Extension starts in a week and I'm in a massive panic - please help!

[Tory79]

So we have a 2 story extension starting on 4th aug, along with general work to the rest of the house - new carpets, painting etc.

Builders were only confirmed last wed evening. I'd just resigned myself to it not happening this year, and now all of a sudden it is and I feel very unprepared.

Dh is away this week and not back until sat 2nd. I'm 30 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old. My mum has been with us this weekend and I've been packing up bits, mainly the kitchen, but I just feel that we are in no way ready. Ds and I are here until Thursday when we will drive down to my mums to stay for 5 weeks so we're out of the way.

Can someone talk to me about the best use of my time over the next 4 days (bearing in mind in heavily pregnant and in charge of a toddler)

Can anyone also reassure me that minor going to return to a complete building site at 37 weeks pregnant? Builders are just doing the shell and say 4 weeks barring any surprises, but I don't think I've ever heard of a building project that didn't overrun! Dh is planning on doing as much of the interior work as possible himself (along with working full time) we have no carpets/kitchen/bathroom etc ordered seeing as we weren't sure building work would be going ahead and yet dh is assuring me it will be 'mostly' finished by the time we come back.....

[MummytoMog]

I think someone is being massively optimistic there, sorry. We had our foundations dug in September, but the shell wasn't up until December. Pack away as much as possible, hide your vacuum and be prepared for a lot of mess.

I also did a lot of our interior work (fitted bathrooms, kitchen etc) and it has taken forever because it is really hard to so with children around and in conjunction with a full time job. Your DH may be better at making time than I am though.

[zgaze]

Another one saying massively optimistic timescale, sorry. We are in the middle of a project removing two internal walls and reconfiguring internal space and we're already into the fifth week of builders on site with that. If they're just doing the shell who is organising the other services - plumber, electrician etc?

[burnishedsilver]

Does the budget allow for getting packers in and getting some help to speed up your dh?

We are half way throug our build. The day before the builders arrived I thought we hadnt a hope of being packed and out on time but we did it. Admittedly I was cursing myself for having decided to save money by packing up ourselves.

Our kitchen company had a lead time if 4 weeks. I'd suggest you pick the kitchen as soon as the build starts. The bathroom fixtures were from a local builders providers. There was only a day lead time.

The part of your plan thatd I'd question is your dhs plan to finish it himself, fitted in around work and a new baby. Thats a massive undertaking. It could take 6 months.

[Tory79]

It wasn't really my plan to be honest! Dh is adamant it can be done, and he currently is saying that everything will be done bar the new bedroom ensuite upstairs before the baby comes.....

He works in facilities and construction (albeit not for houses, on much larger projects) and will be roping in some friends and contacts for elecs and plumbing etc. He was planning to fit the kitchen himself but has now agreed he'll get it done by someone else.

He is very proficient at DIY, and very good at what he does, but I personally agree he is beig massively optimistic and I'm getting increasingly frustrated that he wont admit the timescales are unlikely to work so we can plan accordingly.

We won't be able to get packers in for the house, in any event, dh is plannig to just move things around the house rather than go for putting things in storage which was my suggestion......

[Tory79]

I think dh gets carried away with the idea that it's what he does for a living and forgets he doesn't do HOUSES!

So, how much mess does the rest of the house get in to ie the side that's away from the actual extension?

[Tory79]

Oh yes, and he's away on holiday this week, that's how unconcerned he is about what's going to happen!!

[burnishedsilver]

If he's that determined perhaps your best bet is to just leave him to it and make your own plan b in case the baby is ready first.

Our builder said 6 weeks. Conventional wisdom said 10-12. 3 weeks in it looks like were half way there :-) He's throwing men at the job though. There are people working in every room.