The DIY/Doing up house Thread (aka My house is falling down)

Brilliant, thanks so much, everyone!

Lots to go at there. Glad my reluctance towards Dyson is shared.

Back to gaming, you lot!

Can't say I've had any major issues with our Dyson V7 apart from the battery being utterly shit (especially if you use the max suckage mode that lasts less than 5 mins)

it was a night and day difference to lugging our old corded vacuum up and down stairs in a four story house, anyway.

I probably would've got another if it croaks it, but will take a look at the shark too.

nexus6 I don’t know if Dustin was an intentional substitution for Dyson, but it’s amused me for some reason!

Moving on to home improvements, finally got a quote out of our preferred builder to do our internal renovations - basically removing a central chimney stack from loft all the way down to floor level, stud wall in between the kids rooms and make good, remove internal wall downstairs, dig foundations for supporting joists and posts, open up back wall for bifolds. £8k for labour and materials, which is a good £3k over our budget (but not wildly out of whack with other quotes we've had, just less the VAT). Wife still wants us to go ahead and cover other stuff as we go or on a credit card. I am very nervous about doing that. I absolutely hate sticking my neck out like that, especially as I get older. Really don't know what to do.

The biggest issue is getting builders in - it's a horrible job and they frankly don't need the work. We've had half a dozen round and only 2 have quoted us (inc one pre-covid). Note that's only the labour - doesn't include the RSJs and posts (£2k), bifolds (3k) or the new boiler and associated plumbing for rads(4k) or electrics (god knows). It's a big project that frankly terrifies me,

I was tempted on mine, the only positive for me would be an extra 20cm on the side alley. I thought 10k. I think it's a massive job, like my builder says you're effectively unzipping the building and zipping it back up again. Not for me, that money is better spent elsewhere.

Zomoniac Many thanks for the info

This is already phase 1!  Doesn't include the new kitchen that will go in the space (we will make do and mend), or relocating the downstairs bathroom to the middle of the house.  Good to have your view though - I am hurriedly trying to pin down other costs so we know for sure what we are dealing with.  Half the problem is the need for a new boiler and for it to be moved tbh, it just eats in to the budget.  Appreciate an honest opinion though!

I was charged £4150+VAT for supply and fit a Worcester 34cdi boiler. This involved isolating and removing the existing and a relocation of the new boiler, pipes, tees, elbows, pipe clips etc..

My nephew is getting the boiler for me (Worcestor Bosch 30cdi) as he's in the trade.  Plumber has quoted £2k to fit and move some rads etc, so not hugely different tbh.

I've just been taking down my tree and the Shark had no trouble at all with the needles (of which there were lots). Emptied it three times.

Living room once again looks like it's got a bit of space.

Doug's, I'm very averse to getting things on credit, especially things which aren't essential. I'd wait until you'd saved a bit more and by then builders might have less demand as possible are getting back to normal. Mind you, what answer do you expect from an anxiety reject.

It would be less of a concern if I wasn't 6 months in to a massive car loan (which was needed). And I remortgage in under 3 years...

That's a bloody brilliant quote. What end of the country you at??

We went with Boxt for our boiler, which allowed us to pay for it over 10 years at a pretty low rate. If that helps somewhat.