Jilly

Rather than converting the building, I probably should have applied to demolish and build something better, but the planning process was so painful, with all the conflicting advice I was given, I couldn’t face it: I wanted to see my money turn into something. I found it all very stressful, I’m not sure if it would/will be if I ever do it again but hopefully it would/will be easier with the benefit of experience.

Don’t be disheartened by all these comments! It’s looking possible that the design was done to capture the imagination to gain planning permission and a significant uplift in land value, but might not have been intended to be built as there was no budget. Self build is often a once in a lifetime thing, so most of us have a personal wish list which is modified by costs or family constraints. People very often submit new plans after purchase, safe in the knowledge that something will be passed. You enter the game of planning permission with more certainty. I laughed to read the comment about not living in a static, but it’s not unheard of for Grand Designers to go bust/divorce etc so it’s important to be realistic. Many of us on BH have saved £1000’s with the advice and pointers given.

On such a large project you could consider doing it in two stages so that you could move in earlier (rather than the caravan option!)? Loads to think about, but with lots of land you have plenty of options with aesthetics, screening planting etc.

This might not help now, but going forward, in situations where carpentry might have to be removed, it’s helpful to use screws rather than nails, but it’s slower of course. I’d be on to the log cabin supplier making a fuss…

Wow, it looks like an ambitious project which you are tackling head on, well done! You are right to be cautious, self build is a massive learning curve and it’s very easy to go way over budget. Are you thinking of staying with the same architect for Building Control and construction drawings? You could maybe ask them to find cost savings? They will be familiar with, and invested in, the current design. Sorry I can’t help with the concrete question as I did block with cladding, and only a small project, but can offer moral support when you need it😊 Are you planning to project manage it yourself? It might cramp your style to live in a static caravan on site, but it saves quite a lot in rent and means you are on hand for the inevitable questions which arise and early deliveries etc etc. @ToughButterCup has some hard won experience you can read about using ICF. Looking forward to hearing how you progress.

The builder meeting BC during the build for inspections is standard, he/she will be used it. They just make a call and usually the inspection happens very quickly, so as not to delay things. Luckily, it’s a different part of BC, and your builder might even know the characters. They are hopefully just following the approved construction drawings so it should be straightforward once this is sorted out. It seems unlikely that your friendly builder could begin engaging his own design team at this late stage. Hopefully just a few tweaks will be needed. Self build is full of hiccups like this, be prepared for the sleepless nights. There are always ways round things. I made it my job to try to fully understand each stage of the process and the pros and cons to make informed decisions. For example, it can cost an awful lot to change your mind about something, if you walk round the site and realise you’d prefer a door/wall/bathroom in a different place. Ask me how I know…

It’s very odd. I found my LABC really helpful.

I got a second hand reconditioned shipping container for about £1k a few years ago from a local chap who does this for a living. We placed it out of site and still use it. It keeps frost off is dry and has a lock box welded. PM me if you want his details.

It would be pretty easy to set up a list of native plants and trees akin to rewilding or set aside, which could be incorporated into the outside space.

£1.5k is a bargain, I spent £6k on a ecologist with all the associated surveys etc. We found one bat, which happily flew off, ignoring the accommodation provided.

It might be a good idea to stay with the same insurance company. An old house we owned had been underpinned and we had to take on the same policy, as did subsequent owners. Not a huge deal, but you can’t shop around or they might cry ‘pre existing’ and not pay if something happens .

Hi a pensioner I am friendly with has been given a quite high quote for a new loo in a downstairs cloakroom, and I wonder if there is another way round this. After removing the old toilet, he gave a supplementary quote of £1.8k to change the flooring and fit the new one, so she had to tell him to wait. Here is a photo of how it’s been left. He’s suggested removing the wooden floor because the concrete bit where the loo sat is uneven. Fair enough, but the wooden floor is in reasonable condition, so could the old loo space be filled and made good to take the new one? Any other reasonably priced suggestions? A concealed cistern might have covered the exposed floor at the back, but the new loo has been bought now so some solution to cover the gap at the back will have to be found. I hope that makes sense😊

Ooh these are gorgeous!

Can you not extend off the current extension to keep the nice roof?

As you’ve budget for piles and you might end up there, bear in mind it’s worth getting several quotes as I found a vast difference in price. The muck away is astounding, you’ll save a lot of you have somewhere on site to get rid of the spoil.