Hi folks
I'm new to this kind of thing, so here goes. My wife and I have been living in a Victorian terrace for about 2 years now. It was 'modernised' in the 80s and 90s, which means it has been thoroughly de-charmed and de-charactered. We are finally getting our act together to restore some of its charm and character, while not wanting to go overboard with an 'authentic' restoration.
We are starting with the two downstairs living rooms and want to make sure we're getting the sequence right with our planning. This is what we have in mind:
1. Strip wallpaper in both rooms (done, finally)
2. Get someone to come in and assess the damp (some small damp patches on the walls near the floor - house has some history of damp and work done in the 90s is still under warranty)
3. Get in corgi-registered plumber to i) remove gas-effect heater in front room and ii) disconnect and remove central heating radiators in both rooms (temporarily). We are hoping to permanently move one of the radiators in the rear room as it currently blocks the fireplace, but will have to see how feasible this is (pipework, connections etc.)
4. Get in an electrician to check electrics and temporarily remove sconce lights and horrid ceiling fan/light in rear room. We also need to have an up-to-date consumer unit installed. House was totally rewired 20 years ago so hoping not to have too many problems, but want to check before re-plastering.
5. Knock in both chimney breasts and get in a chimney specialist to assess workability of chimneys
6. Get fireplace inserts, mantles and hearths put in - either ornamental or working depending on outcome of 5.
7. Get plasterer in to re-skim walls (lots of blown skim following wallpaper removal, but lower plaster layer is all fine) and cover/skim artex ceiling (shudder) in front room. Also to install a ceiling rose in the front room
8. Get plumber back in to re-fit (new) radiators.
9. Remove old carpets and assess quality of boards in front room - if in good nick, consider filling the gaps (not tongue-in-groove, so would be draughty) and sanding; will have to carpet middle room as the floor is concrete. OR affix wooden floor boards over both rooms.
10. Paint walls ourselves (before the floor finish)
11. Finish floors (would sand boards before painting walls, though)
12. Commission new transom window above door and possibly replace door as well (front room opens directly out onto street)
13. Furnish, including new curtains
14. Enjoy the space...
That's the plan. Can anyone see any major flaws in it? Don't want to get the sequence wrong and have to go back a step or two at great expense.
We're hoping to get this done before winter sets in - say, by mid-October. Sound feasible...?
Many thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I'm new to this kind of thing, so here goes. My wife and I have been living in a Victorian terrace for about 2 years now. It was 'modernised' in the 80s and 90s, which means it has been thoroughly de-charmed and de-charactered. We are finally getting our act together to restore some of its charm and character, while not wanting to go overboard with an 'authentic' restoration.
We are starting with the two downstairs living rooms and want to make sure we're getting the sequence right with our planning. This is what we have in mind:
1. Strip wallpaper in both rooms (done, finally)
2. Get someone to come in and assess the damp (some small damp patches on the walls near the floor - house has some history of damp and work done in the 90s is still under warranty)
3. Get in corgi-registered plumber to i) remove gas-effect heater in front room and ii) disconnect and remove central heating radiators in both rooms (temporarily). We are hoping to permanently move one of the radiators in the rear room as it currently blocks the fireplace, but will have to see how feasible this is (pipework, connections etc.)
4. Get in an electrician to check electrics and temporarily remove sconce lights and horrid ceiling fan/light in rear room. We also need to have an up-to-date consumer unit installed. House was totally rewired 20 years ago so hoping not to have too many problems, but want to check before re-plastering.
5. Knock in both chimney breasts and get in a chimney specialist to assess workability of chimneys
6. Get fireplace inserts, mantles and hearths put in - either ornamental or working depending on outcome of 5.
7. Get plasterer in to re-skim walls (lots of blown skim following wallpaper removal, but lower plaster layer is all fine) and cover/skim artex ceiling (shudder) in front room. Also to install a ceiling rose in the front room
8. Get plumber back in to re-fit (new) radiators.
9. Remove old carpets and assess quality of boards in front room - if in good nick, consider filling the gaps (not tongue-in-groove, so would be draughty) and sanding; will have to carpet middle room as the floor is concrete. OR affix wooden floor boards over both rooms.
10. Paint walls ourselves (before the floor finish)
11. Finish floors (would sand boards before painting walls, though)
12. Commission new transom window above door and possibly replace door as well (front room opens directly out onto street)
13. Furnish, including new curtains
14. Enjoy the space...
That's the plan. Can anyone see any major flaws in it? Don't want to get the sequence wrong and have to go back a step or two at great expense.
We're hoping to get this done before winter sets in - say, by mid-October. Sound feasible...?
Many thanks in advance for any suggestions!
