Hecateh

I'm happy to pay something on start and pay whatever is reasonable as we go along - It's just that 18k before anything is on site is, I think, too much. Anyway - I have spoken to him. He phoned me - to explain that these were his standard terms and usually applied to much lower cost. More than happy to negotiate so long as he has the money to pay for materials - which as a 'small independent' I am more than happy with. I also told him that no one believes he can finish it in 3 months and he said he'll take that challenge LOL.

This looks good and I don't have a problem with how quick the stages come round (the quicker the better so long as they are done right) just the thought of paying 15K plus up front, when he isn't going to get any cost until foundations seems like a recipe for disaster. I soooooo want to trust him BUT I've been burnt before. I need to sit down and work it out with him. And this is not a good week as I have a funeral going from my house tomorrow. Not a sad occasion as such as my aunt was 98 but still leaves me unable to concentrate on what I want to. It also sounds (forgive me if I'm wrong) as if you are dealing with a big company who offers a complete package. My guy is a builder with a staff of 2 who sub contracts some of the work.

You are so right - if I have to start again finding a builder I will. Feeling 'P^^^^^d' with him before I start does not a happy woman make.

This has been great. Thanks to everyone who has responded/ I knew I wasn't happy and to get confirmation makes it a lot easier to talk to him about it. I have got on with him so far and he has been as helpful as he can prior to building. Providing everything the council need for 'conditions' etc.

He is VAT registered, so at least that is one worry I don't have Thanks

Nope - it is standard brick and block

You have all said what I am thinking. I do trust him - as much as is possible before work has started, I've seen other work and spoken with customers BUT My view is goods are paid for as needed and labour is paid in arrears so 20% of the final cost (a small bungalow coming in at £90k to second fix seems ridiculous when the first few weeks will be ground clearance and foundation digging so little in the way of material costs. Now how to tell him whilst still keeping him on side

Not sure if this is the right area for this question but I can't find a better one My builder is asking for 20% upfront and then fortnightly invoices. This doesn't seem to fit with advice I've googled on paying. Advice anyone?

Another old post I've picked up on. Thoroughly (errr ... mostly) enjoyed the reading and, as expected, found myself very much in the minority (Can't quite believe I'm doing this myself). Stress - Well, I can struggle with stress at times but one stress I'm not going to have is 'another half' disagreeing with me - on the flip side that means I haven't anyone at home to bounce ideas off. @MikeSharp01 - You are doing so much right. The only other thing to do is to remind her - and I'm sure you do - that you love her and that won't change no matter what else happens. I know there are aspects (lots of) that will stress me out. I think I am lucky in the builder I have chosen (fingers crossed as the build hasn't started yet) I got a few quotes and, price notwithstanding, they divided into 3 areas. The first was where the person that quoted was unlikely to be seen once the job started ... NO ... NO ... NO ... The second were those that were already 'mansplaining' (sorry to use that phrase but it is definitely what some were doing, although I suspect at least one would have done it even if I was male) and telling me what I 'needed'. The guy I have chosen is young. Accepts me as equal but different and is happy to come up with ideas about how what I want can be achieved or go away and do some research before he comes back to me with opinions. He has texted if he is going to be later than arranged when calling. AND lots of other little things that suggests he knows there are 2 important aspects to his work - The first being quality and the equally important second being communication. As far as decision making is concerned. I know some of it will stress me out but this is definitely an area where life experience can be utilised. I am not going to make the 'right' decision every time. I'm old enough to really know that nothing is ever perfect. There are lots of things in the house I am living in now that I have lived with for years and am now putting right because I want to get the best price when I sell. Ok some of them are biggish things but others I could have sorted but became unimportant until I was selling. Whatever mistakes I maked things will still be much better than in every house I have lived in until now. Perfect isn't necessary

But...

I know this is an old thread but I am financing mine slightly differently. Pension drawdown has given me the upfront costs I need - which are relatively low for various reasons. (Already own land; building small and fairly basic and located in a Yorkshire ex pit village) I own my house outright; The new build is going to be in my garden so no need to buy land; I live in Yorkshire so prices are still relatively cheap. My mortgage will be a 'bridging loan' for the total cost of the build; on a draw down basis and with costs and interest rolled up. The new property is small (split level, with a about 64sqm footprint and about 90sqm floor. Builder expects to be able to complete build in about 3 months which then gives me 9 months to sell my original property - obviously the quicker I can sell it and pay off the bridging loan the better. It could be an option for others that have lots of equity and the new build, although being fit for purpose is also about downsizing and future proofing

bonded - the resin is spread on a solid base and the stones are scattered on. Resin bound are mixed, with all stones coated prior to laying - much stronger result

Used to have to have tarmac or concrete base but the company I linked to gives an 18 year guarantee using the cellular grid - obviously this is only if you have their contractors to install it so they have control but it shows it can last. I'm retired and live alone so it won't get a great deal of wear. That's why I need to have it done on the hardcore - in addition to cost They say minimal weeds and should be pressure washed annually - also no fade I would guess so too - or just a thicker layer of hardcore

Trouble with that is ... I am windward of it

This says it has to go onto a concrete or asphalt substrate. The one I linked to used a plastic grid on compacted hardcore to enable drainage. You can still buy it iin kit form

@JSHarris Now you're scaring me

I couldn't do it myself but my builder will rather than paying for official installers

Before my plans went in to planning I spoke with all but one of the neighbours and told them of my plans and that I would keep them informed. They were all fine. The one I didn't speak to I never see him and when I say hello to her she puts her head down and hurries past. He really objected when he got the planning notice - got all the others riles up and they attended the planning meeting to object. None of their objections were anything that could be taken into account as all planning criteria are met. Planning was granted with no problems but I can see this guy, regardless of me letting him know about deliveries is going to want to move hi car whenever I have a delivery that temporarily blocks the road. The house I currently live in was built for my grandparents and was the only one down here for years the others not being built until 20 or 30 years later. I know my aunt objected to them being built but couldn't do anything about it for the same reason they can't do anything about my new one.

I am so looking forward to fun and games with deliveries - not. The site is at the end of a cul de sac with a dr's surgery at the top and no parking restrictions. Sometimes it's a challenge to get a car down. Yellow lines are on the cards but not sure they will be in place when I start building.

The neighbour with the close tree usually tops the tree every couple of years. He was going to do it this year BUT when he got notice of my planning decided to leave it as he is scared m my new bungalow with overlook him more - it won't. Hopefully once my new place is built he will bring it down to a better height. The bigger problem is off to the other side where there is an enormous ash with a TPO on it. Apart from those 2 trees though I have a near 180 degree countryside view so I'm not too worried. Further in the distance though. When I moved here I could see the reservoir in the bottom of the valley. I can now only see it in winter because of the trees.

I have had the same condition added - in reality it would be hard pushed to drain onto the road as the drive will be on a slope away from the road to my house. I am going to need a drain to prevent all the road water running onto my property - not the other way round I'll get my builder to look at them and compare price. I really like the look of the resin BUT slope of cost may make it impractical I'm hoping mine is more permeable than that sounds but not got to bore holes yet - I think that will be early next month

Yes - PeterW it is. I agree it is pretty distinctive but to recognise it you must have seen it from somewhere near where I live. The tree in the foreground is in the garden just beyond mine

No problem ... Only joined this forum a couple of hours ago and got a bit confused LOL

Ahh! So that is what he meant ... Was wondering what I had done

How steep was our slope as mine will have a slope? I will research into permeable pavers as haven't heard of them.