I could say it isn't as bad as it looks, but IT IS!!! When I said complete overhaul I was thinking new fixtures and fittings...even a new kitchen and bathroom...NOT...damp proofing and dry rot course, total re-wire, new heating system AND replacing ALL the joist in some of the rooms as they're rotten!
By week three..budget completely blown...well I say blown...11k over and counting...obliterated would be more appropriate...with each new issue comes great expenditure. Further compounded by the Freeholders deciding to carry out long-overdue works, which include a facelift of external and communal areas. Totally conflicting with said plans as we are working within totally different timeframes.
Ever onwards and upward, I have befriended the lassy in charge of scheduling...maybe befriend is too strong a word, but we have a certain rapport going! Though totally scatty, she appears most excited about the works I am carrying out and has eluded to the fact that she will align our schedules...we shall see how that works out for me...did I mention she was somewhat scatty already???
Once it was discovered that damp-proofing, not to mention dry rot and wood-worm courses were essential, work commenced on removing the plaster to the height of 1.5m throughout. Floorboard were pulled up as directed. This is when it was discovered all the joist in the lounge was rotten and needed to be replaced, also attributed to rising damp. To combat the constant dampness, I settled on an "overfloor" heating system, which is like underfloor, just less mess...as opposed trying the newly established skirting board heating .One would think that depression would have reared its not so attractive head, alas I count my blessings on a daily basis,
though as the days go by I wonder if my enthusiasm is
somewhat misguided!
