First-time house renovation

jimbugalee

oh wow, suiside ... he looks so gorgeous!!!! How exciting for you. Can't wait to hear how he settles in.

I am worried about a home check with rescue dogs. The house is pretty good now but still I found some gorgeous bulldog/sharpei puppies (around 5 months) which is younger than we wanted but from descriptions they have lovely temperaments. I am not really fussy on the type of dog but I do need it to get on with people and other dogs as we have lots of visitors. I am waiting a call from the rescue to see if we can rescue one of these pups. I'm actually a bit nervous because I don't think we're ready but I'm happy to talk it over with the rescue.

I'll ask Reza re the heating. wow 30 is pretty hot!! I think ours is only on about 25. You can't feel it being warm (prob because there's about 2 inches of tile adhesive underneath!) but you just don't notice the tiles being cold. It also drys off the floor lovely in the wet area Did you have it quite low at first and turn it up one degree a day?

TomsMom

Ahhhh, I've just fallen in love with Alfie! He's luverly!

You wouldn't like to swap him for my son's stupid manic Labradoodle would you? I'm sure a calm dog would be wonderful in their house instead of a nut mut!

suisidevw

jimbugalee wrote: »

oh wow, suiside ... he looks so gorgeous!!!! How exciting for you. Can't wait to hear how he settles in.

I am worried about a home check with rescue dogs. The house is pretty good now but still I found some gorgeous bulldog/sharpei puppies (around 5 months) which is younger than we wanted but from descriptions they have lovely temperaments. I am not really fussy on the type of dog but I do need it to get on with people and other dogs as we have lots of visitors. I am waiting a call from the rescue to see if we can rescue one of these pups. I'm actually a bit nervous because I don't think we're ready but I'm happy to talk it over with the rescue.

I'll ask Reza re the heating. wow 30 is pretty hot!! I think ours is only on about 25. You can't feel it being warm (prob because there's about 2 inches of tile adhesive underneath!) but you just don't notice the tiles being cold. It also drys off the floor lovely in the wet area Did you have it quite low at first and turn it up one degree a day?

Yes, it's really exciting so I'll obviously let you know when he arrives, he's black, brown and white!

Let me know what the rescue centre say!

Great, easy instructions for heating would be brilliant! 30 was just a start (first day with UFH yesterday) so know it should be much lower, it was flipping warm!

TomsMom wrote: »

Ahhhh, I've just fallen in love with Alfie! He's luverly!

You wouldn't like to swap him for my son's stupid manic Labradoodle would you? I'm sure a calm dog would be wonderful in their house instead of a nut mut!

no thanks TM! We were looking at a cockador but from reputable breeders they are bucks, then alfie came along for free, helping out friends family and got on really well with him. They have really kindly offered to take him back if he doesn't settle at our house etc so that's great, as the welfare of the dog is most important!

jimbugalee

Just don't put the UFH on too high at first suiside as you might crack the tiles (unlikely - but that's the advice)

kmmr

Here goes with an attempt at a blog. Please be gentle!
http://clearlybuilt.wordpress.com/

jimbugalee

Looks fab kmmr!! did you do the whole site yourself? I just use the blogger format!

I felt really bad last night re the doggy situation (sorry nothing to do with rennovation only that we'd have one if we were rennovating!). I spoke to the lady at the rescue and passed the telephone interview bit but then had massive second thoughts and we really wouldn't pass a home check so had to send an email to explain the situation in full and say it wouldn't be fair on the puppy. Haven't heard back - didn't want to waste anyone's time and feel really bad about it!

On a good note - I got a breadmaker on Freecycle so I'm just about to shop for ingredients on my online shop. Does anyone else have one?

Plans for this weekend are to clear out the dreaded tool room and remove the really annoying junk box on the landing. I hate that box!

jamtart6

doggy is so cute!!

roof and the dreaded lintel has been passed by the council today. was the original pain the backside inspector who found a few minor things with the roof but nothing too bad.

Grouted another six tiles whilst I waited for him.

Plasterer and plumber are coming tomorrow night to check out what to do with the downstairs. Electrician coming on Saturday to make a start...he's a friend so can only come limited times but saving a fortune so must be patient.

Tiling in bathroom nearly finished, so we can plumb that in this week.

Partition wall in extension going in this week too

Kitchen being delivered tomorrow (no idea where we'll put it, the house is bursting to the seams and the rooms have been emptied for the plasterer!).

All in all, some good progresss at Tart Towers

suisidevw

jimbugalee wrote: »

Just don't put the UFH on too high at first suiside as you might crack the tiles (unlikely - but that's the advice)

OK, had it on lower last night night but still not programmed as yet!

jimbugalee wrote: »

Looks fab kmmr!! did you do the whole site yourself? I just use the blogger format!

I felt really bad last night re the doggy situation (sorry nothing to do with rennovation only that we'd have one if we were rennovating!). I spoke to the lady at the rescue and passed the telephone interview bit but then had massive second thoughts and we really wouldn't pass a home check so had to send an email to explain the situation in full and say it wouldn't be fair on the puppy. Haven't heard back - didn't want to waste anyone's time and feel really bad about it!

On a good note - I got a breadmaker on Freecycle so I'm just about to shop for ingredients on my online shop. Does anyone else have one?

Plans for this weekend are to clear out the dreaded tool room and remove the really annoying junk box on the landing. I hate that box!

Sensible on the puppy if it wouldn't be fair on it. Possibly when you've finished renovating?

Lowris Mum gave us her panasonic breadmaker adn came with the instructions. I have homemade bread for lunch everyday, it's brilliant and the smell when I come down in the morning is amazing. What you will need for basic loaves. You will note that recipes mention using butter but a good glug of olive oil does the shop perfectly. My Mum told me to do this and have done ever since adn it's perfect.

• Strong white and brown flour
• Milk Powder
• Sugar
• Salt
• Yeast (get the individual packets)
• Olive Oil

jamtart6 wrote: »

doggy is so cute!!

roof and the dreaded lintel has been passed by the council today. was the original pain the backside inspector who found a few minor things with the roof but nothing too bad.

Grouted another six tiles whilst I waited for him.

Plasterer and plumber are coming tomorrow night to check out what to do with the downstairs. Electrician coming on Saturday to make a start...he's a friend so can only come limited times but saving a fortune so must be patient.

Tiling in bathroom nearly finished, so we can plumb that in this week.

Partition wall in extension going in this week too

Kitchen being delivered tomorrow (no idea where we'll put it, the house is bursting to the seams and the rooms have been emptied for the plasterer!).

All in all, some good progresss at Tart Towers

Great news that that stupid lintel's been passed JT, well done! Look forward to seeing pics!

I've been splitting logs galore to season for next Winter and broke my old axe handle (V old) and can't find shafts the same size! Going to pop into local DIy place at the weekend and hope for the best

latecomer

@suiside - he looks absolutely gorgeous. Well done for helping rehome him

@JT - great news on the lintel, must be a relief

We'd both love a dog (any kind as long as it was a decent size) but as we both work full time it just wouldn't be fair on the dog. Maybe in the future. Keep trying to get OHs mum to get another dog but FIL is against the idea as he doesn't want to clear up behind it. Still working on it though

Bit of an update on our little project. We've now got the younger brother running the site for the rest of the project as we had had enough of the older one and the constant arguments. Also seems that the older brother hasn't been telling the younger brother whats been going on or about the money thats been paid out already from the final stage for the roofers.

Our stairs should be finished today as the oak newel arrived this morning. Ballustrade wont be done until next week at the earliest as the rails and spindles have only just been ordered yesterday or should have been. Our windows upstairs are now sealed on the outside but they haven't finished the inside yet.

The electrics are complete for the loft and all wired into the consumer unit so we have working lights. They have started on the plastering upstairs too but still have lots of bits to get finished including the radiators and associated plumbing. We've also told them that the boiler has to be fully commisioned before they get payment for the final stage of upstairs as there is no reason for it not to be done. they are not happy about that but its non-negotiable due to all the other stuff thats been paid for and not yet completed.

I'll need to take some more pictures and some on the blog too as I know its been a long time since I last updated it.

suisidevw

Well done for being firm on the boiler. What's the ETA on that? I assume you're not living in the house now?

Lowri and I work full time but we'll put a kennel in the garden that's fenced in so he'll stay out there in the day time with his toys, and twice a week Lowri or I will take a long lunch (joys of flexi time) and take him for a walk and our friend is also happy to take him out at least a day a week! Keep on at the MIL. When we've dog sat in the past hte 'mess' has been fine. They may poo once or twice on a walk but that's it and the only other issue is malting but regular hoovering eliminates this!