EXTENSION UPDATE - new plans and an answer to how much is SHOULD cost!

Seems like I started talking and struggled to stop! Getting excited again about the plans and moving forward. We are working on the mound this weekend, what are you guys up to?
Hope you have a lovely one x
Get in touch with me via [e-mail]
Instagram: lauramelhuishsprague

[@marioncerrone3456]

Hi Laura, with regard to your comment about not being able to resuscitate someone in an emergency, my sister very recently passed away from a massive heart attack. If you are unsure of what to do ,you can ask Alexa, say Alexa tell me how to preform cpr and she will take you through it until help arrives. Hope this is helpful to know, as in an emergency panic sets in which is only natural. Sending love and positive energy to you and your family ❤.

[@zerosilver87]

Alexa is hardly going to help in an emergency. Behave! Go on a CPR course

[@siobhansexton6426]

So sorry for your loss

[@louisep1962]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[@69evie]

Wow I didn’t know that , what a great way to access instant support ❤

[@ephphathaoracle]

I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave such good advice despite how you must be grieving ❤

[@marionandrews176]

Teddy is so big now! What a cutie. I think keeping some rooms closed off is a wise decision. God forbid we ever go into another 2020 scenario, you’ll have some private spaces for work or just alone time. I’m closing on a small old house in the NYC area and I’m shocked at the costs of doing even the smallest work to the house.

[@louisep1962]

I love your sitting room so I'm very glad it's staying as is. I think you'll appreciate having a closed off room during renovations and then growing children years. I hope you're feeling better soon! Missed seeing Ollie.

[@fionamckelvie1526]

Also in an older house it is more in keeping with how the house was and easier to heat the rooms.

[@veannewillson]

You might like the KZbin or podcast xomacenna. Last podcast went through the 10 things I wish I knew before renovating. She is finishing up her kitchen. She is in the US but it’s pretty much questions we can all think about. She is renovating a cottage in Texas, herself and renovating her kitchen in California with a contractor. Some great thoughts and ideas. ❤

[@lauramitchell6725]

I agree,can’t comment on the California kitchen yet,but the Texas kitchen that she built completely herself,including cabinets and island,is to die for!

[@Al-hv4rb]

I second this she’s really knowledgeable and has beautiful style

[@Stephanie-lg1cm]

Your current dining room would make a wonderful library/ office, so cosy. Love the wallpaper you chose, absolutely beautiful and brings all the colours of your bedroom together. You are absolutely right to keep the wall to the lounge, you l’ll have the informal open plan areas at the back and the more formal area to the front, perfect. 😊

[@linn9786]

That's true, it would look lovely. But I'm not sure if it's wise to use such a prominent space on the main floor for something that they probably won't need/use much. To be honest, I haven't seen many books around the house over the last couple of years and I'm not sure if they're big readers (I could be wrong of course!!!) Also, they used to have some desks and Laura said that they didn't really use them. So I'd rather use one of the many rooms on the upper floors to do a shared office/library and use the main floor as a family space :)

[@jmk1962]

Using a quantity surveyor is a good idea for costings because now your builders doing quotes should all be pricing off the same document as opposed to individually guessing costs. The only problem I foresee is some builders won't be too happy that your so clued up and therefore they won't be able to hike up the costs to increase their profits which they naturally won't like. The good thing is you will weed out the dodgy ones who probably won't bother doing a quote for you when they know you already know what it should cost and the good ones will be pleased to have such an itemised document to work from as it will save them time having to estimate it all themselves.

[@lornawood3260]

Thank you for clarifying what Laura was saying. “Quantity surveyor” isn’t a term with which I’m familiar, so couldn’t quite make out what she said! Sounds like a great place to start, once you have your plans done for the work. 😊

[@emilyhouse1451]

I’m waiting for her to say that her builders are all saying the info she’s been given is incorrect 😅

[@mollyalmulki7429]

That floorplan seems like a great idea! Using your space without having to do too much to the front rooms will hopefully save some money. I'm excited to see how it all comes together 🙂

[@agnetara]

That floor plan looks great🙂 Hope you feel better soon!

[@ceri_noyce]

I love the plan you showed. Ticks so many boxes. We had a very similar lay out in a previous home & did the same with keeping the front lounge. The only regret I had was I wished we had moved the lounge door down to the other end of the wall (so down the bay window end) it would have made for a cosier/easier seating set up….corner sofa for example xx

[@natvtxn1213]

Omg Teddy's already feeding himself? It seems like he was just born! Laura, I have to say you look so beautiful and your complexion just glows. I really like the wallpaper and the layout of the extension. Missing your fur baby! 🐕

[@barbaracogiel3224]

Your house is so beautiful and I am wondering,do you really need this extension? I also live in a Victorian terrace and we have had work done, including opening the space between the kitchen and our living room. Well,last year we put the wall back. Sometimes we think that something will work and it may not. Your house is already very big, changing and renovating what needs to be done ( including the kitchen) will probably not only save so much money,but also sort the issues,if they're any. Also I want to add that your house is so beautiful already, that I would probably buy a book with pictures of your house. You have such a good taste.

[@annarchydeclutteranddesign413]

It was lovely seeing you playing with Teddy on the lawn - it reminded me I used to rest my Douglas on my shins like that - 16 short years ago! 😊

[@samanthajayne6030]

Quantity Surveyor is great, what they’ve provided is a bill of quantities BoQ). Previous quotes would be based on without quantities, the cost will always be more accurate when you have the BoQ. Really good advice for other people having construction work done to their home!

[@joansmith8613]

Laura, you are so enthusiastic about the addition. You make me excited about it too. It’s so good for you to be back. Teddy is growing so fast. Did he eat his avocado? Looking forward to next week. I hope you will be feeling better quickly. ❤

[@tracey8506]

So lovely to hear some positive news regarding your quote. 😊

[@charlieehstephenson4893]

My cousins a quantity surveyor and it’s down to the single screw 😂 it will save you always always use one the savings are phenomenal and it saves you and then they can’t rip you off , it’s what big companies do

[@debbiehalliwell7797]

Love the wallpaper, it looks like a Laura Ashley one? What a good idea finding a quantity surveyor. Look forward to seeing the extension come together, sure it will be another beautiful design/build.xx

[@julieg6383]

Love the floorplan. For a couple of seconds I was stunned that you were feeding Teddy solids as I was sure he was only a few weeks old, lol. Time flies!!

[@arvidjohansson3120]

Quantity surveyors are both awesome and redundant at the same time. Finding the quantity of materials needed is not difficult. That's just very basic math and understanding of the chosen building assembly. The real value a quantity surveyor provides to any project is cost data. They have loads of cost data from multiple projects. Hence they can provide the important cost per quantity and labour cost for installation of the mentioned quantity. This can almost be impossible for a lay-person, hence I do highly recommend them.

[@annvernon6930]

Really interesting Laura. Will pass on to my daughter who is planning to extend. Many thanks.

[@Aik-Pax]

I think I would like a bit more colour to the wallpaper. Maybe one with some brown or dull red?

[@Isabelle-hk1og]

You talk so fast, I have to stop and go back to get everything you say ! I'm glad you are excited with this renovation, it's always refreshing to see someone so enthusiastic 💕💕

[@fionarogers3373]

Get well soon !!

[@hazel6275]

Awwww he’s gorgeous what a lovely vlog x

[@smgreenartsprivate]

I would keep the kitchen chimney and spare the expense and use it as an office or snug and build the kitchen around it just an idea to the other side and out alongside the patio door line end of house. You could have a library within it save your money for the actual kitchen part being moved.

[@sandiwalker761]

Did he like avocado? Can't believe he's getting solid food now. Boy, that went fast! Hope you feel better soon. New moms & new teachers always get every bug the children have. It will boost your immune system, which ends up being a good thing..😊Sandi

[@sarahward9723]

My Dad used to be a Civil engineer and he always said that a quantity surveyor was the single biggest cost saver they ever had, so very good call! Granted this was for much larger scale building but still... I think you're making the right decision to keep the existing living and dining room walls up, it will translate better over time whilst still giving you the open plan visibility you want for now with littles running around (plus it helps contain the mess! Never underestimate the destructive power of a toddler! ) Hope you feel better soon 😊

[@alexandrathomas5694]

Love the fish print! Would you be kind enough to share where it’s from ❤

[@SarahsOctoberHome]

I love your dress, Laura.💙🤍

[@josieleugner546]

Get well soon ☺️

[@rosalindaarons6657]

Feel better soon.

[@A1Bex]

Emma Sims-Hilditch and her husband own Neptune xxxx

[@kezzagray4659]

Oh! I didn’t know this, thank you 😊

[@Nina-yq6ej]

I missed to see Otto in this video. Happy weekend

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Panda Bear Hugs from a 70 yr old grandma in Texas, USA and by the way l'm subscribed and l hit Like. 🐼 l am NOT a Bot!

[@paulineclare5065]

Just a note I personally would not have benches at a dinning table uncomfortable I could not sit for long my back would be in bits Iwent for swivel upholstered chair where people want to sit and linger after a real

[@rhubarbrhubarb6730]

Love those black trousers with the stripe you were wearing, where are they from please? …also love love love that wallpaper you’ve chosen for the bedroom 💗

[@marieblankmann]

Laura i need to know where your beautiful dress is from. The blue one from the beginning of the video. You look absolutely gorgeous!

[@lenabusch4118]

If possible the sky light in the dining room should be able to be opened. Preferably electrically otherwise it will probably get stuffy real quick.

[@calvinliu6304]

Happy friday

[@linzilou3714]

gorgeous Teddy x

[@becs2805]

Could we please have a tour of your gorgeous bathroom soon? Xxxx

[@litsakoutoula3071]

Don't renovate the rest of the downstairs before the extension. No matter how hard you try, it will become a dumbing ground therefore destroying all your work.

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

NICK MORRIS is a KZbinr in the South of England, I subbed to his YT Channel years back. He is an electrician but seems to have a great team with him re home renovations...would it be anygood contacting him? He has a great 'listings' of variable trades, equipment hire, companies etc . He has also done a great review of kitchen companies and a detailed explanation of the pros n cons of each company. He seems to be a very good egg Laura and Ollie...you might learn something from his videos....but he may even be in your area re hiring.

[@CNM2326]

Hi laura what is the style name of your beige or cream sofa

[@69evie]

A little play room would be nice, could you squeeze one in ?

[@waureenkyriacou5056]

put the herbs in your kitchen ( I'm only 1:49 into the video , so I don't know if you came up with that idea further into the video )

[@lorikegley3327]

❤❤❤

[@linzilou3714]

our wallpaper !

[@clairecarpenter8202]

Hi, please could you tell where the wallpaper is from. Thanks Claire

[@tracy4790]

This would be ideal 4 u 2 watch as they did just what u want 2 do with ur exstention Jess Home renovation xx

[@clsachdeva]

Emma Sims-Hilditch and her husband John founded and own Neptune.

[@MariaGonzalez-kq8fq]

👏👏👏💕💕🤩🤩

[@zanyzoo6767]

They way the property market is going, Id wouldnt do anymore to your home. Well nothing major. You wont recoupe, if you sell.

[@niamh2646]

Yes, that is a QS job. Sorry, no idea who wouldn't know that. For self build this is normal.

[@joconnor2717]

Hi Laura,for some reason you find it necessary to talk very fast,especially in this latest video,not a criticism just a observation.

[@onenation9510]

It seems you have a never ending funding pot in the cost of living crisis!

[@zerosilver87]

Won't be much of a struggle to get KZbin to pay for it all