Nick A Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Hi - our first post. We are self building a 115 sq m house in the Outer Hebrides this year, starting next month. Would therefore appreciate advice from those who’ve been there and done it! We have a trusted builder and electrician but because the location is 5 hours by ferry from the mainland, significant expenses for specialist skills are incurred before they’ve even started work. My initial question concerns progress inspections and their value. In addition to Building Controls, our Architect has suggested 6x inspections during the build to sign off the work so far, which they will carry out. We are not planning to sell the house for at least 20 years and I’m not sure if any inspections, other than BC are necessary, as long as we are happy with the work done. Any thoughts on the benefit of such inspections? Thanks, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Welcome The Architect inspection are of no value to you Especially if you have a trusted builder Spend the money saved on something else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redoctober Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 I have to agree with @nod. Accepting I don't not know the shape and design of the house, I would expect a 115sq m house to be "pretty" straightforward in it's design, therefore allowing you to rely on the good relationship you have with the trades and the safety net offered by BC. Again, having built a 165 sq m house without an architect whatsoever and no previous self build experience, I can't help but think that the scheduled visits are an expense too far and perhaps a justification on their part. to charge you whatever it is they are charging for their services. Take a look at my blog if it helps you remove some of the risk / mystery to self builders which others are all too keen to emphasis for their own purposes, sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedreamer Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Hi @Nick A We are building in Skye. Whereabouts's are you in the Western Isles? I'm using a surveyor who officially project manages the build which consists of the inspections to satisfy our lender. If I didn't need a mortgage I would go with trusting a good joiner/builder. The one area you definitely want to have inspected by a structural engineer is your ground conditions/foundation. I know that a lot of Western Isles tends to be peaty, bedrock or sandy soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick A Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 Thanks for your help. Crystallised my thinking - had the Structural Engineer lined up for a couple visits - yes, lots of peat, bog & rock! Will dispense with the Architect visits though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Hi and welcome @Nick A Are you on Barra? That's the only Western Isle I can think of with such a long ferry crossing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick A Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 Hi ProDave - indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 It must be 35 years since I visited Barra. When I was there, the Vatersay causeway had only just been completed, and I found I had missed out, two derelict houses on Vatersay had just been sold for £5K each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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