zoothorn

No its the block outer skin which only has the opening. My builder advised me he put in a block opening/ plaster over/ so I can do a window later. And told me "you can have a narrower window to the opening, easy" prior to him just going 2150mm width/ blocked. I thought just at the time it'd need just more block or brick to pack. Now it seems having a narrower window (the BCO told me I had to have one now, only 2 days ago you see) has the caveat of needing a timber packing bit either side, or one side of the window. Block or brick packing is not possible. So I either have a huge window I never wanted, or a narrower one (920mm opening we're going for) but it needs timber packing. So this area not ideal for sound containing (nor is a damn window, but 2x glazed at least). Its this area I wonder if can be solidified- up somehow.

Hi Peter- the lintel is a galv metal plate, bricks ontop, block ontop of that. I don't like really.. I can see a bit of a bow. Anyway done now. We've agreed a smaller window, pack out the LHS 250mm. So it looks more in keeping with orig windows. But this stud packing is a void.. sound will get out here and via the window.. the very design of this room was to keep sound in. Is there any way of solidifying the packed area up?

@PeterStarck .. or maybe just a course of one block one side, just shift the window over a bit one way L or R? You see now I have the hurry-on about this window, a similar type to the adjacent main room's two small windows (white upvc) strikes me as ideal.. in sync with the old house. Its a shame its a day late.. as only today they blocked this window opening, but they were constrained to go this width due to being on same line as the studs behind in the Timber Frame wall.

Hi Peter- actually the opening has been made. I don't quite know why as we agreed it would be plastered over, so maybe tmrw they plan to 'blank it' with timber.. I assume so. Ok so if the opening has been made (only the block side), its what then.. just a case of putting in more block LHS, RHS, & on the sill to fit the narrower & a bit shorter window?

Ok understood Peter. The BCO came & given the go-ahead for a retaining wall of sleepers, in 6" from the drop-point now.. so approx 2 ft from building. So this is perhaps do-able by me once builders gone, & builder actually coughed up & nipped off 100mm from the drive area. The exposed area isn't quite clear to him yet: he said keep the dpm (which rises up the 500mm at edge, covering the area.. mostly) but as to how to patch it.. he couldn't say/ not an obvious solution. The other thing is the H in lower room ( only 2140mm), the insulation/ floor/ ceiling pB yet to go in. So I got him to agree reluctantly to 50mm + 22mm chipboard floor (I think he agreed).. on condition that: A) I put in 140mm celotex wall insulation, AND B) I put in a damn window (it has none in the plan, nor do I need or want one: its a workshop & sound will flood out of it): my builder has put in the window perimeter in the outer block & a lintel etc, but its fairly wide. Can I put in a small window do you think in this wide block 'gap'? or am I tied in with the exact window size, by the block 'gap' that's been made?

Just done that Jilly 15mins ago. He drew up the drawbridge on any work bar putting in the drain around ("doing this foc" & this is decent of him). BCO visiting today, who I'll ask what best/ simplest way to remedy this trench -and- the inside exposed area: my builder drew up drawbridge on this too.. suggesting either mesh/ render or block it.. IE up to me/ he'll not be doing it included with the build. In my book its an area he exposed so he shouldn't he patch up I asked? he laughed at this.. "oh no, no", in his book we didn't agree to any inside work on the lower room he said. No point me getting firm on this, when he's said he'll put a drain in foc.. or he'll just U-turn on it. I suggested if he could skim 100mm off the drive area (he agreed before.. but now seems reticent) then maybe could he at least just lay a base for sleepers? "no need, just dry stone wall it with the stuff (slate) we've removed". I said but this would take me months. He laughed. We agreed, at least, to pick up this conversation later "see what BCO says".. "let's get the build done 1st". So we're good. But I'm worried about the additional costs of 1) the trench 'retain wall', 2) the exposed area to cover, 3) a 5m fence that needs replacing the hedge they (& scaffolders) had to destroy/ remove to get access. I guess it could be worse. And is this sort of add-on costs 'par for course' of such a build?

Putting the exposed interior bit aside for now (lets say the easier prob), its the outside 'trench': you see I can't visualise/ interpret what will likely happen here.. or need to happen. Do I have options? If I can get a plan together, I can then try to compromise with my builder on it. I will not dump it on him to 'rectify all trench pls or I don't pay up'.. no.. he's done me favours/ doing a great build. All he might agree to in "tidying up" is: put drain in, skim off 100mm of ground, fix mesh & plaster the inside (me paying for drain + 'mesh'.. if this the easiest fix to this prob). If there's a small part of the barrier needed, like laying a base (?) maybe I can push him to do. If I push further: he explodes/ we fall out/ no, its too far. At the moment trench is dug this deep, so I understand, for the brickies to work from. And I'm told a drain will go in around from far side, to near side > join the outflow pipe (already put in) > out to my hedge/ ditch. How I'm not exactly sure. So I have a 600mm flat/ trench, to the upright ground of 500mm H. If 100mm skimmed off ground, 400mm H. If the 'floor' is filled up a bit say 1/2 a block (so 75mm short of the dpc), 325mm of H. So not a huge ammount: but can the edge of the ground be pushed in twds the build side to narrow the wretched trench as far as possible? (which eats into my very small front area). Obviously if so it needs a 350mm H barrier to rest against.

I have quite a big drop though Declan, I think a kerb like those will only get 1/3rd the height I need. The thing is its a cottage & I want a solution which is as cottagey/ less concretey as possible. I wonder whether sleepers might be the answer.. if a retaining wall -is- needed & I can't blend the ground down to wherever its meant to go next to the build. Apparantly there's a drain going around, & hardcore. I assume the hardcore goes ontop, to hide it..

Ah sorry I misdunderstood then. The idea has been hardcore up to (or as near as poss) the dpc. But its from here up is where I can't understandthe options to be. So I can't quite understand your previous post then as you say " the 150mm from DPC to finished ground level to be filled with 20mm shingle" so from the dpc > up to the ground can be filled with shingle.. is this not correct then? as according to your last post saying it cannot be above the dpc. I think build forums are the most likely place for misunderstanding/ miscommunication of any place, ever. Its like a minefield.

@PeterStarck thanks, most take it for granted.. but I often pinch/ remind myself how lucky I am here: its like living on holiday. 90% of the time. I'll certainly put this shingle idea to the BCO tomorrow: wouldn't 150mm of shingle above the dpc though A) be alot of weight pressing on the blockwork & B) allow some moisture directly at block above the dpc, if not alot like soil would?

Yes, but I ask the Q not from a semi-pro or amateur builder to prospective builder like you/ as 'each person on here' would.. I'm asking from my pov. Which is simply as a client, as per mrs. miggins @ no.73. No prior experience. I had no idea groundwork might not include: a slab (this isn't mentioned on estimate or discussed), or a dpm, some concrete founds, a trench dug etc: but are all these -assumed- in 'groundwork' RO without specific mention of each? yes. So my question is a perfectly reasonable one to ask.

The slab edging: do you mean vertical slabs in a sort of retaining wall, @ edge of my trench here? (fixed cam for now). Last pic (behind the loose dpm I've propped up) is the 550mm H orig wall area basically just exposed clay/ no stone founds at all. My builder said 'maybe mesh/ render' fleetingly & clearly implying this area to be left to me. Does maybe the BCO have final say on what to do here I wonder..

Ok understand that plan Peter: good to know possibly no horrorshow to remedy then: I just called my BCO, coming out tmrw about what my floor surface & insulation can be (I only got 2150mm from slab to rafters you see: In need min thickness as poss). Maybe I ask him on this area too. Btw when an estimate says 'groundwork'.. do I/ does a customer assume the floor ontop of the slab is included?

@Jilly appreciate that/ helpful. Alas my camera is failing so cannot draw sketch/ photo. If you see the 1st photo tho I just put up its all sitting 500mm into the ground. I anticipated 150mm. So this leaves a big offset from surrounding ground > down to dpc. We discussed 'tidying up around' once build done, a digger skimming off 6" of the ground around to help the difference, which will help a bit. But then on I just cannot push him further: you see he's already having to put in a drain around it says the BCO (covered by hardcore) which I believe he's gonna do for just cost of materials call it £200, plus he's put a window 'blank' lintel in lower room for me to do at a later date, just for lintel cost. So he has done me favours (tho dumped earth in forest saving skip cost mind you). So its possibly a retaining wall situation to satisfy BCO & to keep ground away from the lower part of extention, with a ~path sort of bit around/ the minimum to solve this prob. Could be worse, is the best mindset. As to the other prob: inside the lower room, where it joins on the old wall, you can see the foundations all along.. to a height of 500mm (Id anticipated just 150mm all along in the plan). This must have something done to it, surely the BCO won't just let it be. Nor will I want a room with old exposed foundations visible for 1/4 of room height. I'd think 'covering' this area the lesser of the two probs tho.. I'd hope.

Understood AB. Thanks for being patient/ comments taken on board. I admit I spiel too much.. no-one's perfect, or can see themselves. But I do try my best to be as clear as possible (yes you'll spit your tea already I know). I will try & keep posts short.. after a full on hammer & tongs OP that is I can't not do that!

Ok.. but progress now raced on from here, slates on/ gutters on, & 1/4 of block cladding done (my lovely old slr can't cope/ battery probs so only the odd pic possible now)

@Bitpipe perfectly reasonable reply. It is indeed 'not what I asked for', but let's say the because the plan was done 'that couldn't quite be achieved' IE the collar could not be put where I envisioned it to be according to the Timber Frame Co, plus, the fact that it has been built via a Build Plan (I give the reins to the builder in terms of Regs/ he knows best/ he builds it to BRegs etc).. complicates this. Only the TFrame Co would know (& PeterW seemed spot on too) exactly where the collar actually sat, Id assume via a load-bearing xyz algorithm. Normally this H discrepency wouldn't be such a big deal, but as its a small extention with restricted height I'm inclined to go along with the builder & say/ agree its the only way my two rooms' could be got into the space & retain structural (roof) integrity. Its not easy, not a black/ white thing or I'd not be asking opinions you see. Its a balancing act. He's given me an invoice for works done you see, which tallies with estimate to the £1 (good), which includes TF walls, roof, collars (yes I have some.. its just they're set lower now I understand), & groundworks. Its the groundworks bit which is a tricky one.

The extention progressing, timber frame & dividing floor/ roof/ slates on, block cladding now. Its racing along & looking great. 2 hurdles left & your advice would be great. There was & is, a discrepency between what I'd planned & what's been built.. in height. A collar roof was the plan to gain height in upstairs room. But in actuality the collar itself could not be made where the plan had it put. Instead it had to be 350mm lower (apparantly due to structural reasons). But I was not told, so as a consequence from the off (day 1, footings) the build was progressing with 350mm down "added" without my knowing why. This lead to HUGE worry & stress, as from my pov everything was 'too low/ wrong' & I'd no idea why. Only once I'd established (through a mire of confusion & miscommunication in the other thread) that my trusses were as I suspected -not- looking like the plan, their collars lower & -not- going to sit upon both walls with the extra 350mm chunk of ceiling head-height above.. & therefore the very reason for ALL the build having shifted down AT LAST KNOWN.. could I understand how this continual 350mm had come to be. Eureka! I finally know! but not happy & I think pretty awful my builder simply hid this collar difference IMHO. But I have not let it be cause to fall out, I cannot. But its left me with two problems. 1) The area below the original wall (old footings 1ft max) the extention attatches to, is now exposed all along of course 350mm more. so a 500mm exposed area (as I'd accounted for a 150mm step down in on the plan) And 2) the 500mm 'trench' around the lower room. My builder is talking of 'well what you need to do is..' suggesting both are my perogative, not his. Of course I disagree.. but he will simply not budge. So what I need to consider is how to solve these problems without upsetting him, who I'm on good terms with/ has built me a fine structure it must be said. Albeit 350mm lower! Thanks, zoot.

Hi Temp- fantastic! I didn't know these cabin "logs" was simply 't&g timber'.. I thought it was specialist joining stuff. Emailed them. thanks alot- zoot

A section of my 28mm cabin..

I think loglap is a bit different newhome (& glueing two together..? makes 42mm). Any 28mm section if I could find, I'm sure I could fashion to fit: this would be far the simplest solution: I know the usual 'excess' end bit of the joint is 100mm, & seems to be same between Co's. thx zoot

Hi newhome- no its a used shed, one wall log had a bash > rotted . Luckily its small bit only 40cm long (if a full log, Id not have asked). Loglap?? hey that's helpful Id never heard of the word.. will do research see if I can buy. I've done ebay etc/ no can do. maybe loglap tho.. cheers zoot.

My post edited??

That's an idea.. just thought if an industry std profile (IE Dunster House, Tuin) which looks possibly the case.. then maybe spares or an odd bit of someone's build. It'd be tricky to make but a good idea as last resort I'd not thought of.. & I do have the tools. thx

Hi AB. I'm asking if anyone who might have built a 28mm log cabin, if a bit of wall log left over (as is often the case).. if I might be able to buy that's all. zoot.