Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

jwil

Glad you've managed to do some art and meet new people in the area.

Hope the roofing goes well, but eek to the new costs.

savingholmes

Hi Jwil - I checked with sis and a trade site with guide prices online - and decided what he'd quoted - while painful - was in line with what those sites were saying. He's agreed to add some of the highest priority repointing to the current job and round up this week's bill from £4.2K to £6K. He's going to repoint 2 apex triangles, the top row next to the fascia line at the front of the house, a few other bits that are particularly bad, a crack in the garage wall and sort out a window seal that's gone. He'd recommend getting the whole house repointed ideally - but said that would cost a fortune so at least what he's going to do will put me on for a bit. He's said he's been to relatively new houses that need repointing and 200 year old ones that didn't - it's all about the original build quality.

He showed me photos higher up the wall - and you can see there's no cement there at all really it's crumbled away. I suppose that's part of the penalty of the nice view - my house is also that bit more exposed. This house is stood slightly further forward that the rest for some reason which adds to the issue.

I met another neighbour which was nice - the one whose conservatory could overlook a tiny part of my house if they are ever in there. He seemed friendly. Everyone has been really nice so far. I think they are also grateful I'm getting rid of the eyesore of rotten fascias and collapsing guttering. All the other houses on my little row had already done that.

Apparently it was starlings in my eaves. They were rather disappointed to be blocked from returning. I feel sorry for them but will be very pleased if that noise of the moving around up there stops. 

Merlin's_Beard

Glad you're getting that roof sorted, even if the starlings aren't. Hopefully they and their droppings will find somewhere else to nest!

lucielle

Sounds like the builder is doing a good job. 

L

KajiKita

Sounds like you have found reliable and trustworthy builder - always a big win 😊
The starlings are always likely to be opinionated, but at least you will sleep better! I wonder how long they been going in and out if there and why the people before you hadn’t sorted it. 🤷‍♀️
Glad all the neighbour interactions have been positive - that makes a huge difference.

KK

jwil

Glad that you can get the worst of it done now.

SandyShores

Pleased to hear you are getting your roof and walls sorted, nice to be watertight and I'm sure the birds will find somewhere more suitable.  Its always never ending with property repairs isn't it, its like decluttering.  I think sometimes people don't keep on top of it and then they don't know where to begin so it becomes too much.  Sounds like you have come along to give that house the tlc it needs.  It will be lovely before you know it.

TallGirl

Really pleased the roof repair is going well there are always unexpected costs. You are meant to help this house along after the bodger before you. I had to do the same in my house everything was just at the end of its life or bodged badly. Not sure how people can live like that. As Sandy says maybe it just becomes too much or they are plain lazy.

EssexHebridean

So glad it's sinking in that you have all the time in the world to make your new house into your new home - and  make it you will. Best by miles to take a step back, live with what's not quite right now for a while though so you can work out what will be "just right" for you and the house. 

badmemory

TallGirl said:

Really pleased the roof repair is going well there are always unexpected costs. You are meant to help this house along after the bodger before you. I had to do the same in my house everything was just at the end of its life or bodged badly. Not sure how people can live like that. As Sandy says maybe it just becomes too much or they are plain lazy.

I think it is about it all being too much & not knowing where to start.  I sometimes wish someone would walk in & say this is what we are going to do so what flooring (or whatever) do you want.  Too much choice is not always a good thing.  I have always been a bit of a "whatever you think" sort of person but I don't have anyone to refer to anymore.  So basically my whole downstairs needs doing, upstairs was a lot easier, so I tend to go - all too much forget it, move on.  I have a nasty feeling it is a bit of an age thing too.