First-time house renovation

TomsMom

While we were out yesterday, we picked up the lights that have been on order.

This is for the bathroom. The room doesn't have a lot of natural light despite two small windows, one of which looks out to the side wall of next door and the other onto the lane which doesn't get any sunlight. We're hoping the mirrored plate will make a difference.

These are the wall lights for the lounge. Only one had been delivered to the shop, the other three are being delivered to us today or tomorrow as there was some delay with the supplier.

This is the pendant light to go above the table in the dining area.

We also got lights for the en-suite and the downstairs WC.

Needless to say we printed off the best internet prices and took them with us to a bricks and mortar shop who managed to beat the prices. We're getting good at that .

The builders made good progress while we were out so OH will take some photos later and I'll update the blog then.

We also had the bathroom fans delivered, had good service from this site as they were despatched the day we ordered and delivered next day.

It's getting quite exciting now that we've started buying things that will turn the house into a proper home.

11thcommandment

latecomer wrote: »

Thats a great job you've done there Andy

Nothing much doing here although we are continuing to plan our bathroom. Current thoughts are for travertine on the floor and then ceramic tiles on the walls. We are going to do it over the long weekend in April. But that leaves us a fairly large dilemma. If we tile the floor then we cant walk on it until the adhesive sets. And as we only have the one bathroom we lose all facilities which isn't something I'm overly comfortable with.

Anyone know how long it takes floor tile adhesive to set?

My thoughts were to remove the existing floor covering and all tiles round the bath (to prevent potential damage to new floor if we do it afterwards). remove sink and pedestal and toilet. then put down plywood onto the existing boards, making sure they are firmly fixed first. Reinstall toilet pan onto waste pipe which gets us back in business.

then its a matter of laying the floor tiles in such a way as to leave access to the toilet which is at the back of the room. If the adhesive dries quickly then I guess just laying the tiles before bed would make the most sense although part of me thinks doing it in 2 parts to retain access to the toilet would be a good plan.

I'm sure lots of folks must do this so there must be an easier way which I'm missing. All input welcome

The adhesive query, I used Granfix rapid/flexible/waterproof (about £19 per 20kg) and it set quick, you get about 30mins pot life and can walk on it/grout after about 2 hours.

Also:-

You said you like Travertine but the cost versus risk of getting cr#p products is difficult to accept earlier in this thread. I had the same issue last year but found that one of the places I had short listed was based a few miles away so went to have an inspection of their stone (approx £18-20 sqM).

My only reference was travertine we had previously bought from Tops Tiles (£11 per 600x400 tile). The Tops product was rubbish by comparison, loads of filler and lots of big voids in the back of the tiles!

Anyway - I have two top tips for you, they are both small organisations and you usually deal with the owner, I have bought from both and can thoroughly recommend the quality.
I can send you a pic of the work in progress if you are interested, I'm using it for floor and walls.

http://www.stonesalesuk.com/contact.php got my travertine from here + adhesive etc.
and
http://www.stonestoreuk.com/ got my mosaics from here (after the travertine) but saw their travertine and it is excellent.


Cheers!

latecomer

That would be great if you could send a picture, I'll PM you my email address (or you could just post the picture on here if you want). I'm nervous about ordering travertine online after seeing the stuff that our friends got which I didn't like at all. Although to be fair it was dark and late so perhaps I'm being unfair on the quality.

latecomer

TomsMom wrote: »

I'll probably speak to my son tonight so I can ask him what he advises his customers to do if they only have the one bathroom. I'm going out and wont be back until near 10pm so I can't promise a quick answer.

that would be great. A bucket will be kept nearby regardless of the way we do it just to be safe

Shimmyhill

latecomer wrote: »

If its alot cheaper than expected surely its a good thing? I'd go ahead with it when you are ready

The price is indeed a good thing, we were only really pricing up but it is so cheap due to economic climate (they say anyway) and they are taking on work at just over costs to keep the fitters employed.

They are a family business but quite big around here, no hard sell and a good product - now the decision is should we bring the windows forward and take advantage of the price or pay more (potentially) in the future !!!

Of course we will line up a few more quotes !

TomsMom

Shimmyhill wrote: »

now the decision is should we bring the windows forward and take advantage of the price or pay more (potentially) in the future !!!

I vote bring the windows forward

TomsMom

:T Got a gesture of goodwill from Wickes.

The whole order came to over £1000 with the 11 doors being most of that, the tiles amounted to £148. OH asked for 20% refund on the whole order. No go. They offered 10%. OH asked to meet halfway. No go. They offered £100. OH said make it £120. They came back offering £110 so we settled on that. So the tiles actually cost us £38 in the end. Fair play Wickes. And it hasn't put us off using them again, it was an unfortunate incident but we're sure it doesn't happen often.

Just updated the blog.

Latecomer I'm just off to ring my son. If he's home I'll pop back with an answer, otherwise it will be later on tonight.

jamtart6

well done, I think that these goodwill gestures are super £38 for all your tiles and the correct ones at that! well done! your home is coming along beautifully too

TomsMom

Okey Dokey Latecomer This is what my son suggests.

If your floor is concrete - prime with Bal Prime APD diluted 50/50. Do not PVA. Then use Rapid Set adhesive. Can walk on it in 3-5 hours.

If your floor is wood - fix ply, prime with Bal Prime APD neat. Use a flexible adhesive (don't go for a cheapy, you get what you pay for). Can walk on it in 4-6 hours. Again, do not use PVA.

As far as being without a toilet for a while - same suggestion as me i.e. bucket or if it's in the daytime maybe your neighbours would let you use theirs.

Hope that helps. Must dash.

latecomer

thanks TM.

Wooden floor so need to use ply etc. Mind you need to get bathroom, tiles and taps ordered before having to worry about fitting them