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Getting trades on site responsibly


Nick1c

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With impeccable timing last week was going to be the start of a real push to finish the house as it is finally weathertight! I have looked at the government guidelines and AFAIKS they are encouraging trades to keep working, providing they can observe the social distancing guidance. As a single plot with off road parking this should be possible for most, if not all of the work that needs doing. I did what I could to get materials on site, but for a number of jobs this will be the limiting factor. The planned jobs were:

1st fix MVHR - done by me, materials here. 
1st fix plumbing - plumber local (2 miles), materials here. 
1st fix electrics - electrician local (6 miles), wholesaler open. 
Finish slating the roof & install roof lights - roofers local-ish (10 miles), materials here. 
Install Pv panels (frames already up) - installers 1-1 1/2 hours away, panels in their warehouse. 
Fit rainwater goods - can be done by me, but no materials. 
Batten out frame for cladding - I have loads of 25mm batten & fixings, but will need some 50 & 100mm for some areas (for insulation & hiding down pipes)

Fix cladding - carpenter local & I have nails, but obviously need the battens in place!

Blow warmcell into the roof - installer not local & would need accommodation, but could potentially drive down with their own supplies & stay in a flat or caravan which could be left unoccupied for a period for the virus to ‘die’. The materials are here. 

 

Which of these jobs do people think it would be sensible to try & progress?
 

Is anyone still delivering materials (I am in W Cornwall)?


 

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We are still working on site each day 

Deliveries seem to be back on with many We had insulation delivered Monday With more MF booked for Wednesday 

Sheffield insulation and TP are delivering While the branches are closed though 

 

Trades just need to be sensible 

Four of us are first fixing nine properties and working in one each and a tea break separately 

Its just a case of being sensible 

ie Book your roofers and maybe a plumber and wait till they are out of the way before bringing in another trade 

 

we normally have an electrician in with us while we are framing 

But they are working differently 

image.jpg

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Oooopp North, well, West Lancs, some trades seem to be staying home (roofers), others not. So, you can plan for them to come, but even more than usual, plans need to be flexible.

No materials are being delivered here. Mind you, I have a 5 tonner (digger) delivered today.

Digga porn - proportional controls, auto-hitch, auto-throttle, heater, cup holder, vibro-massage seat: unbelievable amount of material shifted per bucket, smoooove as a baby's Botticelli.

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Materials are a fundamental problem here. Only essential deliveries from merchants, unsurprisingly (& quite rightly) my build isn’t considered essential. I can’t help feeling that enabling work to continue where social distancing can reasonably be observed will reduce in some small way the economic ramifications of this. I have no intention or ability to make people work against their will or work in an unsafe environment, but neither do do I think it is reasonable to effectively force people who have the desire & ability to work safely to stay at home. 

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Don’t overlook the online builders merchants.

 

I needed a load of Marley ridge tiles this week. Jewsons had them in the yard and wouldn’t deliver. Others had no stock. 
roofingsuperstore.com confirmed stock levels direct with Marley and they’re on a 3 day delivery.

They also supplied all Klober dry ridge stuff I needed and that was next day. Again the normal merchants couldn’t help.

 

No connection but a happy customer! 

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1 hour ago, ProDave said:

My problem is while some online suppliers are staying open, not all manufacturers are. My particular problem is everyone says they can't get multipanel as they re shut.

 

Waiting on a multipanel as well via William Wilsons.

 

I put this in a few days before the lockdown, who knows when I will get it.

 

 

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8 minutes ago, Thedreamer said:

 

Waiting on a multipanel as well via William Wilsons.

 

I put this in a few days before the lockdown, who knows when I will get it.

 

 

Never thought to try them. But not answering their phone just now so they might not be open.  I will try later un case they are just at lunch.

 

What was their price per sheet?

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