Alexphd1

Jamiehamy hits it pretty spot on! I dont think I would be playing around with concrete mix on site as I dont know enough about it. We speccd a lot higher of sump than mentioned above but this varys form icf supplier to another. We spoke the concrete supplier telling we needed x amount but was in contact during the pour when to send the next lorry etc we used a bit more than we expected but not much. We received varying mixes, all pump able and tbh it done the same job. The dryer mix took a bit longer to compact down with the poker but any bits we have opend up ie for steel beams , fixings etc there has been good no air pockets! One thing which provided reassurance during the pour we had another job that needed 6m2 concrete. Inn case we had a burst we could stick one guy with a lorry load to do that job and buy as some time to fix the burst... that job still need to be done!

How high is your retaining wall? Is it simple ie a U shape with 90' corners? I am a big fan of ICF and it's certainly doable on a DIY basis. Tanking is usually applied to the outside of ICF or a water proof concrete is used, we are planning to use both with the external tanking linked to the dpm from under the passive slab. Solid steel bracing can be hired from the ICF supplier which can expensive also these needs fixings to the slab but our slab already has UFH pipe so a wee bit of imagination is needed here. Although we have a digger we took on a local guy with a tracked digger, sit on roller and 3t dumper for the ground work on a day rate this worked out very .

since i have been rained off site this afternoon I have finally managed a couple of hours to sit down and wade through the 3g glazing quotes. Just wondering if anyone has came across polish interiors, they seem to be ticking the boxes? My icf supplier speaks highly of them.

our rebar was in before the pour but we have moved a few plates etc and used the R-kem .

Any body who collects BA avios air miles, you can get a extra bonus in wickes, B&Q and a few other shops if you go through the BA avios shop link. At the moment its 3 avios for every pound in wickes above your credit card bonus. Not sure on how it works with trade accounts will investigate further.

Just a update with the tapco samples. I am very impressed with them. I was sent a plum (close to Welsh) and a pewter (steel grey). I have attached a photo with them alongside a Welsh slate, Spanish slate & ikoslate.

i remember somebody somewhere saying stay clear of quinn cement but cant remember where.

Expensive larder! It was the james bond style door that took my eye!

Sorry disagree with the statement regarding the architect as well. During the build we have moved and changed the size of every window from the original plan, it would be a bit harsh to blame the architect for that!

Why does it have to be the most stressful part?? At the end of the day if the spec/contract is done correctly, the supplier does exactly whats agreed in black & white, the installer does his part what could possibly go wrong..... I cant even decide on who to go with, i really need to sit down and make the final decision. Then its plane sailing, I wish !

Hi and welcome. I am not your target customer as i am too much hands on to justify a project manager, but there is certainly a market for this. How do you see yourself in a role ie on site every day checking up on trades, quality control, cleaning up at the end of the day, sorting problems etc or sorting paperwork putting tenders out pricing material? Up here the architect usually puts together a basic spec and sends the tender out to builders, to be working on the initial tendering without agreeing your costs I can see problems arising very quickly. I could see a person between a project manager and a contractor would be more beneficial. If you had your own telehandler, your own caravan/site office and a phone book full of good reliable trade numbers who owed you a lot of favors, first on site last off site & knows the project inside out ...... i think even i might even consider you!

https://www.hss.com/hire/p/light-duty-dry-diamond-drill-110v and buy a https://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-347664/tool-net-91mm-x-150mm.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz7O8ldG41QIVbLXtCh0qrgstEAQYAiABEgJpOvD_BwE Job done! The hire one comes with a 107mm core. If you do hire that makita keep the core drill dry.

@readiescards& @PeterStarck or anybody else who had had spray insulation. Do you know how much drums the guys went through for a rough m2 and and depth..... Trying a DIY effort...

I just came across them tonight and the grey hopefully ticks the box. I am going to order a sample tomorrow. thanks again.

anybody used tapco plastic slate, more so the grey. http://www.tapcoroofingproducts.com/product/tapcoslate-classic/

ASHP, maybe of a interest to some one... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fujitsu-WPYA080LF-Air-Source-Air-water-Heat-Pump-Heater-8kw-Capacity/272752761637?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

i am no expert but why panic? As long as you are able to pull cables from your power supply to where you would be placing the power point and a relatively easy install, I wouldn't be spending £300 on something i don't know will be compatible with the car i may buy in the future. I still remember the guy who "future proof" his home sound system with a kenwood 50CD auto changer under his staircase, awesome at the time!

exactly what i was thinking, the sales guy's engineer was using this stuff with 280mm of spray for 0.1u. I cant see why we dont just spray thicker depth and miss this stuff out.

How good is apollo thermofoil es insulation? http://www.apollo-energy.com/rooms/RoomsListItem1_hqjidxlr179_1/ThermoFoil-ES

They have just been dropped off to the site today. Fairly firm it up!

That genie lifts are cracking wee bits of kit! Our second ridge beam is going up tomorrow.

Where abouts in Aberdeenshire are you building?

Hi. Two friends been faced with the same problem in the shire, one made a pond then filled it in after the building warrant was passed the other installed a sprinkler system on a diy basis (done a course to become a installer).

Ferdinand. Much appreciated .

First step. I think we have found the perfect plot.... with in budget. Quick calculation we would be allowed 290m2 excluding basement and as the build is on a slope the basemant would only be three sided. First idea was to come out and do a hands on self build with icf but quick reading I see you need a builders signature and a archiectect signature on the build warrant with costs (for a tax payable to local council) . Looks like what ferdinand says good people on the project is key.