At the beginning of 1999 we decided that an extension would be a great use of the available land around our house as we are quite settled where we are. In a moment of madness, which lasts to this day, we decided that it could be built by ourselves which of course doesn’t include the wife. So in June of 1999 after many weeks waiting for plans approval we set out destroying our neat little corner plot to build a garage and bedroom. The picture gallery shows you the progress from start to finish with major milestones. ‘Obviously’, we’ve now finished and I actually miss the bricklaying! Whilst I have more plans (conservatory) I’m afraid that it’s internal redecoration for the entire house before I get to do it all again!

To start with, all I wanted was a garage but this mushroomed into a two story extension providing us with a further bedroom - this bedroom would be the largest of the house and would eventually become ours. Quite drastic internal work was also required to balance the girls rooms out, move the existing en-suite and accommodate the corridor to the new bedroom.

I’ve always been fairly practical but I’d never embarked on quite such a large project before. Funnily enough I’d never actually laid any bricks before planning the extension. A quick 2 brick course flower bed and I thought I was ready for anything. George, my step-dad, was keen to do the job with me and was a great help!

The rest of the page is an archive of the news posts I previously made on the extension. I’ve also added any major event details. Maybe some of my mistakes will assist someone else to get it right 1st time, who knows!