old cottage

[Anonymous]

we have recently started work on our little cottage.
After reading all of your advice on restoration we have started to take all the plaster off ...how very pleasing!...but what a mess! Anyway, we seem to be working in all directions and nothing ever seems to get finished and I think we need a bit of guidance...somebody recommended we had a surveyor coming in (???, and added it would cost us £ 100)`. Thanks for any advice you can give us.

 

[Anonymous]

Be aware of health and safety
Do everthing (if posible in a methodical manner)
Do one room at a time. removing cleaning etc
And keep everything clean and tidy
Don't ever do too many jobs at once or it will drive you nuts.
If your not sure about anything be it the conservation of the building, building control etc etc.
ASK SOMEONE..... Okay
Don't take anything for granted
I think that sums a few things up................

 

[Anonymous]

Why are you taking plaster off? Is it modern gypsum?

 

[Anonymous]

thanks Jake

 

[Anonymous]

because it is trapping the moisture in

 

[Anonymous]

Expand.. presumably it's not lime then?

And you are going to replace it with lime?

Where is the trapped moisture coming from?

 

[Anonymous]

I can sympathise with the feeling of getting nowhere. I'm into month three of what was to be a quick six week refurbishment.

Whilst it's been a stressful and expensive exercise, it has also been very rewarding. This is especially so and now things are finally starting to come together: lime plaster is going onto masonry rather than cement and gypsum coming off.

Along the way I've learned to repair and repoint old brickwork, clean up floor bricks and a host of other things. I even went on a course to enable me to do my own lime plastering after struggling to find anyone who could do it quickly and at a sensible price.

I think it'll all be worth it in the end!

PS. Thanks to those on this forum that gave sound and helpful advice.

 

[Anonymous]

It's when you're into year thirteen and you realise that the five-year plan is a little behind schedule that you need to worry!

 

[Anonymous]

LOL We're not far behind you, Evelyn - we're on year 8, looking at our 9th Christmas in a static caravan on site ) Is it worth it, I heard someone ask.................Hell, YES!!!!!

Jaqy

 

[Anonymous]

It's when it's finished the trouble begins - you have no excuses for the dirt and lack of tidiness!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm afraid I'll be spoilt when it's finished. I've told my hubby straight, if he thinks I'm going from cleaning a static caravan to cleaning a house as big as ours, he's got another thing coming......I'm having a cleaner!! )

Jaqy

 

[Anonymous]

Yep!! DWB you don't want to break any nails.......
;o)

 

[Anonymous]

Finished?

Sorry - not a word I'm familiar with.

 

[Anonymous]

If you've got enough funds left to pay for a cleaner, you haven't spent enough on the house!