Jude1234

Okay I agree to hold off, it does make sense not to do the floor first in case it gets damaged.

Yes it is all of a rush. I was going to get a joiner to fit tomorrow. However is it absolutely necessary to do it that way round? I could give the tiler the option to delay so the floor can be laid or go ahead and the floor will be fitted later

It is an ensuite, new build, only the shower tray is fitted but the toilet and sink are wall mounted. I was hoping to get the flooring laid tomorrow before he returns on Tuesday is that too optimistic?

So my builder arranged for the tiler to start on Tuesday. I met with him yesterday and he said that normally the floor is fitted prior to him tiling, which hasn't been done (and I wasn't aware of). For the bathrooms we wanted the LVT so I need to buy it today so that it can be fitted tomorrow. Which means a trip to the sheds, any recommendations for B&Q vs Wickes? Also what underlay do I need? It is just a normal floor boarding, no UFH or screed etc.

Thanks for the detailed list @Ferdinand we are trying to look at some of those, but as you say some aren't applicable due to the stage we are at. I am interested to explore at what stage we could move in, even with building control sign off. This may be delayed due to a soakaway issue that the previous owner of the plot is responsible for. In an ideal world we would like the garage to be watertight so we can store a lot of stuff in. So need to get the builder to provide costs and timings to finish that. At the moment that hasn't been forthcoming unfortunately.

That is good news, thanks

I have Eon coming on Wednesday morning to install the meter, does the electricity get turned on at the same time or is there a further wait? I forgot to ask and now Eon are closed until Monday. Trying to plan the next steps and need the electricity on to power the UFH to dry the screed.

It is very specific work that needs to be completed now, 2nd fix, tiling, laying of flooring (when the screed is dry!) so estimates I thought would be quite easy to produce. I have even said that the trades are allowed to say 'that isn't in the quote so will be x more if you want me to do that'. I just want transparency and to feel in control of the costs, which I am not at the moment. There are some more difficult task, such as the steel canopy(?? architect design) that I realise could cost more, but I have said that we can move in without that and look at it later.

My buildier is being quite evasive when I have asked him for estimates for specific tasks of the build that are left. They say that contractors will add in a contingency when giving quotes so I won't getthe cheapest price - is that correct? Also what is an approx daily rate for a tiler? And is it correct that the majority of the cost of scaffolding is in the erection and dismantling? As you see it is not being straightforwardgetting any figures out of him unfortunately.

Thanks @newhome I had a read of that at the weekend. All of the invoices have been zero rated from the main contractor and I have kept all of the other ones in a file ready for claiming back when completed. But I will check that they are all in order, don't want to miss out.

Thank you so much for all of your messages of support. I have discussed with OH and he has been very supportive. He knew that, in his words, we would be skint by the end of the build. I did speak to my builder today about concerns for costs but he was still a bit vague. So I am going to do as advised and write a list of all the jobs that I think are still left to do and get him to estimate how much each will cost, and get him to split between labour and goods. I am going to ask him to not buy anything else unless I have agreed to it. This week the only work that is being done is the joiner fixing skirting and doors so that can carry on as all of that is purchased and would need to be fitted anyway. Does that sound like a reasonable approach? When I have had the chance I have tried to source goods myself on the internet and have got some bargains. I bought the kitchen from DIYKitchens and sourced all of the sanitary ware from online merchants. I just wish that I had done more of this, but lots of stuff has already been bought. OH and I have agreed on some reductions but we do need to look at all costs going forward. Thanks again for all of your support, it is good to know that I am not alone. When I have the detailed costings I will share to see if there are any ideas on how to reduce costs.

We are at the 2nd fix stage so there is less scope to reign costs in. Have talked to OH and agreed to look at everything to see where we can cut costs without compromising too much on the level of finish. We have already decided only oak doors downstairs, the bamboo flooring in the main open plan area, with carpet in the other separate rooms. A good quality carpet on the stairs but then cheaper carpet in the bedrooms.Only shower panels in our ensuite as this is the one that will get used the most. Only part tiling of the bathroom/cloaks etc rather than full tiling.Not sure what to do about fitted wardrobes yet, but will need to compromise on these. Most other things are already bought and just need fitting. I really appreciate all of your comments, it is great to think that I am not the only one that has been through this. I am feeling a lot more positive and will hopefully have a useful discussion with our builder tomorrow.

I honestly think it was a typo, but just one that led me to spending more on the sanitary ware than I would have if I had known that it was £1700 in the budget.

At the beginning of the estimate it said that included in the estimate was £17,000 for sanitary ware, but in reality the figure included was £1,700. So I have paid about £5300 more than was in the estimate, but I didn't realise that, I thought I was actually £10,000 under budget.

I have to own up that we do not have a contract - I know big mistake. He provided this estimate and then we have been paying him monthly in arrears for the work that has been done. But it isn't a detailed invoice, very top line. When I did try to get to the bottom of what I had paid for and what was outstanding that is when he had to admit that the estimate was wrong for the sanitary ware and the additional cost for the garage. His only excuse for the garage was that it was bigger than they thought when they estimated. I suppose that if I didn't sign a contract then I can stop them at any point. A bit of a scary thought but perhaps just the mention of that may make them take me more seriously and be more open about the costings

Thanks Lizzie I know that husband will be okay with it but he has this hate of debt and so wants to keep the mortgage as low as possible. As well as the house we have had lots of other bills come in (son starting senior school so uniform shoes new glasses as his prescription had changed, car bill etc) so it is just a bit overwhelming

Thanks for the advice, I will take a look at the link Ferdinand. I think part of the problem is that I am not in control of everything and I am a control freak. I will discuss with hubby tonight and take a look at how we can compromise on some things. I think that some of the bamboo floor may be going back......

Our house is being built by a main contractor who provided one of those HBXL estimates at the beginning of the project. It was very clear what was included and excluded. However now that we are 3/4 of the way through and I asked him for an update on the situation on the build vs the estimates and we are way over. Firstly it said on the front sheet that in the estimate they had allowed approx £17,000 for sanitary ware. I had sourced these on the internet for about £7000 so I felt good that I had 'saved' £10,000 from the budget. Then they said the garage would cost about £10,000, now they are saying it will cost £18,000, of which we have already paid about half, so no turning back we are committed to having a big garage. We have also committed to all the bathroom and kitchen items (all bought and in case of the kitchen fitted). Because we are both absolutely useless at anything in the house we are reliant on trades to finish off, there is nothing that we would feel comfortable doing ourselves, not even the painting as we don't want to ruin it. I am trying to think of ways to reduce costs but really struggling. If we delay some stuff then we will be in our rental for longer (which is driving us mad) and we will still need to pay for stuff eventually. |I am kicking myself that I have not kept a closer eye on costs earlier on and asked how much everything was going to cost before I agreed to it. For example we chose lovely brushed chrome sockets, light switches etc but have no idea the cost. The electrician went ahead and ordered them and now they can't be returned (I did ask if we could change to cheaper plastic ones upstairs for instance). I feel so responsible for getting us in to this mess as it was me that wanted to self build, my husband would have been happier to buy something that would have been cheaper. He has left all of the planning etc to me as he is so busy and stressed at work. I don't feel I can talk to him about it and get him more stressed.

City plumbing are offering 25% off Multipanel shower panels. Ends 31 Aug.

Oh okay I will steer clear then unless they make me have one. Thanks for the advice

To be honest I hadn't really researched the smart meter, are they a bad idea then?

Shall I get a smart meter fitted as well? I already have the MPAN, just need the meter fitted.

Didn't know which section to add this to, hope its okay here. We need to get our electricity supply connected and are used to 'switching' to get the best deal. But just wondered if cashback sites etc offer deals for new supplies. We are looking for a supplier that will come and install an Economy 7 meter. Any advice on any new customer deals greatly appreciated.

I know that requirements for VAT reclaim for fitted wardrobes are very strict but can you claim for the VAT off sliding doors but not the rails/drawers etc or can you only claim if you actually fit the two hanging rails. We are running out of money and fitted wardrobes (even Ikea and the like) are expensive

Just resurrecting this old thread. Anybody got any reviews (good/bad)