I vote for getting it done and watching the professionals at work! It may take a team two weeks but it could take the two of you the entire summer, it's a big job!
No brainer really guys, get the pros to do this major job, as you both will find so many other upgrades that you can tackle yourselves over weekends. What’s money when spending it wisely and you have peace of mind and health? Cheers from Shirley in Australia 😊
Hi from the Scottish Highlands 👋 I'd say let the professionals at it ASAP. Our winters can be hellish and no two are the same. In 2010 we had snow on the ground here for over 10 weeks. In 2022 we were frequently down to -9 to -13 🥶 so I say get that gorgeous cottage redone and then one less thing to worry about (apart from selling a kidney to pay for it 😅)
I vote for getting it done by the professionals. The main concern would be to yours, Adam's, and Benji's health! I also vote for bringing it back to the stone. Don't wait. Damp and cold can be very harmful to your health. ❤
It's a difficult decision but if I could afford it I'd get the professionals so that you have peace of mind that it's done properly and maybe have some sort of guarantee that the problem is solved.❤️
It's definitely a tough call! We’re leaning towards bringing in the pros to make sure it’s done properly and with a solid guarantee-it would be such a relief to know it's handled by experts. Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement-really appreciate it! ❤️
I think you already know the answer. Get the outside done now and avoid even more damage. Next year you might be faced with the wall starting to crack and even more expense. The weather lately everywhere is catastrophic. And then there are the personal health risks of living in a damp house!
I wouldn't wait to have it done and have it done right this is your home if it goes any deeper, you going to wind up spending more money love the cottage by the way hello from New York City
I suggest bitting the bullet and getting the outside done by professionals. I love ❤️ the IKEA wardrobes and your idea of enhancing them. Love and admire both of you. Benji is adorable. Hugs from Barney in Pennsylvania, USA.
There are a lot of people doing stone cottages on TH-cam at the moment, it’s saving them loads of money. The ‘camper vibe’ girls and Irish homestead are learning on the job.
@petebartlett2229 That's a great shout! We’ve seen some of those channels, and it’s impressive what people are managing to do themselves. We’re confident we could take it on, but as you say, it would save a fortune! It’s just tricky with time right now; we’d only have weekends to tackle it, and with winter setting in, we’d struggle to get the lime mortar done before the frost-especially with needing to strip all the paint first. We’ll see if the pros can fit it in soon!
Camber vibe girls and Irish homestead are doing brilliantly, worth watching 😁 If you have the funds 100% get it done, you won’t look back, nice and dry… enjoying your channel, love seeing the transformation, you have picked a lovely home and area, best of luck xx
Thank you so much! 😊 We’ve actually started following Camper Vibe and Irish Homestead-absolutely inspiring to see what they’re doing with their spaces! If we can stretch the budget, we’re leaning toward getting the pros in to sort the damp and set us up nice and dry for the winter. So glad you’re enjoying the journey with us, and thanks for the encouragement! 🏡🍀❤️ xx
I would get the professionals to do the outside and watch and learn from them. You can do the inside and possibly the rest of the outside when you have time and better weather conditions.
Hi both, like most of your followers have said I would get the professional in for peace of mind and enjoy the cosiness of your lovely cottage without the worry of any of your lovely furnishings becoming damp. Watch and learn and develop a new skill for the future -all looked amazing from above - Kate (Dartmoor))
@KateTyler-r7h Thanks, Kate! That’s exactly it-having peace of mind over winter would be worth a lot. We’d love to tackle more ourselves down the line, but it might be best to let the pros handle this wall and pick up a few skills from watching them. Appreciate your thoughts, and greetings to you in beautiful Dartmoor!
@LindaThorpe-v2h Thanks, Linda! You're absolutely right-getting it sorted sooner rather than later makes a lot of sense, especially with the potential health concerns that come with damp. 😊 We're leaning more towards having the pros handle it to make sure it's done right.
I'm in the health first camp. Damp is not good for the chest or the body in general. I would get the pros in to do the work. You can pick their brains also do they guarantee their work as a kind of added insurance if any issues were to arise. With the work done and peace of mind you three can relax during the depths of winter unless of course your doggie wants to go to the pub. Best wishes and thanks for sharing your journey I am really pleased to be along with you.x
I know it will probably break your bank balance severely, but I think getting the professionals in to do that one wall as quickly as possible would be a good idea as it looks as though it’s severely getting damp behind that paint
@rontanser9369 We’re definitely feeling the pinch but totally agree-it’s looking like a job best handled by the pros to avoid it getting worse. It's a big hit to the budget, but tackling that damp now could be worth it in the long run. Thanks for the advice and support!
Hi Adam and Johnny , its your home do it how you like but a wall holding a house up needs to be done properly 😄Love the countryside view and good job with wardrobe ,nice colour . Benji looked so cute with the hedgehog , keep warm x
Get it done. It will take you long enough to do the inside. I know it's a lot of money, but presumably comes with guarantees of workmanship and results. Plus, as much as I admire your optimism about having more time next year, in my experience there is never more time, there will always be something else that needs doing, or something that you would rather be doing. It's only the cost of two weeks labour you would be saving, all materials will still have to be purchased. In the end, what price do you put on your own time? Weekends when you could be gardening, relaxing, getting out and about. You only get one life.
From; USA-Texas - 75YO here and have seen 1 or maybe 2 other of your vids and enjoyed them as well. So often - old is new and comes with charm and character so your cottage really interest me and glad young men have an interest. Nice young men and from Scotland and that helps me see another part of the World, where I have faild to make it a mission to visit and of course now regret. The wardrobe looks just fine so why make additional work? It's for you guys not for everyone that visits. Eager for the next vid and projects. Thanks.
The outside needs doing ASAP in terms of meantime start raking out the old mortar and as it’s internal you could point it too as long as you keep certain temperatures inside that however you would need to live in it. That way it would all be done before Christmas. Good luck to you both. 🍀🍀🍀
I can highly recommend another YT channel- Camper Vibe. Two ladies have a stone cottage in Ireland where they have a similar problem. Also Andy from Finca Life in Spain, is a stone wall repair fiend
If the cottage has stood all those years, why not wait till next year, save the money, then get the professionals to do the outside and the inside at the same time, saving you both time, so you can get on with loving your new life, if it was me i,d do that, lifes too short 😊, glad to see your back on screen x ps i think it would look great back to the original stone work 😊x
I’d wait for next year and let the professionals do it in the spring. Live in it for a while and see if other issues come up. Then you can tackle them all at once.
Hi guys! Love the cottage. If you can afford it get the cottage wall fixed now. Don’t go through a winter with damp. It’s unhealthy and dangerous for you and Benji.
@claymccleery9451 Thanks for the tip! I’ll let Adam know-he’s always on the lookout for ways to keep the garden in great shape naturally. We might start leaving the clippings as we go along to give the soil that extra boost. Cheers for the advice!
@yvonneharwood-oz9fn Thank you! 😊 The grey doors are nice, and they work well for now, but we've got some big plans to paint them in a new color to better suit the room. Just need to pick the perfect shade-decisions, decisions! 🎨😉
Arizona Geoff here again! I am going to sit on the fence with the damp issue, so not much help to you! If you have the money and won’t overstretch yourselves financially, then probably get the pros in to do the job asap. Alternatively, have you thought about buying a dehumidifier from B&Q (about 120 GBP) with a 2.5 litre collection tank? If you keep it going in the sitting room throughout the winter, that should temporarily reduce the moisture level in the room; although it wouldn’t remove any mold, of course. That way you could wait until next year, do tonnes of research on doing the job yourselves, and have the satisfaction of saving money and seeing a job well done! We had a 120 year old cottage in Southern Minnesota which at times had a very damp stone built basement, and a dehumidifier worked great in keeping it relatively dry throughout the wet months. Well done with the wardrobes, I like the choice of ‘heather tones’ for warmth and cosiness. Hope this is helpful 😊
Sweeties get the professionals to do the wall needing repairs to ease your minds , it’s only money . My Dads theory was better to earn money , to pay the professionals than stuffing up the job , taking twice as long to do it and it looking a mess when finished . Don’t stress you have the rest of your lives in your beautiful home . Luv Sharyn and Rosie 🇳🇿
In my opinion, I would spend a few days reviewing TH-cam videos on how to do everything yourselves but everyone is different. My husband would say “ we should pay someone to get it done now”.
@jenniferkelly6450 Thanks, Jennifer! We're leaning towards getting the pros in too-those winters aren’t messing around here! And glad you like the grey doors; they’re growing on us as we plan out the room! 😊
That is definitely great news, exposing the stone is part of the fix. It makes complete sense though and I did think that it was definitely a problem. I think that exposing the stone will add so much character. It's also not an issue with the rest of the cottage so you can take time and decide. ❤️
Thanks so much, Neuton! We’re thrilled that exposing the stone is part of the solution-it's a big relief, and we agree it’ll bring so much character to the cottage. Since it’s only one wall affected, we feel a bit more relaxed about taking our time to get it right. Your support means a lot, and we’ll keep you posted on the progress! ❤️
Concrete is an obscene word to stone cottages! You'll sort it, no doubt. Wonderful, jam-packed video! Carry on men! Love and hugs from me in New Mexico USA.
@abqresident4461 Haha, couldn’t agree more-'concrete' is like a curse word around here! We’re determined to get it sorted the right way. Thanks for the encouragement and for tuning in from New Mexico! Love and hugs back from Scotland!
I agree the dampness needs to be fixed, but i have to wonder why just that corner of house only has issue? Could the chimney be the problem? Could it be letting water in too ? Ive always found that a project that seems to be a straight forward fix usually ends up much more involved than anticipated. I'd have the chimney inspected too. Just my thoughts.
@judyrice3883 So glad you love the red! We’re excited to see how it’ll transform the look once we paint over the grey. Thanks for cheering us on through all these projects!
Yes, red definitely makes a bold statement! 🎨 We’re excited to see how it transforms the look of the wardrobes-it's such a warm, rich color and really does stand out beautifully. Thanks for sharing, and glad you’re on board with the color choice! ❤️🏡
@rileymccoy8040 Thank you! 😊 The grey is growing on us too! We’re planning to paint it eventually, but it’s nice to know the current color has its fans!
@Gurkhyvel Absolutely, we’re right there with you-damp and mold are no joke, especially with a long winter ahead! Tackling it now would mean peace of mind for both us and the cottage. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hey fellas & Benji. Well the answer to the question have your wall done ASAP or wait. If you can afford have it done as soon as you can , specially with winter just around the corner. Lovely hedgehog for Benji look like he loves it.. great idea for the bedroom Highland inspiration love it. Well done with the ikea wardrobes. IKEA always comes in handy. Catch ya later. Keep up the good work.
@KewiCampervan Thank you so much! ❤ We're excited about how the wardrobe is shaping up in the bedroom - still a few finishing touches to go, but it’s coming together! xx 😊
It's up to you hun but if you can get the professionals in, I would do that. It appears that the people who own these types of cottages are suggesting you go with the experts. Think the exposed stone will look amazing. Hugs to Adam and Benji.
The outside will be a lot of work, and even then, weather permitting. Let the professionals do the outside wall ASAP, then it's done and dusted. You'll learn by example and can do the inside any time that's convenient! Bathstone, Yorkstone, Kentish Ragstone, and many more! ❤ XXX
@cajsheen2594 You're spot on! The outside is a big task, especially with our weather up here. Letting the pros tackle it first sounds wise, then we can focus on the interior at our own pace. Appreciate the encouragement and all the stone knowledge! ❤ XXX
Hey guys awesome video tonight! The tree definitely looks better without that extra branch flapping about good job. We live in the Northumberland countryside near Carlisle not a million miles from you guys in a stone build house, and our house was painted battleship grey when we bought it. We had the whole house sandblasted professionally but raked it out ourselves and repointed it ourselves. It was a really messy job. We saved a fortune and it was a mammoth task but worth it for us as we wanted to spend money elsewhere. You guys are probably best just getting it all done professionally to be honest as its just the one wall, then its done and you can forget about it and concentrate your efforts elsewhere over the coming months. John and Chris x
Thanks so much, John and Chris! 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video-and yes, the tree looks way better without that rogue branch! 🌳✂️ Your house sounds amazing; what a project! Hats off to you both for tackling the repointing yourselves-that’s no small feat! 💪 We’re definitely leaning towards getting the pros in for our wall, especially since it’s just the one side. That way, we can put our focus (and energy!) into other projects without the mess. Thanks for the advice, and maybe we’ll cross paths sometime up north! Cheers! 🍻 x
Sounds good! Maybe we will cross paths you never know 🤷🏼♂️ if we spot you we'll say hi 👍 haha. we do normally travel in our motorhome around Dumfries and Galloway but we just sold it to pay off our mortgage. We have plans to move next year ourselves not too far away from where we are now and open a B&B so exciting times all around x
@alanabroad Thanks so much! We're thrilled you noticed it! 😊 That’s actually one of our own designs from Godwin Vintage, fitting right in with the cottage’s character. We love how it gives a warm, vintage feel to the outdoor space!
Great choice for the wardrobe doors, I really like them. Once you do what you are planning it will definitely not look like it wasn't built in. Great job and great video. Have a wonderful week guys and Benji, ❤️ from Cape Town.
Thanks so much! We're glad you like the doors; we think they’ll really come together once we add our own touch. It’s all about making the space feel like it’s always been part of the cottage. Sending warm wishes back to you and thanks for watching-Benji sends a big wag from Scotland! ❤️🐾
@heatherdobson2289 We're definitely thinking the same-seems like the best way to make sure it's done right and save ourselves some stress! Thanks for the nudge!
I like the wardrobe ideas. While costly, I’d lean towards having the pros do the outside wall and then you learn from them and take your time with the inside wall (which, honestly, you could probably manage earlier, since working inside doesn’t require daylight). Any more thoughts on the living room staircase? Cheers, and ATB!
Thanks, Erin! 😊 We’re definitely leaning towards getting pros in for the exterior wall-would save us a lot of time and help us learn a few tricks before tackling the inside ourselves. 👷♂️🛠 As for the staircase, we’ve actually started thinking about removing it. The opening is so narrow; it was a serious struggle getting furniture up there! 🪜😅 Not the most practical, as charming as it is! Thanks for the support and ideas! Cheers and all the best to you too! 🍻
Thanks, Lisa! 😊 Sounds like you know the challenge firsthand-repointing with lime mortar seems simple but definitely a huge time investment! ⏳ We’re leaning toward having the pros tackle our exterior wall too, especially since we’d love to have it done before the weather turns. Thanks for the advice, and good luck with your own project! 💪👷♂️
Hey Guys, Another great and informative Vlog, Adam the king of irony and sarcasm (trying to play it cool over cutting the branch off while obviously screaming like a proud child inside), and, Johnny, the love child of Perter Duncan and Craig Phillips and desperately in need of hosting the 'Blue Peter' episodes we all want to watch... such Fun! OK the gable wall, get the professionals in to do it in speedy time, that way you can relax enjoy the winter and look forward to doing all your home improvements in the new year. It will as you rightly say, give you the chance to watch them like hawks and learn everything they do, how they do it and the materials and tools they use. You ae paying them so can ask as many questions as you like and also get a list of the exact materials they use and where they get them from (probably at cheapeer merchants prices rather than home DIY). Certainly you guys can tackle the interior yourselves and it can be done in your timescale. Yes where the cottage is Stone, in the long term it all needs stripping off and personally, I'd then keep it natural stone, though if the elements are harsh, you may find a natural lime wash may add protection (doesn't have to be glaring white though, could thin it back to just a literal wash on the natural stone). One other thing worth checking, is make sure the ground level directly outside that gable wall is lower than the floor level inside the cottage, this is the traditional 'dampcourse', If the exterior ground level is higher it will trap rain water and that will be sucked into the wall and ultimately inside the house by the warmer air temperatures inside causing the damp to travel up the earth core of the natural stone walls. if it is higher, the simple fix you can do yourself is dig a channel about a foot wide down to the top of the large foundation stones of the wall (they'll be lower than your interior floor) and then just fill it with hardcore, this will create a drainage 'moat' where collected rain is both pushed down lower than the building, but also allows the sun and scottish winds to evaporate excess moisture, which is also what will happen when the exterior paint and cement morter is removed. These walls we designed for the natural elements to suck moisture out through evaporation which is why they need to breath. currently the non porous exterior paint is causing it to work in reverse where the heat from your fire is drawing the moisture inwards through the only escape it has...... As another Faithful viwer has mentioned watch the brilliant Ladies of 'Camper Vibe' ( www.youtube.com/@campervibe ) they are doing all of their stone walls themselves and facing much bigger issues than you have, but they will also remove any fears you have over tackling the rest of the walls inside and out yourselves...... I've waffled enough.. Great job on the wardrobes, the idea to box them in is terrific. We will expect to see Benji as the happy owner of an Ikea Elephant after your next visit, we'll all be majourly disappointed if he doesn't get one for Christmas..... Well Done Guys!
@bearmascall6772 Haha, this comment gave us such a good laugh! 😂 You've completely nailed it with Adam's 'cool and collected' vibe on the chainsaw and me as the Blue Peter wannabe! 🤣 Your advice on the gable wall is super valuable too-especially the tip on lowering the ground level for natural drainage, which makes perfect sense with how these old stone cottages were built. 🌧️🏡 And great shout on watching Camper Vibe; it’s inspiring (and reassuring!) to see others tackling similar challenges. We’re leaning toward getting the pros in for the gable wall so we can hit winter stress-free, but we'll definitely be taking notes along the way. And don’t worry-Benji’s Christmas list just got a serious addition with that IKEA elephant suggestion! 🐾🐘 Thanks again for the support and the advice, really appreciated!
@claymccleery9451 Thanks! We’re quite happy with how they turned out! IKEA does a great job with design and functionality-it’s sharp-looking, and the storage is just what we needed. 👍
@mazybee9149 Glad to hear you’re finding the journey helpful! 😊 We’re definitely leaning towards getting the pros in-so many people have mentioned the health risks with damp, and it’s starting to feel like a priority to handle it thoroughly. Thanks for the advice!
Lol, I would have loved to see Adam's face while taking the shot of you on the loo with a book and a huge smile on your face in the middle of the shop. 🫣👀😂❤️
Haha, yes! Adam's face was priceless! 😂 He was trying to keep a straight face behind the camera, but I could see the laughter creeping in. Just couldn’t resist the chance for a quick “read” in the middle of Ikea! 🫣📚 Thanks for the laugh, Neuton-glad you enjoyed the moment!
@patdelaney191 Good advice! We’re leaning toward getting the pros in-especially with winter just around the corner. 🌧️ It would be a relief to have it sorted before the cold sets in. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Wow, thank you so much, Eric! 🙏💛 That’s incredibly generous of you, and it truly means a lot to us as we keep working on our cottage (and tackling those unexpected projects!). Thanks for being part of this journey and supporting us. We’re thrilled to have you along! 😊🍃
Hello, love watching your cottage-videos! I'd get the professionals for that outside wall, so it's done before winter and it's out of your heads, even if that costs a lot. Greetings from germany Petra👋🏼😊
@Petra.. Thank you, Petra! 😊 We're definitely leaning toward getting the pros in-peace of mind and a dry wall before winter sounds like the best plan, even if it stretches the budget a bit. Greetings from Scotland to Germany! 👋🏼
I say get it done by the professionals. Yes it’s a big expense, but you will both learn a lot from them and go on to do the rest of the cottage. If you leave it till winter is over, then there’s a possibility there will be more damage, and then more expense to fix it. Scottish winters are horrible, especially in the countryside. Cutting that branch down is a good job, when the snow comes, it will lie thick on the trees and would have broken that branch anyway. It also gave Adam a good excuse to use his chainsaw😂 The wardrobes look fantastic! I agree about IKEA, however they really have a great range of well designed items. We live in Abu Dhabi in a modern flat, and we bought 3 large wardrobes in white, the same design as your doors. The girl in IKEA designed the insides for us. It works while we’re here, but back at home we have nicer furniture. Benji is an absolute sweetheart with his new hedgehog toy. You say everyone needs an Adam in their life, I think they also need a Johnny as well, you two make a great team. Thanks for another great video. Have a lovely week, Sandra xx
Thank you so much, Sandra! 😊 You’ve got a great point about tackling the wall before winter-Scottish weather can be brutal, and we definitely don’t want any added damage or costs down the line. The branch was a good call too-Adam certainly enjoyed an excuse to fire up the chainsaw! 😂🪚 So glad you like the wardrobes! IKEA really does have some clever designs that fit perfectly. Your setup in Abu Dhabi sounds lovely; it’s amazing how adaptable their pieces are! And Benji is absolutely in love with his new hedgehog toy 🦔🐾. You’re too kind-truly appreciate the encouragement! Have a fantastic week yourself! xx
I'm sticking with a comment I made a few videos ago in that you should also consider where that moisture is coming in from. You have shown us two walls, both with the same aspect, built the same way and both incorrectly treated with that paint and mortar, yet one is suffering damp and one isn't. They are both on the downward slope/lower end of the building with the 'good' wall being in a direction that appears to be lower again than the problem wall. Moisture always goes to the lowest point via the easiest route, yet the apparently lowest point here doesn't have a problem. My argument doesn't negate that the walls have been treated incorrectly and need fixing like you say, but I would still argue that the main gable wall is bearing the brunt of the water flow down the road, as well as from that open unsealed drain and also through the soil. Fixing the paint etc will obviously help the rising damp, but I'd still be doing what you can to get the water away from the house in the first place. I vote for the painful option of the professionals. Not only will it get done in a timely manner, but as you say, you can learn from them to do the rest yourself. Hopefully you can consider the cost of repair as part of the purchase price of the house and move forward. It looks to me like it has been rendered 5mm and then painted, there doesn't appear to be multiple paint layers, other than possible touch-ups.
I would bit the bullet and get it done professionally two weeks pain to get it done before winter sets in and possibly stop any more issues cropping up due to the weather will give you both peace of mind
@aileenmarshall7956 You're absolutely right; having it done professionally would definitely bring peace of mind, especially with winter coming up fast. It’s a bit of a hit to the budget, but worth it if it saves us future headaches. Thanks for the encouragement!
Great video, thank you. Question, if the interior wall is not the issue, what is the health issue that is driving urgency? Suggestion would be to come up with criteria for outsourcing work, such as cost, time, skill, tools needed, etc. and have a monetary value of your time per hour to help compare quotes vs doing it yourself. if you do this exterior wall project will it help you develop and learn skills that you will need in the future? If not pick a project where developing knowledge and skills will pay dividends later. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful advice! 😊 The stonemason did say the interior wall isn’t as urgent as the outside, but we’re still seeing high moisture levels in the living room due to that damp wall. We’re tackling it for now by airing the cottage whenever it’s dry outside and using dehumidifiers. Eventually, we’ll need to sort out the inside wall too, but the exterior is more pressing since the paint is trapping moisture. Your idea to set criteria for outsourcing versus DIY is spot on-it’ll definitely help us plan and balance our time, skills, and costs. Thanks for the support! 🙌🏡
Get it done. NEITHER of you seem to be patient people when it comes to decorating either exterior or interior parts of your home. You seem to want it “just so” or there seems to be an interior battle going on within yourselves. I am not finding fault in any way…..this is just part of who you are…and that’s OK. So get it done, learn from it, and put it behind you while not letting it cause either of you stress. LOVE your vlog and love who you are. Dave
@PJXXIII Thanks, Dave! You’ve hit the nail on the head there-‘just so’ is exactly how we’re both wired when it comes to making this place our own! It’s definitely a balance between wanting things done right and not letting the process stress us out. Leaning toward getting the pros in might be the best choice for peace of mind. We appreciate the encouragement and the understanding-it means a lot!
@paulpuckerinGM That's a fantastic idea, Puck! Watching the pros at work could be like a mini masterclass and would give us a bit more confidence for any future projects. Thanks for the input - definitely something to consider! 👍😊
And again a nice video to watch ! Love all the items that are part of the Cottage and yes to be honest ....i would take the change to fix that wall before winter..It will be a hard job and not easy on time, but it would give me a feeling of solving a huge problem by myself and saving a lot of money to. But i am sitting nice and warm right now so it is easy to tell what i don t have to do .... The wardrobe are looking very nice, and must say that we are a great fan from IKEA ! Not for upholster furniture but for wardrobes and kitchen we are very satisfy with the quality , so we bought a kitchen last year and that one is so much better than the kitchen we did have i our previous house witch was a very expensive and the IKEA was for us the best choice ! Love the color you are planning to put on the doors, it looks almost something like oxblood color, but maybe it will be different when you are put it on the doors. Love to see that sweet Benji is such a lovely dog, and almost the same behavior as Elly our golden, Barney is more relax t and is practicing his hobby sleeping all day ! Hope that you find a solution for that damp problem and having a good week and see you both next week ! P.S. Love the background music !!
@MrHuismeester Thanks so much! We're leaning toward tackling the wall, but it’s definitely tempting to leave it to the pros before winter fully sets in! The IKEA wardrobes have been a solid choice for us too-we’re loving the quality. And yes, the doors will be a deep red, hopefully giving it that classic look we’re after! Benji sounds a lot like Elly with his energy; he’s constantly on the go while we’re working on things. Appreciate your kind words, and glad you’re enjoying the music! Cheers to you, Barney, and Elly! 😊🐾
Hi Benjie Adam and ??? I would most definitely have it done now, you will have enough to do with the inside and the rest of the cottage, I would also say, I never feel the inside as daunting as the outside. We also live in Scotland, but much further north between Inverness and Aberdeen, and the sea is about 40 metres from our front door, so extremes of weather, but wherever you are in Scotland, our weather is generally more unpredictable and yes extreme. There are some fantastic second hand wardrobes on marketplace, I have not long ago won a mahogany beauty. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Kath
@kathoreillyiam70besttracke13 Hi Kath! 😊 Yes, that unpredictable Scottish weather can definitely make exterior projects daunting, can’t it? We’re leaning towards getting the pros in, as you suggested-especially with winter coming fast! Your mahogany wardrobe find sounds fantastic, and we might need to keep an eye on Marketplace for a few treasures ourselves! Thanks so much for the encouragement and advice! 🏡🌧️🔧
@kathoreillyiam70besttracke13 No worries at all, Kath! 😊 It’s Johnny here-easily done, especially with so many names to keep track of! Thanks for all your thoughtful advice, and no need to apologise. Sending warm wishes from us all! 🌿🐾
I would have the professionals do the exterior ASAP - then watch and learn, then you can do the interior yourselves. Did you happen to save the greens from the big branch you cut off? They would make good greens for Holiday decorating!
@danlents1764 That seems like a smart plan-getting the pros in now and learning as they work! 😊 And great idea about the greens! We hadn’t thought of using them for holiday decor, but now we’ll be on the lookout for any more branches we trim. 🌲 Thanks for the tip!
If you leave it you have to factor in the increased cost of electricity over the winter, and you will spend the time worrying and cleaning up any damp patches .If you are going for a " slightly" tartan theme then buy your throw before to match the red/pink shades .ps I recently bought USB chargeable lights for my wardrobe from Amazon
@hazelmeldrum5860 You’re absolutely right! Leaving it could cost us more in the long run, not to mention all the worry. Love the tartan throw idea, too-could be the perfect finishing touch for a cosy Scottish vibe! And USB wardrobe lights are genius-thanks for the tip! 😊💡
There are already so many things you need to do for the house and there will be more bu next year. Learn from the professionals and then you can put time into other efforts this year and save yourself up for doing other parts of the stonework.
Yes not an easy decision but if it was me I’d find the money and yes get it done professionally,you’ve got enough to do now and in the New Year ,…….dont burn yourselves out,Loving the wardrobes they will look super in the deep red colour warm and cosy, can’t wait for next video❤
@daleduerden1185 You’re absolutely right-it’s definitely a tough call, but getting it done professionally could save us a lot of energy and stress. And thanks so much! We think the deep red will really add a cosy feel to the wardrobes too. Next video coming soon! ❤️
Me again chaps, Wow really great steps forward. Only you know how your finances stand but I am on Adams side, get the professionals in ASAP and live through the cold months with peace of mind knowing it is done. You have a lot to do in the coming months/years so anything that can take that burden away will I am sure benefit you. Just my thoughts though. Would pop along and give you a hand but a bit of a leap from Banbury. Take care chaps and look forward to the next one.
@davevale1379 Always good to hear from you, Dave! We’re leaning toward Adam’s approach too-getting the pros in does sound like the way forward, especially with the colder months approaching. It’d be great to knock that worry off our list and focus on everything else without stressing over damp. Appreciate the offer to lend a hand, even if Banbury’s a bit far! Cheers for the support, and catch you on the next one! 😊
It’s a no-brainer for me - get the exterior done by the professionals asap, and learn from them, then tackle the interior yourselves when you’ve saved up enough. Will be fun!
@eh6454 Totally agree-it’s looking more and more like we’ll bring in the pros for the exterior, especially before winter hits. Watching and learning from them sounds like a plan, and then we can tackle the interior when we're ready. Thanks for the advice!
Pros all the way I’m sure your neighbours will know the are reputable ..as it’s a small village .. however its been like that for a long time I’m sure it will be ok until spring 🌷
@jane-yr7gs Great point-getting recommendations from neighbors in the village is a solid idea! And yes, it’s held up this long, so if we do end up waiting until spring, at least we know it’s manageable. Thanks for the reassuring advice! 🌷😊
Do it yourselves, watch some TH-cam videos it’s not rocket surgery 😊 it’s only about 6 months until you can tackle it, next May would be my aim to start it and you can use the money you save to sort the spiral staircase out in the lounge lol
@Dave_1966 Haha, 'rocket surgery'-love it! 🚀🛠 We’re definitely considering it, especially since May will come around fast. And using the savings for the spiral staircase sounds like a plan! Thanks for the encouragement and the laugh! 😄👏
Couldn’t agree more, Penelope! 😊 Adam’s all about getting it sorted so we can relax and enjoy the place without worrying about that wall. It’s definitely a long-term home, so getting this done now lets us focus on all the smaller projects down the road. 🏡 Thanks for the encouragement-sometimes you just need that peace of mind! 🙌
Being an Information Manager (slang: Info Pro), i read all the comments to get an aerial perspective of your question (which is clearly and technically expressed) about the stone repair. And as stated in my youtube profile, my viewpoint includes the academic degrees in bookkeeping and psychology as well as in info mgmt. There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved. 1) Wait until the sunrise season is on your side to allow the necessary time for the renovation of the stone wall. It is unfair to deprive the construction crew the same time of a warm season if the option of employing the crew is selected. Because of the decreasing daylight, the crew would instinctively decide for shortcuts. Thus, my point is that this wrong time for the exterior repairs becomes a rush job even by the pros. That rush job cannot prevent future leaks. And, there is no such "guarantee" of stone works not leaking. The porous composition of rock (compressed sand) prevents such a guarantee. Because Scotland is surrounded by the ocean, the climate is always damp. The best outcome is to minimize the conditions for the moisture to collect. 2) Postponement is necessary because my ears have heard multiple remarks by both Gents that the stress is brewing. Stop piling on the demands! Pace yourselves, Gentlemen. All things happen in good time means to plan your projects so that the joy of achieving dreams can be savored . . . relish the journey of each repair job. You both currently have enough projects of settling in to allow winter to quickly fly towards spring. 3) Conduct your own masterclass and study the youtube videos (one is: raising voyagers). Convert one of the sheds into a work building shop. Also purchase the correct tools for the rock repairs. The right tool gets the job done quickly. 4) My vote is to save 5,000 dollars and do the repairs yourself. And the main reason is because of Johnny's comment that he thinks that the rest of the building should return to its rock-hard cottage charm. Plus, being robust burly men will enable you to tone those muscles thru the physical exercise of a rebuild of both bodies of a home and of your statures. Go for the achievement, He-Men.
@AdamofCA Wow, that’s some fantastic insight! 🌟 You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this, and your perspective gives us plenty to consider-especially about pacing ourselves to avoid shortcuts and stress. Waiting until the lighter season aligns with both timing and practical reasons, and the idea of converting a shed into a mini workshop could set us up for DIY in the future. We’re definitely leaning toward a balanced approach here. Thanks so much for all the encouragement and thoughtful advice-really means a lot! 💪🏡🛠️😊
If you can afford it, let the professionals tackle the outside. You'd need to devote 2-3 weeks holiday to doing it yourself as you won't be as quick as the professionals. I think the outside would look lovely with the stone exposed.
@deborahharding135 You’re right-time is definitely a factor! Taking 2-3 weeks off would be a real challenge for us, so letting the pros handle it might be the best option for now. Plus, we agree that the stone exposed would add so much character to the cottage! Thanks for your advice!
Have you seen the two women who have an old stone cottage in Ireland and doing exactly what you said needed to be done to yours. As stated in another comment they are on You Tube at Camper Vibe. Best of Luck.
@gailmaddy4457 Thank you, Gail! Quite a few people have recommended Camper Vibe, and we've checked them out-it’s exactly what we need to do! Unfortunately, with only weekends free from our full-time jobs, time’s really slipping away this year. A lot of folks are suggesting we get the pros in to handle the end wall before winter, then tackle some of the less urgent areas ourselves next year. Definitely feels like a sensible plan!
The wardrobe really has some nice storage features. Good job! The repointing is a tough call, but with it being so time consuming, there may be opportunity cost of lost income too, by taking time away from your business and paying for it on the other end. I'm sure you're already considering all that.😊
@wendym-mu5dw Thanks, Wendy! 😊 You’re absolutely right about the time investment-balancing time for the business with DIY tasks is always a consideration. The repointing is tempting to tackle ourselves, but the opportunity cost is a real factor. Appreciate the support and insight, and so glad you’re enjoying the members’ updates!
If gonna cost £4000 you have to hit all gear and with weather dependant & weekends thugs may come up on a weekend and you’ve only got 6-8 weeks for jan2025 winter ! Bite bullet and save time looking at it a boiler now days for example cost £4000-£6000
@Dianaemanuel You’re absolutely right! Damp is one of those things that doesn’t just wait around-it’s a constant reminder, especially as the weather turns. Thanks for the nudge; we’re leaning toward just tackling it now with the pros to make sure it’s done right and doesn’t linger. Appreciate the advice!
@susandellet7121 Thanks, Susan! We’re coming around to that idea as well-the last thing we want is damp creeping in over winter. Getting it sorted by the pros would definitely help us relax and enjoy our first winter here. Cheers for the advice!
Watch the family in Ireland who have lime filled their property.....it's taken them months desperate to get done before winter. Sorry, spend the money and get the professionals in.
I think Adam's mental health is more important. So, I would get the pros in to fix the wall that you know is an issue. The others wall are more as a preventative and esthetics so I would do those later yourselves at your own pace.
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I vote for getting it done and watching the professionals at work! It may take a team two weeks but it could take the two of you the entire summer, it's a big job!
Hmmm, if the pro's work schedule is the same as the owners' work schedule, one or both owners will have to take time off from work to watch the pros.
Yes I too would vote to get the pros in & watch closely 😀
No brainer really guys, get the pros to do this major job, as you both will find so many other upgrades that you can tackle yourselves over weekends. What’s money when spending it wisely and you have peace of mind and health? Cheers from Shirley in Australia 😊
Get it done. I’m with Adam. Peace of mind is very important in a relationship.
If you have the funds I would defiantly get the professionals in. Well worth letting them do it and you two watch and learn. 🍁
Hi from the Scottish Highlands 👋 I'd say let the professionals at it ASAP. Our winters can be hellish and no two are the same. In 2010 we had snow on the ground here for over 10 weeks. In 2022 we were frequently down to -9 to -13 🥶
so I say get that gorgeous cottage redone and then one less thing to worry about (apart from selling a kidney to pay for it 😅)
I vote for getting it done by the professionals. The main concern would be to yours, Adam's, and Benji's health! I also vote for bringing it back to the stone. Don't wait. Damp and cold can be very harmful to your health. ❤
Get the outside done and redo the inside yourselves. Definitely. I think a single stone wall as an external feature will look great.
Bring in the experts. They'll get it done much faster. Also I love my battery chainsaw.
I vote for bringing back the stones all over the entire cottage.
It's a difficult decision but if I could afford it I'd get the professionals so that you have peace of mind that it's done properly and maybe have some sort of guarantee that the problem is solved.❤️
It's definitely a tough call! We’re leaning towards bringing in the pros to make sure it’s done properly and with a solid guarantee-it would be such a relief to know it's handled by experts. Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement-really appreciate it! ❤️
I think you already know the answer. Get the outside done now and avoid even more damage. Next year you might be faced with the wall starting to crack and even more expense. The weather lately everywhere is catastrophic. And then there are the personal health risks of living in a damp house!
I wouldn't wait to have it done and have it done right this is your home if it goes any deeper, you going to wind up spending more money love the cottage by the way hello from New York City
I suggest bitting the bullet and getting the outside done by professionals. I love ❤️ the IKEA wardrobes and your idea of enhancing them. Love and admire both of you. Benji is adorable. Hugs from Barney in Pennsylvania, USA.
There are a lot of people doing stone cottages on TH-cam at the moment, it’s saving them loads of money.
The ‘camper vibe’ girls and Irish homestead are learning on the job.
@petebartlett2229 That's a great shout! We’ve seen some of those channels, and it’s impressive what people are managing to do themselves. We’re confident we could take it on, but as you say, it would save a fortune! It’s just tricky with time right now; we’d only have weekends to tackle it, and with winter setting in, we’d struggle to get the lime mortar done before the frost-especially with needing to strip all the paint first. We’ll see if the pros can fit it in soon!
Camber vibe girls and Irish homestead are doing brilliantly, worth watching 😁
If you have the funds 100% get it done, you won’t look back, nice and dry… enjoying your channel, love seeing the transformation, you have picked a lovely home and area, best of luck xx
Thank you so much! 😊 We’ve actually started following Camper Vibe and Irish Homestead-absolutely inspiring to see what they’re doing with their spaces! If we can stretch the budget, we’re leaning toward getting the pros in to sort the damp and set us up nice and dry for the winter. So glad you’re enjoying the journey with us, and thanks for the encouragement! 🏡🍀❤️ xx
I would get the professionals to do the outside and watch and learn from them. You can do the inside and possibly the rest of the outside when you have time and better weather conditions.
Hi both, like most of your followers have said I would get the professional in for peace of mind and enjoy the cosiness of your lovely cottage without the worry of any of your lovely furnishings becoming damp. Watch and learn and develop a new skill for the future -all looked amazing from above - Kate (Dartmoor))
@KateTyler-r7h Thanks, Kate! That’s exactly it-having peace of mind over winter would be worth a lot. We’d love to tackle more ourselves down the line, but it might be best to let the pros handle this wall and pick up a few skills from watching them. Appreciate your thoughts, and greetings to you in beautiful Dartmoor!
I think Benji loves his new place and he's very impressed with the wardrobes.
Benji definitely approves! 🐾 He’s been supervising every step, especially with those wardrobes - they’re Benji-inspected and approved! 😂🏡❤️
I would definitely get it done pronto. Also there are potential health issues connected to dampness. Don't compromise either of your health's 😊
@LindaThorpe-v2h Thanks, Linda! You're absolutely right-getting it sorted sooner rather than later makes a lot of sense, especially with the potential health concerns that come with damp. 😊 We're leaning more towards having the pros handle it to make sure it's done right.
Absolutely agreed, health first!😊
I'm in the health first camp. Damp is not good for the chest or the body in general. I would get the pros in to do the work. You can pick their brains also do they guarantee their work as a kind of added insurance if any issues were to arise. With the work done and peace of mind you three can relax during the depths of winter unless of course your doggie wants to go to the pub. Best wishes and thanks for sharing your journey I am really pleased to be along with you.x
I know it will probably break your bank balance severely, but I think getting the professionals in to do that one wall as quickly as possible would be a good idea as it looks as though it’s severely getting damp behind that paint
@rontanser9369 We’re definitely feeling the pinch but totally agree-it’s looking like a job best handled by the pros to avoid it getting worse. It's a big hit to the budget, but tackling that damp now could be worth it in the long run. Thanks for the advice and support!
I just watched the guys on My Tiny Estate channel do something similar with the Ikea cabinets.
Get the Stonemason and his team to do the outside ......before the issue gets any worse.....Best of Luck!!
I told you about the lime and the paint last week, and I’m an 80 yr old GreatGrandmother with NO experience other than TH-cam.
Professional!!
Hi Adam and Johnny , its your home do it how you like but a wall holding a house up needs to be done properly 😄Love the countryside view and good job with wardrobe ,nice colour . Benji looked so cute with the hedgehog , keep warm x
Get it done. It will take you long enough to do the inside. I know it's a lot of money, but presumably comes with guarantees of workmanship and results. Plus, as much as I admire your optimism about having more time next year, in my experience there is never more time, there will always be something else that needs doing, or something that you would rather be doing. It's only the cost of two weeks labour you would be saving, all materials will still have to be purchased. In the end, what price do you put on your own time? Weekends when you could be gardening, relaxing, getting out and about. You only get one life.
From; USA-Texas - 75YO here and have seen 1 or maybe 2 other of your vids and enjoyed them as well. So often - old is new and comes with charm and character so your cottage really interest me and glad young men have an interest. Nice young men and from Scotland and that helps me see another part of the World, where I have faild to make it a mission to visit and of course now regret. The wardrobe looks just fine so why make additional work? It's for you guys not for everyone that visits. Eager for the next vid and projects. Thanks.
I would hire the professional to do the outside so you have a dry winter.
The outside needs doing ASAP in terms of meantime start raking out the old mortar and as it’s internal you could point it too as long as you keep certain temperatures inside that however you would need to live in it. That way it would all be done before Christmas. Good luck to you both. 🍀🍀🍀
The pros and learn from them!
I can highly recommend another YT channel- Camper Vibe. Two ladies have a stone cottage in Ireland where they have a similar problem. Also Andy from Finca Life in Spain, is a stone wall repair fiend
I vote 4 letting the stone masons dothat out side part first so u and Adam can learn from them
If the cottage has stood all those years, why not wait till next year, save the money, then get the professionals to do the outside and the inside at the same time, saving you both time, so you can get on with loving your new life, if it was me i,d do that, lifes too short 😊, glad to see your back on screen x ps i think it would look great back to the original stone work 😊x
I’d wait for next year and let the professionals do it in the spring. Live in it for a while and see if other issues come up. Then you can tackle them all at once.
Hi guys! Love the cottage. If you can afford it get the cottage wall fixed now. Don’t go through a winter with damp. It’s unhealthy and dangerous for you and Benji.
Tell Adam that chopped leaves and grass clippings, nourish the soil. I never collect them in a bag.
@claymccleery9451 Thanks for the tip! I’ll let Adam know-he’s always on the lookout for ways to keep the garden in great shape naturally. We might start leaving the clippings as we go along to give the soil that extra boost. Cheers for the advice!
Love the grey doors
@yvonneharwood-oz9fn Thank you! 😊 The grey doors are nice, and they work well for now, but we've got some big plans to paint them in a new color to better suit the room. Just need to pick the perfect shade-decisions, decisions! 🎨😉
Arizona Geoff here again! I am going to sit on the fence with the damp issue, so not much help to you! If you have the money and won’t overstretch yourselves financially, then probably get the pros in to do the job asap. Alternatively, have you thought about buying a dehumidifier from B&Q (about 120 GBP) with a 2.5 litre collection tank? If you keep it going in the sitting room throughout the winter, that should temporarily reduce the moisture level in the room; although it wouldn’t remove any mold, of course. That way you could wait until next year, do tonnes of research on doing the job yourselves, and have the satisfaction of saving money and seeing a job well done! We had a 120 year old cottage in Southern Minnesota which at times had a very damp stone built basement, and a dehumidifier worked great in keeping it relatively dry throughout the wet months. Well done with the wardrobes, I like the choice of ‘heather tones’ for warmth and cosiness. Hope this is helpful 😊
Sweeties get the professionals to do the wall needing repairs to ease your minds , it’s only money . My Dads theory was better to earn money , to pay the professionals than stuffing up the job , taking twice as long to do it and it looking a mess when finished . Don’t stress you have the rest of your lives in your beautiful home . Luv Sharyn and Rosie 🇳🇿
In my opinion, I would spend a few days reviewing TH-cam videos on how to do everything yourselves but everyone is different. My husband would say “ we should pay someone to get it done now”.
Oh my goodness, do I love your property.
Benji is so precious. I'd get the professionals in re stone wall. Your winters are hectic. I love the grey doors.
@jenniferkelly6450 Thanks, Jennifer! We're leaning towards getting the pros in too-those winters aren’t messing around here! And glad you like the grey doors; they’re growing on us as we plan out the room! 😊
That is definitely great news, exposing the stone is part of the fix. It makes complete sense though and I did think that it was definitely a problem. I think that exposing the stone will add so much character. It's also not an issue with the rest of the cottage so you can take time and decide. ❤️
Thanks so much, Neuton! We’re thrilled that exposing the stone is part of the solution-it's a big relief, and we agree it’ll bring so much character to the cottage. Since it’s only one wall affected, we feel a bit more relaxed about taking our time to get it right. Your support means a lot, and we’ll keep you posted on the progress! ❤️
My roommate and I need an Adam. I don't suppose you could commute to the Seattle area, could you, Adam? 🙂
Concrete is an obscene word to stone cottages! You'll sort it, no doubt. Wonderful, jam-packed video! Carry on men! Love and hugs from me in New Mexico USA.
@abqresident4461 Haha, couldn’t agree more-'concrete' is like a curse word around here! We’re determined to get it sorted the right way. Thanks for the encouragement and for tuning in from New Mexico! Love and hugs back from Scotland!
I agree the dampness needs to be fixed, but i have to wonder why just that corner of house only has issue? Could the chimney be the problem? Could it be letting water in too ? Ive always found that a project that seems to be a straight forward fix usually ends up much more involved than anticipated. I'd have the chimney inspected too. Just my thoughts.
I thought that too regarding the chimney.
I love the wardrobe color you are putting on. Will look great and they still don’t look terrible as gray. Keep on working and posting. Love it
@judyrice3883 So glad you love the red! We’re excited to see how it’ll transform the look once we paint over the grey. Thanks for cheering us on through all these projects!
@@TwoMenTheirDogyes red is awesome color I have a large piece in my living room that color. It really shows off
Yes, red definitely makes a bold statement! 🎨 We’re excited to see how it transforms the look of the wardrobes-it's such a warm, rich color and really does stand out beautifully. Thanks for sharing, and glad you’re on board with the color choice! ❤️🏡
The grey/gray is a very nice colour!!!
@rileymccoy8040 Thank you! 😊 The grey is growing on us too! We’re planning to paint it eventually, but it’s nice to know the current color has its fans!
Oh boy, with expressions like that and those puppy eyes how can you not buy him more toys, he's absolutely milking it. 😂❤️
Haha, he’s got us wrapped around his paw! Those puppy eyes work every time-safe to say, our toy budget might need some adjustments! 😂❤️🐾
I would definitely tackle the damp rn, both for the house and for your own health. Damp and mold really isn’t to be underestimated
@Gurkhyvel Absolutely, we’re right there with you-damp and mold are no joke, especially with a long winter ahead! Tackling it now would mean peace of mind for both us and the cottage. Thanks for the encouragement!
I vote to bite the bullet and do it now with the Pro team...that much dampness inside in winter may cause health issues etc
Hey fellas & Benji. Well the answer to the question have your wall done ASAP or wait. If you can afford have it done as soon as you can , specially with winter just around the corner. Lovely hedgehog for Benji look like he loves it.. great idea for the bedroom Highland inspiration love it. Well done with the ikea wardrobes. IKEA always comes in handy. Catch ya later. Keep up the good work.
❤ loving your bedroom idea for the wardrobe xx
@KewiCampervan Thank you so much! ❤ We're excited about how the wardrobe is shaping up in the bedroom - still a few finishing touches to go, but it’s coming together! xx 😊
It's up to you hun but if you can get the professionals in, I would do that. It appears that the people who own these types of cottages are suggesting you go with the experts. Think the exposed stone will look amazing. Hugs to Adam and Benji.
The outside will be a lot of work, and even then, weather permitting. Let the professionals do the outside wall ASAP, then it's done and dusted. You'll learn by example and can do the inside any time that's convenient! Bathstone, Yorkstone, Kentish Ragstone, and many more! ❤ XXX
@cajsheen2594 You're spot on! The outside is a big task, especially with our weather up here. Letting the pros tackle it first sounds wise, then we can focus on the interior at our own pace. Appreciate the encouragement and all the stone knowledge! ❤ XXX
Hey guys awesome video tonight! The tree definitely looks better without that extra branch flapping about good job. We live in the Northumberland countryside near Carlisle not a million miles from you guys in a stone build house, and our house was painted battleship grey when we bought it. We had the whole house sandblasted professionally but raked it out ourselves and repointed it ourselves. It was a really messy job. We saved a fortune and it was a mammoth task but worth it for us as we wanted to spend money elsewhere. You guys are probably best just getting it all done professionally to be honest as its just the one wall, then its done and you can forget about it and concentrate your efforts elsewhere over the coming months.
John and Chris x
Thanks so much, John and Chris! 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video-and yes, the tree looks way better without that rogue branch! 🌳✂️ Your house sounds amazing; what a project! Hats off to you both for tackling the repointing yourselves-that’s no small feat! 💪 We’re definitely leaning towards getting the pros in for our wall, especially since it’s just the one side. That way, we can put our focus (and energy!) into other projects without the mess. Thanks for the advice, and maybe we’ll cross paths sometime up north! Cheers! 🍻 x
Sounds good! Maybe we will cross paths you never know 🤷🏼♂️ if we spot you we'll say hi 👍 haha. we do normally travel in our motorhome around Dumfries and Galloway but we just sold it to pay off our mortgage. We have plans to move next year ourselves not too far away from where we are now and open a B&B so exciting times all around x
18:57 That lightbulb is so cool.
@alanabroad Thanks so much! We're thrilled you noticed it! 😊 That’s actually one of our own designs from Godwin Vintage, fitting right in with the cottage’s character. We love how it gives a warm, vintage feel to the outdoor space!
@@TwoMenTheirDog I've never seen anything like it. Very unique and beautiful.
Great choice for the wardrobe doors, I really like them. Once you do what you are planning it will definitely not look like it wasn't built in. Great job and great video. Have a wonderful week guys and Benji, ❤️ from Cape Town.
Thanks so much! We're glad you like the doors; we think they’ll really come together once we add our own touch. It’s all about making the space feel like it’s always been part of the cottage. Sending warm wishes back to you and thanks for watching-Benji sends a big wag from Scotland! ❤️🐾
get the pros in!
@heatherdobson2289 We're definitely thinking the same-seems like the best way to make sure it's done right and save ourselves some stress! Thanks for the nudge!
Have it done. Stops the worry x
Thanks, Corrinne! 😊 You’re right-getting it done would definitely take a load off our minds. The peace of mind would be worth it! 🏡🙌
I like the wardrobe ideas. While costly, I’d lean towards having the pros do the outside wall and then you learn from them and take your time with the inside wall (which, honestly, you could probably manage earlier, since working inside doesn’t require daylight). Any more thoughts on the living room staircase? Cheers, and ATB!
Thanks, Erin! 😊 We’re definitely leaning towards getting pros in for the exterior wall-would save us a lot of time and help us learn a few tricks before tackling the inside ourselves. 👷♂️🛠 As for the staircase, we’ve actually started thinking about removing it. The opening is so narrow; it was a serious struggle getting furniture up there! 🪜😅 Not the most practical, as charming as it is! Thanks for the support and ideas! Cheers and all the best to you too! 🍻
Let the pro’s do the outside, we’re currently repointing a brick wall with lime mortar. It’s easy enough but it takes forever.
Thanks, Lisa! 😊 Sounds like you know the challenge firsthand-repointing with lime mortar seems simple but definitely a huge time investment! ⏳ We’re leaning toward having the pros tackle our exterior wall too, especially since we’d love to have it done before the weather turns. Thanks for the advice, and good luck with your own project! 💪👷♂️
Love your videos
@deborahharding135 Thank you so much! 😊 We’re thrilled you’re enjoying them-plenty more to come! 🎥🏡
Hey Guys, Another great and informative Vlog, Adam the king of irony and sarcasm (trying to play it cool over cutting the branch off while obviously screaming like a proud child inside), and, Johnny, the love child of Perter Duncan and Craig Phillips and desperately in need of hosting the 'Blue Peter' episodes we all want to watch... such Fun! OK the gable wall, get the professionals in to do it in speedy time, that way you can relax enjoy the winter and look forward to doing all your home improvements in the new year. It will as you rightly say, give you the chance to watch them like hawks and learn everything they do, how they do it and the materials and tools they use. You ae paying them so can ask as many questions as you like and also get a list of the exact materials they use and where they get them from (probably at cheapeer merchants prices rather than home DIY). Certainly you guys can tackle the interior yourselves and it can be done in your timescale. Yes where the cottage is Stone, in the long term it all needs stripping off and personally, I'd then keep it natural stone, though if the elements are harsh, you may find a natural lime wash may add protection (doesn't have to be glaring white though, could thin it back to just a literal wash on the natural stone). One other thing worth checking, is make sure the ground level directly outside that gable wall is lower than the floor level inside the cottage, this is the traditional 'dampcourse', If the exterior ground level is higher it will trap rain water and that will be sucked into the wall and ultimately inside the house by the warmer air temperatures inside causing the damp to travel up the earth core of the natural stone walls. if it is higher, the simple fix you can do yourself is dig a channel about a foot wide down to the top of the large foundation stones of the wall (they'll be lower than your interior floor) and then just fill it with hardcore, this will create a drainage 'moat' where collected rain is both pushed down lower than the building, but also allows the sun and scottish winds to evaporate excess moisture, which is also what will happen when the exterior paint and cement morter is removed. These walls we designed for the natural elements to suck moisture out through evaporation which is why they need to breath. currently the non porous exterior paint is causing it to work in reverse where the heat from your fire is drawing the moisture inwards through the only escape it has...... As another Faithful viwer has mentioned watch the brilliant Ladies of 'Camper Vibe' ( www.youtube.com/@campervibe ) they are doing all of their stone walls themselves and facing much bigger issues than you have, but they will also remove any fears you have over tackling the rest of the walls inside and out yourselves...... I've waffled enough.. Great job on the wardrobes, the idea to box them in is terrific. We will expect to see Benji as the happy owner of an Ikea Elephant after your next visit, we'll all be majourly disappointed if he doesn't get one for Christmas..... Well Done Guys!
@bearmascall6772 Haha, this comment gave us such a good laugh! 😂 You've completely nailed it with Adam's 'cool and collected' vibe on the chainsaw and me as the Blue Peter wannabe! 🤣 Your advice on the gable wall is super valuable too-especially the tip on lowering the ground level for natural drainage, which makes perfect sense with how these old stone cottages were built. 🌧️🏡 And great shout on watching Camper Vibe; it’s inspiring (and reassuring!) to see others tackling similar challenges. We’re leaning toward getting the pros in for the gable wall so we can hit winter stress-free, but we'll definitely be taking notes along the way. And don’t worry-Benji’s Christmas list just got a serious addition with that IKEA elephant suggestion! 🐾🐘 Thanks again for the support and the advice, really appreciated!
Those IKEA units are sharp! And I've heard good things about IKEA.
@claymccleery9451 Thanks! We’re quite happy with how they turned out! IKEA does a great job with design and functionality-it’s sharp-looking, and the storage is just what we needed. 👍
I'm learning a lot, thank you 😊
I recommend pay the pros to come in, the damp can be very detrimental to your health especially the open pores
@mazybee9149 Glad to hear you’re finding the journey helpful! 😊 We’re definitely leaning towards getting the pros in-so many people have mentioned the health risks with damp, and it’s starting to feel like a priority to handle it thoroughly. Thanks for the advice!
Lol, I would have loved to see Adam's face while taking the shot of you on the loo with a book and a huge smile on your face in the middle of the shop. 🫣👀😂❤️
Haha, yes! Adam's face was priceless! 😂 He was trying to keep a straight face behind the camera, but I could see the laughter creeping in. Just couldn’t resist the chance for a quick “read” in the middle of Ikea! 🫣📚 Thanks for the laugh, Neuton-glad you enjoyed the moment!
Get the professionals in and at least it would be done before the bad weather comes in .
I have lived in a very old damp stone cottage and my advice would be to get the pro's in before winter sets in.
@patdelaney191 Good advice! We’re leaning toward getting the pros in-especially with winter just around the corner. 🌧️ It would be a relief to have it sorted before the cold sets in. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks!
Wow, thank you so much, Eric! 🙏💛 That’s incredibly generous of you, and it truly means a lot to us as we keep working on our cottage (and tackling those unexpected projects!). Thanks for being part of this journey and supporting us. We’re thrilled to have you along! 😊🍃
Hello, love watching your cottage-videos!
I'd get the professionals for that outside wall, so it's done before winter and it's out of your heads, even if that costs a lot.
Greetings from germany
Petra👋🏼😊
@Petra.. Thank you, Petra! 😊 We're definitely leaning toward getting the pros in-peace of mind and a dry wall before winter sounds like the best plan, even if it stretches the budget a bit. Greetings from Scotland to Germany! 👋🏼
I say get it done by the professionals. Yes it’s a big expense, but you will both learn a lot from them and go on to do the rest of the cottage. If you leave it till winter is over, then there’s a possibility there will be more damage, and then more expense to fix it. Scottish winters are horrible, especially in the countryside. Cutting that branch down is a good job, when the snow comes, it will lie thick on the trees and would have broken that branch anyway. It also gave Adam a good excuse to use his chainsaw😂
The wardrobes look fantastic! I agree about IKEA, however they really have a great range of well designed items. We live in Abu Dhabi in a modern flat, and we bought 3 large wardrobes in white, the same design as your doors. The girl in IKEA designed the insides for us. It works while we’re here, but back at home we have nicer furniture. Benji is an absolute sweetheart with his new hedgehog toy.
You say everyone needs an Adam in their life, I think they also need a Johnny as well, you two make a great team. Thanks for another great video. Have a lovely week, Sandra xx
Thank you so much, Sandra! 😊 You’ve got a great point about tackling the wall before winter-Scottish weather can be brutal, and we definitely don’t want any added damage or costs down the line. The branch was a good call too-Adam certainly enjoyed an excuse to fire up the chainsaw! 😂🪚 So glad you like the wardrobes! IKEA really does have some clever designs that fit perfectly. Your setup in Abu Dhabi sounds lovely; it’s amazing how adaptable their pieces are! And Benji is absolutely in love with his new hedgehog toy 🦔🐾. You’re too kind-truly appreciate the encouragement! Have a fantastic week yourself! xx
The professionals for this wall-you don't want to be dealing with scaffolding as well. The rest of the house you guys can start next year.
I'm sticking with a comment I made a few videos ago in that you should also consider where that moisture is coming in from. You have shown us two walls, both with the same aspect, built the same way and both incorrectly treated with that paint and mortar, yet one is suffering damp and one isn't. They are both on the downward slope/lower end of the building with the 'good' wall being in a direction that appears to be lower again than the problem wall. Moisture always goes to the lowest point via the easiest route, yet the apparently lowest point here doesn't have a problem. My argument doesn't negate that the walls have been treated incorrectly and need fixing like you say, but I would still argue that the main gable wall is bearing the brunt of the water flow down the road, as well as from that open unsealed drain and also through the soil. Fixing the paint etc will obviously help the rising damp, but I'd still be doing what you can to get the water away from the house in the first place. I vote for the painful option of the professionals. Not only will it get done in a timely manner, but as you say, you can learn from them to do the rest yourself. Hopefully you can consider the cost of repair as part of the purchase price of the house and move forward. It looks to me like it has been rendered 5mm and then painted, there doesn't appear to be multiple paint layers, other than possible touch-ups.
I would bit the bullet and get it done professionally two weeks pain to get it done before winter sets in and possibly stop any more issues cropping up due to the weather will give you both peace of mind
@aileenmarshall7956 You're absolutely right; having it done professionally would definitely bring peace of mind, especially with winter coming up fast. It’s a bit of a hit to the budget, but worth it if it saves us future headaches. Thanks for the encouragement!
Great video, thank you. Question, if the interior wall is not the issue, what is the health issue that is driving urgency? Suggestion would be to come up with criteria for outsourcing work, such as cost, time, skill, tools needed, etc. and have a monetary value of your time per hour to help compare quotes vs doing it yourself. if you do this exterior wall project will it help you develop and learn skills that you will need in the future? If not pick a project where developing knowledge and skills will pay dividends later. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful advice! 😊 The stonemason did say the interior wall isn’t as urgent as the outside, but we’re still seeing high moisture levels in the living room due to that damp wall. We’re tackling it for now by airing the cottage whenever it’s dry outside and using dehumidifiers. Eventually, we’ll need to sort out the inside wall too, but the exterior is more pressing since the paint is trapping moisture. Your idea to set criteria for outsourcing versus DIY is spot on-it’ll definitely help us plan and balance our time, skills, and costs. Thanks for the support! 🙌🏡
Get it done. NEITHER of you seem to be patient people when it comes to decorating either exterior or interior parts of your home. You seem to want it “just so” or there seems to be an interior battle going on within yourselves. I am not finding fault in any way…..this is just part of who you are…and that’s OK. So get it done, learn from it, and put it behind you while not letting it cause either of you stress. LOVE your vlog and love who you are. Dave
@PJXXIII Thanks, Dave! You’ve hit the nail on the head there-‘just so’ is exactly how we’re both wired when it comes to making this place our own! It’s definitely a balance between wanting things done right and not letting the process stress us out. Leaning toward getting the pros in might be the best choice for peace of mind. We appreciate the encouragement and the understanding-it means a lot!
Booking in with the pros over 2 weeks and getting a master class in how they do it would be an investment. Just my $0.02 Puck.
@paulpuckerinGM That's a fantastic idea, Puck! Watching the pros at work could be like a mini masterclass and would give us a bit more confidence for any future projects. Thanks for the input - definitely something to consider! 👍😊
And again a nice video to watch ! Love all the items that are part of the Cottage and yes to be honest ....i would take the change to fix that wall before winter..It will be a hard job and not easy on time, but it would give me a feeling of solving a huge problem by myself and saving a lot of money to. But i am sitting nice and warm right now so it is easy to tell what i don t have to do .... The wardrobe are looking very nice, and must say that we are a great fan from IKEA ! Not for upholster furniture but for wardrobes and kitchen we are very satisfy with the quality , so we bought a kitchen last year and that one is so much better than the kitchen we did have i our previous house witch was a very expensive and the IKEA was for us the best choice ! Love the color you are planning to put on the doors, it looks almost something like oxblood color, but maybe it will be different when you are put it on the doors. Love to see that sweet Benji is such a lovely dog, and almost the same behavior as Elly our golden, Barney is more relax t and is practicing his hobby sleeping all day ! Hope that you find a solution for that damp problem and having a good week and see you both next week ! P.S. Love the background music !!
@MrHuismeester Thanks so much! We're leaning toward tackling the wall, but it’s definitely tempting to leave it to the pros before winter fully sets in! The IKEA wardrobes have been a solid choice for us too-we’re loving the quality. And yes, the doors will be a deep red, hopefully giving it that classic look we’re after! Benji sounds a lot like Elly with his energy; he’s constantly on the go while we’re working on things. Appreciate your kind words, and glad you’re enjoying the music! Cheers to you, Barney, and Elly! 😊🐾
you can do it yourself there probably another place you spend that money yes a new toy for Benji I love the color nice bedroom hi fra dk
Hi Benjie Adam and ???
I would most definitely have it done now, you will have enough to do with the inside and the rest of the cottage, I would also say, I never feel the inside as daunting as the outside. We also live in Scotland, but much further north between Inverness and Aberdeen, and the sea is about 40 metres from our front door, so extremes of weather, but wherever you are in Scotland, our weather is generally more unpredictable and yes extreme.
There are some fantastic second hand wardrobes on marketplace, I have not long ago won a mahogany beauty.
Good luck whatever you decide to do. Kath
Sorry I forgot got your name, very rude of me to leave in ???
@kathoreillyiam70besttracke13 Hi Kath! 😊 Yes, that unpredictable Scottish weather can definitely make exterior projects daunting, can’t it? We’re leaning towards getting the pros in, as you suggested-especially with winter coming fast! Your mahogany wardrobe find sounds fantastic, and we might need to keep an eye on Marketplace for a few treasures ourselves! Thanks so much for the encouragement and advice! 🏡🌧️🔧
@kathoreillyiam70besttracke13 No worries at all, Kath! 😊 It’s Johnny here-easily done, especially with so many names to keep track of! Thanks for all your thoughtful advice, and no need to apologise. Sending warm wishes from us all! 🌿🐾
I would have the professionals do the exterior ASAP - then watch and learn, then you can do the interior yourselves. Did you happen to save the greens from the big branch you cut off? They would make good greens for Holiday decorating!
@danlents1764 That seems like a smart plan-getting the pros in now and learning as they work! 😊 And great idea about the greens! We hadn’t thought of using them for holiday decor, but now we’ll be on the lookout for any more branches we trim. 🌲 Thanks for the tip!
If you leave it you have to factor in the increased cost of electricity over the winter, and you will spend the time worrying and cleaning up any damp patches .If you are going for a " slightly" tartan theme then buy your throw before to match the red/pink shades .ps I recently bought USB chargeable lights for my wardrobe from Amazon
@hazelmeldrum5860 You’re absolutely right! Leaving it could cost us more in the long run, not to mention all the worry. Love the tartan throw idea, too-could be the perfect finishing touch for a cosy Scottish vibe! And USB wardrobe lights are genius-thanks for the tip! 😊💡
There are already so many things you need to do for the house and there will be more bu next year. Learn from the professionals and then you can put time into other efforts this year and save yourself up for doing other parts of the stonework.
Yes not an easy decision but if it was me I’d find the money and yes get it done professionally,you’ve got enough to do now and in the New Year ,…….dont burn yourselves out,Loving the wardrobes they will look super in the deep red colour warm and cosy, can’t wait for next video❤
@daleduerden1185 You’re absolutely right-it’s definitely a tough call, but getting it done professionally could save us a lot of energy and stress. And thanks so much! We think the deep red will really add a cosy feel to the wardrobes too. Next video coming soon! ❤️
Me again chaps, Wow really great steps forward. Only you know how your finances stand but I am on Adams side, get the professionals in ASAP and live through the cold months with peace of mind knowing it is done. You have a lot to do in the coming months/years so anything that can take that burden away will I am sure benefit you. Just my thoughts though. Would pop along and give you a hand but a bit of a leap from Banbury. Take care chaps and look forward to the next one.
@davevale1379 Always good to hear from you, Dave! We’re leaning toward Adam’s approach too-getting the pros in does sound like the way forward, especially with the colder months approaching. It’d be great to knock that worry off our list and focus on everything else without stressing over damp. Appreciate the offer to lend a hand, even if Banbury’s a bit far! Cheers for the support, and catch you on the next one! 😊
You got a billy goat
It’s a no-brainer for me - get the exterior done by the professionals asap, and learn from them, then tackle the interior yourselves when you’ve saved up enough. Will be fun!
@eh6454 Totally agree-it’s looking more and more like we’ll bring in the pros for the exterior, especially before winter hits. Watching and learning from them sounds like a plan, and then we can tackle the interior when we're ready. Thanks for the advice!
Pros all the way
I’m sure your neighbours will know the are reputable ..as it’s a small village .. however its been like that for a long time I’m sure it will be ok until spring 🌷
@jane-yr7gs Great point-getting recommendations from neighbors in the village is a solid idea! And yes, it’s held up this long, so if we do end up waiting until spring, at least we know it’s manageable. Thanks for the reassuring advice! 🌷😊
Do it yourselves, watch some TH-cam videos it’s not rocket surgery 😊 it’s only about 6 months until you can tackle it, next May would be my aim to start it and you can use the money you save to sort the spiral staircase out in the lounge lol
@Dave_1966 Haha, 'rocket surgery'-love it! 🚀🛠 We’re definitely considering it, especially since May will come around fast. And using the savings for the spiral staircase sounds like a plan! Thanks for the encouragement and the laugh! 😄👏
I am with Adams thoughts on this,get it done and get peace of mind,this is forever so you can do other less pressing jobs as time and funds allow
Couldn’t agree more, Penelope! 😊 Adam’s all about getting it sorted so we can relax and enjoy the place without worrying about that wall. It’s definitely a long-term home, so getting this done now lets us focus on all the smaller projects down the road. 🏡 Thanks for the encouragement-sometimes you just need that peace of mind! 🙌
Being an Information Manager (slang: Info Pro), i read all the comments to get an aerial perspective of your question (which is clearly and technically expressed) about the stone repair. And as stated in my youtube profile, my viewpoint includes the academic degrees in bookkeeping and psychology as well as in info mgmt. There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved.
1) Wait until the sunrise season is on your side to allow the necessary time for the renovation of the stone wall. It is unfair to deprive the construction crew the same time of a warm season if the option of employing the crew is selected. Because of the decreasing daylight, the crew would instinctively decide for shortcuts. Thus, my point is that this wrong time for the exterior repairs becomes a rush job even by the pros. That rush job cannot prevent future leaks. And, there is no such "guarantee" of stone works not leaking. The porous composition of rock (compressed sand) prevents such a guarantee. Because Scotland is surrounded by the ocean, the climate is always damp. The best outcome is to minimize the conditions for the moisture to collect.
2) Postponement is necessary because my ears have heard multiple remarks by both Gents that the stress is brewing. Stop piling on the demands! Pace yourselves, Gentlemen. All things happen in good time means to plan your projects so that the joy of achieving dreams can be savored . . . relish the journey of each repair job. You both currently have enough projects of settling in to allow winter to quickly fly towards spring.
3) Conduct your own masterclass and study the youtube videos (one is: raising voyagers). Convert one of the sheds into a work building shop. Also purchase the correct tools for the rock repairs. The right tool gets the job done quickly.
4) My vote is to save 5,000 dollars and do the repairs yourself. And the main reason is because of Johnny's comment that he thinks that the rest of the building should return to its rock-hard cottage charm. Plus, being robust burly men will enable you to tone those muscles thru the physical exercise of a rebuild of both bodies of a home and of your statures. Go for the achievement, He-Men.
@AdamofCA Wow, that’s some fantastic insight! 🌟 You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this, and your perspective gives us plenty to consider-especially about pacing ourselves to avoid shortcuts and stress. Waiting until the lighter season aligns with both timing and practical reasons, and the idea of converting a shed into a mini workshop could set us up for DIY in the future. We’re definitely leaning toward a balanced approach here. Thanks so much for all the encouragement and thoughtful advice-really means a lot! 💪🏡🛠️😊
If you can afford it, let the professionals tackle the outside. You'd need to devote 2-3 weeks holiday to doing it yourself as you won't be as quick as the professionals. I think the outside would look lovely with the stone exposed.
@deborahharding135 You’re right-time is definitely a factor! Taking 2-3 weeks off would be a real challenge for us, so letting the pros handle it might be the best option for now. Plus, we agree that the stone exposed would add so much character to the cottage! Thanks for your advice!
Have you seen the two women who have an old stone cottage in Ireland and doing exactly what you said needed to be done to yours. As stated in another comment they are on You Tube at Camper Vibe. Best of Luck.
@gailmaddy4457 Thank you, Gail! Quite a few people have recommended Camper Vibe, and we've checked them out-it’s exactly what we need to do! Unfortunately, with only weekends free from our full-time jobs, time’s really slipping away this year. A lot of folks are suggesting we get the pros in to handle the end wall before winter, then tackle some of the less urgent areas ourselves next year. Definitely feels like a sensible plan!
The wardrobe really has some nice storage features. Good job! The repointing is a tough call, but with it being so time consuming, there may be opportunity cost of lost income too, by taking time away from your business and paying for it on the other end. I'm sure you're already considering all that.😊
@wendym-mu5dw Thanks, Wendy! 😊 You’re absolutely right about the time investment-balancing time for the business with DIY tasks is always a consideration. The repointing is tempting to tackle ourselves, but the opportunity cost is a real factor. Appreciate the support and insight, and so glad you’re enjoying the members’ updates!
If gonna cost £4000 you have to hit all gear and with weather dependant & weekends thugs may come up on a weekend and you’ve only got 6-8 weeks for jan2025 winter ! Bite bullet and save time looking at it a boiler now days for example cost £4000-£6000
Get it done ASAP. Damp is only ever going to get worse. It's going to nag at you if you don't do it.
@Dianaemanuel You’re absolutely right! Damp is one of those things that doesn’t just wait around-it’s a constant reminder, especially as the weather turns. Thanks for the nudge; we’re leaning toward just tackling it now with the pros to make sure it’s done right and doesn’t linger. Appreciate the advice!
Get the professional in for outside wall as your lounge is damp throughout a cold long winter spring
@susandellet7121 Thanks, Susan! We’re coming around to that idea as well-the last thing we want is damp creeping in over winter. Getting it sorted by the pros would definitely help us relax and enjoy our first winter here. Cheers for the advice!
Watch the family in Ireland who have lime filled their property.....it's taken them months desperate to get done before winter. Sorry, spend the money and get the professionals in.
I think Adam's mental health is more important. So, I would get the pros in to fix the wall that you know is an issue. The others wall are more as a preventative and esthetics so I would do those later yourselves at your own pace.