The local tradesman is a good shout tho, I've some roofing needs doing and a recommended local bloke is sounding not only cheaper but better than bigger names.

They'd definitely pay for themselves over time aye, but that doesn't magic up the money eh. I'm holding out another 2 years then will probably remortgage and invest in the house, it's walking distance to the Elizabeth crossrail line if that ever fucking opens, so am happy to play the long game.

Yeah mine are big old windows too, I'll see what I can do on a remortgage in a couple of years time; in general the house is great, but it 'has a rustic charm' if you know what I mean.

Yeah looked at that as well. Mine either have to be propped open or stay up by friction. The Pully systems are all long gone.

Unfortunately it's not worth it. The freeholder of the building doesnt look after it well enough to do external type cosmetic upgrades. I've probably hit the market ceiling on my place by decorating it and changing the bathroom. Anything else and I wont see the return.

nick_md wrote:

Now I'm thinking my place is 1910 also, I'll have to check. I'm Plumstead common area, solid house but needs modernising, just doing bit by bit.

Liv I'd love to get decent windows in but not for any value increase, I don't think any increase would be more than the cost of fitting double glazing throughout, for example. I just want to get them done for better insulation in winter.

Small world - I'm in Abbey Wood.

Omg just had an absolute nightmare in the garden.

My garden drop downs a couple of levels with a large shed on the bottom level itself, and at the very back there's a fence then a 6ft drop down to a paddock area owned by someone else. I noticed some rubbish strewn about at the bottom of my garden, figure a fox has dragged it in, so head out with a bin bag to pick it up.

Just as I get to the last pieces of rubbish I notice that the whole fence at the back has fallen away into the paddock below, bollocks. I head over to investigate and just as I approach, a fox darts out from underneath the shed. I look closer and it's not just the fence that fell away, whole chunks of the wall that make the 6ft drop has fallen away, presumably from the rain and storm. This has left a big gap in the floor of the shed where Mr. fox has been getting in and presumably making this shed his home.

I decide to go into the shed to see what state it's in, open the door and there's more rubbish inside, along with various bits of card and papers all shredded up and scattered around, and yep sure enough I can see a big gap at the end of the shed where the ground has fallen away. Bollocks.

I was just walking in to get a closer look when I see two black rats curled up motionless on the floor. Nope, I am out of there.

Am now trying find a gardener / landscaper who can just remove the entire shed structure, clear all that shit out and put a new fence up at the back. I do not like rats one bit.

This is going to be expensive I feel.

I am available for shed smashing with a bit of notice btw.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

I am available for shed smashing with a bit of notice btw.

Nice, will keep that in mind but I seriously don't fancy getting stuck into this myself:



Where the shed roof ends in the pic is the end of my garden, with a big drop into the paddock.

Inside has some cabinets, work surface and a vice, table with drawers, and dead rats. Still fancy it?

Nice, I'll see what the contractors say and will check out Kenrix, ta.

Look how much room you've got for a massive bonfire too.

I can't now I'm embarrassed.

I hadn't considered just burning the lot, that could be a fine solution. Once it's dismantled ofc, I don't mean torching the structure.

Hey Nick. For something like dismantling that shed and putting up a fence shouldn’t be a huge deal. It doesn’t really need top quality tradesmen or anything - just people who are reliable and will do the simple bits properly. I personally hate old rotten sheds and outbuildings exactly for the reasons you mention - it’s the hidden stuff you could put your hands in. Urgh...

Don’t really think burning is viable as there’ll be loads of plastic, metal and stuff that you’d have to sort through - just get someone to move it all for you.

I’d totally try my best to get permission to use the paddock though - however careful the workers are they aren’t gonna be able to not bring loads of mud and crap in through your house. Plus it’ll make the job three - four times as long and cost more.

Check your house insurance too as you may be covered for storm damage to boundaries and perhaps even outbuildings too? It’s worth the phone call anyway.

Make sure you get the quotes itemised and be clear where they’re taking the waste unless you don’t really mind it turning up dumped in an alleyway or field or something. Beyond all that I’m happy to look at any quotes you get or if you and moot want advice on what to be knocking sheds down with and how to rebuild and reinstall fencing. Srsly, fencing is not a skilled job.

Anyway, good luck and holler for any other help and advice.

Terrible advice. Smash it up and burn it.