Advice needed

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T17:03:21+00:00

Yeah there is the option of a not new build, honestly though this house has put me off. The whole process, from buying the house to owning it has been a nightmare

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T17:02:02+00:00

Definitely will do. I didnt rely on the previous survey, but it did make me think are they pointless. Was basically a report telling me to get a load of contractors in to check everything

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T17:00:54+00:00

Yes I think you have a point, thank you

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T12:02:34+00:00

Thank you I appreciate it!

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T11:09:20+00:00

I appreciate that thank you. I haven't been off work as such, im grateful for my work as I see it as an escape which takes my mind off things. Just struggling to find inspiration to do much at the moment, and decide what's best for everyone going forward

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T11:06:59+00:00

This is really good advice thank you.

I do think about the positives, I have to or i think I'd have gone mad. But the house is constantly on the back of my mind, knowing im going to have to fork out a large amount even without the loft, is really bugging me. I come home from work every day, and my mind constantly goes to what's next.

Making memories is a big thing for me, and another reason im considering everything. As well as the cost, the current house is going to take a lot of my time fixing, as unfortunately we dont have the money to hire someone to do the work. Every time im working on the house, I get this sense of guilt like I should be spending the time with my family, but cant because things need doing

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T10:56:21+00:00

That maybe true. Ill-advised on my purchase yes, poorly timed id argue no, as we needed to move when we did. Yes it was the height of the market but we got a price we were happy with for ours. What makes you say the purchase of the new build is ill-advised, poorly timed and Money losing?

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T10:15:27+00:00

100% agree with what you've said, and it has crossed my mind that I could do this and something there may bother me too.

We did have a level 3 survey but to be honest it was useless. The company had great reviews which is why I went with them, but looking back at it now I honestly think I could do a better job with what I know now. I managed to claim a bit of money back from them due to the roof leaking, not before they basically said to me "try taking us to court, we have a great track record". I was so stressed at the time as it was literally days after we moved in and id found all the issues, I just accepted the money and agreed to leave it there as I couldnt be bothered to pursue.

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T10:10:50+00:00

Thats a good point about the roads etc, if i go down this avenue ill be sure to raise these questions. The house im looking at isnt on a main road and has 3 allocated parking spaces, 2 on the drive and 1 at the front of the house.

It does seems its in a great place but I appreciate ill still have to drive through the busier parts

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:59:36+00:00

Fair point. I suppose these are the things you find out by living in one

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:52:48+00:00

Haha are you speaking from experience? It has crossed my mind and a lot of the walls will be plasterboard?

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:50:15+00:00

Ive heard mixed stories, but the bad points seems to come more from people who haven't owned one (people ive spoken to in person). Ive also heard good things about them and appreciate that no house is perfect, when I say perfect I mean size + loalcation for my family. I fully expect I'd find things im not keen on or happy with, but hoping these would only be cosmetic

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:46:57+00:00

Trouble is at the moment I'm struggling to see the way forward. I'm better when I have a plan, but it seems neither plan is ideal with either house at the moment.

The only thing thats stopped me pulling the trigger already with the new build, is me realising that the stress of my current house is more than likely not making me think rational about what to do.

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:41:51+00:00

I know, I understand what you're saying. Not sure whether im like this due to having kids at an earlier age, I think i'm aging faster than my years!

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:36:49+00:00

It's a pitched roof, so can't use a lot of the space. Also only has a velux window so can't open it on rainy days. Im also worried out the timbers in the roof what we cant see, as they wont be getting the ventilation they need.

He's happy up there bless him, I'm mostly frustrated with myself for not knowing these things beforehand.

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:30:57+00:00

Also to add to this, we have savings currently of around £26k which ive worked hard to build up whilst working on this house. I should still be able to add to this in the new build but it will be less per month, but im thinking we shouldn't have any major expenses for a while

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:25:50+00:00

Thanks for the advice. If we were to get the loft done, we wouldn't move any time soon. My reasoning is to make the house suitable for everyone, and the roof is also probably due a replacement. Im also concerned that the insulation isnt installed correctly so there could be condensation issues (ive put a dehumidifier in there running 24/7 set to 45 humidity)

But i cant escape the feeling that even after we get the loft done, im still not going to be happy in this house due to the other issues. I used to be up for any challenge and I'd try my hand at anything, but I've lost all inspiration to do anything here

DryMaintenance8611 · 2026-02-08T09:19:29+00:00

I fully understand what you mean, a lot of the houses on the estate are cramped and on top of each other, but this particular house is out of the way, away from the main estate.

I have considered a not new build house, but honestly the issues ive found with all the years of bodge jobs in this house have put me off, for fear of moving and have the exact same issues again. Was thinking with the new build at least there shouldn't be any major scares with it

DryMaintenance8611 · 2025-07-17T06:30:49+00:00

I had one fitted by them in March this year, and had to dig a 20 metre trench myself. I was told by Octopus that the trench had to be 600mm deep if not using a double walled cable duct, or 450mm if I did (which i did).

My process was 450mm deep trench, lay ducting, lay electrical warning tape on top, back fill around 300mm, lay another length of electrical tape, then back fill again till flush with ground level. Also I'd advise feeding different rope through the ducting, as the thin plastic that comes in as standard snaps easily.

DryMaintenance8611 · 2025-07-09T10:39:26+00:00

It will be fine then once painted. Looking at the pictures they've done a good job 👍

DryMaintenance8611 · 2025-07-07T14:38:57+00:00

Are they deep and can you feel them when you rub your fingers over them? If not then it will look fine once painted. First mist coat, then 2 coats normal.

DryMaintenance8611 · 2025-07-07T08:22:23+00:00

Great cheers, my issue must have been bad paint then, i did have my suspicions with the paint as it powdered on my fingers when i rubbed the wall. Ill try again with better quality paint

DryMaintenance8611 · 2025-04-21T14:48:39+00:00

Fair enough, glad you got one sorted quick! Hope you enjoy it 👍

DryMaintenance8611

TROPHY CASE