Thanks very much
It's taken a lot of time but hopefully by the end of July (if everything goes to plan) the house will finally be finished, when the deck and ramp is built in the back garden.
Last edited:
Accessible Bungalow Renovation
- Thread starter Valo
- Start date
Thanks very much
It's taken a lot of time but hopefully by the end of July (if everything goes to plan) the house will finally be finished, when the deck and ramp is built in the back garden.
Day Five
Work is contiuning but the weather hasn't been the best and is causing a slight delay. The circular seating area and about half of the path is now complete with the edging stones added and set in place.
Work is contiuning but the weather hasn't been the best and is causing a slight delay. The circular seating area and about half of the path is now complete with the edging stones added and set in place.
Last edited:
Day Six
The new path is now complete. I'm really happy with how it's turned out
The landscapers now just need to level the ground at the bottom of the second picture where old paving slabs have been removed in preparation for new turf. Once the deck has been built by my joiner who did the work to the inside of the house, they'll be back to lift all the existing lawn and relay it with new turf.
The new plant bed also needs a lot of compost put through it as the soil has a lot of clay.
The new path is now complete. I'm really happy with how it's turned out
The landscapers now just need to level the ground at the bottom of the second picture where old paving slabs have been removed in preparation for new turf. Once the deck has been built by my joiner who did the work to the inside of the house, they'll be back to lift all the existing lawn and relay it with new turf.
The new plant bed also needs a lot of compost put through it as the soil has a lot of clay.
Last edited:
Thanks very much
Yeah the joiner who did the majority of the internal work to the house was recommended by a family friend who's used him for years. He's one of those guys that doesn't like to be beaten by a problem and takes serious pride in his work.
The landscapers where a company I found to carry out a garden blitz over at my Dad's house a few years back. They did such a great job of that I kept them on to do regular garden maintenance for him now, so they where the natural choice to do the garden work for me.
Sure no problem! The worktop is called Mistral made by a company called Karonia - http://www.karonia.com/mistral.html
It was about £2300 for the length I used on the kitchen quote, however that included the template creation and fitting (including the drainage grooves). I used the colour Mist from the range, if memory serves me right. I'm really happy with it, it's obviously made up of a few pieces but once it's put together, bonded and sanded it gains a totally seamless finish and very is hardwearing. The worktop also comes with it's own maintenance kit to preserve the look and bring out the pigment. I think it's made a big difference to colour scheme to the kitchen and helped to lightened it. The only other option I had was to use the german laminate which has been used for splash backs and for worktop at the utility side of the kitchen by the washing machine and tumble dryer, which could've caused the kitchen to be to dark.
Great finish, your house looks amazing. Thanks for posting your progress, I really hope you enjoy it when it's finished
Oh, I also noticed we are HP switch bros! May it serve you well!
Thanks very much. The finish line is now insight!
The HP switch was a no brainer. I used to spec and sell HP Procurve equipment a lot in my old job and know that they are practically bulletproof and super reliable. It's great that there is such a good used market for them and you can pick them up dirt cheap on eBay!
Not only have you adapted the house for your needs but at the same time you have made a truly beautiful home. Everything looks to be done to such a high standard and it is all very tasteful.
Fantastic stuff, I hope you enjoy many happy and comfortable years in your new home!
Thanks very much. That's nice of you to say
I realise that a lot of the other home improvement threads on here are done by people doing the work themselves and believe me if I could have, I would've gotten my hands dirty!
I think I also wanted to show that just because you may have a disability doesn't mean you have to live in a clinical hospital like environment.
Day 7 - Deck Build Day 1
It's been a fews weeks since the path was finished, so now it's time to get the Deck and Ramp started.
The Deck and Ramp are being constructed using DuoFuse Composite Decking boards (Tropical Brown) which is ideal for my requirements:
I'm still considering options for railings - I have two options:
It's been a fews weeks since the path was finished, so now it's time to get the Deck and Ramp started.
The Deck and Ramp are being constructed using DuoFuse Composite Decking boards (Tropical Brown) which is ideal for my requirements:
- Maintenance Free (No Sanding, Oiling/Varnishing etc)
- Long Lasting
I'm still considering options for railings - I have two options:
- Stainless Steel (in the same style as the railings at the front of the house)
- Ranch Fencing from Duofuse - http://www.duofuse.com/en/Products/Ranch_fencing/ and http://www.duofuse.com/en/Inspiration/ which would be in the same Tropical Brown colour as the deck.
Last edited:
Cheers! Thanks very much. It's been an interesting but fun ride, sometimes a bit stressful and I'm not the one doing the actual work
Day 8 - Deck Build Day 2
Just more of the same today, just like yesterday! The main area of deck is now finished and the first two sections of the ramp have been built. Just the second level platt to build and then join the deck up to the path.
I also ordered my deck lighting today from LEDHut. I've ordered 4 packs of these to go all over the deck and ramp - http://www.ledhut.co.uk/led-garden-...new-6-piece-led-decking-light-kit-deck-1.html. I'm also going to get some standard GU10 downlighters put in the Soffits by my spark who'll be installing the deck lighting.
I'll hopefully hear tomorrow about the timescale for the deck railings all being well.
Just more of the same today, just like yesterday! The main area of deck is now finished and the first two sections of the ramp have been built. Just the second level platt to build and then join the deck up to the path.
I also ordered my deck lighting today from LEDHut. I've ordered 4 packs of these to go all over the deck and ramp - http://www.ledhut.co.uk/led-garden-...new-6-piece-led-decking-light-kit-deck-1.html. I'm also going to get some standard GU10 downlighters put in the Soffits by my spark who'll be installing the deck lighting.
I'll hopefully hear tomorrow about the timescale for the deck railings all being well.
Last edited:
Day 9 - Deck Build Day 3
The deck build is finished! Well apart from a few small finishing touches....I'm now waiting on a quote for the railings and timescale for doing the work. It won't stop me using the deck though.
The deck lights have also arrived, again just waiting on my spark to tell me when he can come and do the work.
I also need to get the path altered slightly (needs to be made wider) where the ramp lands on the path as it doesn't quite line up. It should be an easy fix though.
The deck build is finished! Well apart from a few small finishing touches....I'm now waiting on a quote for the railings and timescale for doing the work. It won't stop me using the deck though.
The deck lights have also arrived, again just waiting on my spark to tell me when he can come and do the work.
I also need to get the path altered slightly (needs to be made wider) where the ramp lands on the path as it doesn't quite line up. It should be an easy fix though.
Last edited:
Day 10 - Deck Build Day Four
The new deck and soffit LED lighting are now in. This was done last week but I've been to busy to post.
The deck furniture has also arrived and been assembled. I also got a great deal on an ex-display garden table with four chairs and parasol from my local garden centre for the seating area and the end of the path. The new plant bed has also been planted up.
If everything goes to plan the lawn will be patched on Friday with new turf, the path will also be widened to meet the ramp correctly.
The only job left will be the hand rails for the deck which will happen sometime in September then the garden and the whole project will be finished!
Once everything is finished in the garden I'll get some final photos posted.
The new deck and soffit LED lighting are now in. This was done last week but I've been to busy to post.
The deck furniture has also arrived and been assembled. I also got a great deal on an ex-display garden table with four chairs and parasol from my local garden centre for the seating area and the end of the path. The new plant bed has also been planted up.
If everything goes to plan the lawn will be patched on Friday with new turf, the path will also be widened to meet the ramp correctly.
The only job left will be the hand rails for the deck which will happen sometime in September then the garden and the whole project will be finished!
Once everything is finished in the garden I'll get some final photos posted.
Last edited:
its come on really well, the finishes all look blooming fantastic no wonder you're so pleased with it
The way the path curves in that gentle S shape really lengthens the garden out a clever idea
Thanks
I had the idea about a curved path, but it was the landscape gardener who measured it out and made sure the gradient was ok for me in my chair.Cheers
Yeah I really am, I'd like to think I've done my late sister proud as well. This will be my forever home, a place I can grow into and coming from a flat I'm enjoying having much more room.
Day 11
The landscapers where back to finish off widening the path at the end of the ramp. They also finished off laying new turf and added a second plant bed over in the shade.
Day 12 - Deck Build Day Five
The deck furniture now been put out after being assembled. The lower part of the ramp has now had it's side finishing strips screwed on as well.
Final Photos
I'm really thrilled with the fantastic transformation over 12 working days, spread out just over a month in total. A Job for next year will be to treat the older part of the lawn and bring it up to scratch and hopefully get it to match the newer lawn.
The Scottish weather decided to play fair at the start of the week and it was warm enough to sit out and enjoy this fantastic new space
The landscapers where back to finish off widening the path at the end of the ramp. They also finished off laying new turf and added a second plant bed over in the shade.
Day 12 - Deck Build Day Five
The deck furniture now been put out after being assembled. The lower part of the ramp has now had it's side finishing strips screwed on as well.
Final Photos
I'm really thrilled with the fantastic transformation over 12 working days, spread out just over a month in total. A Job for next year will be to treat the older part of the lawn and bring it up to scratch and hopefully get it to match the newer lawn.
The Scottish weather decided to play fair at the start of the week and it was warm enough to sit out and enjoy this fantastic new space
Last edited:
Next on the list is to get the railings made and installed on the deck along with treating the front and back lawns next year....apart from that NOTHING! Time to enjoy it
It all looks great.
I bet you are proud.
Good job.
Cheers! I've been lucky and had some brilliant trades working with me on this, most of which have been friends of my main joiner who did the majority of the work through out the project.
Deck Railings
Better late than never my blacksmith friend was back to construct the railings for the deck over the weekend. It was well worth the wait as once again he's done a fantastic job!
It's nice to have the same style railings both at front and back of the house. With the railings now done that's the last major job for the time being and finishes off the back garden work and makes the new deck totally maintenance free going forward
Better late than never my blacksmith friend was back to construct the railings for the deck over the weekend. It was well worth the wait as once again he's done a fantastic job!
It's nice to have the same style railings both at front and back of the house. With the railings now done that's the last major job for the time being and finishes off the back garden work and makes the new deck totally maintenance free going forward
Last edited:
Cheers!
Thanks very much
I consider myself really lucky that I had good people helping me out throughout. Looking forward to enjoying the fruits of all the work both theres and my own in 2016.Managed to get a few photos of the completed deck at night. The deck lights hitting off the railings look great.
Another job I had done early in 2015 but didn't document unfortunately was having the Soffit and Fascias on the roof clad in PVC. The roof and boarding was needing attention in some areas so it made sense to do the small roof repairs and improvements at the same time.
By cladding the Soffit and Fascias in PVC means that they are now maintenance free and will not need to be stripped, painted and sealed ever again.
Last edited:
Thanks! I'm with you there fingers crossed for good weather. I bought a Weber BBQ last year and it's still in the box, really hope I can finally break it out and use it this summer.
You wouldn't recognise Livingston now, it's been through some rapid growth even since I've lived here.
Stumbled across this thread after you posted images of your garden in the "Post Your Garden!" thread Valo. The transformation is remarkable. Really very nice work
Thanks very much
I can't take any credit for actually doing the work, that was all down to fantastic trades....but did enjoy overseeing and managing certain bits of the work, looking back on it now. At the time it felt relentless and like a never-ending saga!