the daydream fund challenge thread

choille

If you have an existing shell then it shouldn't cost as much as a new build. I'd get the plans drawn up & put out for quotes but ask about for recommendations as it's not always the cheapest who is the least able & vice versa.

Ground source heat pump affair are very expensive systems to install.

If you have an unlimited budget then that's fine but the first thing to do is get ball park figures & then you'll know how much you can afford to do.

Don't scrimp on the insulation - over do that as it's cheap really to double it up - that way you need less heat.

Davesnave

rozeepozee wrote: »

I'm sure the architect said £700 to £1200 per m2 round here, depending on finish.

Any thoughts on economic fuel systems? We're hoping initial capital expenditure can be recouped over time with good insulation & low running costs. We've got a stream, plenty of trees & a bore hole for some kind of underground heat exchanger apparently costs about £3k round here...?

The costs sound right; as a ballpark figure I'd allow for £1k /m2.

In Wales, I think some firms specialise in ground source heat pumps where there's a stream of underground spring to extract the heat from, without the need to bury miles of pipework in soil.

EDIT: We've been here a couple of years and research has brought to light two builders we'd definitely consider, two more we'd check out further and about five that we wouldn't touch on cost or competence grounds. As choille says, expensive doesn't always = good. You're going to look at examples of work and that's the best thing you can do.

Itismehonest

You are going to be reaaallly busy, rozee

The plan sounds fine to me. I wouldn't worry too much about a static just yet - unless you come across one that's a real bargain. I'd hang on until you know that everything has gone OK with PP etc. Apart from anything else you don't want it just hanging around in bad weather.

I can't help with the most economical fuel systems, sorry. There's loads of new systems around with which I have no experience.
Try to find out how prone your area is to power cuts. That may have an effect on how you tackle some things. For instance, all the modern Agas & Rayburns need electricity to fire the jets so you'll either need a generator or, do like we did, convert the old solid fuel Rayburn to gravity fed oil.

One thing to consider (although Eric Pickles is meant to be announcing changes in the next couple of weeks & we have fingers crossed things will change) is that every annexe or cottage you have will be an additional Council Tax or Business Rate charge on top of the house itself.

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

You mustn't! Whoever it was is probably having a bad run-up to Christmas and just looking for someone to use as a verbal punch-bag....and along you come, your usual cheerful, exuberant self.....:(

Never mind, have a dodgy MSE virtual hug...:grouphug:

Hey, if it will cheer you up, I've just had the offer of a small part in the village panto!

I told the producer, "Well dear, if the truth be known, I've always had small parts, but I assure you, I know how to get the most from them!"

Thought I might as well get into character. :rotfl:


EDIT: Come to think of it, I don't know what my character is yet...:eek:.

Could be worse, Dave. Could be walk on parts. Ouch :eek: :rotfl:

alfie_1

rozeepozee wrote: »

Am lying in bed half ecstatic half petrified about what we've taken on! Think it's looking something like this: take down as many internal Walls on ground floor as poss to remodel with (wishlist) open plan lounge diner to take advantage of sun & sea/country views; utility; playroom/spare bedroom; office; downstairs loo/shower room. There are high ceilings so new flooring with underfloor heating laid on top of old floor. Upstairs is already boarded out so new dormers front and back to increase head height and if poss 3 beds & 2 baths up there. Convert garage & offshot utility room to rear into 2 bed granny annexe by knocking down utility room and extending up into lofts of garage.

First step is to get architect to draw current plan of house & have a play with interior layout before submitting outline plans. We thought we'd get individual contractors in for each job but think with such young kids andno childcare or extended family to help us out with them, it'd be unrealistic & take too long so I think we'll go the main contractor on a fixed price at least for the bulk of the main build. Next week we'll decide on architect and go and see some of the works of the two builders we've been recommended. Once we have PP we'll get detailed plans drawn up then get three builders to tender for the work. Does this sound like the right way to go about it?

We have to be out of our rental property by the end of May. It'd be ideal if we at least had the shell sorted by then.... I'm not sure about moving into a building site with 3 kids!!! Maybe a static is the way to go if we've made less progress than we'd like by then.

Loving the advice folks. Please keep it coming xxx

ROZEE... albeit weathers not brill you have the advantage that most people do all this in the "summer" months and you are providing work for ,as most builders will admit" the "quiet period",thus you have an advantage and to be honest iv seen a total refurb,internall and external build finished in 3 months, obviousley this is when ALL the plans required are in place right down to fixtures and fittings. things can change as it goes along, but as long as its not ie...putting a bathroom opposite end to 1st plan !! then the schedule should be kept to. i recomend when you have quotes, include times expected completion and then add a clause stating renumeration for each day/week it goes over... this keeps builders on thier toes ...and is discretionary on your part wether you deduct over run off final bill. be carefull of what you pay in advance, as suggested if you can source white goods etc in advance [dont leave to last minute ] then its no excuse "oh cant do ought till the sink arrives missus !"
purely my advice from viewing and seeing my friends many house refurbs.. her team of builders are father and 2 sons. they out source elec/plumb to people they KNOW are good. maybe similar family co with good references near you. they have thier standing in the community to think of and usually are very trustworthy.

rozeepozee

choille wrote: »

If you have an existing shell then it shouldn't cost as much as a new build. I'd get the plans drawn up & put out for quotes but ask about for recommendations as it's not always the cheapest who is the least able & vice versa.

Ground source heat pump affair are very expensive systems to install.

If you have an unlimited budget then that's fine but the first thing to do is get ball park figures & then you'll know how much you can afford to do.

Don't scrimp on the insulation - over do that as it's cheap really to double it up - that way you need less heat.

An unlimited budget - that would be nice What's clear is we won't have enough to do everything immediately so it's gonna have to be a phased thing, do a big chunk (all exterior and structural) then wait a few months to refill coffers & so on... We don't spend our money on much, so what there is will be ploughed into refurb.

Agreed on the insulation thing.

I'm excited again now. 2012 is gonna be one helluva year!

alfie_1

Davesnave wrote: »

You mustn't! Whoever it was is probably having a bad run-up to Christmas and just looking for someone to use as a verbal punch-bag....and along you come, your usual cheerful, exuberant self.....:(

Never mind, have a dodgy MSE virtual hug...:grouphug:

Hey, if it will cheer you up, I've just had the offer of a small part in the village panto!

I told the producer, "Well dear, if the truth be known, I've always had small parts, but I assure you, I know how to get the most from them!"

Thought I might as well get into character. :rotfl:

EDIT: Come to think of it, I don't know what my character is yet...:eek:.

dame dave :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

:kisses3: thankyou....:)

alfie_1

Itismehonest wrote: »

You are going to be reaaallly busy, rozee

The plan sounds fine to me. I wouldn't worry too much about a static just yet - unless you come across one that's a real bargain. I'd hang on until you know that everything has gone OK with PP etc. Apart from anything else you don't want it just hanging around in bad weather.

I can't help with the most economical fuel systems, sorry. There's loads of new systems around with which I have no experience.
Try to find out how prone your area is to power cuts. That may have an effect on how you tackle some things. For instance, all the modern Agas & Rayburns need electricity to fire the jets so you'll either need a generator or, do like we did, convert the old solid fuel Rayburn to gravity fed oil.

One thing to consider (although Eric Pickles is meant to be announcing changes in the next couple of weeks & we have fingers crossed things will change) is that every annexe or cottage you have will be an additional Council Tax or Business Rate charge on top of the house itself.

not sure if still applies but i got round that loophole re tax on annexes[2000] by having a connecting INTERNALL DOOR from the main house[as well as external door] therefore it could be acsessed at any time ...just a guest "wing". same electrics, no seperate utility bills...[that is what does for most people, they keep it seperate if holiday letting =seperate dwelling.=£s tax]

Itismehonest

Not round here, alfie. Long story so PMd.

rozeepozee

alfie_1 wrote: »

not sure if still applies but i got round that loophole re tax on annexes[2000] by having a connecting INTERNALL DOOR from the main house[as well as external door] therefore it could be acsessed at any time ...just a guest "wing". same electrics, no seperate utility bills...[that is what does for most people, they keep it seperate if holiday letting =seperate dwelling.=£s tax]

Good idea. I'll look into it. We would like to let it out if possible but I can't imagine it being for many weeks of the year. I can't see the point in separating out the electrics etc. It's not as though we'd bill the paying guests for electricity. The main intention of this living area would be for family and friends to stay and also, in the longer term, our parents on a more permanent basis, but it's not really a separate unit in that sense.