Daydream thread continues.....

rozeepozee

What a pain about your boiler LIR. Hope it's sorted out! I await your update.

I've heard quite a few people say that it'd be cheaper to knock our place down rather than make the planned amendments. It is galling to think that we're spending about what you could build two new build semis for on simply extending, but it wouldn't be cheaper to demolish and, in a way, I'm very glad about that. The house is very well proportioned and they don't build 'em like this anymore. The previous owner built it himself and it is solid.

Like you, Dave, we may be able to stage the renovations if we can't afford it all in one go, although it would be so nice to think that we could get the builders in and they'd do most of it and not have to come back in a few years to add another extension. I'd rather have the shell, a heating system and very limited fittings then we can finish off one room at a time. that would be my ideal. We'll see...

It sounds like you know which builders to go for, Dave. That seems to be half the battle. With us only being here a year, we're relying a lot on our architect for recommendations, though he has no doubt recommended the ones he is used to working with, who might not necessarily the best. He said they've never caused him any complaint....Certainly the name which consistently comes up when talking to villagers who have used local builders as being highly recommended isn't on our architect's list.

Next step, the tender process....

lostinrates

Rozee.....can you see examples of the local recommendations work? The very most popular guy round here ....everyone loves him...we looked at his work with a critical eye and didn't like it. Plus...he tried to tell me what we wanted......not listen to the architect, to whom we had made our wants quite clear.

What I do know is you don't get everything you want. For us doing it a bit at a time is the only way. The good side of this is that once this phase is finished we can sequestrate our selves in there when we can afford the next phase in some years time, keeping work site and living site separate.

rozeepozee

LIR, the advice from our architect is to visit a list of ten builders on one of their sites (because we're not necessarily going to tender to them, so we don't false expectations, plus we'll get a vibe for how they work), decide if you can work with them, see some of their work and speak to their customers and then shortlist three to tender to.

I'm drawing up the List of Ten next, having canvassed over the past year real people who have used some of these builders. Next step is to get on the phone... We're also deciding whether to get the Architect to help us with the tendering process and how far down that road do we go...

lostinrates

When our architect has really helped is now.

Tbh, I think I could have handled the tendering. Things got more complicated when an MSE chum bid and won and I knew then I would be taking a very back seat....a difficult place for me to sit!

But now, that things with the boiler are proving problematic and I hopped into the driver seat for long enough to put the sh1ts up the heating engineer the architect has been invaluable in talking us both down, being less relaxed than me about deadlines, and being a not all the time on site person able to lay down the law.

I some times, (ok lots of the time) lack diplomacy and it's pretty hard to have gravitas while shivering and in your pjs with your unwashed hair looking like a mouses busby. I am always prepared to do it, but sometimes.....sometimes it's not my kind of shrewish drive people need. Or rather.....in combination with the architect its worked well.

Someone a stage removed can be a lubricant to keep things moving when between the two parties on site it's grating.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

ok I need help, as I am trying to find out what something is called...

does anyone know what they call a prist's posh long scarf thing that they put on with their robes etc... and are the embroidered stars etc on the ends mean something? as you can see I am not a religous person, so I dont know even what religion they are... will try and dig them out and take some pics, was thinking of putting them on the bay

lostinrates

Ctc,

The one you describe can just be a stole. There are other bits that look similar though....but cannot remember the names.

Itismehonest

Yes, they're stoles. The symbols have significance but I think the colour may be more important as that usually dictates when it's worn.

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

Seriously, wouldn't it be cheaper to pull it all down & start again, Dave? Trying to work around existing buildings is always harder than starting from scratch

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Have to say that occurred to me too IMH!

No it wouldn't be cheaper, because we already have perfectly sound walls, roof, floors and windows. It would be possible to remove every internal wall without compromising the integrity of the structure, but retaining whatever we can will be most cost-effective. A lot of our design time has been on juggling to get the most from what's already here.

We can't avoid building on two new bits to compensate for demolishing 30m2 of rubbishy stuff tacked-on to a normal medium-sized bungalow. One of those 'bits' can perform different roles, depending on how much we need to compromise.

We have plenty of building expertise within the family, but it's 80 miles away, so not much practical help on site.

The architect did a good job sorting out the bedroom space, but he didn't really appreciate the difference between our needs and those of more 'normal' clients. Being fair, he also didn't have time to study and question the plan in minute detail, like we did.

In the end, there's no substitute for doing the donkey work yourself, but having the architect there to say, "No that won't be acceptable, because....." or "Yes, that could meet the regs if you....." etc.

And we do realise that we're a pain in the butt....but if it works out....:rotfl:

Davesnave

rozeepozee wrote: »

It sounds like you know which builders to go for, Dave. That seems to be half the battle. With us only being here a year, we're relying a lot on our architect for recommendations, though he has no doubt recommended the ones he is used to working with, who might not necessarily the best. He said they've never caused him any complaint....Certainly the name which consistently comes up when talking to villagers who have used local builders as being highly recommended isn't on our architect's list.

There are a few builders whom we know are OK, but we found one by literally knocking on a door to find out who did a refurb. In turn, that led us to our architect, so we did it t'other way round.

The house we liked the look of went up for sale this year* and sold in a matter of weeks for more money than I thought it was worth! Someone else must've approved too.

*They had a garage sale and DW was delighted with the pile of spanners she bought me. They were all old Imperial sizes! :mad::rotfl:

COOLTRIKERCHICK

ooo thanks...

I allways thought stoles were:cool::cool::cool::D

seriously I allways thought they were fur capes