ToughButterCup

Thanks @JanetE and @SteamyTea. An interesting nugget that Janet. We'll think about it. We're both working at channeling the annoyance into positive action. At this stage it would be easy to misdirect effort. So often we have been (and Debbie still is) in the position of having to advise others about how to dig themselves out of crises. Well, now it's our turn. A walk along the shore at the mouth of the river Lune is what's called for this morning. And then get some of the joints between the blocks foamed up in preparation for a bit of rendering.

Gulp. A very cheering thing to wake up and read your responses. And PMs. I'll reply to everyone when our heads are facing forward rather than down. Debbie and I are re-calibrating. Too many variables to filter in the academic way in which we have both trained. The powerful urge simply to keep going might - just might - distract from getting the project completed within our means. There's little point in ending up like this for example Thanks @oranjeboom We are trying hard to cut emotion out of the mix. But it gets in the way too easily at the moment. And alcohol - well we're trying to limit that to Friday night only. I said trying A bit like Kevin WotsHisFace, when his interviewees are up against it, he takes them out for a look around and hopes they find inspiration. Time for a bit of a walk around, shout at some seagulls, and a bit of local networking.

Yesterday afternoon, we found out that the funding for our project was cancelled. For over two years we thought (were repeatedly assured) we had our build financed but we were wrong. The nitty gritty doesn't matter: in fact to describe how and why it happened would be inappropriate. The money isn't there. It's not as if we weren't warned by Aesop: The Milkmaid and Her Pail Welcome, therefore, to the full-on-self-build-experience. Oh Kevin McCloud , where are you when there's a true bit of drama? My trite Army-learned 'Can't take a joke, shouldn'a started ' doesn't even begin to cut it. Whisky, tears, drunken babbling, sleeplessness, listlessness, anger. The pair of us red-eyed, swearing and staring at spreadsheets lead to the following conclusions; Sell our cottage in good order next Spring - divert current funds to that end With minimal help, do lots of jobs myself Where possible and safe, cut corners: focus on good quality infrastructure: extend the term of the full build Sell the digger I'm really not sure I can take much more sleeplessness. Been catching up from the last disaster in July. And we were so ecstatic after our final pour on Friday. The shell of the house is up and safe. Scaffolding on its way down. And still many people would give their eye teeth to have the opportunity we have been given. Especially neighbours. It's the Do Lots Of Jobs Myself bit that scares me. I'm not asking for sympathy, just understanding when I post how-to-do-this-really-cheaply-and-on-my-own questions. More to follow tomorrow. Ian

Welcome to the club. Bumping into '....You what? How much?....' is par for the course. It's totally normal. After you've been here for a bit, and you can find one -just one- person who has not spent all their budget, I'll shave @Nickfromwales legs. In public. In a pub of his choosing in Wales. At his expense. Resilience.

Hello @Jimp. You are right it isn't easy. But it is possible. This discussion board is full of stories showing the spirit and determination of self builders. You have owned a business. You'll know the level of focus, determination and drive you need to maintain that. Well, you've passed the first test, because you'll need a lot of that skill set. Use the time between now and buying a plot to plan. You just cannot do enough of that. Do, please try to research answers to your questions by poking around in the search facility on the site. It takes a bit of getting used to, but just about every topic possible is covered here: sometimes it's hidden away from site: we encourage you to use the tagging system - I've added an 'example tag' to the title of you thread. (You can change it at will). Advice? Network, network, network. Read voraciously. Then network some more. Plan a bit, review it in the light of experience and then re-plan.

And from memory, there's a good amount of space in your garage (it's about the size of our house) : easy drain down, easy maintenance......

Sounds to me like you chastised yourself. May your good luck follow you!

Ahhhh, the yoof of today, they've lost the skill of scrubbing the doorsteps and window cells every morning..... Just like my mum used to do.....

Get a grip man. Just empty it. (Your partner has not told me to write this post )

Hello, good morning and welcome. So, what's the story then? All sweetness and light? Mutual admiration society with the designer? Do tell! Ian

That's all that needs to be said.

Take the sugars and proteins out of the wood and coat it with cement. I cannot evidence that process, nor verify it. I just use the stuff. Other ICF systems are available, and are probably more interesting.

Yes.

My Durisol blocks have been out in the rain for a minimum of two months on site and one month outside before delivery. Some blocks have been on site here for nine months. So I used it.

'Keep yer mind on yer driving Keep yer hands on the wheel, And keep yer snoopy eyes on the road ahead, We're having fun Pumping all the concrete And kissin' and a huggin with Fred' Apologies are in order, not sure to whom though

A legitimate and sensible concern. The company do a training course. It addresses all those concerns. Briefly, you use one of those mix-on site set ups like (locally) this company. Its our final pour today, I'll see if I can remember to take some detailed photos and post them on this thread.

The answer is that the definition of a start varies by area. I haven't got time to dig into my records, but there are many opinions -some with a pretense of authority- on what it really is. Shum shay (I will not apologise to Clarkson, he's not worth it) it's the first 'sod' of soil turned, others talk about making connections to services. I had to erect a Temporary Amphibian Fence (TAF) a year before we started. Which flies in the face of @Temp's post above (not something anyone does lightly) . But I had spent a huge amount of money getting that TAF in place. I knew I had started long before any 'official start'. The answer is not clear cut Ask your local friendly Enforcement / Planning contact, and then ask around locally for advice.

Make your own from a pair of your other half's tights? Someone here will have beaten this problem before now.....

Welcome. We look forward to you joining in our discussions. Ian

Right. Bloody right...... Do what my next door 'neighbour' does and ignore, lie, obfuscate, delay, lie some more, dawdle, erect a barrier that even a 16 tonner (digger) would not be able to jump, buy some humongous stones from the quarry, dump them in the drive to make the place look like a blast-protection zone. Make sure anyone approaching is warned off by dogs and geese. And continue to live in peace and perfect harmony with himself.

Block work being 'out' . I groaned when I read that. I've just spent several thousand pounds correcting that (and other) errors. What is it with sodding blocks?

Here you are: chapter and verse What can, and what can't be considered. And a report of a visit to a Planning Committee meeting . It's not about the building, it's about money.

Quod artifex facit domum..... mate!

@JimGNot an easy time for you: but you are in very good company; many of us have been through that mill. That said, we aren't going through your mill. House building is an emotional roller coaster; it teaches resilience. The stakes are so high - emotional and financial. So you will find a group of people here who are going through, or have at some time in the past gone through exactly what's happening to you. That's why there is such a high degree of commitment on the part of our members. You'll get lots of support and a little bit of leg pulling. We'll be rooting for you. Keep us posted. Ian

Welcome. Read all of my stuff about Durisol. (Just search for Durisol on this site) If you are coming north on the M6 we are at Junction 33 - just south of Lancaster and the Lake District. You will be most welcome to poke around and ask whatever you like. It hasn't been all easy: I describe the difficulties as well as the good bits. Ask away...... Ian