dulwichquine

I wouldn't say extending a house is an extravagance. We can't afford to move but need more space. Building seems to be the best thing to do, or so we hope. I find there are lots of helpful threads on EDF with folk who've got useful info/experience to pass on.

@poppet27 I would go for as much space as you can get if doesn't impinge on garden/neighbours. You may well be kicking yourself down the line. Feel free to pm me as we are doing wrap around extension at moment.

Thank you @rockets I will take a look. @mikeb That is clearly the idea but it's not often easy or practical to do so with kids and shopping and so on. It doesn't sound like it's been very well thought out, either! I am just trying to figure out the alternative roads that can be used to get around.

I drove through along Loughborough Road today, turning left off Brixton Road. Didn't want to chance driving through Loughborough Junction heading to Herne Hill, so I turned right into Barrington Road to go to the end of the road and turn left onto Cold Harbour Lane. However, nearing the end of Barrington Road, there is now a no entry sign! I ignored it and kept going as clearly other cars were doing the same. Can anyone explain if this no entry sign is correct and how on earth we get to Herne Hill/Dulwich if you come off Brixton Road?

Thanks, Luke. Much appreciated.

Hello, we have a very large rooflight (7m) which we think may need to be lifted from our front door, where it will be delivered, to rear of property for a kitchen extension. Just wonder if anyone could suggest a decent company to quote for this? Thanks!

Think you could easily spend ?70k if you include new kitchen, underfloor heating, decent patio doors and so on. It all mounts up. And you have to factor in worst case scenario for party wall agreements.

We pay our au pair ?120 a week plus mobile phone. She does about 25 hours a week. They are no substitute for a cheap nanny. We've been very happy with how our pairs have worked out. They should be treated as part of the family as well as someone who is an extra pair of hands for childcare/babysitting. We didn't ask our au pair to do any cleaning as we have a separate cleaner to do this.

Two trains were cancelled this morning at North Dulwich station this morning due to "staff shortage". Almost a forty minute gap in rush hour.

Many thanks, Alaska721.

That's a really helpful message. Anyone know where to get decent price dust sheets? I was also thinking of installing a plastic sheet style door to try to keep dust away from first floor. Anyone done that ?! I guess the message is that we should put dust sheets over everything in the living room during the day.

I just can't see how any bus/coach/lorry will be able to turn left from Townley road onto EDG given the size of the build out that is now taking shape. Has the plan changed?

We pay ?11 per hour

Tim, we are doing wrap around extension and have now had quotes in all for more than ?150k, excluding kitchen! We are gobsmacked. And of course we have already spent a lot of money on designs, fees etc.

I want to add my support to Terry McGinley. He came around at short notice and helped us out with our electrics which had gone catastrophically wrong. Was very reasonable on price, too. Would use again

Guy came to my door today, saying he was a parent and trying to get a football team off the ground on a Sunday in Dulwich Park. The sheet said Southwark Rangers. He then asked for a contribution to get some kit. Lots of signatures so I gave ?4, although I thought it was slightly suspicious. But he talked a good game. Red hair and clipboard. I guess we will find out if it was a scam soon enough as he said he would send info. Anyone heard of Southwark Rangers?

We are thinking of using this company and wondered if anyone had used them and had any feedback. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Thank you Slarti b for all your posts and good work.

Must say that we found Herne a Hill to be a fantastic school and don't recognise some of those earlier comments. Teaching is excellent and we found it be a very kind, supportive and stimulating place. There is a broad mix of kids and they all end up going to good schools. We didn't have a huge amount of homework, for what it's worth. Of course they have to prepare them for 7+ but genuinely think the teachers just try to get the best out of each child. We were very happy.

Agree with all of above. The earlier you go, the better. If you drive, get the first slot of the day and beat the traffic. Definitely take own food. It is a superb day out.

We had our loft conversion done by Outlook. The planning was stressful but can't fault the build. They cared and did things right.

Watching this thread with interest. We'd like one, too.

On the website of Dulwich and Herne Hill Safe Routes to School, it says there is a 3pm meeting this Saturday at St Barnabas Hall to discuss "ongoing local confusion and concern" surrounding these plans. Seems like a good chance to find out why they are supporting this particular plan in first place as opposed to original, less contentious, options and to make them aware of what local parents think about impact of no right hand turn.

Good post by Slarti. On current EDG junction plans, the build out from pavement on Townley Road looks like it will mean coaches physically unable to turn left into EDG. So where will they all go ? Calton Avenue!

Thank you Slarti. Very well put.