Accessible Bungalow Renovation

New Central Heating Install

Monday to Wednesday this week saw the old boiler, water tank and single panel radiators replaced with a new central heating system.

Worcester Bosch 38CDi Boiler (8yr warranty)
Worcester Magnetic Filter
7x Stelrad Softline Radiators (Danfoss TRV's)
2x Radox Premier Curved Heated Towel Rails

My local independent gas fitter has done a superb job replacing the system. They've connected up a basic thermostat to allow me some control until I've moved in and got broadband up and running to allow me to install the Hive system.

Now that the old water tank has been removed my joiner can now knock the the water tank cupboard and the old hall cupboard together and into the existing En-suite to form my new wet room. Once this is done and the new walls are up and the wet room has begun to take shape the Gas fitters will be back to install the second hall radiator, the towel rail in the wet room and flush the system. The pipework for the new thermostatic shower in my wet room is also in place.

Even with the new system on tick over the difference is brilliant. I can't wait to make full use of it.

Picture time.....

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Old Boiler in the Garage

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Old water tank in what was the Airing Cupboard, the space to the right is the now gutted old Hall cupboard. These two cupboards will now be knocked through to the existing En-suite behind them next week.

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New Boiler part way through installation

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The finished install!
 
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hawkhench said:
Looking good, doesn't get much better than a Worcester-Bosch combi. Major improvement on what was there before.
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You're not wrong there! The heating system was the one part of the home report the house fell down on. Now that it's been replaced and improved, not only will the system perform more efficiently that should transfer into ££ in my pocket....hopefully even more so once the Hive thermostat is installed :D :cool:
 
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A few more photo's

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Now that the water tank has been removed, the dividing wall between the two Hall cupboards has been taken down and this space is ready to be knocked through into the en-suite. The knock through and the new Hall stud wall should be done this week.

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Wall has been cut in preperation of boarding out the new Hall cupboard. This again should hopefully be done this week.

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The dividing wall between the Kitchen and Utility has now been taken down as well, which makes a big difference for turning around in a wheelchair at the end of the kitchen.You can also see one of the new double panel Stelrad Softline Radiators.

I received word yesterday that the building warrant has been granted for the structural change of replacing the back door with a set of french doors, I just need to wait on the paperwork to come through :cool:
 
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i like your new floor plan. the old one had far too many walls and partitions...probably made the bungalow feel cramped imo =)
 
tamzzy said:
i like your new floor plan. the old one had far too many walls and partitions...probably made the bungalow feel cramped imo =)
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Yeah it felt cramped especially at the end of the end of the Hall where the bedrooms are as the Hall narrowed.

RedMogg said:
Subscribed as I'm embarking on a very similar project :)
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Nice one! If I can be of any help just ask :) :cool:
 
It was another productive week last week. My joiner has knocked through into what was the old En-suite in the Master Bedroom and formed what will be the new Wet Room. The old door has been blocked off and the new doorway formed.

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The Electrician has also started prep work for new down lighters in my Master Bedroom and the lowering of light switches throughout the whole house.

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I'm going to use the MK Electric Avant range of Wide Rocker Switches throughout the house to start of with. I use these style of switches in my home now and find them perfect to use with my limited hand dexterity.

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My long term plan is to hopefully automate the lights in some of the rooms using LightwaveRF, giving me control from my bed using my iPhone and over the web.

The Plasterer has also started to skim various walls and ceilings throughout the house.

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The new Hall wall, where the old cupboards containing the water tank used to be. There will be a radiator installed on that Wall shortly, along with a heated towel rail in the new Wet Room to complete the new Central Heating system.

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New small Hall Cupboard boarded out and plastered.

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New Study Wall plastered.

Other Build News

  • Work will stet on the Wet Room fit out on 31st March
  • Electrician is going to run CAT6 around the house to terminate to a Wall mount cabinet in the Garage. Old work mate will do the Cabinet Install, Patch Panel Punch Down and Wall Plate termination.
  • The Building Warrant has come through, so I can go ahead and replace the Single Backdoor with a new Double French Door.
 
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Progress This Week

The plasterer/painter has finished all the plastering in the Hall and installed new coving, lining papered and given the it it's first coat of paint.

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The vast majority of the prep work for the new Double Plug Sockets, Lowered Light Switches, and CAT6 Network points has also been done. It's just down to my electrician to now carry out the work.

The prep work for the removal of the old Back Door has also been done, now that the Building Warrant has come through. The new French Doors will be ordered shortly.

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I've selected and ordered my flooring but I forgot to take a photo - The flooring I'm using is a textured wooden Karndean in The Hall, Livingroom, Study and Bedrooms.
I'm using a similar textured effect Tile for the Kitchen. I've started looking at Bathroom Tiles for the new Wet Room as well.

This week may see the Pre-finished Oak skirting boards and Internal Doors begin to be fitted. I'm also hopeful of making progress with replacing the UPVC Front Door with a new low threshold Composite Door with a Multipoint Electric Lock and Swing Arm Opening System, which can be operated by a radio fob. This will allow me to open my front door from anywhere in the house using a button on a wireless fob. I'm also looking at having a smart fob proximity access system installed to allow the front door to be unlocked without a typical key from the outside.
 
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It's been another good week on the build. My Master Bedroom along with the spare bedroom and study have all been plastered, if needed and have had their first coat of paint.

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The new Pre-finished Oak Internal Doors and Skirting Boards have also been delivered ready to be installed when required.

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Two of the doors for the Livingroom and Kitchen have been finished with an addition of a clear glass panel.

The electrician has also started to pull my structured cabling across the house. Every room in the house will have at least 2xCAT6 points. The CAT6 cabling will terminate in the Garage to a Wall Mounted Data Cabinet which will eventually house 24 Port Patch Panel, 24 Port Rack GB Switch, Router and my Drobo NAS :D :cool:

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I've settled on the tiles and flooring for my new wet room. I just need to decide on the sink and tap. This needs to be done for the installation week starting Monday 31st.

This Week the new permanent Mono-blocked ramp to my Front Door will be constructed. The prep work will be continuing inside with the Living Room and Kitchen/Dining Room getting plastered and a coat of paint and the electrical work will continue with the Living Room and Kitchen/Dining Room. My local Gas Fitters who installed my new central heating are coming back this week to install the second hall radiator and to bring up pipes in my new wet room for the heated towel rail and new shower.

I've also had some encouraging meetings this week to find a new low threshold Front Door. I have the added complication that any Front Door needs to be suitable to use with an automatic swing opening arm and electric multipoint lock systems.
 
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koolpc said:
Waw, looking great! Nice looking bungalow too. Wish you all the best with the changes. Looks like you have a good team onboard.
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Cheers! Yeah, I've got a good joiner who really knows what he's doing and most importantly takes pride in his work. The Electrician and Plasterer/Painter are friends of his as well, so there is no waiting around for trades to show up on certain days.
 
Overdue Update....

It's been all go over the past two weeks and I haven't had time to upload the progress on the build, but everything is really beginning to come together.

My new prefinished oak doors, door frames and skirting boards have all been hung and installed, after my Hall received it's second coat of paint.

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I'm real happy with the internal doors, they look fantastic and really finish the Hall of perfectly. The doors for the Livingroom and Kitchen/Dining Room (pictured above) have an added glass panel.

The new LED down lighters in my Master Bedroom have also been installed, along with my Kitchen/Diner. The new paddle rocker style light switches have also started to be installed throughout the house.

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This past week my Wet Room has been been constructed and installed by a local specialist company.

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The shower and bathroom cabinet still need to be installed, and the tiles need a final wash down but we are 95% finished. I'm really happy with it. I think it looks fantastic! :cool: :D

The building work has also started outside for my mono block ramp. The progress has been a bit slow due to the good old scottish weather, but I'm sure it'll be finished in a few weeks.

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I've also agreed the purchase of a new custom built Composite Front Door with Automated Lock and Swing Arm Opening System. This has been a major headache tho organise due to the fact I'm using an electric lock and swing arm system. Unfortunately I can't progress the order until the new ramp is complete as they need to take accurate measurements and check levels.

I've also bought the new storage system for my Livingroom from IKEA, which has been built and test fitted to the wall to get the correct clearances and height for my needs.
 
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Love the tiles in your bathroom. Solid oak doors, skirts, and door frames? Nice!

How much funding did you get for all of this, if you don't mind divulging? I'm guessing it wasn't from a private accident policy?
 
Sorry I've not completely read through the entire thread (will do shortly) but have these works come from a council grant? If so how does one qualify for it?

My mother is looking at downsizing into a bungalow as my Father is getting progressively less and less mobile and stairs she feels are going to become an absolute no-no soon enough. He's currently in receipt of higher allowance DLA. If she was to move into a bungalow, a grant and some work like this would make their life a hell of a lot easier.

Decent bungalows in our area are pretty much on par (valuewise) with what I assume she'd get for the 3 bed semi she currently lives in.
 
Participant said:
Love the tiles in your bathroom. Solid oak doors, skirts, and door frames? Nice!

How much funding did you get for all of this, if you don't mind divulging? I'm guessing it wasn't from a private accident policy?
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The doors are actually of an engineered construction and are an oak veneer finish ;)

Since you and R.O.S.S.I have asked a similar question about funding I've answered it below.

R.O.S.S.I said:
Sorry I've not completely read through the entire thread (will do shortly) but have these works come from a council grant? If so how does one qualify for it?

My mother is looking at downsizing into a bungalow as my Father is getting progressively less and less mobile and stairs she feels are going to become an absolute no-no soon enough. He's currently in receipt of higher allowance DLA. If she was to move into a bungalow, a grant and some work like this would make their life a hell of a lot easier.

Decent bungalows in our area are pretty much on par (valuewise) with what I assume she'd get for the 3 bed semi she currently lives in.
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Every local authority is different with regards to disability adaption grants for properties. The system my local authority uses is means tested. They also have a budget and a standard specification for these types of jobs. I then have the opportunity to add funds to that particular jobs budget to get a better finish if I want to.

For example the Wet Room specification:

Tiling: The standard specification includes a budget for 7sqm for tiling of standard basic white tiles. That equals about £55.00 and would cover the wall around my shower area. I have decided to tile the entire wet room. The council will pay £55.00 towards that cost and I will make up the difference.

There are certain jobs such as painting/plastering, lighting, flooring, back door access and some internal doors I have financed myself entirely as they don't fall in to the remit of the adaption grant.

I hope this helps :)
 
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