pauldoc

Just had a quick chat with my builder who has spoken to the frame company. The feedback is that the frame company has just provided loose timbers to be cut on site to construct the roof.. And it seems there are no cutting or assembly instructions. There is a roof plan in all the drawings, I guess they work from this These have to be worked out on site but 'others' Maybe as a first time self builder I have been somewhat naïve. I guess if I had used the frame company for the erection of the build this would not have come up

the builder is putting in a call. I think you are right and the details should have been explained before. Unfortunately assumptions were made and this was missed. Speaking to the builder today it looks like just the raw materials have been sent. Awaiting the 'additional cost' this is going to be!

I would have thought that to be the case too! Unfortunately this area seems to have been missed, and assumptions made. When you say 'cut roofs; I'm guessing that means the joists and rafters are already cut with the required angles etc and then the frame/triangular shape is assembled on site?

ok so at the very worst there should be a cutting instruction list provided somewhere with everything that's been delivered do you think? Doe this list show the angles etc do you know? My main contractor is putting the frame up, not the frame company

Did you have to work this out on site or did the frame company give you the cutting schedule? I am asking as it looks like I missed this on the original order. I was expecting the roof to come pre cut and frames so to speak. But it has turned up as loose timbers. Obviously this has not been accounted for in the budget!

Not sure if this is a silly question but here goes. What is the usual way a roof comes with a timber frame kit. By that I mean are the rafters already assembled in an 'A' frame, attic frame type assembly like a big triangle etc and the notches cut to sit on the wall plate, or are they loose and have to be cut and assembled on site? Hope that makes sense

Some very interesting and illuminating replies, thank you all. Glad I am not alone in the belief that the prices bandied around are quite ridiculous. I to am of the opinion that the window companies are over inflating the fitting and making out of that to. I know that the windows being looked at on here are mainly of a higher spec than the normal high st upvc but you can get a whole house supplied and fitted for something like a third of what they want to charge me for fitting alone! I know there is a bit more involved as Peter said re tape etc but I would be very interested to see how many men they send out to do the fitting. I would think 3 tops. It is annoying that the customer is open to the risk then of damage done by their own fitters but that may be the way I have to go. Hopefully my builder comes back with a reasonable price

I am looking to order my windows in the next week. I am trying to get a gauge of what to expect when getting a price for the installation. I can obviously order supply only which it looks like quite a few have done on here and get my builder to install. He has yet to give me a quote for this so I am looking to see what would be a reasonable quote. He has mentioned a 'per window' charge. Speaking to the suppliers, usual suspects-Rationel, Internorm, Velfac etc their install quotes seem astronomical! Or maybe I am being naïve? I have a lot of glazing (approx 100m2) with 3 sets of sliding patio doors, and 2 full height glazed gables so I am guess I will prob need a crane. One company quoted me £11,000 for fitting, another £90 a m2 so approx. £9000. One reason I was thinking to get the supplier to fit was if there are any problems down the line they don't blame the installation to wriggle out. But if my builder is considerable cheaper then I will prob go with him. The windows are coming in around 25-30k. So the additional install of around 10k sounds high to me (and way over my budget also) Any advice?

Thanks that's good to know

thanks for the info Ferdinand Jack thats what I have read on a few posts here and on ebuild, might chance it!

slightly different question re opening the account Are you in the 'trade' or did you say you were a self builder? If so was it easy to open an account?

I spoke to the EA and am ok as far as they are concerned.....i made sure they sent an email confirming this! They said as I already discharge to a septic tank and am upgrading to a treatment plant it is not a problem

thanks to both of you really appreciate your help I will continue on my quest! Will talk to BC about the calcs you have provided. I am rapidly going of trees! God knows what people do on smaller plots!

I am replacing it with a new plant. My head scratching is down to the size of the soakaway. It seems to be very large considering as you say that the water is virtually clean. On other thing is i have alot of trees which i would have thought would improve things?

thanks, might have to give it to my son to work out!! Joking aside that is really helpful. So is this the calculation building regs will use? That sounds big! I am just still puzzled that the existing septic tank has nothing like that sort of size soakaway but was functioning fine sorry if i am repeating myself ! My builder is looking into it, but he said the only time he had a problem with the soakaway was clay soil which we dont have. Its free draining He has spoken to a building inspector who has said crates are ok. So i am really confused! I will continue to investigate

was your project a new build/replacement building or extension? Also do you know how old it was? what does the test consist of, was it expensive?

If I am understanding you correctly, it will be a 5 bed , so a 7 person treatment plant. Am I worrying too much about this? There are thousands of these all over the country. When I spoke to the EA they didn't seem overly concerned as I met the general binding rules. Does it come down to regs alone? I haven't as yet done a percolation text, but I think the soil is ok from the evidence of the footings and also the existing property was built in the 30's and had no problems with the septic tank. Does anyone have a rough idea as to the area I am looking at for the soakaway?

That is worrying, much like almost all aspects of the build! I think I have enough land, I was trying to work out the most economical route really. I have an existing septic tank, not sure if the helps me or not? I'm guessing it doesn't really make a difference. Out of interest what was your solution dave?

slightly different question on this subject, not sure if I need to start a new one? In respect of the discharge from the plant, I am going into the ground rather than a ditch/stream I am trying to find a definitive answer on how to do this. Are crate soakaways sufficient? I have seen them online for sale for this purpose but have also read on rival sites that these are illegal. I have read thru the regs and cant find the answer. They say a drainage field is required for a septic tank only as far as I can tell. I think the crate way will be an easier option for me

thanks I will give them a call that was a definite no to the second question Peter! is it against regs? (not wanting to sound daft!)

just looking quickly online, I cant see one that specifies they do a combined wc and washing machine. I can see ones that do one or the other or wc and shower One other idea I had, which Im not sure is allowed... I have an existing septic tank that would allow the run 'down' from the utility. Can I connect to this for just the utility and connect the rest of the new house on the new treatment plant?

thanks for the replies chaps. So will a saniflo have the power to pump the waste 'up hill' and out to the treatment plant? I would guess its prob 10m or so away.

I have a situation where unfortunately it looks like a need a mini pump station. The utility room sits lower than the main building due to a sloping site. It will contain a toilet and washing machine. These will have to be pumped to the treatment plant The main house drainage will run directly to the treatment plant. Its not ideal I know but not sure I have a choice. Has anyone had to use one of these and recommend any? and what sort of price? I have found 190 litre capacity ones for around 500-600 pounds.

Could you tell me what occupancy 'size' these are pls?

Thanks Dave good to know , I haven't got a high water table so don't think that will be an issue. My main concern from research is that an under used one can be as much a problem as one not big enough. The vortex says it is unique in that it is the only one that can be adjusted if under used. I think we will poss have that problem (if indeed that is an issue?) as we will have 5 beds so will have to specify to that but as with most families won't be filling them all!