Midona

Hi, We've just had the drawings back from the Structural Engineer and he seems to have specified a ridiculous amount of rebar! Part of our build is a sub-structure/part basement, so I can kind of understand the need for rebar there, but there is also a huge amount in the rest of the building. We've recently been to a site to help with the building of an ICF house, and there was very little rebar in that build (just the corners and above the windows and doors). I suspect that my Structural Engineer has little experience of building ICF houses and instead thinks he is building a bridge or a carpark or something. We have approximately 4km of rebar for a 200m^2 house...and that even includes a garage with nothing on top of it! Horizontal rebar is ever 25cm, and vertical every 20/25cm as well. Does anyone have any experience of Structural Engineers over-specifying? What options do we have? The Building Warrant was just approved today based on his specifications. Thanks, Alan.

That's good to know. I'm not sure if rock type makes a difference. I assume you're on granite...we're on quartzite.

Yes the whole site has been carved out of the hillside with all topsoil removed. There is mains drainage at the site boundary but, due to the topology, all water/sewage from the bottom/basement floor will have to be pumped.

Link should work now. If not... Site_Plan_-_Aerial.pdf

Walking distance. The plot is on Garve Road between Bungalow500 and Foinaven, up behind Canna. We feel so lucky to have gotten it. Site_Plan_-_Aerial.pdf

Hi, Our plot was excavated down to the bed rock before we bought it. Personally, I can't think of anything better than building foundations on rock that has been in-situ for nigh on half a billion years. However, our Quantity Surveyor in quoting for an Outline Cost Plan said that in his experience engineers can get very nervous about founding on rock. Can anyone enlighten me on the problems of founding on rock please? I just want to be fore-armed with some information when I next talk to him. Thanks.

Actually...we're only moving there for the Stornoway Black Pudding!

M5, M6, M74, M8, A9, A835.......you can't miss it! ?

Hello, Me and the Mrs. have been lucky enough to buy a good-sized plot of land in Ullapool for a self-build. We're complete novices at this, but are hoping to Project Manage as much of it ourselves as possible so as to save money. We're also hoping to go as far down the Passivhaus route as we can; currently thinking of ICF, though still flexible on this. Forgive me in advance for all the idiotic questions I'm likely to ask!