Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Shandy I am someone who normally revells in technology. However, I always insist on having all travel documents and tickets in paper form. Have enough to stress about when I travel, and having trains tickets, etc on my 'phone only is a step too far for me. I always book train tickets via Trainline, then pop into my local station during a quiet time, and they print them out for me. This has been extremely useful recently when I have claimed money back, one for lateness of train and on for me having to change my tickets. Although claim is made on line they then ask for tickets to be returned by post.

I am still pretty unwell - it is a bad bout of bronchitus and has really knocked me back. I spend most of the time sleeping, and feeling sorry for myself!!!! Lemon, Honey and hot water drinks, home made soup and paracetomol. But I have cancelled ALL my arrangements to go to groups for the remainder of this week, and fervently hope I will be able to go next week. Have not contacted my GP, can't see any good reason to do this, although my daughter would like me to do so as NHS website does say we should do so if patient has asthma and/or over 80 years old. I have promised her I will do so if it continues without real improvement for over a week. She is popping in most days to check on me.
I am so very grateful that I living in my lovely flat, everything so close by, (shower, loo, kitchen, riser/recliner chair), no stairs to worry about.

Get well soon Franbern, I hope it passes soon, I'm sorry you are still suffering. I bet I come back with something from my trip as some people are just so irresponsible.

I've just got back from Boots, I'd ordered some of those fun 'vintage telephone' biscuit boxes on the three for two offer. As I entered an elderly chap with a stick was sitting in the chair, his wife was standing. They left and suddenly the assistants both came rushing out from behind the counter with wipes and a spray. I asked what was going on and apparently they'd been warned of a German couple travelling around the pharmacies with 'an infection' - and this couple were not from the area, and German! The girls sprayed and wiped everything and I was careful to sanitise my hands when I left. So irresponsible, whatever infection they are spreading, I don't want it.

On a happier note, my roofer came yesterday and hopes to fix my gutters when he is better, he has suddenly had difficulty catching his breath. He is also going to repaint the fibreglass flat roof on the extension, next summer. I think I've already said the trade that did the flat roof for the previous owner is on the run in Spain. Previous owner didn't have much luck, the timber guarantee company had disappeared too. Couldn't make it up could you!

Franbern

Just coming on to say, how excellent both my local GP surgery and pharmacy have been to me. Hear so many complaints. So, yesterday (using 'AskmyGP'} I sent a report about my bronchitus, giving details they may need. Within less than an hour a reply came back saying that in view of my age and asthma they have sent me a prescription for anti-biotics. When I replied to say that I felt that I did not need these, (do not like overuse of AB's, and bronchitus is usually viral), they just said keep them, and start the course if there are any changes, etc.
Then my nearby very small pharmacy telephoned to ask if I would like them to deliver these to me on their way home last night, which they did.
Feel very fortunate. My daughter calls in each evening just to check on me, I do wear a mask whilst she is here as I do not want her to catch my infection. Talk to neighbours on phone and am being told that I am in the best place - indoors, - as it has got bitterly cold outside now.
Am definitely improving, but still got a way to go.

Yesterday I received emails from solicitors regarding the sale of the two flats here which have been up for sale. So pleased for these people that things are moving for them. Spent a good hour in our office on the ground floor, photocopying all the paperwork the solicitors require with a completed form from our Management Company. Fortunately, solicitors are very local, so I have put everything in envelopes and placed outside my frot door, and the Chairman of the Cttee is collecting them this morning and will hand deliver them. Do hope both reach speedy and good conclusions. The sales are being handled by same Solicitor, both have got started on same day - be interesting to see difference in time span to conclusions.

That's good news Franbern, do take them if you continue to feel poorly.

I hope you could concentrate OK doing all that admin! I'd made myself two coffees this morning, I'm definitely having trouble waking up in the morning!

I've just popped in to say I've discovered my dog has great hearing loss The Hermes man walked into my gravelled back garden, stood at the patio door, dropped the parcel, and went away with him stirring at all. I'm going a bit deaf too, what a pair!

Glad you are mending Franbern. Perhaps you need an ear trumpet Shandy!

What did you say midgey? ;)

Slowly feeling more like normal. Actually said 'Welcome Back' to myself in my bedroom mirror yesterday morning,

I have now completed all the work and refurbuishment that I wished on my flat - with the exception of the kitchen. Will have next year saving up and nothing more to be done.
My kitchen is small 10' x 8'6" and works well for me but leaves much to be desired cosmetically. As it will not just be replacing units, but a complete rejig etc. including some plumbing some electrical work, and fremoving floor to ceiling tiles which will propbably mean some plastering, it is going to be expensive. I am hoping to plan for this early in 2024.
Anyone on here who has used firms like B&Q, Wren, etc, be grateful to hear of your experiences. I did like Ikea units, but they say they can only arrange fitting, not the rest of the work involved - no good o me,.

Franbern glad you are feeling better. I used a local Home Improvements company. It's a father and son team for my ,kitchen ,shower room ,internal doors, re plastering my bedroom and clearing the old insulation and putting new in my loft. They sent me to trade places they us. Benchmark for my kitchen. The planner from Benchmark came and measured up and asked what I wanted and didn't want. He listen to me and didn't need to change a thing on the design. Vast choice of tops ,door units ,taps they do appliances etc . Only had sink and tap from them and sourced my own appliances. The father and son let me have their full discount at Benchmark, tile place and flooring place where I had Karndean flooring from . Saved over £3,000. They did everything. Brilliant workmanship.

Perhaps one of your neighbours has used someone local or you could ask at the trade stores they will have a list of local tradesmen and will tell you who is the best. Have fun planning out your kitchen.

A few years ago our landlord had a B and Q kitchen installed. Kitchen was fine …..the fitting was shocking. Beware as they use almost anybody to fit their kitchens!

Coolgran Rightmove is ideal for surveying the market whether you are house hunting, day dreaming or looking for an estimate for what your house might be worth.

Coolgran Rightmove is ideal for surveying the market whether you are house hunting, day dreaming or looking for an estimate for what your house might be worth.

I had a nice Howdens kitchen fitted at the station in the self catering unit, might be worth a look?

I've just come on to say I'm on my second night of no roof on the extension and fifty saucepans/dishes catching rain/melted snow in the lounge/kitchen. My roofer did ring and say he'd fit a tarpaulin but had to fix a hole in someone's roof too, now it's getting dark I doubt I'll see him.

I need to get a 'corded phone' as mine didn't work last night, I had to switch off all the electricity as water was pouring through the ceiling. My cheap electric one was dead and stupidly I'd let my mobile run down to 20 per cent. I must get a new phone that holds the charge for longer.

Had to cancel my trip to London and have lost the train fare, Premier Inn hotel booking, and got a measly £30 back from my £150 Airbnb booking. Still have to pay for the kennels and cat sitter too. Is it living at No 13 do you think?

PS if a house you like has a resin flat roof, reject it. Wind got under it and lifted the lot like a syrup in the wind.

So nice,just got an email from the Airbnb owner saying she is trying to get me a better refund, how generous of her.

So sorry to hear of your dilemma Shandy all that wasted money and time and effort with all the bookings too!
No.13 Hope you get it all sorted quickly, good luck x

Still not heard if we are ready to set a moving date, it's so near to Xmas. On one hand I want to get it all done and dusted, but on the other, I want to buy my Xmas tree next weekend and put the deco up, buy the presents and Xmas food treats etc. I have got my 2 little granddaughters presents as they knew what they wanted [don't they all] and there was talk of a toy shortage. What to do! What would you do??

Even if they turned round and said tomorrow, that we can set the date, I'm looking at 2 more weeks I would have thought. Haven't even called a removal co., with no date set, no point. My neighbour that has just moved hired a removal co. set the date and then when things went pear shaped, they lost their deposit!

Haven't even packed a box! even though I have a lot that my new next door neighbour gave me. If we are here for Xmas the packed boxes will be in the way. I have started selling all the furniture in the 4th bedroom though and booked for my 4 seater settee & sofa bed to be collected by the council, tons to the charity shops & collections. So I have done something

Morning all, I hope everyone is well and warm. I'm camped in the front guest bedroom, I'd forgotten how nice a feather quilt is, I've got a wool quilt on my bed.

Yogi, good luck! I remember another poster recommending insurance for delayed completion with a removal company, I'm sorry your neighbour lost their money. Also 'late key' insurance in case the vendors move out very late.

I'd recommend making a start on the kitchen, it took me forever - especially the store cupboard.

The year is passing so quickly and winter is definitely here. I'm nervous to drive anywhere, still so many trees down. Horses have also been on the local roads as their field fences had been blown down. I think I'll push my dog to the local beach.

Have a good Sunday everyone.

Shandy such a pity you having to cancel your London trip. I know you were looking forward to it. Do we assume that cancellation is due to the building problems you are currently experiencing. I needed to amend train bookings I had made for the week after christmas and Trainline have a clause saying they will refund for such a change of arrangements, which they did quite quickly.

Sounds quite horrific what you are experiencing. Surely, all must be well covered by your home insurance!!!

Regarding phones, whereas I have long had a cheap corded phone, still in its box, which I purchased several years back, which could be used in the event of a long electricity outage, I have never actually used it. Mainly, because outages are so very rare, but also because of better mobiles (which I did not have when I purchased this other phone).

I also have a small unit which will charge my phone, pretty quickly. This then, later, needs charging - but it means that I know that I always have the ability to fully charge a flat battery phone. I take this with me when I am doing long journeys to take away that concern.

Yesterday afternoon, weather calmed down round here and I made my first journey out of doors for nine days. Just to a local indoors Xmas Fayre. Daughter came with me, which was fortunate - as even after such a short time, I felt slightly panicky at the thought of going out. Only out for less than two hours on my scooter (also included coffee and cake for us both), but fell asleep as soon as I was back home.

Yogi, Think you should be contacting removal companies, at least to get their quotes and also their availibility. Not arranging an exact date. These companies are very used to dealing with these sort of probems, they are doing it all of the time.

I would not worry too much about so-called toy shortage, but if there are things that you feel your g.children MUST HAVE then why not purchase them, wrap them and then get their parents to store them. Surely, beginning of December is far too early for tree, etc. Probably more important for you to be getting on with packing up. IF....unfortunately .....you are still unmoved by 25th, then any visitors will totally understand boxes piled up in one room.

When I was moving, it was all arranged for packing to be carried out on Monday for move on Tuesday. When, by the previous Friday Contracts still had not been exchanged I was in tears and talked to my removal firm. They were so very helpful and comforting. They were obviously well used to this and told me not to worry. They asked if I had somewhere I could stay for night or two and if so, they would carry on with the packing on the Monday and then just store that lorry for an extra day or two (if necessary). So happened everything was okay as at 2pm on Friday afternoon Contracts finally got exchanged.

Yogin you really need to start packing tomorrow. It takes longer than you think . Also the shed , garage and loft need to emptied. It takes more boxes than you to think you will need . Don't forget the weight of each box once full. You need to be able to lift the box. I know on removal day the removers will do it but in the meantime you need to put them somewhere out of the way. I used both my bedrooms spare rooms. They where full of boxes.

I got my boxes from eBay and brought 2 X 100 metres of bubble of wrap off there . You will be surprised how much bubble wrap you need. Also there is all the rubbish that will need to take to the recycling centre . Plus stuff to sell and give to charity.

Paperwork you no longer need if it has any of your details on need shredding.

In fact to you will be surprised what you have to do.

I told my brother all this and they have been packing since August and moving furniture and boxes to rental storage units they have hired instead of removal firm as its cheaper. Near to the bungalow they are buying. They don't have a date for exchange or completion .

Number every box and write what room it's for and what's in it. Whatever you do don't use Pickford's. I took out all the insurances and got no where when I had to claim.

Like Franbern says you need to contact removal companies now and get estimates plus when they are free and how long the removal will take. My house was my emptied the day before completion.

Whatever you do don't exchange and completion on the same day. A week apart is best.

Hope all goes well.

Franbern just a word of warning against Wickes re your new kitchen. We had our bathroom redone by them and the whole thing was a nightmare. A job that should have taken 3 weeks max took 6 months.
They outsource their fitting and you sign a separate contract for that. You may get a good fitter or you may, like us, have an appalling one. Never turning up or turning up on a Sunday when we were out and breaking into the house. Poor quality workmanship and any complaints to Wickes ignored and just told to contact the fitter. I could go on but you get the picture.
I understand Howdens units are good quality but you need to find a fitter yourself which, quite honestly, I think is a better idea.

When we visited Howden's they told us that they sold to the trade only and they would not give us any idea how much the range of units we liked cost, saying they would only discuss that with our builder/installer.

Needless to say we took our business elsewhere, I can understand as a trade only company, prices are confidential between supplier and builder, but we could not even get them to give us a ball park figure, or indication where in the market they stood, low end, middle or high end.

DS and DDiL bought a kitchen from Wickes a year ago and used their fitter and were well pleased with both units and fitter. The stripping, fitting and ancillary work took just over a week.

Thank you very much for all your advise ladies. I have sorted the attic and burnt paperwork. Intend to get my spare room sorted out, box up and take items to the charity shops today, the room is full of stuff as I dislike getting into the attic, so throw stuff in there!

Thought I had loads of packing tape, but can't find any. Looked on Amazon and there are packs with the dispenser gun. They had mixed reviews though, some said v.good, others said don't bother. I'll go to B&Q later to get some.

Hope you're doing OK today Shandy and you managed to get a good nights sleep in your spare room. Fingers crossed you get it sorted quickly, good luck.

Morning everyone, I'm scared, I've woken up to snow. When it melts it's all going to come pouring in. No sign of the roofer yet to put up a tarpaulin, but his van was seen in the village yesterday. He is a good man and will come, but I don't know if the ceiling will come in before he gets here. I'm emptying the lounge of everything I can lift this morning, so many books

I've also woken up to an email saying my 9.01 train is cancelled - I'd ordered the taxi for 8.15 am so would have been on my way to the station. Bittersweet as I am now getting a refund.

Lots of people here have had power cuts since Friday, and now the water is being affected because the water board went off too and can't pump water. I had sent my kids a power cut kit, battery radio etc, but on Mumsnet last night a woman was worried about her cold water fish - seems you can buy a battery powered air filter.

Seems the village hasn't been gritted and it's very icy, so nervous to drive down, walking my dog down to the post office in his stroller to post a few parcels.

Stay safe and warm everyone