How do I bathroom / kitchen / extension? etc.

Kitchen doesn’t count as habitable room!? Nice.

That's grey space. My understanding is that only if the kitchen is a standalone room. If it includes dining space then it is habitable.

40k (almost) kitchen

Had an architect round earlier this week to discuss a possible minor back alteration including opening up a 30 year old extension. It will mean replacing a ~13 year old kitchen. Apparently 50k is what we should be thinking for the kitchen, no idea about the rest.

Presumably the £50k gets you a chef?

chef

Would be nice but only if I can also have a butler to manage the staff.

What's an 8m steel beam and sliding/folding glass going to cost me? Can I even afford the window cleaning bill? End result could be awesome but the bill similar. On the other hand we don't intend to ever move and if it helps join the house and garden maybe it is worth it.

I got such a useless reply from my design and build architects who have told me they’re sacking my project off after taking 18months and £10grand saying less than half the design was ever achievable for the budget and they’re only now starting a project now scheduled for last summer 🤬🤬🤬

taking... £10grand

Can you contest that?

Fuuuuuu

That’s super shit man. My condolences. I’m not really looking forward to trying to round up a decent contractor who has any time.

E&C are under the same pressures as everyone else but they seem to have shit the bed when it comes to coms.

So ridiculous, we're ripping out our downstairs bathroom and opening up to the garden, it would have made sense to do the kitchen but we thought it's fine and constantly getting wrecked by the kids anyway, so we'll save the money for something more sexy like nursery fees!

8m steel beam will be fun to install and may require steel posts (with footings) at each end.

What's an 8m steel beam and sliding/folding glass going to cost me?

lots

may require steel posts (with footings) at each end

It will require footings. I don't know if it will need steel posts or just big brick pillars (it's an extension, not holding up the back of the house). An engineer will get to decide at some point.

I'm looking to redo our bathroom. Small ex-council flat. Bathroom is a rectangle (145x245), and cramped with a large tub, toilet and sink. Want to rip out the tub and put a walk-in shower covering the entirety of the far end, and then there should be a good amount of space for toilet/basin/storage.

I'm fatigued and can't face thinking about the flat/doing work on it any more. Who do I contact to come have a look, give me a quote, and handle everything for me? Live near KX if that's relevant.

Also, ideas on cost?

For a very similar thing (ex-council place near Euston of a similar size) my MIL used Wickes (mainly because I knew I was going to end up organising it and wanted something where my involvement would be minimal).

They came to measure up, we went there to discuss the plan they'd come up with and look at what stuff we wanted, they organised a contractor to rip out existing one, dispose of waste and fit the new one (inc tiles, flooring and decorating).

Suite was about £1,500.
Tiles and flooring ~ £300
Installation ~ £5k

Obviously suite is hugely variable. That was average quality stuff I'd say.

Installation had most stuff being moved from previous locations and some new electrics for a fan. I'd heard some horror stories about using their installers (seems to be the case with all of these companies) but they did a good job and stuck to the agreed dates.

Honestly architects seem to have there pricing firmly up there arse. 50k kitchen ridiculous

WHIT

50k kitchen ridiculous

Because they've excluded vat and it's actually 60k?

That's super helpful, thanks! 5k installation is a bit of a kick in the balls. Almost enough to make me want to be a bit more active in the whole process.

Used the IKEA kitchen fitter for my recent renovation and was glad I did. From fitting hundreds of the things he was well aware of an issues that would arrise and did a fantastic job in a wonky (Victorian) build.

I had two other options;
Fit myself - which if I screwed up I'd be forever looking at it.
Another fitter - chap came out and didn't seem all that bothered.

And fees, 70k.

That installation involved us doing absolutely nothing and no shopping around so is probably the top end.

LOLLLL

Can anyone ID the roof panelling used in here? Looks a cut above regular OSB.
We have a garden office that looks fine outside but a disgrace inside and I’m loving the look of this.

Awesome thanks for that! Also, how have you been staying in so many hotels recently?!

Wood wool board - skanda savolit or similar i think

Bingo. Cheers