So, phase one of our extension project is complete and as I look back on the last 6 months and think of the "nightmare"..I mean the joy of undertaking a huge task with Scotty boy I thought it only right that I impart some wisdom to you.
1. Don't agree to such a ridiculous idea to start with, when you have to remove your fence to get diggers and
dumper trucks into your back garden you know there is trouble ahead.
2. Make sure you have all information required before getting quotes for concrete and scaffolding. Cubic
meters? Square meters? What ever!! I don't know just fill my whole in with concrete. How many lifts do
I want Mr. scaffolding man....a ladder would do mate.
3. The removal of a roof in your kitchen is not recommended, at least not in the rain and without replacing it
for 3 months. I would also ensure that an umbrella is kept handy so when you are sitting at the computer
and your husband has got in the bath, you do not get completely soaked from the overflow pipe that no
longer flows onto you roof...because you got rid of said roof.
4. Tarpaulin is a great thing...if it hasn't got holes in.
5. To speed things along it is sometimes appropriate to cut corners. Try to get things done when DIY king is
out of the area, he need never know how many screws are in place keeping the floor together.
6. When the roof is being built...disappear, then you wont have to fix the hole that may appear in your
bathroom ceiling. If this does happen I recommend duck tape and a Tesco carrier bag..it has held up
well.
7. Don't attempt to pour a garage floor at 7pm, by 9pm you need to do it by torch light which would just be
silly, your DIY king may then get a little stressed and the concrete mixer may fall over, he then may put his
foot through a wood pallet and get a little stuck which just wouldn't be funny at all. Trying to get the
floor level at 11pm with one torch is also deemed....stupid.
8. Comments like "Just lift it women", "Can you not just balance it on your head?", "Get your backside up
here the roof is only a bit loose" are just a few that could be encountered. Keep mental notes, they will
be valuable later.
9. When you are drawing to the end of a phase, it is the DIY Queens turn to get the job finished, remove the
DIY King, he will only hinder. To follow are the real secrets that must never be disclosed.
10. To fit a ceiling just patchwork it and get it plastered before the king comes home. Hundreds of screws
are not required, sometimes bashing a few nails in will work. Coving adhesive is thick for a reason, no
need to get the corners of the coving perfect..fill it. No need to get your plasterboard perfect...fill it.
The trick my friends is to get it done before the king comes home.
So we are now moving into phase 2, upstairs there is no floor if the King thinks I am going to balance on rafters he can think again.
