I’ve not said much about the house renovations. For one obvious reason, it’s been a touch stress-inducing. But the roof has been restored (re-battened, felted and insulated), the chimneys re-pointed and leaking elements fixed, the bedroom gables made secure, and the rear conservatory demolished and removed, and so we’re on the upward trajectory. Or so Graham assures me.
We’re pleased with the roof. On the house front the original Welsh slates have been re-used wherever possible, with reclaimed vintage ones making up the shortfall. The back-of-the-house tiles were all asbestos and had to be removed by a specialist company. They’ve been replaced with Spanish slate, new Welsh slate now being too expensive to contemplate, which is a great pity. But then back in 1922 when local builder George Nicholas was roofing the house, he likewise thought Welsh slate was too expensive to use on the rear elevation. The house then backed onto fields, with only cows to know the difference.
With the roof done, super-builder Alan Morris has been forging ahead, even as he shivered in biting winds and rainstorms re-pointing the chimneys. On top of that, it’s not an easy site: street access is problematic (narrow road), and the new rear kitchen extension, mostly on the footprint of a conservatory, is hemmed in by house, hedge boundary and a terrace wall.
New tiled roof and old conservatory
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Demolition begins:
Bricks from the inner skin of the conservatory to be re-used on new exterior walls.
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Shifting the debris and digging out new foundations
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We filled three skips which required some nifty delivery and retrieval. Large vehicles can only reverse into the street. There’s not enough road width to exit at the top of the hill.
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Builder Alan explaining some finer points of construction to Graham
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And this is where we are now: waiting for the floor to be insulated and the concrete laid (Tuesday)
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For the month of May, Becky is hosting the daily posting of a square format header photo. The themes are renewal, burgeoning, moving forward, reconstruction. I’m thinking our renovation works are pretty much covering the lot. And finally, most importantly, we have a moving forward with the weather: sunshine and some warmth. I think we can now say (fingers crossed) it is actually spring here in Shropshire.
Wow! That is some renewal! Moving determinedly forward!
everything Sue says, and here’s to the next phase going well too
Thanks, Becky. There will be updates!
I have to say the momentum is down to the builder. Talk about cracking on, plus he’s problem solving on the hoof and organising the other trades as and when needed.
That’s looking fabulous ❤️
Many thanks 🙂
Gosh, what a labour of love – and money – this is. But it will be very much worth it.
It does feel like the labours of Hercules even though I’m not the one actually labouring. That comes later – on the inside! But it’s amazing how such a small house can generate so many necessary jobs.
Even if you’re not actually labouring, the disruption makes it feel as if you are though.
That is VERY true
That looks like a tight fit Tish. Will the expansion take that entire plot? I hope the weather holds out and your renovation can proceed quickly. Thanks for including us with your pictures.
Yes the extension covers the entire rectangle, but it will open onto a small terrace with steps up to the garden. And thanks for those fair weather wishes, Anne. Much needed.
😍
Problem solving on the hoof is not a given, and to be applauded
Definitely.
Get a good builder and you’re on a winner. That’s a big job but will be well worth it when finished.
Thanks, Brian. And yes the building gods seem to be smiling on us 🙂
Was your house built in 1922? If so then the roof held up well. My house, here was built in 1904, or maybe 1910 (depending on whose records you choose to believe. The original roof is still on and I am smiling! Hope it lasts forever!!
Yes the roof did hold for a 100 years. It probably would have lasted a good while longer, but there were issues with the chimneys and lack of insulation. It’s good to have good roof though, isn’t it 🙂
You’re a brave woman, Tish! I hate mess and disruption (though I’m pretty good at making a mess). Will it be done in time for you to enjoy a bit of summer? That’s a moot question- what summer, you might ask?
We’re hoping the exterior building work will be done in the next couple of months, but then come inside jobs resulting from moving the kitchen! Lots to do 🙂
😚❤️
I appreciate when what can be reused is. We did the same with the tile roof of my parents’ house.
Gosh, that is one big job!
It is, Teresa!
It seems to be coming along rather nicely, and as you say, the improving weather should help. But living with this sort of chaos is never fun.
Thanks, Sarah. You’re right about the chaos. but we do have parts of the house that feel relatively peaceful/comfortable. Very small parts!
Your reuse of old bricks, slate, and anything else that is akin to the house is wonderful. I love all that has happened. It looks terrific! I’m looking forward to more house progress posts.
Thanks for you supportive comment, Jennie.
You are welcome!
Looking very nice. Please excuse my faulty memory, my what’s the name of your bustling little metropolis?
Hello, Ark. Bishops Castle is the town. Named after an ancient castle built by the Bishops of Hereford – a stronghold during tax gathering missions, and these days most of it recycled into the homes and garden walls of the town.
Thank you, Tish.
I may give you a call very soon!
😉
???
We fly into the UK on Saturday for Dad’s 90th.
We are there for a week and then we head to France with my sister for another week.
Maybe we be able to give you a shout out as we drive to France? Cup of tea perhaps?
Don’t know my Sister’s route from Chester but it’s all in a southerly direction and only around 2hrs drive to your spot. If that ‘s not too presumptuous?
😊
Dad’s 90th. That’s something to truly celebrate. Would be lovely to see you, though you’ll be in ‘there be dragons’ territory in the Bishops Castle borderlands i.e. more wendy-bendy lanes than highways. But cups of tea we can do. In principle that is. Much depends on where we are with the building work. Gosh, how exciting!
Haven’t run it by my Sis and bil. but
if it’s doable then a plan can be made.
Apparently they have a motor home type thing so I’m sure we could manage some tea and bikkies if your ‘building site’ did not not permit.
After so many years I don’t want to rue the fact I had the opportunity to meet one of my dearest blogpals and didn’t take it.
Will let you know.
Doug.
That’s so sweet, Ark. Would love to see you if feasible. Just a bit concerned that sis and bil might not be too keen on hinterland meanderings when they’re trying to head home, and then everyone ends up a tad grumpy. But hey, if a plan can be made… 🙂
Well, as I said, I have to run it by them.
It was touch and go we were coming in the first place as last week I got poleaxed by the worst bought of flu I have ever experienced. Literally on my back bedridden for the entire week.
Only after a full medical yesterday did I decide that, as weak as I may be right now, by early next week I should be fighting fit… ha ha
So, we’ll play it by ear and if you and Mister G. can accompany some travellers for a short pit stop on the way to the cross channel ferry…?
Try to let you know in a couple of days.
Wow. Wow. WOW!!! 😀
That’s a lot of wows, Widders. Cheers!
😀
There is so much work that goes into renovation, particularly with a house such as this. Reusing old bricks is such a fantastic idea, they look authentic and it helps save resources! Well done.
Many thanks.
How exciting, Tish. Can’t wait to see your new extension.
Hi Kate. Lovely to hear from you.
A smart looking house.
Thank you.
It looks like a wonderful house. We have a couple of houses that look similar, mostly built in the 1700s. The conservatory will give you a place to really develop your horticultural skills. We lack money to do everything at the same time, but we keep trudging along. A new stairlift tomorrow. A new downstairs bathroom on Wednesday. I’m saving for the next big one: the roof. I actually hate remodeling probably because I grew up in an old house and it was constantly being remodeled. Walls would disappear, a kitchen would vanish. One year we had no wall on the right side of the house and had to wear winter coats all the time. Houses really are the ultimate money pit but I can’t imagine not having one.
I sympathize hugely with your remodeling angst. (That must have been a very disruptive growing up with all those missing walls). But a new bathroom will be great once it’s done. I woke this morning to large truck blocking our road as the wood frame parts for the new kitchen were being craned over the hedge onto the front garden. Still a long haul ahead though. All existing parts of the house also need some walls re-organising.