Redoctober

@Nick Laslett just in support of what @PeterW has suggested - a photo of our set up -

Exactly as @markc has said - we just put them down and allowed them to settle. I rake them now and again but the generally sort themselves out.

@Vijay I'm not sure of the measurements etc - From the outset of the build, the "driveway" was used as main entrance so over the months the build progressed, we may have topped up with MOT 1 - Somehow the figure of 20 Tonnes comes to mind. The same quantity of chippings too I believe. Sorry, that the best I can offer. For completeness, the landscaper allowed me to order materials using his account so I benefitted from his discounts.

Exactly that - we have used 20mm granite chippings on compacted type 1 and haven't had a problem since it went down some 4 years ago. A couple photos to help.

Just caught up with the Canterbury episode. I think it can be a thin line between appearing as a perfectionist and someone who is arrogant in my view. He said the build had made him a better person. Perhaps it has? Or perhaps it just re-enforced his belief that only he is capable of achieving great things. I wonder if he regrets failing to have the confidence to actually trust someone who is skilled and trained in a particular trade to do some work for him. They said they had the funds to pay for "help" but decided no one could do as well as them !! Quite an insult to local trades I would suggest? Oh well, each to their own. Lets hope they can now enjoy the house after such a long time building it.

Thanks @George Most useful. 👍

Hello - I'm looking to undertake some "patching" up of our lime mortar but I'm confused as to which product is best. I don't need vast quantities, so I'm looking for an "all in one" if possible. I have the gear ready to go, just no idea!!! 😁 Suggestions welcome.

@Mike_scotland we have our set at 55oc and is plenty hot enough. Probably too hot at times as the nearest tap to the cylinder, produces very hot water immediately and has to be mixed with some cold to be comfortable.

@Mike_scotland yes, we use Finish power ball tablets. 👍 https://www.expresswastewater.com.au/septic-systems/information/is-finish-dishwasher-detergent-safe-for-septic-tanks

We only use dishwasher tablets that the packaging clearly states "septic tank safe" - it's in the small print and if it isn't there, we avoid them because there are others which do mention it.

I can't sadly but from our experience of buying land in Scotland, the legal side of it was dealt with by the "in-house" Solicitor at the Estate Agents.

Never considered "tipping" a delivery driver and not come across one who "appeared" to expect such a gesture. That said, the majority of delivery drivers I dealt with, seemed keen to stop, chat and look / enquire, as to how the build was going. Never dawned on me that they may have been lingering for a tip! As a complete aside, things do seem to be getting out of hand though - we leave our bin men, postie and local courier a tub of sweets at Christmas, as a gesture of our appreciation but our son, who lives in a major residential estate in an urban environment, told me that on his "community FB page" someone had organised a "whip round" for the local postie for Christmas. He was shocked to discover that the organiser of said "collection," presented the postie with a cheque for £1000 - yes £1k!!! Crazy times!!!

Hi @MortarThePoint -" , so quite envious of @Redoctober's connection all for £900." Yes it did wok out well for us as I too thought we would have to go into the "expensive area" due to the distances involved. I hope all works out for you and the increased costs are not too crippling.

We used this on ours and works perfectly - has withstood jet washing twice now - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jointing-Compound-Stone-Joint-Mortar/dp/B010V0U5MG

@Rishard Here is a fairly up to date photo of it upon completion - you should see the shed and also down the side of the car, we use that space for log storage.

Hi @Rishard- sorry for the tardy response but yes the uprights are 8" - the actual footprint of the structure is 7m x 6m - It is 7 m across the front and then 6 m deep - the shed within, is set back a metre allowing for weather protection and is 5 m deep. I hope all this helps.

Hi - yes you seem to hit the spot with regards to your breakdowns - We built in 2018 so I am happy to share some figures with you as to how we "established" a £ per square metre figure. Remember though, these figures are no longer accurate and the £ per square metre figure can not really be measured £ for £ due to the many variables. We never worried about the £ per square metre figure, our financial guidance was simply controlled by how much money I had left in my account !! Therefore the £ per square metre figure is irrelevant to us. Each to their own. Heating and plumbing included our WBS and installation. For the finer details of our build have a look at my blog. Land & fees etc £120,465.00 Utility connections £1,817.00 Construction Costs £154,910.00 Roof coverings £20,131.00 Car port & porch £31,955.00 Heating & Plumbing £21,371.00 Joinery etc £25,806.00 Electrics £5,070.00 Windows and doors £22,214.00 Kitchen etc £17,148.00 sanitaryware £4,653.00 Fitted wardrobes 9,007.00 Curtains £4,080.00 Landscaping £13,092.00 £305,075.00 £305,075 £1848 p.s.m £305,075.00 £120,465.00 £425,540 £2579 p.s.m £305,075.00 £120,465.00 £13,087 £438,627 £2658 p.s.m £305,075.00 £240,930.00 £13,087 £13,092.00 £572,184 £3467 p.s.m

My thoughts exactly - Went with Flemmings back in 2018 so any costings etc would be irrelevant to the OP - That said, no complaints with Flemmings. The Joiner we used said he would have been more than happy to undertake the "stick build" etc. As much as I would explore that route if we were going again, I would have to balance that out against erection time and associated costs of going independently so to speak.

@Adsibob as an alternative you may try taping down a decent sized sit of plastic - leave it for 24hrs and then lift it up to see what if any moisture is underneath.

Yes, just to underline what has been mentioned already as I have picked up on this thread somewhat late in the day - we too have an ASHP and a stand alone Log burner. Our water is set at 55 degrees and trust me, that is more than hot enough for baths etc. We also suffered a loss of total power for 6 days recently and it was the log burner that kept us cosy and warm. The other thing worth mentioning as part of any forward planning - we have now invested - cheap as chips really - in a camping stove and kettle. Our neighbours lent us theirs and it was a real morale booster and well worth its weight in gold.

What is the sequence of work to be carried out? It appears two builders are happy to continue without, so presumably whatever work they are going to undertake can be managed alongside the weather. Why is the favoured builder requiring a roof covering? Is it simply to ensure he can get your project done in a suitable time that suits his agenda? Is the roof structure the first thing to be tackled? If so, will that allow you to shorten the amount of time the"roof covering" is required?

Hi @Dan1983 have a look at the attached photo. Picked out from our build archive - shows what is being said above. I too thought it strange at the time but had noticed other windows sitting on stone sills to have have had similar "gaps" which gave me confidence to accept them so to speak.

I can understand and relate to this comment. In a way, it also helps one come to terms with the fact that perhaps your end "costs" are or will not be leading you into a "massive" negative equity situation. But even my own comment has to be considered on an individual basis. Are you building a house which will be up for sale, within a short term period, or is it a much longer term / forever home? In which case any "precieved" overspend will hopefully be addressed by market forces over the coming years. Just for completeness, we approached our plot purchase and subsequent build, with a "pot of available money" and tried to keep within that, regardless of what we were achieving per square metre. Thankfully, I was able to come out the other side with enough loose change to buy a bottle of bubbly at the end of it all ? Our £ per Sm figure documented in my blog was for others to get a "feeling" of what could be achieved etc. It mattered very little to us as the main focus was on the "remaining" cash available!!

Loving the oak frame garage ?

I do - and it's not just because it reduces the amount of space, in which Mrs W can fill with toot!?