LSB

I have huge respect and admiration for those who have gone before us, including members of my own family, for what they did in any war to protect us. At times I think they were conned as much as any of us, but they were there in good faith putting their lives at risk. Thank you one and all. But, back to this blog, this is also so I don't forget. I'm going to try and update weekly on what I've achieved, or failed at, in the previous week and hopefully on plans for the next. It's great when others read this and comment, makes me feel less lonely on this long journey. As I have said previously, I'm looking at costs at the moment and as we are on a tight budget (most are) I'm looking at how to save money. There are always the big cost items, roof (40k), windows (30k) amongst many others and I wonder how others have managed. This week I'm trying to look into changing how we are building our cavity wall. Our build is a class Q barn conversion where we have to keep the existing walls, except for necessary new openings, it's 240m2 single story, so there is a lot of roof, twice that of a 2 story one. It also has to be metal, hence the very expensive estimate of 40k, or is it just me that thinks this sounds like a lot. The existing walls are on 80% of the barn and are block built, but single skin. We have permission to build the cavity wall outside the existing wall, but my calculations have shown this to be over 5,000 blocks. This turns out to be a lot of money, and as DIY self builders we are also concerned about how long it will take as we are not able to work full time on this. So, I have been considering other options, but not getting on very well, should we use ICF or timber frame or just bought in labour. It's easy to see how blocks will work, but I'm not so sure about building a 2nd wall outside using a different method. I can just about see how ICF would work, like big lego, but that is still expensive. The structure is not that important as it is partially clad and partially render, so whatever we use will be covered up. Apart from this I'm trying to get hold of BC re foundations, originally as we are converting they said that they don't need to see any, but as we will have to have new foundations for the 2nd skin, and damp course etc. I need to know how this works. I guess by their lack of reply that they are not available during L2. A week of questions and not many answers. I must remain optimistic that things will become clear, but it's not easy. Here's wishing good luck to everyone else taking the same journey, particularly in these difficult times. In the next week I am hoping to continue with my manual estimating and getting the internal costs down to then start of the external elements.

This maybe down to personal preference. But, what are the good / bad / ugly of warm roofs versus cold roofs and with flat roof (slight pitch) what do people think is better Thanks

thanks for these, very useful, I was wondering what I needed for these.

Having worked in IT since it was 'computing' when I left uni in 1983 I have been in a male dominated society. Without being to generalised I have found the more intelligent the male the better they respond. I never really had an issues at work as I knew my stuff. The guy yesterday was young so it was even more of a surprise. When he spoke to my husband I thought he would be exactly the same, so I was surprised when his whole attitude changed. But, keep battling on and when you find someone good, keep hold

It looks like a lovely location by the water. You will get there, but somehow it seems that him upstairs seems to throw things at us all in one go. You will get there and be stronger for it, Where are you based?

Thanks everyone for your support, I'm quite disappointed at home much this still seems to be happening. I could understand it if it was something that maybe I couldn't do, but when I'm stood there with him and he still wants to talk to the 'man' then it's rather annoying. Anyway, time for a G&T me thinks.

My current job is the IT project management for a new 8,000 m2 factory for work, they have been really good and the PM is very happy to chat to me because I understand building and the processes. Even though the size is different the processes are just the same. I'm really glad that they are ahead of my self-build as I have found out lots. My last job was doing the same for a previous company and their PM was good. It was just this dickhead today, but I was so angry about it.

Good idea, I'll look at their website to see if there is an option available to leave feedback.

as an IT manager for 20 years I have met a lot of this, but I naively thought things had changed. What got me most was that he ignored my questions and then answered them on the phone. pity for them, they have just lost 30k of business.

When nanny was still at home we got quite a lot of equipment supplied for us as the OT said it was needed. This reduced the cost of converting he bathroom to a wet room. They provided all the grab rails (including the rest of the house), the shower seat and the heated towel rail.

This week I have been getting price estimates for everything I need, the list is getting very long and it's taking ages as I'm trying to get multiple quotes, I may give up on that idea. I am also submitting this to estimating companies / builders merchants, but want the control of also doing it myself. This morning the roofing company man rang me, asked some stupid questions and didn't listen to the answers as he talked over me. He then said, I'll be there at 11. At 12:45 when I'd finished with the horses I rang him, he said "I'm just coming down the road" No apologies for being late. I'd wanted HID to be there, but he had a problem at work. I'd tried ringing the roofing company to change the time, but no answer, left a voicemail, no response. The barn is about 100m from the house up a slight slope, the reptile didn't want to go and look, saying that without the plans there was no point. Anyway, eventually he did agree to look, but the whole time he kept making stupid statements like "So, it's a roof for the pigs", even though I had told him it was being converted to a dwelling. He spotted that the 'L' had an asbestos roof and declared that he wouldn't go any nearer than 50' because of the danger. Then my phone rang and it was HID. I duly handed over the phone and a complete personality and attitude change happened to the reptile. He spoke sensibly, answered the questions I'd already asked, explained the process, suggested that we went to their factory to see how it works. He also gave a very general ball park figure of 30 - 40k, which is what I actually wanted. All this because he was talking to a man. Once the phone call finished he handed me my phone and said, just email me the plans and we will get a proper estimate and walked off. This all seemed to be because I'm a woman, who knows a lot more than HID about this whole process and what we want. This is quite a disappointment for me as I will never agree to using this company even though they are our most local zinc roof supplier at only 25 miles away. He also said that metal is no cheaper than zinc, I'm sure that's wrong and despite me saying that our planning specifies a zinc roof he kept trying to sell me a rubber roof. His timing to install was, "about a month", really!!! When I mentioned solar panels he said, just put them in one of your fields. I feel quite strongly about using local suppliers where possible, but this has left a bad taste in my mouth and made me very wary of having people to the site when I'm on my own, if I'm not going to be taken seriously. On a better note, the last gas check was done this morning, by a lovely man who even asked about my grandson as he remembered that I'd said it was due. I would recommend this company to anyone, and thankfully they were local. Once I receive the report then I can discharge the condition, tell CIL and start pulling things down. Now, another week, more planning, I'm so looking forward to when I can do something, even thought ultimately the plans should make the process much more efficient in the long run.

Our design has 2 stoves, one in the family room and one in the snug, which will be a small one as it is not a huge room. I may even go for an artificial one if we won't need the heat. The family room is 65m2 so I will definitely have one there.

we will have mains power, but hope to get the majority from the PV. The RHI stops in March 21, too soon for me, so that won't affect my decision. My planning requires ASHP, but it also approves a boiler, I guess the LPA don't know anything about what is and isn't allowed. At the moment I live in a cold, draughty house so I can't imagine being so warm that I don't need backup.

we are planning on ASHP and PV, do you think we need to also consider a back up boiler. We are off grid here so it will have to be oil or biomass or possibly LPG

Odd, we ordered Monday and was delivered Tuesday

Most of the time there is just 2 of us needing daily showers. But, we have 4 kids plus partners and grandchildren, so when they visit the requirement is much higher, but this is not that often.

gosh, this is all starting to go above my head, more studying needed. The only thing I thought was that an ASHP struggled to provide enough hot water, which is why I thought I also needed PV.

and yet, it was this months HomeBuilding & Renovating Magazine that said Mar 2021. I would have expected better from an 'expert'

right, well that's really good news and worth knowing as realistically, as we are DIYer's, we won't need it until 22 so sounds like I'm best to wait. Thanks

I have someone doing a quote for me, I will ask them first.

as the wall which we planned to put the ASHP on won't be built by Mar can we build a small wall and the boundary and attach the ASHP to that, without connecting to the house.

that's interesting, I didn't realise you could self install.

I want to use an ASHP, but I've just read today that the RHI stops at the end of March next year and I won't be ready for it by then. Can I go ahead and order one and still get the incentive? Otherwise, I think it's back to an oil boiler (no gas)as not cost effective without RHI Anyone else hit this.

thanks, it's ex hire I think, 4 came from the same place.