Hi all I have a bit of a renovation project on my hands that I thought I would share.
The background is my wife and I bought a house in a place called Cyprus Avenue in Belfast (yep the one that Van Morrison sang about). The house dates back to 1880 and it feels like quite a lot of things have not really changed since then. The last major works (the addition of the garage) took place in 1960 and I think it is fair to say that virtually no modifications or maintenance has taken place since then.
Whilst it was always very clear there was a lot of work required to be done to the house the structure is reasonably sound and it has huge potential to be a fantastic family home. The list below is the works that we have undertaken so far or are in the process of doing (by we I mean me and my builder, well my builder really!!!):
- New roof
- Full re-wire
- New gas boiler install and all new rads throughout the house.
- Complete re-plumb
- Reconfiguration of 1st floor return including installation of an ensuite and new entrance and configuration of the guest bedroom.
- New configuration and extension of the main bathroom.
- New bathroom suites in the main bathroom and ensuite.
- Removal of the shower/bathroom downstairs
- Installation of a new downstairs bathroom in the existing cloakroom
- Reconfiguration of the exisiting morning room, downstairs bathroom and kitchen to create a large open plan kitchen/dining area.
- Reconditioning and decoration of existing sash windows.
- Installation of a new sash window in the kitchen
- Major damp works including treatment for penetrating and rising damp.
- Treatment for beetle infestation and wood worm.
- Treatment of all timbers to tackle dry rot.
- Digging out a 2ft depth of the solid floor in the ground floor return to remove the damp, seal, screed and latex a new floor.
- Replaster in most rooms of the house.
- New tall skirting boards throughout the downstairs rooms.
- New ceilings in at least 4 rooms of the house.
- Removal of 4 fireplaces in 4 of the bedrooms.
- Reconditioning and fixing of existing cornicing as a result of works.
- Reconditioning of the traditional porch including re-glaze & replacement of rotten timbers.
- New guttering.
- Taking the front of the house back to brick at 1st floor level to deal with water ingress above the window bays and replacement of all rotten window lintels.
- Replacement of top of sash boxes due to dry rot.
- Full lime mortar repointing.
I hope before Christmas to complete the following:
- Complete the kitchen area.
- Install a new handmade kitchen.
- Fit out the pantry off the kitchen.
- Change the back door and side door of the property.
- Install a new engineered oak floor in the kitchen and a solid wood floor in the hallway.
- Decorate the windows and all external woodwork.
Longer term I plan to do the following:
- Install a roof terrace over the garage.
- Landscape the garden and driveway area.
- Change the boundry wall and the gates.
That pretty much covers it!!!!
Have to say my head is a bit frazzled trying to make all the decisions needed, keep on top of the finishes and make sure the detailing is good. Whilst I knew it was going to take a hell of a lot of time I have probably somewhat underestimated the sheer time and effort it is taking me to ensure that everything is perfect.
//www.diynot.com/network/user_album_update.php?album_id=9470
The background is my wife and I bought a house in a place called Cyprus Avenue in Belfast (yep the one that Van Morrison sang about). The house dates back to 1880 and it feels like quite a lot of things have not really changed since then. The last major works (the addition of the garage) took place in 1960 and I think it is fair to say that virtually no modifications or maintenance has taken place since then.
Whilst it was always very clear there was a lot of work required to be done to the house the structure is reasonably sound and it has huge potential to be a fantastic family home. The list below is the works that we have undertaken so far or are in the process of doing (by we I mean me and my builder, well my builder really!!!):
- New roof
- Full re-wire
- New gas boiler install and all new rads throughout the house.
- Complete re-plumb
- Reconfiguration of 1st floor return including installation of an ensuite and new entrance and configuration of the guest bedroom.
- New configuration and extension of the main bathroom.
- New bathroom suites in the main bathroom and ensuite.
- Removal of the shower/bathroom downstairs
- Installation of a new downstairs bathroom in the existing cloakroom
- Reconfiguration of the exisiting morning room, downstairs bathroom and kitchen to create a large open plan kitchen/dining area.
- Reconditioning and decoration of existing sash windows.
- Installation of a new sash window in the kitchen
- Major damp works including treatment for penetrating and rising damp.
- Treatment for beetle infestation and wood worm.
- Treatment of all timbers to tackle dry rot.
- Digging out a 2ft depth of the solid floor in the ground floor return to remove the damp, seal, screed and latex a new floor.
- Replaster in most rooms of the house.
- New tall skirting boards throughout the downstairs rooms.
- New ceilings in at least 4 rooms of the house.
- Removal of 4 fireplaces in 4 of the bedrooms.
- Reconditioning and fixing of existing cornicing as a result of works.
- Reconditioning of the traditional porch including re-glaze & replacement of rotten timbers.
- New guttering.
- Taking the front of the house back to brick at 1st floor level to deal with water ingress above the window bays and replacement of all rotten window lintels.
- Replacement of top of sash boxes due to dry rot.
- Full lime mortar repointing.
I hope before Christmas to complete the following:
- Complete the kitchen area.
- Install a new handmade kitchen.
- Fit out the pantry off the kitchen.
- Change the back door and side door of the property.
- Install a new engineered oak floor in the kitchen and a solid wood floor in the hallway.
- Decorate the windows and all external woodwork.
Longer term I plan to do the following:
- Install a roof terrace over the garage.
- Landscape the garden and driveway area.
- Change the boundry wall and the gates.
That pretty much covers it!!!!
Have to say my head is a bit frazzled trying to make all the decisions needed, keep on top of the finishes and make sure the detailing is good. Whilst I knew it was going to take a hell of a lot of time I have probably somewhat underestimated the sheer time and effort it is taking me to ensure that everything is perfect.
//www.diynot.com/network/user_album_update.php?album_id=9470
