crispy_wafer

Thanks @nod

Just doing a big of research and costings for floor insulation. These 'ere upstands, what's the crack with these. would/did you buy them ready made width and height, or would you just take some 25/50mm insulated boards and cut/trim it to the height required then stick it in place. Something is telling me that cut boards would be more cost effective and i'm looking for reassurance that its ok to do this (not frowned on). Or is there a better way?

Question is, at this stage, and knowing what you know now, you would do it all again ?

I saw that mentioned in a thread earlier and made a note of it, I know others are doing it, but living in half a shell, how does that stand with the paperwork side of things, sign off, insurance. I could quite easily make the downstairs two bed. Would make that path easier to achieve I guess.

We are looking approx. 200 sq metres. There will definitely be an element of taking some time, looking after costs to this project I've got it into my head to get the builder to get as far as he can on budget, then crack on myself. I guess working out a detailed order of events once the structure is up will help in this respect, hopefully then I can be looking/planning one or two steps ahead. Was your builder content at just doing the shell? The few I've spoken to so far, immediately talk about turnkey, have had to reign them in a little. One wasn't interested in just doing the shell, but they were a big local firm so I can understand it from their business model. Thing is, there's a high chance of me calling them or their subbies back in as and when my skills are lacking or when funds allow.

Hi, Thought I'd introduce myself as I've been lurking for a few days reading loads of good threads making notes of good idea as I go. Started this journey with just a pipe dream many years ago, Mrs Crispy and I are now at a stage where we have designed what we want, planning permission approved, drawings submitted to building regs. At that point I hadn't really outlined any particular list of must have's in regards to spec, a few days reading later the list is now growing. We have the land with an old bungalow onsite that we are living in, the new dwelling will be built then everything other structure will be removed. The new place will be a Chalet style dormer, brick and block structure with a bit of structural steel, all coming to a smidge under 200sq m. My big issue's now are how to keep costs under control, I've already had some estimates from a big local co, and full turnkey finish ranged between 225 and 280 dependent on spec. I nearly fell out of my chair when the reality hit home. I'm thinking am I being too ambitious - not sure. We always thought that we'd never be in a position to go turnkey, so doing stuff ourselves was always going to be on the cards, We've got 150 to get as far as we can, there is a bit more but I like getting bang for my buck, and I've then got to plan and rebuild outside structures as Planners insisted I take everything down, to incorporate the floor area into the new build, on top of that I've had PD rights zapped too. Is it feasible to get to a watertight stage then take over yourself, managing it, DIY'ing, financing on the fly doing what you can and calling in the trades as and when needed. I know there's going to be jobs I can do and stuff I cannot, a bit of savvy buying here and there to snag bargains. Anyways enough of my ramblings, thanks for being a great source of information.