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

technoish Well firstly if you own a listed building then presumably you're minded to kinda respect the listing for what it is and presumably you'd want to do any renovations or whatever in a manner befitting the character of the building. Or why buy it in the first place? But official procedure (as Goban has done) is to speak with the Conservation Officer and then liaise with them and check what you want to do needs listed building consent or not. Then if it does then apply. Otherwise fill your boots.

A typical listing is like this: historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1365792?section=official-list-entry, note that this listing doesn't affect anything on the inside, it's not even been inspected so if you wanted to fit say a new bathroom or kitchen or whatever then it won't affect the character or special features so no consent required. But speaking with the CO is the key important step.

Perhaps we misunderstood each other.

I asked whether the insulation was inside or out, noting I expected it had to be inside due to listed nature (which was correct).

You said listing could actually allow it to be in outside, even though he couldn't change the windows.

I noted I thought that was very unlikely (even tho I'm no pro - I still have logic). Also insulation on outside is an affront in itself really on old buildings.

Goban

Will you be able to benefit from this assuming you don't pay until April?

www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/23/sunaks-statement-only-scratches-the-surface-on-energy-efficiency

This will be a sweet saving on my panels which are being installed in April!

Cheers, I'll maybe give that a go, if I can be arsed.

We had our bi-fold doors re-hung (if that's the word) yesterday and I know I'm getting old, as it's the happiest I've been in a while.

So smooth now and doesn't alert the neighbours every time I go outside.

We (my wife) have been getting the downstairs bog and vestibule/press area stripped out and turned into a new bog/utilty room. At much expense obvs which is finally nearing completion and looking quite nice.

Yesterday, our oven went pfutt. Thankfully, I think a new element will sort it, which is a relief given the current expenditure, but it is definitely giving extra weight to the missus' pleas to re-vamp the kitchen.

My plans for some really nice holidays and a fancy new bike are definitely looking like they are going on the back-burner for a while...

We're getting a mannie in to do it, I don't go near leccy stuff!

But I'd likely electrocute myself Dougs.



I'm not nick knowles, I can decorate, put up some shelves, maybe a bit of very basic plumbing- screw plastic pipes under sinks and install washing machine if required and that's about it!



Bit of garedening/labouring- I've done a patio (sans body underneath) and even built some steps that lasted many a year.



The rest is easier with the required trades being employed.

You sound way more qualified and handier than me! Agree re electrics in the main. I am generally a bit shit at DIY but did manage to replace the element. Not all ovens are equal of course...

It's weird, in our first house, we had bugger all money and it needed a bit of work so we did a lot ourselves. Current place didn't need anything doing to it but is starting to show some signs of wear and tear. But a)my wife has suddenly got twitchy about us doing anything and b) a lot are big ticket items that we might struggle with. But we still have fuck all money. What's the worst that could happen!

Edit: nexus has articulated the possible issues and made my post superfluous..

On the downside, we have (reluctantly)decided that we can't afford to do the internal renovations that we wanted. Realistically, we are about £10k short and at my age I am not prepared to chuck it all on credit cards. So the chunk of cash we have will pay for a new boiler, new bi-folds (at least giving more light in the dining room), fixing the blown double glazing, sorting out the lighting in most rooms and maybe the patio if there's enough left. We will redecorate the bedrooms as we go. My wife is pretty devastated tbh. But I just can't see how we can do it.

We just had bi-folds installed into our living room and it makes a massive difference to the amount of light. It's like night and day. It should be awesome in the summer. You won't regret it. 

Phew roof has been sorted. Battens replaced and replacement tiles put on etc. Wiped out a bunch of savings but got peace of mind that it isn't going to leak for many years.

Get a long stick. 

Removing an internal chimney to open out the downstairs (including 4 RSJs) ripping out the bathroom,moving the boiler, moving the kitchen sink and white goods (Inc new drain). It's all just too much. Sob.

Got a decent plumber on standby, and my nephew (also a plumber) can source the boiler for us.