TLC Tips for First Home: From Bathrooms to Banisters and Everything In-Between!

[woofiedog]

@junnier ah I hope you're fueling with wine and pizza! I know I will do, I'm yet to get the keys but nearly there so I'm just trying to be as prepared as possible before I get to throw myself at it absolutely top- bottom makes so much sense! And I know for a fact I would have started in the kitchen because it's where my heart is so I'm super grateful to be educated. Yes absolutely white everywhere again makes the most sense, and it'll look wonderful as a blank canvas!

 

[fatseasex]

Get these for the room you’re working in. It doesn’t stop 100 % but greatly reduces dust. We didn’t use them for phase one but did for the 2nd and the difference was immense.

 

[woofiedog]

@fatseasex omg wow! Thank you so much those are great! Straight into my Amazon basket

 

[semery]

Start at the top and work down so ur not going to ruin what you have already done x

 

[woofiedog]

@semery so simple but effective! I'll remember that as a rule - thank you!

 

[xcer125]

Don’t start untill you’ve got enough cash to get a good way through it… do it room by room. Think about rewire n windows big jobs how bad does it need doing ect we had a rewire in 2015 it still had Woden back boxes on the light switches which have been against code since the mid 60s

 

[woofiedog]

@xcer125 wow that's crazy! And I bet it was a faff to have it all fixed
We're very blessed to have enough funds to get a lot done while also being able to stay living where we are at the moment so we don't have to live in a building site, but of course we don't want to sit on our laurels about it. We are prioritising the larger/more expensive jobs first but absolutely I agree we are taking into consideration what really needs attention Vs what can wait

 

[xcer125]

@woofiedog12 months we’ll be done sadly we’ve out grown the house now

 

[woofiedog]

@xcer125 oh goodness! Let's hope the electrics are kinder to you in the next place! All the best for your next chapter

 

[niceguy01]

Don't stress if it takes longer than you want/thought (it almost definitely will!) Be prepared to find lots of unknown jobs you will uncover. E.g bad electrics that need fixing, loft with no insulation, pipes that burst etc. What you think is a small job often turns to a big job (many renovators will know what I mean here!) But it's just one of those things and we've all been there so roll with it! Also prep prep and more prep if you want the finish to be good. People think painting a room is as easy as buying paint and roller and doing it. It's not! 70% of a job is the prep worl, especially painting. You might have to strip wallpaper (or woodchip ), have to clean all the dirt and grime and paste, have to fill a billion holes in old walls, sand all the filler, repeat until its nice and smooth. Only then should you paint. And it's also good to buy a cheap white paint to use as an under coat then use your chosen colour over that. This way you will actually get a good finish. Also start at the top down -ceiling, walls, skirting. Good luck! It's a long hard journey and takes far more money than you planned but worth it

 

[woofiedog]

@niceguy01 thank you so much! Yes I'm prepared for some unwelcome discoveries as it's an older build so definitely taken on a project - but it'll be a work of love
There is a HUGE amount of wallpaper in this place (again, older place so I guess that figures ) so it's definitely a case of all friends and family on deck to help tear it down! Hopefully we'll have some laughs along the way and fuel ourselves with wine and pizza

 

[panelasalex]

Our first house needed 18 months of redecoration, new ceilings, kitchen and bathroom doing. So one step at a time.

 

[woofiedog]

@panelasalex I do need to learn some patience! Trying to prioritise what is absolutely necessary first

 

[sae]

It depends where you live. Sometimes people who are already renovating their place will sell what they can from their old kitchen or cupboards etc. Look in your local newspapers, DIY stores etc or the online marketplace on Facebook.

 

[woofiedog]

@sae that's a fab idea, thank you

 

[rachelpowers89]

A room at a time start from the top and work down!!
Firstly though are all the electrical wires etc okay?
Or you could just rip everything out but prioritise your bathroom and kitchen just don’t overwhelm yourselves!!

 

[woofiedog]

@rachelpowers89 we've not yet got the keys so we are yet to find out I'll be having a lot of checks/repairs going on from the moment I can, that's for sure! Yes I definitely agree on bathroom & kitchen as for us the kitchen is the hub of the home, but also the bedroom so it sticks to the top-bottom rule and we have somewhere nice to retreat after both tears of joy and stress

 

[rachelpowers89]

Rosie Viette I can sympathise totally our daughter and son in law have just been through it! But with all the family help they got there just before baby was born ( I was doing the last minute wiping down and hoovering ) great team effort though fortunately I have a great husband who does the electrical side with his brother ( the guy that started it badly let them down) and a wonderful son who did the kitchen and skirting doors etc for them and a good friend who did the complete bathroom and rest of family mother in law etc dab hands on painting but by gum the 11th hour and we were with bated breath xxx
I’ll be crying for you it was very stressful at times xx

 

[woofiedog]

@rachelpowers89 ohhhh my goodness! Throw in a baby about to be born and you've about conquered life's biggest challenges all in one! Congratulations on your new grandchild!
It's wonderful to have friends and family ready and willing to help isn't it, makes the process so much more hearty and fulfilling (I hope)!
We have two boys aged 5 & 3, this move has been a long time coming - they still share a room with us! We may have done things a little bit of the wrong way round but once it's all said and done it'll all be so worth the humble beginnings

 

[rachelpowers89]

@woofiedog a baby boy he is gorgeous and I have two granddaughters from our son xx Life throws things at us lovely but you have conquered a challenge of your own what is is what is and as long as your all happy that’s the main thing! As I was once told things come together and them that wait reap and you have done just that! Good luck lovely and truly hope you will have your forever home very soon xxx