Waited 5 years for this!

[JanieB]

Brian & I re-mortgaged our house to enable us to renovate it. He died before we got that far and his children took me to court. I won but it cost me.

I've now saved enough money to begin the work. My bathroom is being taken out tonight, but the new one doesn't arrive until 1st May, (have to accept free/cheap labour when it's available).

Had my last bath in the old bathroom this morning, and am moving into a friends house tomorrow.

I am finding this whole experience incredibly scarey.

I had enormous trouble finding tiles that didn't look like the kitchen/bathroom version of magnolia.

And this is just the first room .

I've six more to go, plus the hallway & staircase.

[Pumpkin Becki]

From one renovator to another - I wish you every success. I hope you really enjoy the process of putting your dreams into reality.

[SarzWix]

Great news Janie, hope the work goes smoothly and you're soon settled back in your house

[kirsty b]

Good for you Janie. Hope it goes as well as renovating can!
Kirsty x

[Digger-07]

Good luck.
It always looks so easy on Grand Designs, I hope yours turns out stress free.

[Irie Jan]

Look on it as a fresh start! You will love it when it is all done because it will all be your choice!! Take it from one who knows, I have just tarted up my house in the last year and I love the feeling of it almost being compleat now. It is is so liberating! I just wish I could have afforded a new bathroom! I hope that will come in time though! Good luck with it all!

All the best
Jan

[JanieB]

That was quick . Thanks folks. I'm only paying for materials apart from installation of the cooker/boiler.

Stanley cooker which also runs the hot water and central heating.

My son is a fully qualified electrician who has also qualified in tiling, brickying, roofing etc. He isn't a plumber but can do the basics. I need a qualified (used to be CORGI) plumber to install my cooker.

Trouble is son has to fit it all in between his day job and and private work.

I'll go with the flow and accept cheap/free labour when I can. It may take some time!!!!

My allotment will take a backseat for the next few months, thank God for my d-i-l.

[shirlthegirl43]

Best of luck with it all JanieB.

At least you are moving out of the way of all the work - we had the kitchen done and no spare cash to eat out so that was stressful.

[Flummery]

God luck with it - scarey but exciting eh? And when it's done you'll be very proud!

[Alice]

Good for you JanieB. Hope it all goes smoothly and you enjoy it.
We bought this cottage a year ago and it needed everything done so new kithchen, new bathroom, new conservatory and the bedroom's coming in the next few weeks.
It's a big hassle while the work is going on but well worth it in the end. You get the place exactly the way you want it and can enjoy it.
Look forward to hearing how you get on.

[piskieinboots]

good luck lass

[JanieB]

OMG What have I let myself in for?

The plumber has just turned up with the comment "I've come to destroy your bathroom

[Hilary B]

OMG What have I let myself in for?

The plumber has just turned up with the comment "I've come to destroy your bathroom

Presumably that is his idea of amusing......

[BumbleB]

Best of luck. It may be worth searching ebay or freecycle. You can sometimes pick up terrific bargains (or free) on things like tiles, wood, appliances etc. I can't believe what people give away on freecycle and I once renovated a kitchen from ebay bargains - also other auction sites, comet etc and tops tiles have a skip with unwanted tiles.

[MrsC]

Go for it. I renovated this house when I paid out my ex-husband when divorcing him. I enjoyed every minute