Dan1983

Hi Nick, did think about timber frame but was told cost would be similar and you only really save on time. We are fairly restricted here in the national park to size and design as it has to be in keeping with the surrounding area. Im over budget as bi-folds and flush casement windows were outside of quote as was anthracite soffits/fascia etc. I think the quote after a few tweaks ended up at 275k but 35-40k of that was the garage (now plus extras as mentioned above)

Thank-you, almost bailed on the bricks as when I first got a few out of the pack they were just red bricks as below! i was absolutely gutted as spent ages deciding on them. Thankfully once the packs were mixed there are great variations! Unsure on the lintels, assuming at least two courses above? Not sure what’s normal? One if the lintels is missing a section of polystyrene insulation, not sure if this matters?

Up to lintel level all round now! Roof also turned up today

I have site insurance if anyone dies ?

Haha, I went up there yesterday, it seems fine, but saying that it’s not me working up there so I’m not to fussed unless the guys complain?

Picking up pace again now all the lintels are here

Reinforced lintels for the bi folds now onsite so can get going round the back. Decided to go for flush casement windows in the end as cost was not that much more so these can now be ordered.

I did tell the brickies to stop using the skip as needs to be separated. The project manager is back Monday so will let them deal with it. We live down a gravel track so don’t really know how anyone would find the skip if they didn’t know it’s there. Either way fingers crossed CCTV can help.

Cheers guys. I deal with scaffolds most days in an oil refinery and whilst this one is is not up to that standard it’s only really the toe boards that would cause concern to me personally. Ive been wandering around on it with no issues. Unfortunately the concrete/ asbestos sheeting you can see was fly tipped in our skip whilst we were on holiday last week it was not from our property. Quite annoying, awaiting neighbour getting back so we can review CCTV

Still no rear lintels or stone sills

Thanks Keith, Yes really pleased, unfortunately still waiting on stone sills and rear lintels to progress much further

Looking much better with proper former template! Still worried about how the infill bricks will turn out but will wait and see! I think I’m probably being quite picky but end angles could have been better on the small side windows (not shown) I’m probably asking too much when dealing with bricks and disk cutters. Had a look at the arches on our rental property and they are not perfect either so think I’m just looking at them too closely

Looking to lay the soldiers over the arch template, them remove template and in fill with brick. Looking at possibly getting the infill bricks machined rather than using straight cuts but will depend on cost

Think they are going to make something like this and scrap the 4 arches they have done photo link

That looks really nice. Did the window company provide the correct colour insert or is the insert part of the window?

Morning guys, Looking for advice on arch formers if possible. We were originally going to use standard plastic arch formers for our ground floor windows but after choosing clotted cream windows the only way to colour match would be spraying/ painting the plastic formers which I didn’t like the idea of. I then found a picture of a house with full brick formers which looked great so trying to replicate it. Issue we have is getting the arches uniform as there is no former to work from. Has anyone had this issue? Only work around I ca think of is the decent width timber templates mate that can be removed after the arch is formed then infill the lower bricks after? This is the looks we are trying to achieve check my resolution

anonymous image hosting Coming on well but looking like another delay waiting on trusses, due start of August now looking like end of August

I joist/ chamber joist same thing.

Chamber joists now in. upload pic

Now up to chamber joist level with brick work after small delay on joists. Should be al go again now plus nice weather!

Got guide price before submitting regs as it’s a fairly basic build. Didn't want to waste money on regs if it was going to be way over budget. Only thing tweaked was garage size, was meant to be 7x6m internal but to stay in budget made it 7x6m external. Reference was from a lady at our sons school, they had completed 2 holiday let new builds. Also came recommended by a he local architect