Hasteron

We had a similar situation with a local builder for a rear extension last year, and I remember how stressful it was trying to balance protecting ourselves without upsetting the guy doing the actual work. What helped us was tying each payment to visible progress, like payment after groundwork, after the shell was up, etc. even if we didn’t have an exact breakdown. It gave us some reassurance without making it feel like we didn’t trust him. We also asked for a simple schedule in writing, just bullet points, to keep everyone on the same page. Hopefully this helps a bit 🙂

Not an expert either, but I actually tackled something pretty similar for a retaining wall along my sloped garden path. Your idea sounds totally reasonable. I did almost the same thing with stepped footings to keep the block height level across a slope. In my case, I poured the footing in sections using formwork that followed the slope, but made sure the top edge of the blocks stayed level. It took a bit more time to measure and plan, but it made everything look so much cleaner in the end. One thing I learned the hard way: make absolutely sure your footing is solid and wide enough, especially toward the downhill side. Mine started to shift ever so slightly after heavy rain because I underestimated drainage. Also, if you're doing the pour in sections, make sure to key the footing joins together somehow so you don’t get cracks later. I’d also recommend checking the slope with a string line or laser level before you start pouring — saves a lot of second guessing once you start laying blocks.

Hey Harman, interesting topic. I actually went back and forth on this during our last renovation. We didnt hire a full-service interior designer, mostly because of budget, but we did feel the need for some guidance. I think a lot of people in the selfbuild space are somewhere in the middle, they want their space to look thoughtful and cohesive but either can’t afford a designer or don’t know how to justify the cost. Personally, I would’ve been more likely to hire someone if they offered flexible, modular help, like just layout planning or finish selections.