Jump to content

Detta Walker

Members
  • Posts

    6
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

Detta Walker's Achievements

New Member

New Member (2/5)

0

Reputation

  1. I have a few builders quoting already who have availability - some in the coming months, some in September. Maybe it is different in my area. I was surprised as well
  2. Hi again, could do with a little advice please. We're building a double storey extension to the back of our house. The plans are currently awaiting approval (things are looking good so far) (due July 13). I've started getting quotes from builders - these are very high level at the moment as I only have the architect drawings we used for planning (but look reasonable so far). The extension is not straight forward in so far as that it only needs slapping on as there is some reconfiguration of the existing house as well. To my questions: 1) I'd like to get to the next level of quotes with my builders, but in order to get them I need a detailed specification of materials, window sizes etc - my architect is happy to do this but suggested it would take about 6-8 weeks after planning approval, but some builders suggested they can do this, too. Would you trust a builder to do this (my gut says its their day job to build, so why would they not be able to do a detailed specification in collaboration with a structural engineer)? 2) In any case we will need a structural engineer so at what stage do I involve them? 3) Do I need to give LABC notice or do I need to go in with a full application? I read these take 6-8 weeks to be approved which would push us back quite a bit. I assume I need the detailed specification for the application? 4) Is there anything else I need to know about that I need to do before I can start construction? Thank you for your help!
  3. Hi George - thank you for your response. My answers: Q1 - not sure? What kind of maintenance is required? Cleaning it? We can do that from the window above I'd imagine but I guess you'd need to be able to stand next to it. Q2 - I was going to get double glazed ones so it doesn't leak much heat. My concern is that if it is too narrow, it will look flimsy. P3 - the light is on the north side of the house - so it wont heat up much during summer. P4 - what would you say is the minimum width required to lay the flat roof?
  4. Hi I'm planning a roof-light for my kitchen as part of the extension. The back extension is 2 storey on the right (with bedroom 4 above the dining room) and the kitchen extension is single storey with a roof lantern on the flat roof. The external dimensions of the kitchen single storey extension is 2.5mx5m, internal is 4.5m by 2.2m) (although bearing in mind that the room is connected to the kitchen itself as we'll have a steels over to break through that wall). I'm trying to select the roof light I want but it's difficult to find on the manufacturers website how much space needs to be next to the rooflight (so what's the minimum space between the existing wall and the end of the roof on either side for the roof light? The "parapet wall" is 400mm. So that means there is 2500mm-400mm=2100mm of roof space left to accommodate the width of the roof lantern. I would have thought I'd need somewhere around 300mm of space between the wall and the actual roof lantern and similar distance to the parapet wall, leaving me with a potential roof lantern width of up to 1500mm - is that assumption right? are there any minimum required distances? Hi,
  5. Thank you for all the advice - much appreciated! I think I'll have a look at the "for dummies" book... they tend to be really good in other areas. @Bitpipe reason we are looking to self manage is to reduce cost - and that's what's keeping me from a main contractor so far but will get quotes and see if there's a reasonable one for that route. I've seen some horrible quotes from friends where the builder was clearly having a laugh (quoted 12k GBP for a bifold kitchen door (found the door with the required specs online for 4500 GBP inclusive of VAT...) and 1500 + vat for a garage door. @nod I guess what I need is a list of materials needed, but I may get this from my architect. I'm very good at making sure things are in the right place at the right time - just need to know what those things are, skills required and tasks that need to be completed.
  6. Hi all, currently submitted plans to the council for planning application to extend our 1965 detached house. Big project and as we're trying to keep cost down, I'm considering to self manage. I've managed projects at work in IT, so whilst different, I know I am organized enough to do this well - I just need to acquire the relevant knowledge now ;-). I'm trying to read up on managing an extension - but if you've got any book or online guide recommendations, please let me know (I'm working through the home extension manual by Ian Rock). Also trying to make many decisions early on and stick to them - so the kitchen layout is already finished (and I've finalized my plan on diy kitchens with the individual units to know where what goes and what sockets I'll need). I'm still to hire a builder, but waiting for planning permission before I go to market. My hubby is fairly skilled in decorating, so he'll put down flooring & paint the walls. We will likely go with a good laminate for the dining room, sheet vinyl for the kitchen, and again laminate for upstairs (except the bathroom this will also be vinyl). Anyway - you'll see me posting every now and then as this project continues. I do want to say thank you for all those offering up their knowledge in this forum to help out newbies like us! Barbara & Thomas
×
×
  • Create New...