and hot water. This way the boiler doesn't have to heat water downstairs, pump it to the top for it to come down again. It is also safer for the potentially toxic gases (VERY UNLIKELY) that can come from boilers like Carbon Monoxide as the flue goes straight out the roof. If you install the boiler and tank as close as possible to the front eaves of the house then you are also future proofing for any potential loft extension you may want to do (without having to redo pipework). I know you haven't mentioned this but its worth considering just in case. Otherwise, I agree with Jonathan's breakdown of costs and would concentrate on upgrading insulation, and making sure all the electrics, gas and plumbing are up to scratch before doing cosmetic or architectural work. It may be worth simply replacing the kitchen with a new cheap one whilst you save more money to do the full project. Good luck!...See MoreFull refurbishment advise please
Comments (10)Hi Jonathan, Thanks for all your advise, as usual , worth it's weight in gold I am usually at home only on the weekend and as my day job is rather hectic, combined with an L5 slipped disc, will restrict what I could do physically to help out. I would rather divide the refurbishment jobs into those which are like A) ‘destruction’ or just ripping things out. Versus those which need B) re-construction or as you mentioned, the finishes. I would also divide the available tradesmen into A) Those with no reviews, who can start work at a short notice and are cheaper and B) Those who are expensive, have a web presence/reviews and would take 1-2 months to start a job Using your timeline which you gave me in August, I would list the jobs in the following chronological order Jobs A) to be done by a builder who has no reviews and can be available at a short notice 1) Strip out the house. I would strip out carpets, skirting boards, wall cladding, partition by the stairs, kitchen, unwanted curtains, internal doors and architrave, the fire hearth, I will need a gas engineer too to disconnect the fire and hob. 2)-- Dispose of all the stuff, using 6/7 skips. 3)General builder to take down the wall between the dining room and kitchen. As it’s a non-weight wearing wall, I would persist with my cheaper builder A? 4) My dining room and kitchen ceilings will probably come down at this stage?? Again, persist with my cheaper builder A?. 5) heating engineer and electrician to start rewiring and central heating. —I have shortlisted a couple of electricians, who have excellent reviews and could start work in 2-4 weeks. 6)Consider TV/broadband/alarm at this time for a tidier result—Will have to contact Sky 7) replacement windows and internal doors, will give this to the established builder B- Hopefully by this time, it will be like 4 weeks down the line and he should be available to start work 8) external repairs such as roof tiles and gutters- Again builder B. 9)/ additional insulation to the loft- Builder B 10/ plaster boarding where necessary, coving, plastering. - ** Here I have a query, do I give this job to the good builder? Or try and outsource it to another plasterer? Is plastering more difficult or important than painting? 12/electrician - ceiling lights, second fix sockets. 13/ joiner- new doors, architrave, bannisters, skirtings. If wood floor skirting to be fitted after. 14/ decorator - emulsion ceilings and walls, woodwork primed and finished with eggshell, external decorating as necessary. My tradesmen would do this 15/ floors fitted, radiators hung 16/ kitchen installation Plan to get the raw materials/ design from Wren and then get an independent kitchen fitter to fit it. Unless the independent kitchen comes up with a better alternative. Have emailed a couple Builder B, or the established one, to do all the works as mentioned in the survey, plus the RSJ on the padstone and the conservatory, along with a new roof. I probably leave the plastering to him, including the doors, carpets and new floors Does this sound like a plan? to recap It would leave at least 20-30K worth of jobs to be done by the main builder B I could get some no- interest loan from Wren for their kitchen Use the builder A for stripping and ripping things out, Tradesmen such as electrician and heating to do individual jobs Any advise would be much appreciated Regards Mel ps regarding the conservatory roof, switching over from a glass to an all year round. Do I have to get building reg permission prior to starting work? How long does it usually take? Also, if the original roof is removed, would it not leave the building exposed to rain etc, until the new roof is installed?...See Morerinked
5 years agoChris Osullivan
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5 years agoChris Osullivan
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