LDNRennovation

Do you have any ideas? I love your designs I’d like to do something cool with this! I can do an extension at the back too.

thanks iceverge! Really appreciate the order you did. It has cavity walls, 1980s, so I would think about adding some more insulation there. Not sure how or if it is possible. Definitely adding loft insulation yes, the roll stuff onto the rafters. it’s not drafty, yes trickle vents and extractor. we are replacing the boiler, first orders. Then it’s insulation time I think! Honestly the front elevation AI is superb.

It looks nice for about a month, it is the typical house flipper tactic! I really want to render it, with insulation. But there’s so much ‘side’ to the house, where it’s going to be render you never see and goes green? the white on the outside really does make it look nice though. But it requires window colour change, I feel like.

I really love it lol, yep terrifying

This is the layout!

yes it’s overpowering isn’t it. I have thought of the insulation and render, I like the idea but would it add value to the house, or emphasise the brown windows. We aren’t planning on fitting new windows. we have 40k in total for the renovation project. That’s a new kitchen and flooring (20k), and the conversion of the garage (20k). I have another 40k for an extension after that. I guess I need a new front door and clean the roof, as a minimum. I guess to do up the front and exterior would be about 10k, but do you have something nice in mind?

We might convert the garage to a bedroom, but would you render it, or add a porch? Should we add timber cladding? A new door? any ideas?

It’s difficult. You won’t usually get much through a small claims court, it’s a last resort. I’d maybe try another letter outlining what she owes, offer some kind of agreement (mediation, negotiation) , then threat of adjudication. Then get a debt collector involved. Potentially write off as a learning experience anyway, sorry you learned not to trust people with a sob story.

ETC, I’m an aspiring architect and I’d love to do this too. However I’m worried I’ll get sued even if I do it for free! can you help people out without PI?

Courtyard idea is cool, any idea that drives the design is a way forward. I honestly think the first layout had more joy to it. It’s all lacking ideas and inspiration, I mean look at the site, look at the family using the space, put some creativity into it. Where are the views, the sun. It looks like there’s a playroom, but what is that going to be in the future. I personally love designing barns, they have so much potential. If OP is interested there’s so many opportunities for something just a bit more special and coherent. I’m aware he’s taking a dislike to me lol. attached is what I think would look great, a few details for the windows, a ‘wow’ looking front elevation. You can just tell the spaces inside are great to be in. Good luck op hope you find what you need.

None taken from me, I’m a happy little monkey lol! I did just now check with building control just to check if the stairs needed protection (did it anonymously and just described the issue), it’s a free service and they are always very happy to help. They said it was fine as is, as long as the windows, 30 min doors and smoke alarm systems were up to the code. I’m sure OP needs no help from me just discussing with you ETC as you seem like you know a thing or two. It bothered me since I did a self-build and did much the same thing with no issue! Unless I’m missing something of course.

That’s a bit rude. I’ll leave you to it then.

Ask building regulations (the people at the local authority), don’t just follow advice here.

I think you can have either the escape windows or a protected staircase? You might need sprinklers if the kitchen is too close to the stairs.

If all the windows to the habitable rooms are to fire escape regulations, would that mean the stair and void didn’t have to be separate?

Yeah don’t appeal it. There’s never much point unless you can prove they were wrong, and I don’t think you can here. You can often float a new idea past the planner who refused you before resubmitting a revised application, which is useful. The new dormer has issues. The windows don’t relate to the ground floor, it’s out of proportion and not very attractive. I would try for three dormers at the back, the middle one could be larger, but don’t get greedy or they won’t let you have anything. I’m not really a fan of your rear ground floor windows, they are all over the place. If it had some balance then you could probably justify three dormers and get the look and feel you need for those rooms. if not, add roof windows either side of the middle dormer. You can still get height and a nice feel with those.

Have you thought about trying it again and using concrete or similar? Polished and dyed it could have the look and more durability (and not too expensive). obviously do more research because it comes with its own issues too!

Oh no! You did such a good job. I also can’t believe just a cup of tea melted it, that’s worse than I thought. Are you able to buff it out? I assume you want to still see the resin colour, so how would you feel about a clear pvc or vinyl protector? It’s more heat protection but there’s a chance the resin might still react under the wrap. You’d need it fairly thick and scratches might still be an issue. I have watched a few YouTubers doing resin kitchen tops, they said the same thing as you. (Yorkshire workshop was one). Just a lot of surface protectors and being careful. Not great for a kitchen really, but looks cool.

Aha excellent I’ll find a structural engineer.

can anyone advise… Our internal renovation doesn’t need planning so there’s no drawings. Do you find the structural engineer yourself, or does the builder usually work with one? Should I find a structural engineer to certify that the wall is not load bearing.

All the walls are breeze block, it’s a very solid house. That’s why I wasn’t so sure, because in my mind, timber stud is non-supporting and block is supporting.

I’m taking the wall out in between the doors, just to clarify. good tips Thankyou.

The red lines are the joists, I haven’t drawn all of them on, just over the back of the house. They correspond to the 3d I attached. the smaller ones look like partial trusses for the hip, and the large ones span the whole building from left to right. ah, I don’t really want a pier. Hopefully they can just get rid of the whole internal wall.

The one who said we didn’t need a concrete lintel to replace the 3m wall said we can add timber to the rafters to make sure the ceiling doesn’t bow where the wall is missing. a concrete lintel above the double doors makes sense. Although if we just took the wall out where the double doors would be, I’d be happy with that. Maybe he meant the concrete lintel there. builder did advise building control would be advising I’m just at the quotation stage at the moment. I’m still not convinced the joists are really supported on the walls, I think the roof is just supported on the external walls. I will get a structural engineer at some point to look, so far he’s seen it on camera only.