Death House

[ambition]

haha these are great, the first epsiode with the electricity issues, either a sparks dream or a sparks nightmare!

As for the railings, they was just begging for injury!

 

[i_am_fubar]

Well, it was actually something to laugh about at the time as we were in a position to replace it all. But all the problems are starting to wear on us now.

Fubar.

 

[ambition]

yea can totally understand what you mean, nothing worse when you have a conveyor belt of problems that need sorting, doesnt matter how strong minded you are, it does get to you after a while!

 

[boxoftickytacky]

Wowsers...this is bad...good luck on your journey...you win though, thought my house was bad...!

 

[i_am_fubar]

Ok, I'm starting to feel the burn on this one. Halfway through the bathroom now and with winter setting in, the darker evenings, it's taking more energy than I can muster to attack it head on every day.

Anyone up for spreading a little positivity and motivation?

Fubar.

 

[SimonH2]

Anyone up for spreading a little positivity and motivation?

OK, you're not alone - far from alone
OK, few of us have that scale of problems to deal with, but just think what a nice place you'll have when it's done

Started out now on G/F's house. It really started one evening when I casually mentioned "you could do with some light shades" - to get the reply "well I've had a new fitting for 3 years but don't know how to fit it".

Bought some timber on Sat to start boarding the loft properly - then perhaps we can clear some of the clutter from what's now the spare bedroom since her eldest moved out (again) and do that up, then move in there while I knock a hole in the wall and turn the wasted space above the stairs into a wardrobe. Needs "not quite a complete rewire" - but it won't be far off by the time I've added sensible quantities of sockets and lights etc. And a homemade MVHR system to deal with the damp. And loads of cupboards to fill "nooks and crannies". And move the boiler to the loft to free space in the kitchen. And refit the kitchen. And the list goes on - I think I'll be busy for some time
At some point there's an extension on the cards, and I have in mind extending "under the garden" if that happens as there's no room for a "man shed" retreat otherwise

 

[i_am_fubar]

Oh, I know I'm not alone. I've read many other renovation diaries.

But, it's the little things that can really get to you, the things to do when you've finished renovating for the day. Checking finances, making lunch for the next day. Having to unblock the f****ng inspection chamber on the current property at 7:30 in the morning en route to work...etc

Wish you luck with your list. May it be stress free, come in on time and in budget...

Fubar.

 

[SimonH2]

May it be stress free, come in on time and in budget...

Not the slightest chance of that !

 

[aclifford]

I found many mistakes that I've done many years ago. Reminds me of the good old times : ) Newbies are welcome : )

 

[cherryb123]

Some beautiful photographs in this spread!

 

[mbga9pgf]

If it's any help, it's worth it when you get to,the end. Similar issues, house owned by two previous bodgers. Dodgy wiring, damp, no insulation, knackered and inefficient central heating... In a 4000 square foot property in which very room needed rewiring, replastering, re carpeting and redecorating.


The inside is nearly complete although there are still big big jobs in store... Our living room floor, in beautiful solid oak, was installed over a pile of rubble with no damp course, meaning at some stage in the next few years, the lot is going to rot through and collapse, meaning we are going to rot through and I'm going to have to rip up the lot, and put in a block and beam floor.

The garden in parts is currently a memorial to the Somme.

I still need to put active ventilation in though the house as the attic cold space is damp.

Think of it as a marathon and not as a race! Always try and keep one part of the house clean though as you will be miserable if every room you go into is filthy. We were lucky we have an annexe meaning we could decamp there when things got bad in the house.

 

[i_am_fubar]

Not moved in yet which helps. But we're attacking the bathroom, kitchen and master bedroom first. They will be our hold outs when doing the rest of the house when we are in.

And a marathon really doesn't cut the description... More like a Tough Mudder... for a year

 

[gg77]

Hang in there mate. All of my diy knowledge came from moving into a house where an old dear had lived for about 60 odd years and the only improvements were from her son covering problems up. whole place was re-wired, rising damp was sorted, lead water pipes removed, no heating etc. That was all before we even moved in. It doesn't even cover the stuff we found when we did, like the woodworm everywhere, the knackered plumbing meaning we had to shower with a jug in the bath for close to a month, the leaking chimney stack.

But now, after all that, we've got a house which is on it's way to looking half decent which we would never have been able to have if we'd bought it at full price. It's worth it in the end, even if I still don't have a bloody clue what I'm doing!

 

[SimonH2]

But now, after all that, we've got a house which is on it's way to looking half decent which we would never have been able to have if we'd bought it at full price.

Which is a good point.
If you can do a lot of the work yourself, and are prepared to invest your time and "lifestyle" (living in a building site for <some time>), then you can end up with a lot more property than you could have bought if you were paying through a higher purchase price for someone else to have done it all.

 

[Guitar_man]

Interesting read, keep up at it. Im in a similar position, recently taken on a project which turned out to be way bigger than i expected. Owned by bodgers, not maintained, water leaks everywhere, finally can just about see the end in sight, then i can start looking for another Keep the faith and good luck!