We got our amended plans approved today! Woohoo!
Thank goodness because I couldn't see any other way to do it really - well at least not without spending another big chunk of cash!
Now we're still waiting for the sale to go thru. As Stephen says - this should have been the simplest house purchase in the history of time. Unfortunately the actions of solicitors past and present (specifically past) have meant that we are now waiting for probate to agree that my father in law can own his own house before we can buy it! Unreal...
Insurance (as prev. mentioned by the other half) has now been sorted and our mortgage is available (again).
Monday, 22 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Another Hiatus
So our first set of plans haven't been approved by the planning authorities which is a major disappointment. Indeed, it's only now (2 weeks later) that it can be described as a major disappointment. When the news that the approval had been denied broke, emotions were running high!
The planners believe that the first set of plans show an extension which is just too large. The "mass" of the extension needs to be reduced and the way of achieving that is to put a slope on the north cable end. This slope means that the master bedroom/ensuite will reduce in size. Thus the disappointment.
However, necessity is the mother of invention as my wife reminds me. She has drawn out an internal plan for the master bedroom which I can only describe as stunning. A re-orientation of the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe to the end of the room opposite the door seems to make a a big difference!
House Insurance
One major hold-up just now though is the house insurance. The house has been insured for some time now, but I don't have that all important piece of paper in my hand and the bank don't seem to be too happy! I've phoned, I've pleaded and I've despaired. I shall try again tomorrow.
All I need is that fax and planning approval! How tricky can that be?
The planners believe that the first set of plans show an extension which is just too large. The "mass" of the extension needs to be reduced and the way of achieving that is to put a slope on the north cable end. This slope means that the master bedroom/ensuite will reduce in size. Thus the disappointment.
However, necessity is the mother of invention as my wife reminds me. She has drawn out an internal plan for the master bedroom which I can only describe as stunning. A re-orientation of the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe to the end of the room opposite the door seems to make a a big difference!
House Insurance
One major hold-up just now though is the house insurance. The house has been insured for some time now, but I don't have that all important piece of paper in my hand and the bank don't seem to be too happy! I've phoned, I've pleaded and I've despaired. I shall try again tomorrow.
All I need is that fax and planning approval! How tricky can that be?
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Planning planning planning
I'm disappointed.
Our architect had a call to day to say that the planners don't like the look of the two storey extension as the house is really a 1.5 storey. It must be said that the extension is at the back, below existing ridge and is seen by only one neighbour, it doesn't even take up that much of their view to be fair. I can't help feeling that this is a bit pedantic.
I am wondering that if this is a "cosmetic" issue, would a cosmetic alteration be sufficient ie. some sort of cladding on the top half to "fool the eye". Or offsetting the top bit so that there is a "line" for the planners eye. I am not that keen on a sloping roof as we will lose so much space inside - which we will pay more for!
On a positive note, the rest of the plan is ok :)
Update in a few days....
Our architect had a call to day to say that the planners don't like the look of the two storey extension as the house is really a 1.5 storey. It must be said that the extension is at the back, below existing ridge and is seen by only one neighbour, it doesn't even take up that much of their view to be fair. I can't help feeling that this is a bit pedantic.
I am wondering that if this is a "cosmetic" issue, would a cosmetic alteration be sufficient ie. some sort of cladding on the top half to "fool the eye". Or offsetting the top bit so that there is a "line" for the planners eye. I am not that keen on a sloping roof as we will lose so much space inside - which we will pay more for!
On a positive note, the rest of the plan is ok :)
Update in a few days....
Friday, 29 January 2010
Wish List 1
It's just a list:
- underfloor heating in extension
- underfloor heating in hall (not sure if possible)
- wood / multifuel stove in kitchen with back boiler
- dont think we can have a pressurised water system due to poor water flow/pressure issues, so pumps for showers
- large hot water tank
- best insulation in roof/walls possible
- central heating - I'm thinking gas. Boiler in utility room.
- gas fire in front sitting room, gas hob in kitchen
- central vacuum system
- sound insulation in upstairs laundry and hot press (re. pumps)
There's probably more...
Monday, 4 January 2010
Plans Submitted For Approval
It's definitely the quiet stage of the project. Very little is happening and lots of people keep asking "how's the house coming along".
Today, however, sees the plans being submitted for approval by the powers-that-be. Cheques have been forwarded and funds moved around the various bank accounts to ensure they don't bounce (which would be embarrassing).
Maybe it is time to get on with the working drawings and draw up a short-list of builders!
In the meantime, there have been demands made by the little people within the family. Four poster beds seem high up on their priority list. My needs are rather simple in comparison - give me a pool table and a dart board and I'll be a happy chappy. Oh... and CAT6 cabling around the house. And media players in every room. And plenty of room for the Wii players. Maybe their demands aren't so bad after all.
Today, however, sees the plans being submitted for approval by the powers-that-be. Cheques have been forwarded and funds moved around the various bank accounts to ensure they don't bounce (which would be embarrassing).
Maybe it is time to get on with the working drawings and draw up a short-list of builders!
In the meantime, there have been demands made by the little people within the family. Four poster beds seem high up on their priority list. My needs are rather simple in comparison - give me a pool table and a dart board and I'll be a happy chappy. Oh... and CAT6 cabling around the house. And media players in every room. And plenty of room for the Wii players. Maybe their demands aren't so bad after all.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
The other 'alf
I love the plans the architect has come up with. It will be really beautiful!
We have looked closely at them over the weekend and have no real major issues (cos it's just what we wanted!) I think however a few pictures would help to show what I am imagining.
I really don't like rooms with no windows so I imagine the dressing room to be a bit like this.... the torso wouldn't be a deal breaker..
We have looked closely at them over the weekend and have no real major issues (cos it's just what we wanted!) I think however a few pictures would help to show what I am imagining.
I really don't like rooms with no windows so I imagine the dressing room to be a bit like this.... the torso wouldn't be a deal breaker..
This is kind of how I saw the stairs - for me, almost nothing is more..
This is another imagining.. if only two of us lived there it might be feasible but I can see smudgy finger prints everywhere... This is beautiful though.
Still waiting for the other 'alf's ideas/vision.
This is another imagining.. if only two of us lived there it might be feasible but I can see smudgy finger prints everywhere... This is beautiful though.
Still waiting for the other 'alf's ideas/vision.
What If
The suspense over the last 2 weeks has been almost too much. Waiting to see what our "dream" home will actually look like after the architect had pulled together a set of plans has been quite tough. And the plans are everything we expected them to be.
But...
The "what ifs" have started...
For example, the stairs are as we expected but we aren't now sure if the stairs should have a "solid" back, or glass sides, or open tread. A solid back would allow us to "hide" away coats and boots and school bags. The glass and open-tread options would (potentially) be more stunning but less practical!
The dressing room has no natural light (as it is a walk-in wardrobe, to be honest). There is a strong desire from one half of the client pairing to put a slightly tilted Velux-style window in the ceiling of the dressing room!
And on the subject of light, the same half of the client pairing would like a window in the utility room, even if it is opaque.
And then there are the minor details. Will the new fireplace in the extension be capable of supporting a back boiler and the installation of a wood/multi-fuel stove? Does the walk-in larder need to be insulated to ensure it stays cool? Will there be enough light in the front bedroom? Do we need to decide on the colour of the window frames for planning approval? Black? Dark Grey? How do the doors work in the Master Bedroom and Kitchen (as they seem to be width and a half)? Are the windows in the Master Bedroom full height?
And then there are the cost issues. We are still furiously trying to estimate the total cost. Does the use of Zinc for part of the roof add a significant cost? How much will all that glass at the front of the hall cost?
Much to discuss and get decided.
The plans reflect our vision. But our vision is constantly evolving. That evolution, however, needs to come to a close ASAP. No show-stoppers though and everything is looking pretty cool (and the gang) so far.
But...
The "what ifs" have started...
For example, the stairs are as we expected but we aren't now sure if the stairs should have a "solid" back, or glass sides, or open tread. A solid back would allow us to "hide" away coats and boots and school bags. The glass and open-tread options would (potentially) be more stunning but less practical!
The dressing room has no natural light (as it is a walk-in wardrobe, to be honest). There is a strong desire from one half of the client pairing to put a slightly tilted Velux-style window in the ceiling of the dressing room!
And on the subject of light, the same half of the client pairing would like a window in the utility room, even if it is opaque.
And then there are the minor details. Will the new fireplace in the extension be capable of supporting a back boiler and the installation of a wood/multi-fuel stove? Does the walk-in larder need to be insulated to ensure it stays cool? Will there be enough light in the front bedroom? Do we need to decide on the colour of the window frames for planning approval? Black? Dark Grey? How do the doors work in the Master Bedroom and Kitchen (as they seem to be width and a half)? Are the windows in the Master Bedroom full height?
And then there are the cost issues. We are still furiously trying to estimate the total cost. Does the use of Zinc for part of the roof add a significant cost? How much will all that glass at the front of the hall cost?
Much to discuss and get decided.
The plans reflect our vision. But our vision is constantly evolving. That evolution, however, needs to come to a close ASAP. No show-stoppers though and everything is looking pretty cool (and the gang) so far.
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