mullethunter Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I thought I'd update anyone who's interested on the progress at the knotweed house. I'll apologise before I start that this is part therapy for me! If anyone who reads it has any advice on anything I'm doing it'll be gratefully received! We've owned the house for a month now now, and although there's a plant with similar leaves, there's no sign of any Japanese Knotweed However, it turns out we didn't look hard enough before we bought the place and have vastly underestimated the amount of work it needs. So far we (me, OH, my parents and MIL) have primed and painted the horrible tongue and groove lounge ceiling (barely attached and really needs to come down) including taking down a stapled to the ceiling pelmet covering the horribly hacked edges of tongue and groove; washed and cleaned the whole house; shampooed the carpets; decided to replace all the carpets (stinking and filthy), bought and taken delivery of said carpets; stripped wallpaper from both upstairs bedrooms and downstairs Hall; sugar shaped both upstairs bedrooms; filled holes (numerous) and sanded both upstairs bedrooms and stairs woodwork; painted our bedroom including radiator; bought and taken delivery of bathroom suite and tiles; removed upstairs bathroom suite and half of tiles (so far); booked gas engineer to install new boiler and hot water cylinder; arranged carpet fitter. We managed to get a bit of a stay of execution in our rented place place, but still have to leave in 2 weeks. Before then we still need to paint the second upstairs bedroom, prepare and paint the downstairs Hall (this takes ages, the walls are in a shocking state under the paper and have to be sanded back to bare plaster), finish the bathroom, lay the upstairs bedroom and hall carpets and clean the kitchen to a usable state. Oh, and make sure the builders finish the garage which doesn't have a roof yet. It's a real struggle and I'm completely knackered knackered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Take heart - it will all be worth it, and at least you know that the work you've done has been properly finished. I have never yet bought a house without moving in and discovering something that wasn't apparent when I viewed it, don't blame yourselves - the main thing is that the house itself is what you wanted. Everything else is just decoration. I'm envious that you've been able to keep on the rental place, I've always had to live in the building site! It sounds as if you've made huge progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Did you mean to post this in the US nesting box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Her location says Cornwall and United States. We'll leave it here until we know where she really is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Well done! It seems to me that you are doing everything properly and to a very high standard, which is always an investment and worth it in the long term If it is getting too much for you, then I'd seriously consider taking some of the pressure off yourself by prioritising what absolutely has to be done before you move in and rescheduling some of the work (eg painting of 2nd bedroom - I'm sure you want to do it before laying a carpet, but it is entirely possible to do it in reverse, and/or delay the hall). I bet most of us have had to do renovation work whilst in situ, don't worry, it can be done, large dust sheets are the way to go! By giving yourself a breather, the tasks become just something to do when you can fit it in, rather than this massive burden made worse by a lack of time. Another alternative is to buy in some help; its extra cost but can be well worth it if either exhaustion or sanity is at stake. As Olly says, don't blame yourself, its impossible to double check everything prior to purchase, and even if you could, I doubt the perfect house exists! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I'm exhausted reading the list of things you've done . Sounds like you're getting on really well with all the work - I'm sure it'll all be well worth it when you can eventually put your feet up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thanks Daphne and ANH. Once we're in I think things will calm down a bit and we will get someone in to do some bits. Hoping some super duper primer can save me sanding all the hall walls back to bare plaster for painting. White going on very patchy in bedroom at the moment. Hopefully it'll be ok after a few coats. DM I didn't mean to post to in the U.S. don't know how to move it. Don't know why my location says both - I'm DEFINITELY not in the states Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 In the right place now that we know for sure that you are on this side of the Atlantic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Crikey, you've been busy! I'm not surprised you're exhausted Just imagine how satisfying it will be when you've got the first room straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Hurrah that you finally moved, as you may remember we also had the house sale from hell. We are finding that tasks ome in clusters so we can't start task b,c or d until task A is completed which unfortunately leads to unknown task x,y and z needed to be done by a qualified tradesman, Since 20th April we have had some plumbing and electrical work done, ripped up all but 2 floor coverings, ripped out built on units, replaced appliances, added to kitchen storage, added and moved radiators, swapped all curtains and light fittings. Moved around and finally unpacked the enormous pile of boxes, lost loads of stuff, found loads of stuff I had forgotten about. Had the hideous conifers removed (took a whole day), demolished 2 skanky sheds, repairs to remaining shed, painted umpteen fence panels, painted shed, had slab base put down for WIR, built WIR, painted and pimped WIR. Rotten fascias replaced with rather nice black woodgrain upvc stuff. Tasks to be done this month, plumber to measure up for new bathroom suite and get the work booked in, new work tops in kitchen plus new sink, restore/replace living room floor, restore hall tiles. Garden wall repaired, another garden wall built, turning apron made on front garden Once that lot is done we can start on the decorating and gardening. The garden is just a dump as the various building works have made a real mess of what little lawn there was. The previous owner was great at starting jobs but never finishing them so we decided to rip most thing out then start again so at least we know it has been done properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 My goodness I am knackered reading your list. Amazing what you have done in a short space of time.As said it will be worth it. As you finish each room and get your stuff in it will feel like you have been there years.At least it's dry you can have picnics for lunch and tea,otherwise known as sandwiches .We moved in Nov and had chips,chips and more chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Blimey Mrs B you make me feel bad for moaning - you're doing even more than us! There are a lot of things that we SHOULD do but for now are just making do with good enough. For example there are a LOT of walls that need replastering, the lounge ceiling tongue and groove needs to come down...the list goes on. On the plus side, the garage roof is almost finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Oh, and the plant that looks a bit like knotweed but isn't is Persicaria orientalis which is also known as Japanese knotgrass. I really am beginning to think that the vendor just got confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Oh, and the plant that looks a bit like knotweed but isn't is Persicaria orientalis which is also known as Japanese knotgrass. I really am beginning to think that the vendor just got confused. Oh that would be so frustrating! You jumped to every imaginable hoop to get this house! But on the other hand, it would be a relieve if there wasn't any knotweed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Phew, I'm tired after just reading that Make sure you get lots of progress photos, will be great to look back at in a years time and see how far you've come - it will all be worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 I think you are doing very well. At least by painting everywhere you can have it presentable and the redo later when you've settled and can afford to tackle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 The two bedrooms are already completely transformed. I was looking at photos I took of one of them last week and I can't believe the difference. You're right Lewis and I've just started doing that. Still uncovering horrors though, and annoyed that the primer I've ordered for the hall won't arrive unti Monday. I wanted to get it on on Sunday to give me time to paint (Dulux soft Apple) before the carpet goes down on Thursday. We may still get it done but it'll be tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Have spent all day moving all the car / Land Rover sized stuff today (very nearly asleep now!) ahead of the big stuff tomorrow which will be our first night at the new house. Girls moved yesterday, cats went to the cat hotel yesterday and we'll pick them up again on Monday. Carpets were lAid in the hall/stairs and bedrooms on Thurs / Fri - the difference is incredible. Quite excited now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Hope all goes well tomorrow, enjoy your new home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Enjoy your first night in your new home, I am glad to hear it is all working out even if there is a lot of work involved. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hope you sleep well . You must be exhausted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Just brought the cats in from the cattery. They're freaked right out. We're too tired to do anything now! Will write a proper update with photo's in the next few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Home sweet home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hope that you all settle in quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
