CalvinHobbes

Back to the architect tomorrow, hopefully he can assist about the metal roof. Preparing some questions. So how does this sound? Could we get it done in these stages and if necessary price them separately Stages: 1 demolishing (if there is any asbestos removal work it would be done prior) 2 substructure 3 blockwork, floors and trusses 4 roof metal or tiles 5 windows 6 first fix 7 second fix Was kinda hoping the first few stages could be done cdm wise without our necks on the line with the people all doing it cover their own health and safety. Unsure of the terminology for this. I am currently chasing up the structural engineer to get the foundation layout (it's not on the plans) and following advice by the QS we should get him onsite when the digger is there to ensure all is well (nasty surprises can be minimised) and of course to mark it out. I also need to get an engineer to tell us about the ventilation as in where to put the holes/pipes as the blockwork goes up. Sorry, just thinking out loud. I know all this is obvious to all of you but it's a steep learning curve for a pleb like me. Anyway, anything springs to mind - please say.

The brief to the architect was to keep everything standard and nothing expensive. Somehow a great big zinc roof that extends over the sides was put in, I had no idea it was so specialist and eye wateringly expensive (double price of tiled). We are through planning and QS and a contractor both suggested we get it changed to a tiled roof. *Bangs head Presumably that means going back to planning and the structural engineer, architect etc etc? Gone someone say something good.

We changed our plans re the stripping. Didn't take the tiles off etc but did get them to board it up to keep it safe ( a few stones lobbed through windows). Focusing on safety and planning it right. Cheers, looking at the contracts.

Dear God.

Better half has talked me out of it. Get it tested, if it's the awful stuff - pay a professional to deal with it. Have rejigged budget and it's totally doable. Problem solved. I bought some ppe but I will use it for painting, when we get that far.

We are through planning but the zinc roof is giving us a serious headache due to cost. The builder suggested we change it for an ordinary tiled roof. QS agreed and said it should only cost a small planning fee. However what about all the other fees like structural engineer, saps etc? At this stage just trying to reduce costs so if it saves 30k we are interested.

What happened? Did you start?

Thank you, just got the reolink. Waiting for a sim.

I strongly suspect we have some so getting a company out next week to give me a quote. Terrified of the size of hole it will blow in our budget. Was also thinking of dressing like a nuclear scientist, been looking at this https://www.protectivemasksdirect.co.uk/jet-stream-switch-go-unit-8hour-en12941-1999-th2psl-dust .

Right, I will. A massive cheers.

Really good points, thank you - very appreciated. I will indeed be careful about straying from being a client into being a contractor.*Note to self So Conor were you officially a project manager for your site?I think I have to do it. I think the qs has a local h& s consultant lined up for me, I will find out tonight. Thank you for the recommendation though, if he hasn't I will call her. I think I have all the signs too but the offer was very decent of you.

I dont think will we have 20 workers there at the same time at any stage. At least now we have self build insurance on and heras fencing with signage.

I have adhd so sometimes things can read a bit strangely to me. So we haven't done any contract for the actual build yet. Meeting qs and architect to get it and other paperwork done including notification for it to properly start in Jan. Asked the builder we think we will use to come in, secure site (a few windows have had stones thrown at them) help me get a security camera up and dig a trench so we can get temporary consumer unit in and also plan for welfare unit etc. I had already myself removed fruit trees,sheds, brambles, hedges, doors, kitchen, skirting etc in frustration at the delays. So asked him to tidy some left over debris from that too. He suggested he could get the roof tiles down. I know the big digger will tumble cottage in Jan and do foundations etc but would taking the tiles now off be counted as demo? Quite a few are loose or fallen already. Thinking if there was a high wind it might be safer to have had them off. (He was a roofer for 20+ years). Also if its just him and 2 others for a few days or a week in this standalone basis is it notifiable now? I want to keep things right. Tbh my main worry was I don't want children in when no one is around over Christmas holidays. I needed it secure. I just don't know if the wording refers to a stage or the whole thing.

Thanks visited another site today and the foreman said he detested portaloos and suggested we get a garden shed and stick a loo and a sink in it. So yep - deffo preferable. Our water supply is handy enough as is the sewer. I think together with a caravan as somewhere for them to have a break/site office, that would do it. Will get on to it. Thanks all for the advice.

Are you allowed to send workers to nearby petrol station (2 doors away) I asked the guy in charge of it he said it was fine.....or is that silly?

The builder has a portaloo in his van and says it can be the site office. Can it? I was thinking of using a caravan. Is that acceptable?

Thanks twice, I shall heed your advice. At the moment just stripping the old cottages and removing roof tiles. Presently doing day rate but after demo will get a set price agreed for stage 1 and 2 as you described. A relative who is a qs is sitting us down for a talk on Thurs. I don't know if you can call a day rate builder a principal contractor?

Thank you, this really is a self build for our family. A relative is building for herself next door at the same time so we will be sharing the builder so to speak. Hoping to get economies of scale especially for plant hire etc.

Sorry I wasn't clear. It was the builders merchants who said it was normal practice for self builders to lodge 10k with them then give the builder permission to get things using this money. A deposit account I think he said? A bit concerned our money would be protected if they went bust. I guess maybe I will keep it to 5k with regular top ups.

Thanks, getting it in plain english is brilliant.

Thanks ProDave, I would like to give it a go. Maybe if I worked out a list in advance of bigger items and phoned round and got his favourite merchants to at least price match my price? TBH I suspect the biggest items is the zinc for the roof but that won't be needed just yet. Is there anything else in particular that tends to be costly/big variations?

Thanks. The builders merchants he told me he wants to use said I could pay in money and he can get what he needs and they will send me invoices each time. Does that sound fair?

Thank you. So if the builder buys things like for example a lintel from the builders merchants out of his own account, will they charge him VAT? If so he will pass the cost to me and how can I claim it?

Sorry for the dumb questions, I am reading this https://www.gov.uk/guidance/buildings-and-construction-vat-notice-708#section17 too so do I have to issue a certificate to my builder to get it zero vat rated?

Hello I was just trying to set up an account with the builders merchants but was asked which address? Should I use the build address with my name or do I use the rented correspondance address while we tumble and rebuild? Also the builder asked could he use a particular supplier because he gets a lot of discount with them. Is that ok? He said he would get more discount.