Its the finishing touches that make the difference.

The floor area was covered with Oak effect Karndean flooring and the mosaic wall feature tiles set off with a chrome trim.

A small utility kitchen all fitted. Just got to lay the floor tiles and fit the kick boards.

Tiles and plinth now fitted. Room just needs painting, skirting boards fitting and glass splashbacks to complete the look.

Once down to the required depth we had building control come to check it so we could move on to the next stage, shuttering up. We had it shuttered up in a day and had to redirect the soil pipe before we back filled with 200mm of hardcore and 100mm of soft sand. A dpc was then put in before we began the process of putting the steel work in. The raft construction had to be tied into the original foundation with 10mm steel bars with the use of resin anchor system. After another visit from building control we had the go ahead to get the concrete in.

Another hard days work, 5 1/2 cube of concrete to move in 3 wheel barrows from the front of the house to the back with a 30 minute window to get it done before we start getting charged extra. Yes we did it, and it took another hour or so to get it tamped.

The following weekend we had the brickwork up to damp course then had to have another inspection by building control before we could continue. Everything was fine so it was onto the next stage, getting the brickwork up to lintel height. Timber formers were put in for the windows and door openings then after two days work we were ready to get the roof timbers on.

Roof timbers on and a visit from building control and we are ready to get the roof tiles on. The double glazing was the next task on the agenda along with the fascia and soffits. Once completed the new gutters and drainpipes were fitted. At last the outside was finished, it was now time to start work on the interior of the build.

The original exterior doorway now needed to be removed, joists fitted and flooring put down. The brickwork above the door and window were supported with akro props, the door/bricks removed and new lintel fitted. New cables were laid for sockets and lighting before the room was plaster boarded out. Extra insulation was fitted to the underside of the rafters and then this was then plaster boarded.

From the start we were looking forward to this project. Day one of the project was to remove an old oil tank from the property which was once used for the central heating and then construct a new “old style” pantry. We had to get space for this from a section of the integral garage. A new concrete floor had to be laid and an opening made for a new doorway into the passageway which separated  the garage from the old kitchen.

We then fitted steel props to support the kitchen ceiling and knocked through the opening from the kitchen side. After removing the old kitchen we set about removing a 5.5 m double brick wall and the kitchen ceiling. Very dusty work! New brickwork was put in and an opening made for new French doors leading from the kitchen to the conservatory.

Now was the time to rebuild a new stud wall to hide existing pipework, this is also the wall for the new double Belfast sink. All new electrical lighting/socket circuits and new gas supply for the Aga oven were the next stage of the project before we turned our attention to putting in the 6m steell beam specified by the structural engineer, wow that was hard work. New plumbing was then installed before we re-boarded the entire kitchen.

We then installed the feature timber mantle above the opening for the new Aga oven. The full room was plastered out and the new French doors fitted before the kitchen was painted. Next job was to screed the floor space and set out for the new travertine tiled floor. Wow this is going to look amazing.

The work involved bringing it up to the latest building regulations for a rented dwelling. New walls and ceilings were put in and doorways blocked up to meet fire regulations. Rooms also had sound deadening materials fitted. New upvc windows and a totally new kitchen were fitted giving it a modern feel.

The apartment was then completely re-decorated to a very high standard, all ready for the new occupants.