RussH

Thanks for the reply. My take was that a single surveyor could do it as well. So that's great news! I was surprised when the guy I spoke to told me he couldn't do it. I'm sure our neighbour will be fine with that. Now still struggling to find someone to actually return calls/emails 🙄😂

Our new build will be within 3 metres of our neighbours property, 1.2 metres to be exact. The footing will be 600mm deep (based on trial holes and structural engineer design) Our neighbour wants a party wall agreement. Which I guess is sensible, so we're in "dispute". So I've tried a few surveyor's and either get no response or that it's going to be very costly and protracted process. I just spoke to one, who was very helpful, but he is fully booked until end of October and says he has been working on an agreement since January!! He also told me that he can not act for both parties, so our neighbour will need to find a surveyor as well. Location is near Pwllheli, north Wales. Any suggestions or advice on this? I'd hoped to sort this between ourselves, taking photos of his property. The structural engineer was very relaxed about any potential issues and was a bit taken aback by the neighbours stance.

Mind me asking what you don't like about standing seam? Our plan is to use this. Not the genuine zinc, probably aluminium "click" type. Our place is coastal so I do have reservations about salt spray and at times serious winds. But it comes with a 50yr warranty (not that I'll have much chance of using that😏)

Hopefully we've found one. He lives a couple of miles away, his son who is a partner in the business is building his own house literally 500m away from our place. He is very knowledgeable, but pragmatic when you deal with him. He's very helpful and understanding about how much or how little of the project he will complete. Old school, in a good way, likes to meet face to face to discuss and agree things. I'm sure a big part of that is assessing us as client!! As you allude to business' need to know when to walk away from certain jobs or people! We've engaged him to do the demolition and if things go well I'm hopeful we'll go with him and his son for further works. Although we haven't agreed how much or how little I will do I've been very careful to reassure him that the boundaries will be crystal clear and I won't delay or impact on anything he does. I've got a good feeling, but time will tell😊

Unfortunately (unless I could manipulate the models 😏😂) procurement would award contracts to the cheapest "compliant" quote. They'd then get a gold star for saving a gazillion quid. In reality it wouldn't get delivered or we'd have to deal with idiots for a couple of years until the idiots bankrupted their own company 😂

Yes I've arrived at the same conclusion 👍

You've nailed it there! And thanks for the reply/tips. The more I see the less I like😏 I've been involved in many high value projects (hands on), I've also managed significant, complex, high risk, time and budget constrained multi million £ projects, dealt with the tender and bid submissions and subsequent contract management. You'd have thought a great skill set for a little self build. Nope😂😏 not at all I'm mostly just baffled by the people that I've dealt with. With a couple of notable exceptions. So I just continue to move the boundaries from say 80:20 contractor/builder to us. To 90:10 us doing it ourselves to contractor 🤔😂

Thanks Marvin for your time in replying. Some days I think there's nothing hard about this, other days when another request, requirement, regulation pops up I do think stuff it I'm going to live in a campervan 😏😂 We have fibre optic. I'll need to check on the charger (even though I no interest in an EV😏)

Suppliers and promises 😏I know😂 it was more to see the actual windows/profiles in the flesh (there's a huge choice). But also an element of looking them in the eye. And it wouldn't just be for this, just a detour to somewhere we've never been. I'd just love to hear from someone who has done it beyond the "yeah we did it, they were great....."

I've not spoken with them, but on Debesto.com website they say they will arrange everything including delivery to the UK. A few people have told me that they have imported from Poland (post Brexit) and they've been very happy with the process, quality and cost. But no one will actually elaborate on who and how🙄😂😂 plenty of nay sayers whittering on about fensa and vat of course😏 I'm maybe 6 months away from the point of requiring windows so I may organise a little roadtrip/holiday via Poland to see for myself. Debesto.com (and a few others) are not manufacturers. They're suppliers/brokers.

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't really considered this until someone told me that it would feel flimsy. The fact that he's never built a timber frame house was a bit of a clue to his expertise I guess😏😂

Thanks for the reassuring words! I've had a few timber frame quotes and they're all 600mm centres.

We have a timber frame design which is 600mm centres for studs, joists (posi) and rafters. It will have a standing seam roofing and Cedral type cladding. 150mm of PIR. What are people's experiences or thoughts on 600mm centres? Will the plasterboard flex? Will the structure feel "flimsy/flexible"? The cost uplift to 400mm isn't horrendous but I guess the downside is additional cold bridging.

I've tried the search function but can't find anything relevant. As an individual self builder, has anyone imported uPVC windows from Poland? They seem high quality, option of double or triple glazed, and significantly cheaper than UK suppliers. There are a couple of suppliers that seem to specialise in exporting to Europe, including the UK. With multiple manufacturer options. For example Debesto.com On a related subject does anyone have a recommendation for a software package or app. to create a window and door schedule? Or would you just use Excel? Thanks 👍

This was for the pad/foundation. So I do get it (I like your "dark arts" description), but rather than work with me this is what he replied with🙄. So the guy we're using to demolish/prepare the site did work with me and talk pragmatically/sensibly. We've done some test holes and engaged a structural engineer. The fact that the guy we're working with wouldn't give me a price until after we get certainty on this gives me confidence in him. I'm afraid that our plans/drawings, even to my uneducated eye, are not great. But because the timber frame company have provided the calculations, detailed design etc I'm struggling to see the benefit of getting them redone. Once we have the pad design that is. Once the structure is up we'll need a builder/main contractor to do the roofing (standing seam) cladding (Cedral type stuff) doors and windows. I'll then complete the rest of engage specialist trades as necessary. So once you take all that into account there's not much left for a traditional builder/main contractor. Which is possibly part of the problem to get sensible engagement with a builder?