RenovationMan's 50% Equity Challenge!!

fraser

that makes sense to me, i have a first direct offset mortgage which is an interest only product but we set the monthly figure at the repayment figure to pay back over 25 years

my rationale with that is to overpay like crazy into the offset but always have access to the capital, if times are hard then the i/o option is there as a back up

thanks for the detailed reply - some quite close similarities with our aims it seems :beer:

michaels

Hey really interested in this - put in a heat web system in my old house then I converted the loft - was custom done as the tank had to go on its side in the eves so DPS just supplied the tank, valves and heat exchanger and my dad and I plumbed the rest (which all went well except the tank started leaking after a week - they had foamed over one of the bosses and only the insulation was holding the water in...

I am now going to have my new house extended which will then have 3 bathrooms, a downstairs shower room, utility and kitchen and was thinking one of these might be the best way to provide the required rate and volume of hot water - my only concern is that I am not sure the mains is up to supplying the volume required so I may have to go for some sort of storage tank solution instead. Also in term sof adding a solar component (I don't think a heat pump is an option) the current feed in tariff arrangement seems to mean that photovoltaics are much more cost effective than solar water heating.

Please keep us posted on how yours works out.

michaels

With mine 'on the side' for the flows and returns they had inserted pipes with holes drilled along the length at the appropriate 'heights' on the end of the tank so that the circulation of the water in the various circuits did not mix the water in the tank (as little as possible) plus some thermal mixer valves so that water was drawn off at the appropriate level for each circuit (eg correct rad temp, max boiler efficiency etc). Jsut ran there calc tool and it suggested that 350l would be plenty but I may have a problem with my mains water pressure - need to check it tonight. House will have new roof plus a lot of new walls and new boiler so hopefully with cavity insullation of remaining existing walls u should be fairly good. MY parents house in Devon is stone built and impossible to keep warm it seems despite the milder climate there.

fraser

looks interesting, our next home will need a total new system fitting plus rads etc

the wife would love it if the new system was a eco friendly as poss but economics of it will be important too - what sort of ballpark cost are these?

paula2678

Hi RM,

Looking for tips and advice, first I'd definately get your wife signed up for a evening class in soft furnishings, which might be difficult if you are located in the country side. You have probably already thought about this, but if design your granny annex with disabled access, with widen doors and ground floor bedroom and walkin shower room. This could save you money in the long run and on the plus side you'll have it for your own retirement unless your parents out live you. Be careful with the chainsaw, insurance would possible be a good idea.

I dont envy your position, but great pictures and good luck.

SkintGypsy

Sounds like you are going great guns with the renovation! How are you funding the new kitchen? Sounds like a necessary expense; hope you haggled hard!

Batchy

Hi RM,

Glad its all going well.

My rennovations hit a wall, when we broke the central heating after draining it, and trying to refil it back up with the sludge remover to run for a couple of days. Still got there in the end and got it repaired for £20 by friends who are pro's.

However, my chief helper is a joiner who is my sisters bf who is out of work... unfortunately (for me regarding help) she (my sister) has now had a baby (yeyy, little boy) so he (sisters bf) is chief helper there now (to be expected)!

Still waiting for flat roof to be finished over garage as weather was bad, and roofer was ill, but he has promised to come back and fit a couple of ridge tiles back on in due course but all done for 450, bargain (friends rate again)!

Over xmas I hope to get rads off, paint behind, put new rads on get it plumbed, and fit a new bathroom, and new cloakroom out! As well as plaster new ceilings, new fireplaces ready for contemporary hang on wall fire. And replace all sockets lights etc.

Then crack on with the new kitchen and flooring following all that.

Its never ending but im seeing a light at the end of the tunnel now. And two months of grafting should pay dividends and we should be there or thereabouts at end of Feb!

Stick with it, you have major works by comparison. but it will be worth it by the end.

Im loving watchin my mortgage go down each month, but understand the flexibility the interest only gives, I was going to take that option, but decided against it, else there would be pressure to spend the savings from her indoors. One word... HOLIDAY. lol.

abouttimetoo

Hi RM

How you doing? I hope you managed to take a break from the work in the house over the christmas?

Regards
ATT

abouttimetoo

lol, good for you, the rest will have done you good! Re the roof on Monday, I can't remember which part of the country you are in but I'm in the north and we've had snow again yesterday and today so I hope your roof men aren't troubled by the weather

fraser

hope all is going well!

curious to know what type of rockwool you used? just about to prise up all my upstairs floor boards room by room to try and deaden noise

rockwool flexi or soundpro?

thanks