Two story extension and renovation - DIY

[mrrusty]

but I want wet underfloor heating throughout

Ha! - exactly the same as we originally planned, but in the end we didn't and stuck with traditional radiators. Reasons were 1) cost 2) slow response 3) practicality of getting the builder I was using for the extension and concrete floor up to speed to correctly lay the screeds etc early in a messy build. It was tricky enough getting him to put all the ducts in for services in the right place (we used this BTW https://www.drainagesuperstore.co.u...GTbrh5TD0v_rbZ0LAtlS42uZifclAgdsaAhJ5EALw_wcB which worked well but builder said was a bit of a PITA because it kept floating out the concrete - I think it would have been best fixed down first, but he managed with props from above and weights...)

 

[selfbuildextension]

@mrrusty I am planning on using an over floor system from wundafloor or nuheat, even more expensive but means I can do all the old house and upstairs, check back in a few months to see if we managed to scrape the money together!

 

[selfbuildextension]

Weather has been bad but I’ve made some progress.

Floor joists and some temporary OSB laid so I can store materials and work from first floor.

 

[selfbuildextension]

I am halfway up the second floor and should take another 4 days of block laying. Only problem is that could be weeks with the weather and limited time.

I almost gave up a week ago and had a bricky round to quote to finish, the weather had been horrendous and the nights are getting shorter. I felt like I’d never finish it but the guy was impressed with the work and encouraged me to keep going I needed that confidence boost to get some motivation back so I kept going on my own.

 

[SpecialK]

Wow great progress!
Is that a screwfix cement mixer? Is it holding up OK? Also what laser level did you use in the previous pictures?

I am halfway up the second floor and should take another 4 days of block laying. Only problem is that could be weeks with the weather and limited time.

I almost gave up a week ago and had a bricky round to quote to finish, the weather had been horrendous and the nights are getting shorter. I felt like I’d never finish it but the guy was impressed with the work and encouraged me to keep going I needed that confidence boost to get some motivation back so I kept going on my own.

 

[kingandy2nd]

Looking great there matey. I’m finding the same with the weather and the light on my build too...but looks like you’re nearly there!!

 

[mrrusty]

Great work! Yes, it's always time that is against you on big DIY projects, - and yours is bigger than I have ever done.

 

[selfbuildextension]

Wow great progress!
Is that a screwfix cement mixer? Is it holding up OK? Also what laser level did you use in the previous pictures?

Cement mixer is B and Q but I picked it up on gumtree for £150, it had only been used to build a garage and was a lot cleaner than it is now
https://www.diy.com/departments/build-buddy-370w-230v-cement-mixer-134l-bb134-a/405789_BQ.prd

I think the laser should suit everything I need it for, maybe not for use on site every day but for DIY really good. It's fairly rugged and comes with a carry case. I didn't buy this until I started the first floor joists but I wish I got it at the very start, I had been using a water level up to this point. https://www.toolstation.com/dewalt-dw088cg-xj-laser-level/p67672

 

[selfbuildextension]

I've documented every penny spent so once the roof is on I will post a summary of costs so far.

 

[domdee]

excellent progress. your block work looks very tidy! looking forward to seeing the costs as you have some big steels in there and I would like to know what I am likely to pay when it comes to my own extension. Keep it up!