EXTREME RENOVATION UPDATE #1 + WHY WE'RE BUILDING OUR DREAM HOME

HOME RENOVATION UPDATE! In today's sit down building update we show you all the progress that's happened in the first month / weeks 1-4). So much has happened! We're out the ground, dpc and steels are in place. Thank you so much as always for watching x
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[@mariebengtsson9189]

This is so exciting! Tips for the kitchen reno: pro food prep 🤩 Borrow a friends kitchen once a week and prepare veggies, fruit and other foods in vaccum seal bags, it will stay fresh for a long time.

[@chantelleclarke1]

More Matt in videos please? He’s hilarious and you’re obviously such a good team! Love the house renovation content. When it’s all done and dusted it’s going to be amazing. Congrats. Enjoy every second. Even living on a building site. These memories will last your family a lifetime. Xxo

[@KT_37]

Remember you will be without a kitchen in the spring when you can pull out the grill plus as you said you will have the air fryer, slow cooker, and microwave. Minimize dishes using paper plates as others suggest along with water bottles. As to location of a temporary kitchen could you use the small building in your garden?

[@R_Kaur_P]

We had a huge renovation when I was 2 till 5 months pregnant and we had no kitchen with a toddler in tow! It was a challenge for me but you will ace this! We made a make shift kitchen by asking the builders to plumb a temporary sink, used a potable induction hob, travel kettle, instant pot, air fryer, microwave etc. We also had a few friends and relatives invite us for meals - which helped tonnes! We Used disposable plates and bowls. However we also kept the kids IKEA plates and bowls - light weight and easy to clean. Once the sink went - we were back to disposables. Good luck!

[@izabelam9416]

We made a ‘kitchen’ out of one of our rooms - bought an electric portable hobs, used a lot of pressure cooker, microwave and moved the fridge to the room too and it worked. It wasn’t fun but we were able to have a hot meal once a day every day. And our renovations lasted around 6 weeks. Excited to watch all the renovations content - now we’re moving again and will be doing something similar to what you do the following year.

[@bhawkins1673]

So exciting! After following your channel for so many years and watching your last home change, I know this home is going to be amazing. All of the changes thus far have been outstanding!

[@danielleb8514]

We are also in the middle of an extension and I will lose my kitchen around the same time, actually dreading it but we have decided in our garage we are going to use our pasting table with our air fryer, slow cooker, our double camping stove and use our bbq to cook meat on etc, oh and our microwave to hand to cook with. We also have a little under counter fridge and chest freezer in there so will use them. A lot of planning I think with meals so we get through those few months. Just keeping thinking of the end goal, an amazing open plan kitchen. Love watching your renovation videos or on Instagram, gives me lots of ideas (other half not so happy if I ask to change anything though ha).

[@elizabethhelen3326]

I agree, washing up is harder than food prep when you don’t have a kitchen. Paper plates and everyone having their own water bottle help… and if possible not having to bend over too low to wash up. That hurts! All the best 😊

[@munshiworld]

Loving your renovation update. Emily please could you do a video on, how you were sure and set on these builders, I know you've used them before but is there any other tips? Also how do you plan payment with them? Do you pay for material and order the material yourself or do they order it and you pay after it's been installed? Love to know some tips

[@MillCorp]

I love the idea of monthly sit down updates

[@lucyjackson6879]

We also had no kitchen for a few months when renovating. We just set up some camping tables in another room and set up the slow cooker/airfryer/microwave etc. Then turned the second bathroom to a washing up station. Totally doable for a few months 😊

[@kate9047]

So exciting Emily! When my kitchen was being done I bought a table top oven from argos for £30. It was fab, that with a microwave and slow cooker you’ll be fine. Can’t wait to see the work when it’s all done x

[@jennadonnelly]

Waiting 12 weeks for glass is definitely a COVID thing - it’s crazy! We just went through a double extension as well. One thing I would say is that the cost of wood (even basic MDF) is through the roof at the moment - make sure you look around to get the best price possible!

[@veraopdebeek9183]

A big table against a wall with a gas stove on top and for the dishes maybe a tub on that table with hot water from the stove mixed with cold water. Under the table you can put pots and pans on temporary shelves. When we camp we have a jerrycan with a tab on a stool with a bucket under it to wash your hands and have water for cooking and dishes.

[@DancingNickied]

Lovely to see the development. For the water issue I would say buy a few 5ltr bottles of water. You can always fill them up with tap water each night so you have access to water downstairs when you need it during the day.

[@emmaparry9372]

I’m not going through a renovation but I hope this helps. I’ve just brought an electric steamer, you can cook veggies, potatoes, rice etc. It’s been such a great investment as I work full time and have 2 teens (14 & 16). I prepare everything in the morning and one of them will turn it on when they get home from school or college, by the time I get home from work there’s a healthy balanced dinner almost ready. I feel like I’m winning at mom life right now 👍🤣. Looking forward to watching your dream home become reality xx

[@samanthahamman8445]

Hi Emily, for your kitchen situation I recommend looking at getting a 2 or 3 burner camping stove to put in the garage with your fridge and cook from there if the space is available. You can easily put water in the pots/pans to boil and scrub out. Paired with lots of crockpot meals and make ahead breakfast burritos/sandwiches/toaster ready pancakes you could make it through a couple months.

[@richardc1983]

Most of the population doesn't have as many rooms as you, you are very lucky to have so much space to use and still have 2 living rooms while the back is taken off. When our kitchen was done we had to live out the bedroom including cooking as our lounge was full of kitchen stuff. You don't realise how lucky you are.

[@marytmac16]

Can't wait to see the house finished. Kitchen looks amazing! On another note...Caleb is the spitting image of Matt. Even his mannerisms are the same. Happy Christmas to you all xx

[@fennyhelfferich6959]

At Ikea you have small portable inductionhobs. Together wit a small combioven/magnetron. We survived for 2 months with our 3 girls Good Luck with the building. Great to follow! Thank you

[@iwonah.4487]

Hi Emily , I don't know how you can keep it all cool and positive having such a big renovation, we currently having bathroom renovation for 3 and half weeks and I feel I could pull all my hair out, we are family of 3 having temporary bathroom in the kitchen , mess is unbelievable in house and I think because is so close to Christmas years why I'm so stressed out, this week should be all done so fingers crossed, I wish you all the best with your renovation and hopefully all goes with your plan.All the best 🙂

[@riverchorus]

A camp kitchen could be useful for dishes! You could even set it in the bathtub for easy drainage, and save some back pain. There are portable pumps to pressurize water as well. You might find some great inspiration from “van lifers” on KZbin, and how they built their portable kitchens.

[@daniellecurran3874]

Hi Emily loving the Reno updates, we are getting a new kitchen fitted at the moment. It has required 2 steels to make it more open plan. We currently have no kitchen! 😂My advice would be to stock up on bottled water, buy paper plates etc so there’s not so much washing up to do in the bath! Also to batch cook meals to be microwaved and an air fryer comes in handy too. It will all be worth it in the end. Good luck with everything! Xx

[@andreadean3641]

When we did our Reno I spent a month in the summer with the only drinking water downstairs coming from the garden hose. There I was in the garden in the morning filling up the kettle. 😂 it’s a pain but you’ll get through it! 😘

[@adhaincroi]

I would do a bunch of food prep and stick it in a freezer in the garage. Set up a washing up station with a cheap kitchen sink off Facebook market place (or the one they rip out of your kitchen) run a hose to it and boil the kettle for some hot water. Drain excess water it into a couple of big water containers, they come with handles so easy to carry and tip out. Check out camp kitchen set ups, I am currently in the US and Walmart actually sells a table with sink already in it. As for the cooking just a good sturdy fold out table one single burner (they make inductions ones now) and your airfryer etc. You are right the washing up is the worst part.

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

I just renovated my kitchen due to rats living inside my walls and a dishwasher that leaked into the cabinetry under the sink. There was a lot of rot to extract and replace with better material. To help with not having a hob, oven, microwave, and sink… I just bought myself a big toaster oven. I previously prepared several frozen meals. I also had a lot of ramen soups, a small single burner for camping, and a kettle. It also helps to have take away every once in a while. My kitchen was basically my bathroom… but it worked for me…. And I’m a mysophobe! Good luck to you and your family as you navigate through this next chapter of your build 🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@ksimk1979]

Ikea has a great portable induction hob, you just need to plug it into the socket and cook anywhere. Cost about £40 very useful to have

[@rosehughes599]

I bought one of these (TILLREDA) for our reno. And it's useful at Christmas now!

[@yfc1196]

Emily, I really don’t know how you guys raise 3 boys, 1 dog, and handling a major construction all at once. Hang in there and best of luck

[@carolines3953]

My brother, SIL and three kids lived through their kitchen reno. They did similar extension and sliding doors. They managed to have a makeshift kitchen with a microwave, table top hob, moved their fridge temporarily. Not sure what they did about a sink and water. You could rent a water cooler with delivered water and get a utility sink in the downstairs loo for dishes?

[@imomun2k]

I went through a renovation through covid it was a nightmare no heating no kitchen no washing machine for months on end.. air fryer microwave will become your best friend!! You can cook a weeks main meals at a relative's and fridge just heat through b4 eating. Batch cook sausages burgers you can just put through buns and grab when needed. I planned out easy finger foods and used disposable when possible. Microwave kettle lived in the hallway. Piled up dishes and washed in one go. Bottled water helps had stacks of it got drinking.😓 it was hard but worth every bit!

[@arthurbuttons]

This video is AMAZING 👍😻👍😻👍 I love interiors and floor plans and yeah this journey is super exciting

[@meg11914]

That looks so awesome! Thanks for the update and background, it was very interesting! I'm so excited for you all and it must be so exciting for the boys to live on a building site for a bit 😘 Oh and maybe hire/buy a water cooler for downstairs drinking watering.

[@clarimelvlakancic72]

So exciting! Can’t wait to see the final result! For drinking water downstairs maybe you can get one of those water cooler/dispenser things. Idk if it’s feasible, but maybe 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Erica-cu9kq]

I'm obsessed with your style on the home reno. I can't wait to see how it comes together!!! I love the modern contemporary style too!!! I really enjoyed your last home reno whenever you guys had something done

[@sallymunley2824]

Fascinating to learn about your renovations journey. I couldn’t believe how big the crane was! Paper recyclable plates could help with the washing up. 👍

[@Mieke256]

So exciting! I don't know if this would work with how your house is set up, but you could get a (second hand) free standing dishwasher and hook it up wherever you have water coming in. The dirty water can go into a drain if you have one or otherwise with longer hose into the sink. That's what we did when we had a very small apartment kitchen (we had a small free standing dishwasher). It would save you washing your dishes in the bath! There are also very affordable or second hand electric or induction stove tops you just plug in wherever you have a flat space, so you can still cook on a stove.

[@emmablack3039]

So excited for you we washed up in the bath for 6months in our renovation and we still don’t have heating downstairs! ❄️ Can’t wait to see this come to life!

[@Katharinaaaaa]

I‘m excited to see the finished results! I hope every turns out how you hope it will, thank you for taking us along. I‘m loving your vlogmas and frequent uploads! Hope have a lovely weekend xx

[@AgentMucha]

“Not having drinking water downstairs will be a struggle” makes us all realise actually how insanely lucky we are. ❤️

[@mrsemilynorris]

Exactly!!! Xx

[@rosehughes599]

I bought a 5litre water from Tesco then just refilled it from our single tap then kept in temp kitchen (in dining room)

[@charlottemcmahon6270]

I don't know of I missed it but what are you doing with the space where your kitchen currently is? Also I'm so excited to see what your new kitchen looks like. Iv just had an offer accepted on a new house and I'm already planning my dream kitchen! Your old kitchen was lovely so I have high expectations for this one!

[@pnhnut]

Indoor camping, lol. Been there done that...you can find all kinds of fun ideas on camping instagrams. It could be fun to do some short order cooking :)

[@jaynechambers1492]

For temporary kitchen - Get a Ninja multi cooker or a plug in induction hob. Water despenser and camping sink that you can fill up and then just need a drain to empty into

[@luciep09]

You could buy a couple of 20litre water containers from a camping shop/Amazon and fill them up with drinking water from either an upstairs drinking tap or you could get builders to extend/install a makeshift tap outside in the garden from current pipe work so you can fill them up every few days. You can also buy 5 litres of bottled water from any supermarket really cheaply. We got our builders to do the utility plumbing first so we had a sink and water when they did the main kitchen, but I know you’re having utility upstairs so still not as easy.

[@Hayley749]

We had our dishwasher installed elsewhere downstairs when we were renovating our kitchen if I remember it was where the previous owner had a washer installed and I used a George Foreman grill to cook most things on. Propped up to make it level made a great fried egg.

[@callumwebb6633]

Hi Emily we are going up our house we have been doing our house for 18 months now. It is still not finished yet but it will be soon after Christmas. But I was going to say we don't have a kitchen at the moment so we are using our utility room at the moment. We have had a lot of slow cooked meals for 18months but now our house is nearly finished it has been werth it.😀😊

[@monakeulen5622]

OmG this is so exciting!!! We managed without a kitchen for a very long time too! You can use a electronic cooking hob, and indeed the slow cooker and air fryer are really great. Will try to send a photo in Instagram. You'll manage!

[@awatson6773]

Tips for temporary kitchen: get a plugin induction hob and an air fryer!

[@karenelliottxx]

I am that person to tell you in the comments 😂 I use to work on tree roots claims for an insurance company. If you have clay soil, then the clay HOLDS water, so if there is a big tree near by and the roots drink the water form that area, the soil volume decreases and the building above it can collapse (it’s much less dramatic than this, just cracks really but not what you want!). Sand soil does not hold water, so no matter what that tree does it can never decrease the volume of the soil below the house and therefore you won’t get cracks ☺️. You mostly get clay soil near rivers, so there’s a lot of it in London/Thames. There are maps you can look at online to see if you are in a clay soil area and might encounter this problem.

[@mrsemilynorris]

Wow thank you so much that is so interesting! xx

[@nikiisalucyfan]

DEFINITELY PROGRESS. .. HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL GO ACCORDING TO PLAN & YOU WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HOME TO ENJOY IN THE YEARS TO COME..ALSO IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO STAY IN YOUR HOME WHILE THE RENOVATION IS BEING DONE ..JUST TO KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYTHING 🏠♥️

[@Itsgirltribe]

You could buy a cheap caravan that has a kitchen and table in and park that on your drive and sell it at the end of the project. It wouldnt even need to be a face one. Those fridges run on gas.

[@nybsbfan18]

Sounds like it's going good so far. A walk in pantry sounds very nice! 🙂

[@kristinanoall]

I’m looking forward to seeing how you make it through not having a kitchen! I watched another KZbinr’s video (in the US, in a humongous house) about her kitchen renovation, and how they “had to use the downstairs kitchen for awhile.” Such a sacrifice, lol.

[@zachstoys4002]

If your dishwasher is free standing see if the builders can run you the plumbing to somewhere on flexible pipping so you can still use it. Ours is currently in the garage

[@fionacaseysheehan5686]

Bottled water also get disposable plates and cutlery make things as easy as you can xx best of luck sounds amazing

[@melanierose3942]

Can’t wait to see the finished result it’s going to be lovely. Could you not look at buying a second hand cheap caravan to use the kitchen in it? Or can you rent the local village hall kitchen for one day a week to meal prep xx

[@carolcreamer8285]

enjoyed the vlog 😊☺😄 you will have a loveley home in the end , can not wait to see it when all the work is done , see you soon 😊😀😄x

[@Gaynorrandz]

This all so exciting guys looking forward to watching all this come together. X

[@kymcoote4493]

Can you set up a mini kitchen in the playroom? Buy some bottled water and paper plates to ease the dishes and have drinking water down stairs 😉🤗🇦🇺 it will be so worth the couple of months inconvenience. Just keep visual plans of the end around the playroom so you can keep the focus on the finished design 👍💕😷

[@yascabot4711]

Loving your building updates. I am currently in the midst of building my own dream home, we were hoping to have it watertight by Christmas, the weather has had other ideas.

[@swanjulio892]

I can't wait to see how you guyswould deco the interiors of the extension as well as how it finishes outside.:-)

[@sonalirnahar_rohan]

What is going to be the layout of the ground floor after everything is done? What is gonna b with the existing kitchen and present dining and living room ?

[@Nicereview763]

Can you relocate the important bits of your kitchen somewhere else, like the garage. I'm having my kitchen done and have just had a wall down and they managed to take out and then put the oven back and a few cupboards in random places. You may have to get an electrician to hook it up but it doesn't cost much and allows you to have some kitchen.

[@kerryharding5587]

Thanks Emily and Matt ❤️ l was thinking of your garage as a temp kitchen as l thought l remembered a sink in there ?? But it’s probably choc full or you would have taken that route. It’s really crazy that pod kitchens are so cost prohibitive. 😶

[@nadzyxx]

This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see it all happen and come to life. I’m having an extension done atm (no where near the size of yours) and I find it so exciting x

[@monikahock-quigley6308]

So exciting guys! It's going to be gorgeous! Why do you lose your kitchen in February? Is that space becoming a utility room?

[@susane2412]

Much better to have induction cooker and use electric appliances for few months to cook.. Will be a bit hard the first week.. But you will manage better by week 2.you can still make good recipe videos.

[@gillianrobinson9082]

So exciting for you looking forward to see the finished results I remember washing up in the bath , you can do this is just a bit of forward thought.❤️

[@marylinm100]

I was thinking that you could get a water dispenser to put in downstairs and you could sell it after all the work is done! :)

[@zoyare]

Congratulations on your new home 🎉

[@lisaburt6332]

Renovations are always exciting! Loving the Raptors hat, Matt! 😁

[@minniemaker8032]

Hi Emily Please can you advise the size of open plan area? Beam supporting window wall ? Is that why your kitchen area is wide from side? Is it important for that beam to be attached to that wall? Floating beam is not advisable?

[@sarahadfield2371]

Oh big questions on the trees! I have birch trees and I've been researching on foundation depths - can I ask what you're foundations ended up being vs what they might have been? Would be so helpful! Thanks!! Xxx

[@sunuman4454]

We drive past your road (I’m pretty sure) when we go to your town (have my hair done in T&G) I always look for your house lol but have yet to spot it. It’s a beautiful home and will b even more so now. Xxxxx.

[@iannone39]

Hi for you kitchen go on Amazon and buy an camping kitchen sink and a big run for water when needed you'll always have hot water on hand instead of the kettle a decent size folding sink no bathroom needed....can always reuse later too for parties...

[@raisingbailey5797]

So excited for you, I had my kitchen done 2 years ago and was without kitchen for about 4-6 weeks, and I did lots of freezer meals leading up to the renovations that I could just cook in the slow cooker so be re heated in the microwave. It’s really hard but it’s manageable if you are prepared, also we used a lot of disposable where possible to save on the washing up. Are you still having a utility room put in up stairs? Xx

[@kirtanareddy]

You are so organise and put together.

[@THINKINGEIREANN]

Slow cooker meals paper plates would work or air fryer meals. Can’t wait to see it done.

[@CalliopeFprincessice]

I don’t know if you have this in your country but I would put in 2 dishwasher drawers and 2 refrigerator drawers for kids snacks and vegetables

[@akhilatalanjeri6503]

I love the new plan but I do miss that beautiful conservatory

[@kated4359]

You can see Matt thrives in the building arena!

[@RyanLolaNala]

Hi Emily brilliant video as always love your channel your amazing keep up the amazing content xx

[@katejordan8065]

So exited to see how it looks when it’s done

[@infjandcoping4614]

(Very late to the comments) Ikea has a kitchenette stand with sink for around $100. You can pop that in any room that you are using for your temporary kitchen. And have a fresh water container to supply the sink, and a bucket or container for it to drain into. You can fill the fresh water from upstairs, and dump the discard in the garden. That solves your sink needs, gives you a very small countertop area for food prep, and does provide some space for storage or even appliance storage. A water dispenser on the counter for drinking water. And a table or top of a buffet stand for your actually used crockpot, air fryer, microwave, electric kettle, toaster, or other appliances. A hot plate/ induction cooktop type of thing to compensate for your stovetop. (Obviously this is well over and done for you guys, but other people will be going through the same)

[@lisabarnwell8409]

The view from the back is lovely. Not sure how it works in the UK, will it always be able to remain that field and not be developed for houses? So nice to have that space.

[@mrsemilynorris]

It’s a working farm so hopefully xx

[@shonamcintosh8377]

Looking forward to following the progress on the house.

[@gladyslopez1051]

Maybe there is some ecofriendly disposable plates and cups so you don’t wash dishes that much

[@kirstyparnaby8029]

Yes! Been waiting for this video!!!! Xxx

[@roxannewestern3681]

It all sounds brilliant. Can’t wait to see it all done 😍xxx I can feel your excitement and it’s so lovely xx

[@Kv.d]

Emily may be think of a option to put a dishwasher in garage along with a sink which may cost less

[@zipinha]

Ikea has temporary kitchen ideas. Or buy a cheap used caravan and sell it again after 3 months.

[@mrsirenebaxter]

That’s cool your rocking the raptors cap way over in England #wethenorth

[@maisiewilson820]

Can't wait to see the final finish xx

[@TashM93]

I can’t wait to see the result !! So exciting

[@xloisssx]

This house is going to be so beautiful 🥺

[@akankshatiwari9081]

Your builders could possibly move some of your kitchen cabinet to the garage and set up a temporary kitchen.

[@vanessahoggett3538]

So happy excited for you guys, going too look awesome

[@musidakhantun9910]

Hi Emily, plans look great! What about a laundry room? Think u mentioned having one for this build.

[@indigo5713]

Beautiful house for a beautiful family ❤️

[@eleanorpotts1165]

What we did when we was having our kitchen done we moved the kitchen upstairs where we had a mini cooker and microwave for 3-4 weeks

[@C_Ariss]

Thank you for sharing 😊 we are looking to move next year and know we will need to tweak any home we buy. With the conservatory did the builders have to re-do the foundations or use the existing conservatory foundations for that part of the extension? If they had to re-do them, did that incur more of a cost than if the conservatory wasn't there and they just had to dig new foundations? Asking out of curiosity and as so many homes in the UK have them and we don't intend to keep one if the home we buy has one!