The House Projects Thread
Re: The House Projects Thread
If it’s for builders to quote from a simple hand drawn plan or a basic computerised outline should be enough if you’re not planning on altering layouts. Anyone doing works to an existing dwelling should want to come and do their own survey anyway
- Rich B
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Re: The House Projects Thread
Yep, i’ve quoted plenty of £5m+ projects from CAD drawn layouts with hand marked up packages (referred to as “red pen packs” in my industry because they are/were often hand drawn). i did my own house that way too.
just print off x copies and do each trade package on a page. lighting, power, finishes, etc. get Someone like howdens to do the kitchen, and build up a scope for basically free.
just print off x copies and do each trade package on a page. lighting, power, finishes, etc. get Someone like howdens to do the kitchen, and build up a scope for basically free.
- Gavster
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Re: The House Projects Thread
I assumed there'd be specifications for all of those things such as types of materials, or processes (e.g. for walls or ceiling), that needs to be set out to ensure the builder quotes to the correct standard?Rich B wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:29 pm if you’re not changing the layout, what are you planning?
strip out
electrics
heating
plastering
kitchen
bathroom
decs
flooring
Just get a decent layout drawn up by a draughtsman (you can probably do it yourself with an app these days) then mark your what you want in each room. It’s not going to be massively complicated as a fit out.
if there’s any more involved work like structural or damp/remedials, get the relevant specialist out.
It's also for my own peace of mind, so I know they're quoting based on what I want, rather than afterwards someone saying "oh, but you didn't ask for that"
Also, we are starting with the worst possible condition you can imagine



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Re: The House Projects Thread
they’re the builders, they’re the experts. the more detail you include, the better, but do you know/care what brand of plaster or the spec of cabling? nope, you just want working sockets in the right locations on smooth walls and a certificate to say it’s been done correctly.
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Re: The House Projects Thread
Does this mean that the legal stuff is over, the flat is yours, and they're out?
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Driving a Galaxy far far away
Driving a Galaxy far far away
- Gavster
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Re: The House Projects Thread
Nearly. The last 8 months have been a crazy drama with a load of developments which I’ve not shared here.DeskJockey wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 5:24 pm Does this mean that the legal stuff is over, the flat is yours, and they're out?
However, as of 4pm today, legal posession of the property has reverted to the freeholder, I.e. me. They still occupy the property, so tomorrow we’re applying to courts for a warrant to send in bailiffs. It could be many months before they attend, but I also need to work out wtf to do in the meantime.
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Re: The House Projects Thread
In a recent interaction they stated they had already started renovations

- Rich B
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Re: The House Projects Thread
that looks pretty disgusting, but it makes life pretty straightforward- you’re keeping nothing.
that means you can happily lift up that flooring that looks a bit damp or rip out an old cabinet to see what’s behind without having to worry about damaging anything.
Pay someone else to get rid of all the old mess though!!!
that means you can happily lift up that flooring that looks a bit damp or rip out an old cabinet to see what’s behind without having to worry about damaging anything.
Pay someone else to get rid of all the old mess though!!!
Re: The House Projects Thread
The way some people live is unbelievable. I've seen inside homes that have dog crap on the carpet that has been there for so long it's grown fur.
Re: The House Projects Thread
Jesus Gav that is shocking. I know you were describing that but I hadn’t quite realised just how bad it was.
Really glad it’s nearly sorted and you can move on with everything
Really glad it’s nearly sorted and you can move on with everything
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Re: The House Projects Thread
Those are some of the 'cleared' images, it was far, far worse to begin with.
Re: The House Projects Thread
Cripes
Glad it’s sorted now. Or on its way.

Glad it’s sorted now. Or on its way.
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Re: The House Projects Thread
Re: The House Projects Thread
To be fair at least there won’t be any nasty surprises because you know everything is going to need to be done, and I’d be happy if every bathroom I started looked like that, when they’ve been done well and maintained well they’re harder to strip out 
And stud walls go up easy enough if you want that reinstating

And stud walls go up easy enough if you want that reinstating
Re: The House Projects Thread
The dirty bastards have removed the shower/tub too!
How about not having a sig at all?
- Gavster
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Re: The House Projects Thread
That’s what I suspected, start from absolute zero, from the ground up. I’m definitely looking to find someone who is happy to tackle the entire job from start to finish, including clearing, it’s probably a health hazard.Rich B wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 6:05 pm that looks pretty disgusting, but it makes life pretty straightforward- you’re keeping nothing.
that means you can happily lift up that flooring that looks a bit damp or rip out an old cabinet to see what’s behind without having to worry about damaging anything.
Pay someone else to get rid of all the old mess though!!!
- Gavster
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Re: The House Projects Thread
lol good point, the fittings here will literally fall apart with a strong windjamcg wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 6:55 pm To be fair at least there won’t be any nasty surprises because you know everything is going to need to be done, and I’d be happy if every bathroom I started looked like that, when they’ve been done well and maintained well they’re harder to strip out
And stud walls go up easy enough if you want that reinstating
