How do I bathroom / kitchen / extension? etc.

everyone values great/better design differently. floor space, volume, personality, trends, materials, etc.
As you say, the return is mostly personal satisfaction. If it is a place that you are going to spend 10 years in, it can be invaluable !? as an example, i chose to put some oak parquet instead of carpet in a flat i have been in for 6 years, i couldn't quantify the benefit i get from it in every aspect.

Comunication and trust is key and work both ways. If you chose to stop the architect's intervention at the drawing phase then use those as a template and you are happy with that, i see nothing wrong ?

I'm a fan of the kitchen in this project by Rise Design as some inspo for ours as it's a similar size/layout (I think).
I also really want a Tadelakt en-suite but kinda thinking that will be $$$

Been interesting reading everyone's thoughts on how they should approach building works. We're doing the loft whilst having a 16 month and 3 month old and tbh we're just making it up as we go along.

We've gone with an all in one company, the supplied architects for the plans for building control were a bit shit but my wife pretty much made them do what she wanted and I'm really happy with what she planned because I had trouble to visualise it. Also chasing the designer has been a bit annoying but she seems to respond when you get arsey. The building team though have been brilliant they've really worked with us when we've wanted to change things and have been all around great.

If this was going to be our forever home I'd definitely get architects in as I'm sure we've missed things that would have made it better but we're going to end up with a great space and architect money is better spent elsewhere for us right now.

Temporary kitchen until the worktop gets measured and installed…

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Slightly mind blown by this.

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Trying to figure out if there is a dormer extension/flat roof to the rear of your house, or if one of your builders has gymnast levels of balance walking casually along the ridge

This...

one of your builders has gymnast levels of balance walking casually along the ridge

Nothing back there, yet.

roofers DGAF

roofers DGAF

This is true. They really do not. A special breed, like their scaffolding cousins.

Weirdest thing I have ever seen was along similar lines...
Looked out a window on the 5th floor of an office in Bricklane only to see a naked lady straddling the roof of the church opposite, just sitting there... cant imagine it was comfy.

It's all worth it right, this building malarky? Pretty sure I'm about a week away from a nervous breakdown.

like their scaffolding cousins

It’s funny how they’re basically like their own tribe. I asked about sorting out a parking permit and they were like ‘nah, they leave us alone’. And when I was talking about parking with the builder he said not to worry about them - they will block the road and not give a fuck until they are done

It's all worth it right, this building malarky?

Not sure. My beard has become very grey over the last four months.

I didn't find doing the loft too bad. Doing the loft with young children though, Jesus you're brave.

Think how much more space you'll have for toys though.

. Sorry replied to the wrong comment.

I'm expecting it to go white or all fall out overnight.

If it wasn't for the babies and still working from home it would be fine but it's all pretty intense to say the least.

When the loft is done we're having the downstairs bathroom/utility ripped out to make a dining room, builders wanted to do it at the same time leaving us with no bathroom, so the hell could have been worse.

Think how much more space you'll have for whisky though.

Ftfy

Oh yes, I was in the office too. I left before they started and got back after they'd finished and tidied up.

Need a new boiler, can either replace like for like or could go for a condensing boiler.

Advantage would be saving on running costs, removing of airing cupboard and water tank in loft

Disadvantage - cost, plus I hear it can cause issues with old and crappy central heating (which we have)

Any thoughts/experience/words of advice?

Fun to plan.
Gradually increasing stressful nightmare when doing it.
2/3 months of being annoyed by snagging / compromises you made.
All good.
5/10 years - have forgotten how bad it was and goto step 1.

Fun to plan.

erm we kind of missed this bit out, had 2 babies and went 'shit we need space'.

Neighbour is doing a dormer loft conversion as a DIY job. Tempted to do mine myself as a relatively practical person. Insane?

Ah - that's a shame - it gives you a bank of good vibes to take into the project, before you get worn down. If it's any consolation we can now look back and laugh about the low point of our work when we had three weeks of one bedroom and shower room for us and 3 teenagers and cooked on a camping stove. Good times.

Price is worth it for instant hot water, and not having a tank IMO.

Had a condensing boiler installed in an Edwardian house with old pipes and rads years ago. it was all fine.

Suppose how long you intend to be the might be a consideration. if only for a couple of years would it be worth the outlay? if you're there long term, go for it!

I feel your pain. It sounds possible, but actually coping with this level of change is extremely hard.

We bought a fixer upper house. We are a childless couple with one small dog.

We stripped out the kitchen entirely, including all the plumbing. I had a temporary length of pipe to bring fresh water to the rest of the house. We cooked with a microwave and an egg steamer in the stripped and dirty dining room for a few weeks with all the downstairs stuff in piles in our unrenovated bedroom.

It was miserable.