CalvinHobbes

Twice, what would you recommend for a self builder?

Had a chat with the planner at the power company today we have a 3 phase pole smack in the middle of our intended driveway. He explained if it was on our property they would move it for free if it washindering development but since I don't think it is on our land, we would have to pay. Then I pointed out there was a stay for it on our property (which we don't receive payment for)and he said I could do an application because of the stay. He has heard of it being successful before though he didn't sound uber hopeful. He said it would be up to an engineer (higher level). Anyone else have experience of similar? I also pointed out the pole has been there a long time and probably needs replaced. 😬

So was I. He said he knew of people who had dry rot 20 years after building and so regretted it. He specifically said it could be in the block.

He said to get clean coarse stone that comes out of a quarry to stop transferring the dry rot in the old cottage into the new build, he said it comes up over the side. He also said I could use the cottage rubble for the driveway. Thinking now - the new house won't have a wooden frame, it is block so surprised.

The architect has put in a zinc roof and cladding around the 1st floor. A builder who hasn't given me a quote yet did a lot of huffing and puffing, shaking his head and fixing me with a somber look....it's gonna be very expensive, you will need specialised contractors to put it on too. Sheesh, another builder who I know spent years doing roofing (and has a great reputation) is also preparing a quote. I hope he isn't as dramatic. As a fallback, any other options than zinc?

Brilliant, a plan most cunning!

Wow, that would be brill, it's on the same planning grant. Still might do the foundations anyway to stop needing a digger again. Thankyou Temp again!

That is brilliant , cheers.

Hello, so we have to get electric wires from front of old house down and @Conorwisely suggested to save expense we get in a consumer unit at the same time. NIE networks asked me where to site it, I asked the architect who said at the rear of the property on the corner. Thing is there is no wall there (it's currently a dropped kerb), but there is a newly erected fence. Can you put one on a fence? Is that mad? We haven't appointed a builder yet since waiting on quotes so can't ask them. Also it can take 12 weeks from the date of the order till it's done so want to push on. Sorry for all the questions.

Hi, we have pp for a separate garage but with increased costs may cut our cloth and drop it to a later date. I presume pp is only for 3 years. How much would we need to erect to keep the pp indefinitely? I suppose while the digger is in it make sense to start it.

Oh thanks, may I also ask, we are building next to a 70 year old hedge which at times in it's history reached 18ft approx (it's not now, it's 8ft maxx and well cut back)I think the closest we come to the boundary is 1.4m, was just wondering - there must be quite a few roots underneath. Presumably the digger will just pull them out, will that damage the hedge?

So removed a tin shed and the wall has fallen forward slightly enough to get a few pics. It's on a hill. I know the rest of the ground is grand (test holes down 16 feet) but obviously there is some fill here. Also there are a few stumps of trees and the roots are where the founds need to be. Presumably you can't put dead root's in fill?

I was told cement is going up 10% on the 1st October.

Hello, architect has given us the construction drawings. I was looking at getting waterproof ones printed. Was thinking of using this lot https://click-post.co.uk/plan-printing/waterproof-plans/ Any suggestions?

Temp, son lives over the border and you should hear him about people from Belgium. Especially their roads and their drivers. Anyway he showed me this and said nothing would surprise him about the place.

Hi, so we sent construction drawings to a few of the well known companies around here. Still waiting for most to get back. Meeting one of them tomorrow at the site, he seems keen. Any key questions you would ask?

Curious, how did the nuaire perform?

Cheers the architect has down aluclad but deffo open to getting the price down, have now contacted Turkingtons and see how they compare too.

Hello, am in N. Ireland and I need prices for our newbuild windows . Got one of Rationel, who else would you use? Who would you not use again? Craigs post was really useful too. Kinda terrified, architect asked who was project managing. I am by default. mea culpa I am so green.

Aldi compacter Scheppach 6.5HP Petrol Compactor £199.99 available again

Good point, yes thanks will do.

Yikes, thanks Conor.

Crikey! Thanks. Is there anyone else that offers the service? Have they competition?

Shocked, to take the cables down going into the house they want as a Disconnection Charge A charge of £1,195.53 plus £239.11 VAT . Services Disconnect Services £688.38 Services Temporary Traffic Management (Highway Barrier Solutions) £338.58 Other Connection Administration e.g. Planning, Survey & Land Rights £168.56 I wonder if I got myself and my sister to stand out with stop and go signs could we manage the traffic (and hired a few traffic things). I wonder if other companies do this in NI?

Hello, so we finally have our planning passed, construction drawings and are ready to go. We have some tenders out. Yes at the worst time possible which makes me feel rather sick but hey ho, it is what it is. You all are an inspiration. Anyway, we have an overhead cable that goes quite low over our sloping site which obviously needs to go. Plus we need the cable that is running into the house that will be demolished taken down too. So I know to ask for both of these. Thing is, should I ask at the same time for an electric supply to go to the edge of the property?