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House update! Repairs ahoy....
5 months ago
Hi all!
I thought I'd spend a moment and update you all on the house progress >w<
I have a laundry list of repairs that need to happen, but I am still in shock that we were able to purchase a property last year just as my own landlord was selling.
It's WILD that if the landlord wasn't selling up I probably would still be there saving up, but nothing like the risk of losing a home makes you take action faster 8D;;
We were only able to purchase this property as there had been a serious water leak at the property. The house was previously rented and depending on who you ask the story gets changed BUT essentially there was a leak that didn't get repaired properly for at least a year.
This leak was in the bathroom, and water ran down the side of the house and into the kitchen below, which as you can imagine caused a fair chunk of damage. Luckily it's still a usable room but it isn't in the best condition.
BUT I AM GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF
Lemme run through all the bits and bobs to be tackled xD
1) The roof!
We have a chimney that lets water in and has trees growing out of it 8D;;;; Additionally there is some mould in the attic that we think is due to poor ventilation.
We have a company coming next week to cap and repoint the brickwork of the chimney, install a new ridgeline, repair lead flashings, and then empty and secure a loose gutter. This should resolve the problems there (hopefully!!)
2) The bathroom.
Where the leak happened in the bathroom, the floor lino is ruined. I have already purchased replacement vinyl for it, but we need to rip up the existing flooring and confirm the joists are ok (pray for me). From there I can either just purchase hardboard to lay new flooring on OR we have to replace the joists themselves too, so reaaaaalllllly hoping it's just the former.
We noticed recently that if we have showers one after another we get an internal water feature in the kitchen door below (like actually the door drips 8D;;;) I think that means a wastewater pipe isn't coping and may need an adjustment or replacement, but that requires taking the panel off the bath to get to which I have a feeling once removed is going to be an utter ass to get back on.
All of this begs the question then, if we are having to take everything out the bathroom to lay the new flooring, should we look to replace the units too? They are rather dated but functional, and I guess this answer is going to depend on if we can remove them without damaging or not lmfao. Otherwise that's easily another £1k for the cheapest suite on top!
3) The kitchen
The entire kitchen needs ripping out. Unfortunately the original extension of the property was constructed poorly, and the wall adjoining my neighbour's property is just as wet as the one where the water from the leak occurred! The units need pulling down, with plaster and render removed back to the brickwork. From there new can be applied, and after a few weeks the kitchen can be re-installed. I am not sure yet if I can salvage the cupboards by just replacing the backs or if it will require a whole new set. If it's the latter, fak. That will be fecking spicy £££. My neighbour and I are planning to use the same company to simultaneously work on our properties to ensure there are no future problems on our party wall which is great!
4) The external brickwork
Once more, because of the waterleak the rendering outside the kitchen wall is blown. It's hollow when you knock it, so it needs removal and reapplication. We are also looking at upgrading the drainage alongside the kitchen to help prevent any water sitting next to it and then finally considering a new damp proof course.
From there it's just cosmetics!
We would like to have new carpets upstairs, and already have a second hand small roll that I think will cover the bedrooms.
So if you're a nosey sod like I am, you're probably wondering how much this will cost.
I won't gatekeep ;)
The roof for parts, labour and scaffold: £3000
The bathroom vinyl: £300 (I got it on a sale XD). Hardboard £300.
Kitchen unit removal, hacking off of rendering and reapplying: £1530
External render: £410
Total: £5540
If we do need a new kitchen, yikes, add another £2k at least on for the units and then however much for worktops and tiling, not to mention labour for installation.
Similarly if the bathroom units cannot be saved that's another £1k on units alone. Joists are another £2k + labour.
I haven't added the cost of a carpet fitter either because I first need to measure the roll and see if it would actually fit or not.
Oh and we will totally need to do new windows and door in the next 10 years or so, but that's not on my radar to cost in just yet.
SPICY.
It's a lot, but the property is worth it believe it or not xD It was the cheapest on the road and others of similar designs sell for about £40k more than what we paid for it. What's wild is it's also cheaper then if I were renting in the area. Madness.
But ye! That's my house update.
I am grateful we have the home, regardless of the work needed. I have no plans to move for a long time so I'll continue to chip away at the tasks!
I'm going to end by saying THANK YOU <3
Everyone who has commissioned me has helped me fund these repairs, and I am so appreciative >w<
So sincerely, thank you <3
I thought I'd spend a moment and update you all on the house progress >w<
I have a laundry list of repairs that need to happen, but I am still in shock that we were able to purchase a property last year just as my own landlord was selling.
It's WILD that if the landlord wasn't selling up I probably would still be there saving up, but nothing like the risk of losing a home makes you take action faster 8D;;
We were only able to purchase this property as there had been a serious water leak at the property. The house was previously rented and depending on who you ask the story gets changed BUT essentially there was a leak that didn't get repaired properly for at least a year.
This leak was in the bathroom, and water ran down the side of the house and into the kitchen below, which as you can imagine caused a fair chunk of damage. Luckily it's still a usable room but it isn't in the best condition.
BUT I AM GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF
Lemme run through all the bits and bobs to be tackled xD
1) The roof!
We have a chimney that lets water in and has trees growing out of it 8D;;;; Additionally there is some mould in the attic that we think is due to poor ventilation.
We have a company coming next week to cap and repoint the brickwork of the chimney, install a new ridgeline, repair lead flashings, and then empty and secure a loose gutter. This should resolve the problems there (hopefully!!)
2) The bathroom.
Where the leak happened in the bathroom, the floor lino is ruined. I have already purchased replacement vinyl for it, but we need to rip up the existing flooring and confirm the joists are ok (pray for me). From there I can either just purchase hardboard to lay new flooring on OR we have to replace the joists themselves too, so reaaaaalllllly hoping it's just the former.
We noticed recently that if we have showers one after another we get an internal water feature in the kitchen door below (like actually the door drips 8D;;;) I think that means a wastewater pipe isn't coping and may need an adjustment or replacement, but that requires taking the panel off the bath to get to which I have a feeling once removed is going to be an utter ass to get back on.
All of this begs the question then, if we are having to take everything out the bathroom to lay the new flooring, should we look to replace the units too? They are rather dated but functional, and I guess this answer is going to depend on if we can remove them without damaging or not lmfao. Otherwise that's easily another £1k for the cheapest suite on top!
3) The kitchen
The entire kitchen needs ripping out. Unfortunately the original extension of the property was constructed poorly, and the wall adjoining my neighbour's property is just as wet as the one where the water from the leak occurred! The units need pulling down, with plaster and render removed back to the brickwork. From there new can be applied, and after a few weeks the kitchen can be re-installed. I am not sure yet if I can salvage the cupboards by just replacing the backs or if it will require a whole new set. If it's the latter, fak. That will be fecking spicy £££. My neighbour and I are planning to use the same company to simultaneously work on our properties to ensure there are no future problems on our party wall which is great!
4) The external brickwork
Once more, because of the waterleak the rendering outside the kitchen wall is blown. It's hollow when you knock it, so it needs removal and reapplication. We are also looking at upgrading the drainage alongside the kitchen to help prevent any water sitting next to it and then finally considering a new damp proof course.
From there it's just cosmetics!
We would like to have new carpets upstairs, and already have a second hand small roll that I think will cover the bedrooms.
So if you're a nosey sod like I am, you're probably wondering how much this will cost.
I won't gatekeep ;)
The roof for parts, labour and scaffold: £3000
The bathroom vinyl: £300 (I got it on a sale XD). Hardboard £300.
Kitchen unit removal, hacking off of rendering and reapplying: £1530
External render: £410
Total: £5540
If we do need a new kitchen, yikes, add another £2k at least on for the units and then however much for worktops and tiling, not to mention labour for installation.
Similarly if the bathroom units cannot be saved that's another £1k on units alone. Joists are another £2k + labour.
I haven't added the cost of a carpet fitter either because I first need to measure the roll and see if it would actually fit or not.
Oh and we will totally need to do new windows and door in the next 10 years or so, but that's not on my radar to cost in just yet.
SPICY.
It's a lot, but the property is worth it believe it or not xD It was the cheapest on the road and others of similar designs sell for about £40k more than what we paid for it. What's wild is it's also cheaper then if I were renting in the area. Madness.
But ye! That's my house update.
I am grateful we have the home, regardless of the work needed. I have no plans to move for a long time so I'll continue to chip away at the tasks!
I'm going to end by saying THANK YOU <3
Everyone who has commissioned me has helped me fund these repairs, and I am so appreciative >w<
So sincerely, thank you <3
DIY, at least in places permitted (cannot do any plumbing or electric work where I am without certificate), will be able to save significant money, assuming tools and capacity exists or is otherwise at hand (i.e friends or family with skills+tools).