I'm listening to the plumber fitting the shwer screen in our ensuite which marks the last piece of work in a build that has been going on actually since May last year but a year previously in the planning too.
We always bought our place on the location and plot more than the house itself, it was a little small for a 4 bed detached (2 small singles, only a main family bathroom) compared to our old place which was a 3 double bed place with ensute to master (we need the rooms for the kids though so made the sacfirice for the long game). It was a big corner plot, double garage and large front garden (half of which is now also a double driveway), the house itself was oblong (just about) and a bit slab sided, not very pretty with minimal kerb appeal. In a small cul-de-sac that back onto the school fields every other property has sold quickly when on the market and we got a bargain due to a messy divorce and court order. The sale did take a long time to complete though.
I knew I could effectively stretch the house about 2m lengthways without ruining the garden and put on a small side extension to give me an office (reclaiming the garage space I was using to put the TVR away) and breakup the slab side like the property opposite has done, so back in early 2022 we engaged an architect via a friend (the intended builder was the son of the architect) who started plans for us, he then after getting to structural stage had a big stroke (he was in his early 80's), we waited to see if he'd recover but after 6 months it was apparent he'd have to reitre and we found another chap who after wait drew up plans and we got them submitted achieving planning consent in late 2023.
Old:
https://publicaccess.hart.gov.uk/online ... 681334.pdf
New:
https://publicaccess.hart.gov.uk/online ... 681336.pdf
Correcting the Barryed links above:
https://publicaccess.hart.gov.uk/online ... 6W9HZFZU00
(note to self check in incog window befroe posting)
Quotes were gotten from 3 builder (well only 2 priced, the 3rd never returned) and we went with the son of the original architect over a firm that was local and presented really well and it was only the fact the plumber friend of our knew the builder was the decider.
Work was planned to start mid April 23 but due to over runs because of weather it was pushed back to early May, when sadly about a year to the day of the stroke the original architect passed away. Naturally the builder took some time off but only a week and true to his word and project plan he came in pretty much on time and on budget (save for us up speccing a better front door from his basic item quote). That was completed back last September (with a few leftovers delayed by the plumber being completed in October).
Going back to the plumber it's safe to say it has been a challenge, there were 3 weeks while we were in Florida where the new boiler, hot water tanks, main bathroom and supporting pipework were supposed to be fitted, out of the 3 weeks he spent 4 day on our place and we returned home to no bathroom and no water at all (after a 10 hour flight). He basically overbooks himself and tries to juggle everything, really only achieving pissed off customers, but gets booked as what he does is very good (the mitred tile joints look outstanding compared to trim strips). As part of the build though he has had a lot to do, which consisted of.
1. Fit new boiler and hotwater tank converting to pressurised system
2. Refiting main bathroom including tiling
3. Fit underfloor heating in the downstairs
4. Fit ensuite including tiling
I elected to help him with the UFH, breaking up the old screed, laying the levelling compounds, fitting pipework and insulation.
I also decided I'd fit the kltchen, hang the new doors, cut and fit skrting/architraves, paint (with the wifes help), shuffle the master bedroom around (which also delayed us as we had black mould and a ceiling to replaster).
I will get a fit before/after pics up as it's quite a bit of work.
Upshot is that I hardly used the car last year, never went racing as my boys lived in the caravan on the driveway and got majorly stressed as things overan and we lived in chaos for a year.
That said the release is almost worse than the stress as I seem to decompress but hopefully I can get back to normal for the summer and take a needed break, well after we fix the garden and pation that were ruined by the work!
Carl.
Could virtually retire 
