The Doozer Family Self Build

robatwork

Well at least we know now why you're called Doozergirl.

Following with interest - good luck!

Davesnave

Doozergirl wrote: »

I'm more than happy to share with other stories! Carry on

OK , but before I post more I'd better explain that we weren't captivated by a crummy 70s bungalow that had been messed-about. We were after the 5.5 acres of south facing land and the 60'x28' barn that came with it.The site had been untouched for 3 years and it was chest high in weeds, but we could see some potential.


We thought, 'We can fix the land, and how hard can it be to alter a bungalow, even if the owners have tried to turn it into a cross passage house?' They'd constructed east-west and north-south corridors that met in the middle! :huh::(:rotfl:

The flat roof on the front was the least of our worries. Altering the bungalow became trickier than we imagined and the projected cost using a local builder was more £ than we had, so we ended up labouring for the semi-retired tradesman who agreed to help us. To achieve good room sizes and a design that worked, we had to demolish and relocate many interior walls. We decided to re-wire, re-plumb and replace the woodwork. Even the Aga was eBayed.
So here we are, soon to start removing that flat roof, but also looking forward to losing the hideous boxed-in support beam:


(PS. I am not the bald chap!)


Down came the ceiling.....only to find..... another ceiling!



Eventually, we got the beam out, replacing it with acrow props etc



That'll do for now. Hope it's not too many.

BananaRepublic

Doozergirl wrote: »

Blimey, thanks! My mind is blown.

Mines in fragments too. I’m seriously impressed when people do what you are doing. Hope it goes well. Glad someone posted photos as I don’t understand the instagram. Now if it was powered by valves ...

Doozergirl

Davesnave wrote: »

OK , but before I post more I'd better explain that we weren't captivated by a crummy 70s bungalow that had been messed-about. We were after the 5.5 acres of south facing land and the 60'x28' barn that came with it.The site had been untouched for 3 years and it was chest high in weeds, but we could see some potential.


We thought, 'We can fix the land, and how hard can it be to alter a bungalow, even if the owners have tried to turn it into a cross passage house?' They'd constructed east-west and north-south corridors that met in the middle! :huh::(:rotfl:

The flat roof on the front was the least of our worries. Altering the bungalow became trickier than we imagined and the projected cost using a local builder was more £ than we had, so we ended up labouring for the semi-retired tradesman who agreed to help us. To achieve good room sizes and a design that worked, we had to demolish and relocate many interior walls. We decided to re-wire, re-plumb and replace the woodwork. Even the Aga was eBayed.
So here we are, soon to start removing that flat roof, but also looking forward to losing the hideous boxed-in support beam:


(PS. I am not the bald chap!)


Down came the ceiling.....only to find..... another ceiling!



Eventually, we got the beam out, replacing it with acrow props etc



That'll do for now. Hope it's not too many.

Not too many. We haven't seen what happens yet

That was a huge box beam to hold a pretty small roof! I always tell people that they won't notice the steel as much as they think they will, but that one!

Doozergirl

robatwork wrote: »

Well at least we know now why you're called Doozergirl.

Following with interest - good luck!

Well spotted.

markin2

I know it was going up fast but did you finish it and forget to post finished photos?

FreeBear

No updates since December 3rd. They are either on an extended holiday, still recovering from the seasonal festivities, or just plain forgot to take any more photos.
Been too mild to claim work has been halted by snow :rotfl:

babyblade41

I'm loving these refurb projects ..

Doozergirl

We ran out of money!!

Our habitable house went on the market in September and we accepted an offer on Wednesday this week, so we'll see how that goes!

Also, when this forum updates next week, I should be able to upload photos much more easily and so I will definitely pick it up again and give you a tour of the present state of play!

It looks like a near perfect house from the outside. Inside, not so much!!

babyblade41

Doozergirl wrote: »

We ran out of money!!

Our habitable house went on the market in September and we accepted an offer on Wednesday this week, so we'll see how that goes!

Also, when this forum updates next week, I should be able to upload photos much more easily and so I will definitely pick it up again and give you a tour of the present state of play!

It looks like a near perfect house from the outside. Inside, not so much!!

Brave soul ..I did have a new build but not self build... we had a builder do it for us so not the sacrifice you are making , so cheating really .

Can't wait to see more pics of yours and others... I think you had some on instagram but I don't use it .

Yes the upload function better be good and not from an image hosting site...such a pain to upload