G and J

Crumbs, this post brings back memories. We got sign off for a cold, unventilated roof, but we went for a ridge vent anyway. Turns out just having a ridge vent gives ooodles of ventilation. Making the roof truly airtight would have been impossible. So our airtight layer is the VCL above the ceiling plasterboard. Hopefully this will keep our steam out of the loft.

It depend on your timescales, but building on the above, if you get a good starting trade (in our case groundworker) they can then recommend follow on trades and /or go round local building sites (individual projects) look at the work, get recommendations. Both have worked for us (apart from a decorating "hiccup"!) Eg our screeder came about because our groundworker introduced us to a builder working on a single build nearby, the screeder recommended the plasterer, the plasterer recommended the tackers and so on. We chose to wait for good people, but in practice we were't waiting long as we tried to be identifying the 'next in line' as early as possible. @Benpointer may be able to share how he went about it.

Well this got me thinking, as one with aspirations of moving in before completion....so in case it's helpful fir others and with the caveat of "check with your own insurers" our insurers have confirmed our site insurance is valid until we have a completion certificate regardless of whether we move in or not....phew!

@craig thank you

Could you tell more? We've got the same thing (Smart Visoglide plus), not a huge issue but if there is an option......

We paid what will end up being about 3% of the build cost. 3 stages, survey and prelim drawings; planning application (local RIBA architect, knew planners, edge of conservation area, active town council); building regs drawings, which we pushed them hard on the get the spec we wanted rather than the one they may have done as the norm. No detailed SE calcs, but they made it clear at outset we'd need to source that and likely costs, also outlined in they initial quote other costs (pp and building regs apps etc). Handled NMA as part of package. They also gave us info on local private buiding regs co. and tendered this for us; intro to SAP assesor. Their drawings were then used (provided by them) by the timber frame manufacturer. The gap for us, given that we were/are self managing and were erecting frame, was overlays that combined the SE's (excellent local individual) foundations design with the frame (SE also looked at frame design and steel calcs for his own (and ours!) "peace of mind", all good) and section drawings. All worked out but would have been easier if they had all been on one diagram...certainly for those of us with less "experience".

That’s going to be expensive. What are you running down there to need that fat a cable?

Bloody well hope so! I’ll be installing the unit in the next month so we’ll start to get an idea then.

Silence, came the stern reply. Oh well, next month maybe. Back to me plumbing.

@flanagajI'm already feeling very apprehensive. Being a catastrophiser, doesn't help matters I'm not trying to make matters worse here, or suggest that you and your wife aren't capable.....just giving my take on it.....I attended the first and last pours (we had a couple as narrow site and had to work forwards). I had never seen it done before, was there purely as an observer to "mark the moment". Geoff had two people with him who were uber experienced and were used to working with the guys supplying the concrete. All calm, having done the prep and then super frenetic activity to make sure everyone safe and mix right, in the right place, levelled etc etc. There is no way that I would have wanted to be involved. I know for us all control of costs is important, but this is an area where, even though Geoff is capable, we really felt the benefit of having the experienced guys taking the lead. We can after all if necessary, wait for "the" kitchen, tiles but.....

Before our current build I’d never been involved in a pour. It was a shock, an unpleasant one. I had two really experienced guys with me and mostly helpful and knowledgeable barrel drivers. It was still daft level tough. Now I’ve been through it I’m of a mind that I’d never, ever contemplate it without experienced help.

It’s gotta be time for a nose round Alan’s site surely?

The way I read the diagram it’s to reduce the cold bridging at the sole plate. Otherwise cold air gets behind the plinth bricks. I assume there will be wall ties linking the walls and the plinth bricks. Not sure how that will work with polystyrene sheets.

Listen, I’ve watched Guy Martin so I know all about air tests… Being serious I figured it might help identify problem areas in the airtight envelope. My thinking was that we would either raise or lower the air pressure inside by sticking either the blow or the suck nozzle through a hole in the temporary loft hatch. Then, by lighting the odd smoke match, we’d get an idea of any significant holes by watching the drift. My intention was to leave the flue open to see how well or otherwise the smoke matches identified issues. Then, having bunged that up, we’d wander round lighting matches to see what we could see. Yet another idea discarded in the ‘didn’t allow time’ dustbin.

It’s called modern art. Honest. 😉