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That garden clearance was satisfying to watch. Someone needs to have a word with Alf about his choice of footwear for climbing trees with a chainsaw though!
Keep the birch..... it will help maintain the integrity/stability of the ground whilst not being a huge shade tree. The filtered light and foliage will compliment your lovely design
Yes to the dormers and no to removing the birch tree. Kerb appeal will be better with the tree and lovely planting of shrubs etc. keep a bit of a front garden 🙏
SInce you have to do the roof, it really makes sense to increase the scope of work a bit to put in the dormers. They will increase curb appeal, natural light, and charm bc you could add built-in storage or window seats in the dormer. I think you'll be glad you added them.
You're making fantastic progress already. The tool shed looks amazing. Well done to your good friends for all the effort in the garden so far. I definitely think dormers will be wonderful. Could you keep the birch & trim it down. You have so much work to do & I love your energy. I'm excited to follow your journey. Take care ❤x
Thanks Harley, it made such a difference to have 8 hands on the job! I think trimming it down seems like a sensible suggestion and then going from there. We can’t wait for this series to unfold- see you next week 👋🏻😅
Love your respect for the previous owner. I'm sure George would love the tool shed✨ So funny when Alfie tries to climb the tree in socks & sandals😂 I'd deffo go for the 2 x dorma's. It would balance the property out & really elevate the outside curb appeal👌 Love birch trees but it's in an odd position that could cause load of cr*p to fall on your vehicles... Utility is tempting to shut off, however if you leave it open it could me more of a 'boot room' with hanging space for coats etc
Awesome points and pretty much our exact thinking for all of it… Boot room is such a torn one as you say, we love both leaving it open and closing it off- so we’ll see what we end up with! I’m sure Alfie will be creating a lot of laughs this series, he does make us chuckle sometimes 😂 See you in the next one 👋🏻😅
Dormer’s are a brilliant idea but just check out the roof first. You don’t want to start working on dormers and discover that you will need to replace half the roof or maybe even more to make them work. Love your guys enthusiasm ❤
I would add some cheap blinds to those shed windows, just so some enterprising little so and so can't creep around sometime and see all those power tools. 😊
Yay!!! I'm so happy this series has started. I think yes to the dormers.i think get the tree surgeon to tidy up the birch but keep it. Can't wait to see what you decide
Thanks so much Linda, Nicks definitely got a vibe idea for the house and we’re so excited for it all to unfold! See you in a weeks time, have a great week! 😅😅
2x dormers definitely! I would save the large tree and do what you’re doing. Always the option to remove at a later date if you can’t live with it and do a bit of landscaping around it after.
Keep as many trees as possible - they will massively help kerb appeal and make it feel cosy rather than bare, and I vote yes to the dormers again I think it will massively increase kerb appeal, and make the house look bigger from the front.
Curb appeal alone isn’t always the most important element. You’ve got to love where you live and ultimately you only see the house as you walk up to it. Once you’re in you get the benefit of the layout which I’d say trumps the front if one has to decide the other. You’ll add loads more value with an en-suite. You already said about the nature of the road it’s on and think about your journey to getting it in terms of best and finals so you know appeal isn’t the priority. Also, wall of the utility….allows for things to be hidden away a bit and not always looking like a show home when everyday life takes over without it making everywhere look untidy 😊
Thanks for this Greg- 100% curb appeal isn’t everything and it really has to fit to the people who are actually living in the house. See you in a week! 😅👋🏻
Great to see you guys get on the road with this place. Add the dormers if you have the budget as it will give it a bit more contemporary cottage feel at the front and equilibrium with the rear plans. A porch ( oak ) like on your boards would work really well. They’re bloody expensive but make a great feature. We’ve just done an oak goal post on the front of our bungalow Reno. 5 year English oak barn dried. We love it. £10 quid says all your tool are in a heap within the month! 😂❤😂
We love that contemporary cottage feel so the dormers are soooo tempting (despite the added cost!). And yessss we love an oak goal post porch!! Can’t waitttttttt 😁♥️
Would definitely go with the Dormers! I watched the other Reno a quarter of the way in so I’m glad I can see this start to finish. I also watch Nick Morris, who’s doing a fantastic job on his current detached Reno, if you’d like to have a look for inspo!
From start to finish this time- whooo… it’s great to have you on board for the journey 👋🏻😅. We already keep up with Nick Morris, a great renovator himself! 👍🏻
Love the dormers ! Keep the beech it’s pretty, mature , will add to the character a lot and if it’s south facing you may need a little shade occasionally! 🎉
I’m so happy the purchase of this home came through for you two. I love dormers and they would add charm to the home. I don’t know what other homes look like in the area but noticed the neighbours have dormer’s. I saw one of your Pinterest’s post had one large dormer that gave a more modern look. Maybe that would make your home look a little different from others in the area…just a thought. I agree with others to keep the birch tree. You could trim off lower branches. And lastly, I cringe when I see people using power tools without proper foot wear. Steel toed shoes are a must in my opinion. Bet you could find a sponsor for some great foot wear.
Dormers do seem a good idea, balances the top & bottom. Keep the Birch tree! It’s a modern country sort of look so couple trees near the boundary edge seems good. Excited for this new journey!!
Keep the tree. Seeing as you’ve cut so much vegetation away, it would be good to have at least 1 tree left which I think will add to the kerb appeal, not to mention be a home for birds/wildlife. Birch trees sound lovely in the wind as well. Crazy how open it looks already though! Oh and please tell your mate Alfie to wear some steel toecap work boots, especially when using a chainsaw up a ladder! I don’t think sliders are that safe!! 😱
Glad you finally got the keys, really excited to see what you do to it all! Followed along to the tail end of your last project, and its inspiring to watch. We are also currently underway with a bungalow renovation, with extension etc, just had planning approved and awaiting our construction drawings etc, paperwork! Coming into wetter months and colder darker nights, not sure whether we should be ambitious and attempt to start the groundworks etc now, or wait until the other side of the winter! Great video keep it up!
This side of winter for the win I reckon! Congrats with getting planning underway, hopefully we can give you some ideas for your project as well! See you next week Kyle and good luck 🤞🏻
Regarding the birch tree at the front I’d say don’t rush into removing. Live with it for a while as you get on with other stuff. You might decide you like the extra privacy and established look it gives, or you might decide it needs to go. No need to make a hasty decision.
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Welcome back! Loved this and I would 100% add the dormers in. Don’t get too lost in how many rooms can we add as not everyone will be buying with kids or with intention of expanding families. The front of the house looks incredible already, I say keep the tree, it didn’t seem to block any of the view and a few fairy lights on arrival would be a great touch
We do love the idea of some nice fairy lights, or even potentially a big up light on the tree to create a nice shadow on it! Thanks for this- see you in a week 👋🏻😅
Definitely more practical to have an enclosed utility can help to soundproof your white goods if you’re going more open plan on the ground floor and can conceal all those miscellaneous items that can be a bit of an eyesore. Tree wise I’d remove it I’m not a huge fan of deep rooted trees so close to properties, better to start afresh and choose something less invasive to go with your new landscaping
Thanks Luke, people seems set on closing offf the utility so we’ll make that happen! The tree is a 50/50 atm, so many people with opposing opinions!! 🌳😬
@@NickyandHarri amazing i know Pinterest can be so addictive for utility room inspiration but check out 3 birds renovations on RU-vid I was amazed at how bouji a utility room could be. Tough decision on the tree you’ve got big plans for the front drive, only you’ll know when measured out if it’s a keeper or not
Keep the tree, adds a bit of privacy from next door. Also keep the utility closed - the owners can then hide away all their laundry and mess, keeping the rest of the house tidy if visitors come 😅
Looking forward to this series! The first one was a blast but with the new found knowledge and experience this is going to be even bigger and better! With the front drive I think the tree should go, tree sap on cars is a massive pain and the risk of bad weather eventually bringing it down on a car. Also the more space to park with increasing the rooms is a big appeal to buying a house. The utility should be walled off imo, laundry is noisy and untidy especially if your lazy 😂 And the double dormer is a must! Makes the house look bigger, more attractive and more symmetrical.
Thanks for all these pointers Adam! Think we’re agreeing on most points here and it’s great to know that the majority of people are thinking a similar thing. We’re so excited to share this series with everyone- bring on the tough work 💪🏻
Definitely keep the big birch tree the front will look far too stark without the big tree. Dormers 100%……..I saw that the neighbours have dormers as well so it’s in keeping!
Congratulations on getting started at last! We've got big mature birch and willow on the street outside and the biggest problem is continuous bird poo everywhere. Spring brings sticky sap, and autumn leaves and seeds, plus the odd branch comes down during bad weather. Now don't get me wrong, they do look nice and provide shade when it's hot but conversely block the light, so i don't think I'd miss them if gone. If you wait to October or so it should be pretty bare, and easier for someone to tackle, or perhaps save the cash for now and see how you get on by spring. Utility i would section off with a sliding door (unless its more for show) due to all the clutter that eventually builds up. Dorma can be a pain with head height so not sure on that one, have you thought about a couple of big skylights instead?
Hey JD, thanks for this advice. The birch has been a big debate point in the comment section, with many mixed opinions about it. Think you’ve got a pretty sensible answer for it here though! Love the idea of a sliding door to the pantry (even if it’s just for show and to block some noise sometimes). We’re so excited to bring you along this series, see you in a week! 👋🏻😊
The dormers and oak porch would look incredible! I would keep the birch tree if you can, adds character to the front drive and will be a haven for birds to perch or nest ☺️
Aw, the shed looks revitalised! Maybe in honour of the late George, you can name it the George Memorial Worktool Shed and buy it a custom plaque? ⭐ Like everyone else is saying: dormers yes. The flat I'm living in (and updating you guys about when we improve and work on it) is a converted abandoned attic and the slanted roofs in every room make furniture choosing and space planning a constant challenge. I see it as "challenge accepted" and love getting the creative juices flowing but sometimes I'm envious of our neighbours who had added dormers to their conversion. At the very least, it makes it easier to source window attachments, upgrades and accessories (curtains). As for the large birch tree in your front yard, I would rather you keep it but other comments are saying to cut it down. My brother owns a large country house too and I'm aware that off-road parking is a MUST since living in the country means saying bye bye to convenient public transport (why it's not for me). Anywho, having just a pebbled or gravelled parking lot in front of a house is a HUGE turn-off for me, so if you do end up cutting down the tree, you might want to consider adding in more plants. I'm talking simple shrubs to border the yard, plenty of planters with colourful flowers in front of the house and by the curb. If you feel more ambitious, plant a rosebush right under that window on the right. You not only increase curb appeal, but reduce a minor heat dome in the summer and provide yummy food for the busy bees (their favourite flowers are pink and purple).
Forgot about the laundry question! I literally have our laundry nook blocked off with a sliding door with milky glass. The door isn't even closed most of the time but it's useful having the ability.
Awesome advice as always R, great to hear your story about hating a slanted roof and how it’s super inconvenient- definitely pushing us even more towards dormers… Something to be considered for sure if we do cut the Birch- we don’t want the house to start looking like a stark new build, and want it to look lived in with various shrubs surrounding the boarder! See you in a weeks time, have a great week! 👋🏻😅
Have you considered adding a big dormer on the front to possibly add another bedroom? I found my small dormers a bit annoying because they couldn’t fit curtains in and it didn’t really add floor space. I changed them into one big one have been able to add another bedroom 😊
I'd go with the dormers, however would that mean both dormers would then be in the ensuites? I would discuss with a local estate agent about how much value it would add, just so you can look at cost and reward, I would also consider how the ensuites would be laid out at the front with the dormers, vanity and sink in dormer would work well, othwise its could be wasted space.
Personally I'd get rid of the tree and do something smaller for the future.... For the kitchen area, I'd definitely door it off.... Im not a fan of open plan living, I prefer seperate spaces that are clearly defined
Deffo take the tree out open it up, and if needed plant your own one. Two dormers the way to go to give it a facelift. Next time hire a shredder to put the waste though ❤
**** Great job guys! If I can say something, I believe you should consider a full side-by-side extension rather than the half one I've seen from you in previous episodes. Does that make sense? Cheers ****
Wait until your living in it before you decide about the tree. But also bare in mind that if you keep it, the roots may cause issues with your intended drive and retaining walls… 100% Dormers though!! So glad you’ve gone to weekly videos 😊
We’re so excited to be sharing weekly videos again- hopefully with even longer a bit more raw vlogs to really keep everyone up to speed. 100% concerned about the roots affecting our plans, we’ll have to wait and see with that one 😀
@@NickyandHarri If the roots were an issue any problems would be obvious given the age of the tree, the Tree is taking water from the ground so most likely issue could be 'heave' if you remove the tree!
Definitely two dormers. Making it a five bedroom would be great. Could you squeeze in an ensuite upstairs so just two bedrooms will share the main bathroom?
Another fab video, great start to a Sunday morning. Id get rid of the tree just to maximise sunlight. For the dormer it would depend on the cost difference
