jamiehamy

As self builders doing most of the work ourselves, we've had contractors to lay dwarf walls, fabricate and erect steel frame, complete drainage, excavate garage, complete hard landscaping and complete electrics. Not drawn up a contract yet. As @Alexphd1. says, for the value the contractor would run a mile. And frankly it's far more hassle than we need on our build. I deal with various suppliers in my work and have done over several years and know that they do not solve actual problems and take so long to agree then pursue if things go wrong they are not right for us. We found local companies based on recommendations - delays or issues have been resolved by conversation, negotiation and trust. Not saying it's the approach for every self builder but absolutely has merits.

Finding the names of things is half the challenge, easier when starting new but replacing... Ooft!

Well done! I feel proud of you! Not easy to have it out like that but it can be done and sounds like you managed it well and demonstrates that you are mot o ly responsible but are likely to h av e more knowledge on some things than them.

Can you sack them and start with another company? It sounds like a bit of a cabal - and stinks. Is there a means to escalate this upwards in the company and seek a form of artibration? This type of nit picking is not sustainable and that will be obvious to any other person. Who are they registered with and who can you go to if you are not happy with what is going on? They must be approved by someone? I would recommend on Friday being politely clear that you're not happy with the service you are getting and feel they are acting unreasonably - no problem if that's their rules, the issue will be with the company not them as individuals, but you will be escalating within their company and whoever regulates them and taking it from there. You have contact with many many other builders and self builders and almost none have experienced this level of scrutiny, so you know where you stand. Good luck!

What a good question! I'm keen to hear the answers to since it was on the tip of my tongue to ask!

I wouldn't be unduly concerned, as long as the dims quoted on are not hugely different from actuals. There will be a tipping point whereby an extra 100mm for example could mean a wider beams or closer centres and therefore it would be reasonable to ask the customer to pay for it. If you weren't happy they wouldn't have grounds to hold the deposit.

We've done what you have upstairs but they are non load bearing partition walls. But I have the Trada book and recall that's the design for both cases. My BCO says he is happy to be challenged if there is proof - as per above, might come a case of sending emails /design standard and saying sonething like 'as per previous discussion, please see attached. Let me know if any further questions' and leave it at that rather than seek in his explicit approval?

In fact I'll just say it. Tell him to f*** off and don't entertain this tosh. How ridiculous.

What r your stage gates for inspection? We have 4 I think.

Good stuff! I'm hoping I can post something like this soon too!

I often walk by the Motability office and wonder why they need such a prime spot given the cut backs. Similarly for Sally Army just over the river although I've been told there are 'deals' with corporations which mean the land/office space is an investment and charities get to benefits from it as well as the corporations. Anyway... Never mind!

Some heat and some Super Crack from eurocarparts, repeat a couple of times and have go with a long hollow bar?!

Ditto

We worked with an architect on a barn conversion which ultimately never came to fruition. When we asked him to provide an estimate to support the water tank my jaw hit the floor. I asked him to revise the price and got waffle in to return. We dispensed with his services there and then. I burned that bridge and don't for a minute regret it. It's my hard earned cash and if someone wants to rip me off I don't waste time beating about the bush. Not unpleasantly but firmly. Although I fully understand the softly approach and not criticising, it made me laugh tho. No one should have time to manage egos and sensitivities throughout a build. So my suggestion is to treat this as a dry run for the future. Don't be embarrassed about saying the architect price is ridiculous, or that the QS figures are questionable at best - I can assure you the only person with any true interest is keeping your costs realistic, and low, is yourself. I've questioned almost every cost and almost without fail it's paid off. Where it didn't was where firstly the cost was correct and the professional was happy to take time to explain why (it appeared high) , reduced it a bit, but be able to justify it. Having a TV show never featured in the reasons tho.

Don't let @SteamyTeasee this... ?

I took a model of ours to show the planners. They loved it and liked looking inside and came up with different ideas for us.

Can def get TG osb metric. We got 2400x600 for the roof after the farce of being supplied 2440x1220 for the upper roof.

Hmm mm... I'm almost too late but not quite. 9mm ply or thicker?

Wow, incredible! Really stunning and very different. You must be chuffed!

I'm sure I've seen a house like that before :-p !

Well done! You must be feeling so pleased! Hopefully we're only a couple of months behind you.

I would say so. When you tighten the connection there is a form of clamping occurs I to the pipe which is most likely why the insert is still needed. The rubber ring seals but there is a 'thing' that clamps onto the pipe and bites i.

Why not buy a camper van and avoid any issue at all with permission? As long as you have a chemical toilet, loads of room for man and dog! Fit a diesel Eberspacher and you have full central heating. :-) I had the BCO out this week as we look to a Temporary Habitation Cert. Says his boss doesn't like issuing them without good reason but as we have the garage to complete won't be an issue. Def need full electrical sign-off but if bits can be missed completely I. E garage, outside lighting he's not bothered. G3 for UVC. Handrails can be temporary as can steps and handrails to the house. At least one apartment must be heated. All smoke alarms must be fully operational. Kitchen. Use a Le. Utility and washing machines not needed. Doors to be on generally with facings to avoid jam hazard. Internal sills must be fitted. One operational bathroom - he accessible one I. E not the ensuite. Drainage tested. Soffits to be fitted and downpipes. Btw @VijayI'll be in Northampton week after next for a few days, might bring car down if you're about?

All I would say is remember this is TV. It doesn't reflect real life in the way you or I experience it. Probably still doesn't have BC approval or the stairs were ripped out before it did or there is an ugly handrail bolted in place. The programme is there to satisfy the masses and GD is just a glorified soap preying on people's misery and money and efforts. I've only watched a few episodes and it's pure dross. Doesn't help a self builder like me in the slightest. It's a glorified design show. Not a house build show. Ooft, got that off my chest!