Building timings during Covid19

[puntloos]

Quick(?) topic this time ?

 

In short: when will the build start, and when will it be ready, given current covid situation? Longer? Same? Shorter?

 

In detail:

 

Let's assume we file for planning permission 'today'.. 

Is PP faster/slower during covid? (typically 2-3 months here.. but now?)

Then, no need to wait for approval, we can start planning stuff.

How long does it take an architect to work up designs to full detail?

Presumably the same time as before?

Tendering.. We have a builder shortlist, but no tendering etc done yet. We could perhaps go for our #1 choice.. 

Is covid-style tendering complicated somehow? Do builders still respond in the same turn-around? More interest? Less?

Timber Frame Co. - the two I've spoken to say they are in business fairly normally - so they can have everything done by Sep 1st

Structural engineers, govt clerks helping out, checking things, mortgages

Any other roles that are meaningfully slowed or sped up because of covid?

And finally: 'internal design' - paints, doorknobs, hobs, etc

Has anyone done this recently, and is the process slower than normal (many things harder to find, sold out?) or as normal?

 

[dnb]

In the middle of a build now. It's been pretty horrible really, but not all of it is covid 19 related. You might have a bit more luck than me.

 

PP - no idea since mine was all done beforehand, however building control are snowed under looking at photographs and currently won't attend site in enclosed spaces unless it's a final inspection. This will depend largely on your local authority.

 

No idea on mortgages since C19 either.

 

Some materials are nearly impossible to get. This is regional as far as I can tell, but could well be coloured by being on an island. Other things are easy. Trades do seem to be working fairly normally where materials are available for them. For instance, plaster is impossible here unless you're willing to pay 5x over the odds. Kitchen worktops are in short supply too, so I'm told. I was fairly fortunate here in that I had bought most of the materials I needed to get to sole plate level a couple of days before lockdown.

 

The worst one for me is that my SIPS panel  contractors can't be accomodated locally, can't easily subsist and can't commute. So the house can't meaningfully progress upwards until the B&B world opens up a bit more.

[nod]

Thankfully the raw materials seem to be back to normal 

Gypsum have been working at 50% capacity But with many sites closed deliveries haven’t been a problem 

I think the problem has been the diy stores running out As with loo rolls prices have gone to silly amounts on FB and eBay 

We use around three pallets a week so could t afford to pay thirty quid a bag Thankfully builders merchants have kept us going throughout 

I know of at least two sites that stocked up to the rafters with materials then closed for a month 

The sane sort of knock on as Loo rolls 

 

Good news is Gypsum is back upto 80% June 1st 

The sheds will get restocked and fools will buy more than they need

[Conor]

9 hours ago, puntloos said:

Quick(?) topic this time ?

 

In short: when will the build start, and when will it be ready, given current covid situation? Longer? Same? Shorter?

 

In detail:

 

Let's assume we file for planning permission 'today'.. 

Is PP faster/slower during covid? (typically 2-3 months here.. but now?)

Then, no need to wait for approval, we can start planning stuff.

How long does it take an architect to work up designs to full detail?

Presumably the same time as before?

Tendering.. We have a builder shortlist, but no tendering etc done yet. We could perhaps go for our #1 choice.. 

Is covid-style tendering complicated somehow? Do builders still respond in the same turn-around? More interest? Less?

Timber Frame Co. - the two I've spoken to say they are in business fairly normally - so they can have everything done by Sep 1st

Structural engineers, govt clerks helping out, checking things, mortgages

Any other roles that are meaningfully slowed or sped up because of covid?

And finally: 'internal design' - paints, doorknobs, hobs, etc

Has anyone done this recently, and is the process slower than normal (many things harder to find, sold out?) or as normal?

 

 

Re tendering. Put simply, it's been a nightmare. We had tenders issued late Feb. We basically got nothing back from any of the contactors at tender close at end of march.

 

We have them a couple more weeks, just beyond Easter.

 

Got one partial response, and one 90% completed. Main issues are a lot of suppliers are closed and the lads can't get prices for steel, slabs, rebar etc.

 

They also mention they are worried about the volatility of supplies... I.e. being able to get stuff is a struggle and prices are all over the place. So they aren't happy putting a number down on paper if there's a risk the cost of something will jump 50% in three months time.

 

So I've just spent the morning reworking the tender cost sheet to go back out today with a close date of next Friday. I've had to strip most stuff out - rendering, floor screed, rainware, roof lights etc. I'll just have to sort those myself.

 

One builder also told me he's had to furlough his three crews... Not because they can't work because of Covid, but because people aren't paying him. He said he's not going to take on our job unless I can prove to his solicitor we have the funds to pay him in full. People can't get mortgage drawdowns- not sure why but I'm guessing they're short staffed, valuer's aren't working etc....

 

Our local planning seems to be working fine as the development across the road got permission very quickly to move a couple of their houses.

 

Building control (local authority) have basically stopped and aren't doing inspections. We've not got approval to start but it seems the guidance is to plough on and take loads of photos!!

 

 

[Ralph]

Our building control had stopped doing site inspections before COVID so who knows where they are at now.

 

Our biggest problem is that the kit supplier, Scotframe is still shut and you get no communication other than a standard "We are at present making preparations in our factories to allow our colleagues to return to work safely".  We should have had the kit delivered a week ago but I don't know if it's even gone through the CAD stage.

 

Sites here in Scotland are hopefully opening on Friday and my builder reckons that supplies of materials are no problem.

[Ferdinand]

Planning depends on where you are.

 

Councils are doing different things eg whether Planning Committee is meeting virtually.

 

F

[Dreadnaught]

I am at the stage of discharging planning conditions so I can start. It has taken almost 12-weeks and I have only just had the first one discharged (of nine). I have just sent them a two-week "deemed discharge" notice for the rest, which might focus their minds (… or might not).

 

That's an indicator of how slow things are in my neck-of-the-woods (Cambridgeshire).

[Temp]

Even before Covid our council planning department was a problem.  People shared with other councils and some only part time. Some roles only one part time person so if they are off sick nothing gets done. We lost perhaps 8 weeks when the conservation officer quit at short notice. They had to poach someone from another council where they had to work out their notice.  I can't imagine how to predict it at the moment.

 

 

[vfrdave]

On 27/05/2020 at 08:10, Conor said:

People can't get mortgage drawdowns- not sure why but I'm guessing they're short staffed, valuer's aren't working etc....

I am in the process of getting final draw down. Valuers are working again apparently with a bit of a backlog.

On 27/05/2020 at 08:10, Conor said:

 

Building control (local authority) have basically stopped and aren't doing inspections.

Lisburn & Castlereagh are working and doing video call inspections and/or photos. It may depend what stage of the build though. I would be surprised if they would block you from starting though if you can get approved plans.

[Andrew]

On 27/05/2020 at 06:22, nod said:

Thankfully the raw materials seem to be back to normal 

Gypsum have been working at 50% capacity But with many sites closed deliveries haven’t been a problem 

I think the problem has been the diy stores running out As with loo rolls prices have gone to silly amounts on FB and eBay 

We use around three pallets a week so could t afford to pay thirty quid a bag Thankfully builders merchants have kept us going throughout 

I know of at least two sites that stocked up to the rafters with materials then closed for a month 

The sane sort of knock on as Loo rolls 

 

Good news is Gypsum is back upto 80% June 1st 

The sheds will get restocked and fools will buy more than they need

 

Really useful information thanks @nod. We're not going to be ready for plaster until August but everyone (builder, timber frame company, roofers!) is telling me to buy plaster and boards now. The merchants I've used for other stuff is offering multi for £7.25 a bag (ex vat) which seems a little more than it should be. 

[PeterW]

9 minutes ago, Andrew said:

The merchants I've used for other stuff is offering multi for £7.25 a bag (ex vat) which seems a little more than it should be. 

It is £7.20 inc in the sheds, and they have it by the pallet. Makes it £6.48 inc or £5.40 exc which is about right when you take off 10% trade card in Wickes. I would shop around ..! 
 

As @nod says though, they are back to near full

capacity in production as they have had nowhere to put the stock - Barrow is back over 80% now and they are shipping a lot more stock out than normal to catch up. 

[Conor]

1 hour ago, vfrdave said:

I am in the process of getting final draw down. Valuers are working again apparently with a bit of a backlog.

Lisburn & Castlereagh are working and doing video call inspections and/or photos. It may depend what stage of the build though. I would be surprised if they would block you from starting though if you can get approved plans.

 

That's the thing, they've not signed off our drawings even though they had them since December, with queried resolved in January. Our assigned BCO is furloughed.... So have to phone them (North down and ards) again and see what the story is. One way or the other, foundations are going ahead next week!

[Andrew]

2 hours ago, PeterW said:

It is £7.20 inc in the sheds, and they have it by the pallet. Makes it £6.48 inc or £5.40 exc which is about right when you take off 10% trade card in Wickes. I would shop around ..! 
 

As @nod says though, they are back to near full

capacity in production as they have had nowhere to put the stock - Barrow is back over 80% now and they are shipping a lot more stock out than normal to catch up. 

 

Yes, thought as much, thanks. I think I'll wait and order it when we need it. 

[vfrdave]

2 hours ago, Conor said:

 

That's the thing, they've not signed off our drawings even though they had them since December, with queried resolved in January. Our assigned BCO is furloughed.... So have to phone them (North down and ards) again and see what the story is. One way or the other, foundations are going ahead next week!

So what I told you isn't exactly true it seems. Ulster Bank just off the phone. No surveys in Northern Ireland yet as Stormont rules are different. They asked me 4 questions about employment, income and finances since initial application, as well as has the property been built as per initial application. Underwriter will now make a decision as to whether I get my final draw.

How this would work for a new application I don't know.

[Jac]

On 27/05/2020 at 09:40, Ralph said:

Our building control had stopped doing site inspections before COVID so who knows where they are at now.

 

Our biggest problem is that the kit supplier, Scotframe is still shut and you get no communication other than a standard "We are at present making preparations in our factories to allow our colleagues to return to work safely".  We should have had the kit delivered a week ago but I don't know if it's even gone through the CAD stage.

 

Sites here in Scotland are hopefully opening on Friday and my builder reckons that supplies of materials are no problem.

Ralph, how are you finding communication with Scotframe now?  We were just going through planning when COVID struck and like you communication with Scotframe stopped - I received more updates from Aldi than the company we were proposing to spend thousands of pounds on.  To date I’m still wary about going any further with them.  Staff answering my emails, apart from architectural company they use, seem well.....clueless.  Disappointed as they do have a solid reputation for what they do.  

Edited September 29, 2020 by Jac
adding

[the_r_sole]

On 26/05/2020 at 22:43, puntloos said:

Quick(?) topic this time ?

 

In short: when will the build start, and when will it be ready, given current covid situation? Longer? Same? Shorter?

 

In detail:

 

Let's assume we file for planning permission 'today'.. 

Is PP faster/slower during covid? (typically 2-3 months here.. but now?)

Then, no need to wait for approval, we can start planning stuff.

How long does it take an architect to work up designs to full detail?

Presumably the same time as before?

Tendering.. We have a builder shortlist, but no tendering etc done yet. We could perhaps go for our #1 choice.. 

Is covid-style tendering complicated somehow? Do builders still respond in the same turn-around? More interest? Less?

Timber Frame Co. - the two I've spoken to say they are in business fairly normally - so they can have everything done by Sep 1st

Structural engineers, govt clerks helping out, checking things, mortgages

Any other roles that are meaningfully slowed or sped up because of covid?

And finally: 'internal design' - paints, doorknobs, hobs, etc

Has anyone done this recently, and is the process slower than normal (many things harder to find, sold out?) or as normal?

 

 

Only speaking from direct experience here: 

 

Planning for the most part has been longer than before, we've some applications which are 3-4 months behind.

Tendering - contractors are very busy so getting useful returns can be a challenge and any specialist items seem to be taking ages to come back

Timber Kit - have got a client who has just been quoted a 19 week lead time on their kit (and warned of a timber price increase in the next couple of weeks)

Some internal finishes seem to have longer lead time, tiles/sanitaryware seems to be the main offender here

[Ralph]

1 hour ago, Jac said:

Ralph, how are you finding communication with Scotframe now?  We were just going through planning when COVID struck and like you communication with Scotframe stopped - I received more updates from Aldi than the company we were proposing to spend thousands of pounds on.  To date I’m still wary about going any further with them.  Staff answering my emails, apart from architectural company they use, seem well.....clueless.  Disappointed as they do have a solid reputation for what they do.  

It's starting to get better now but they seem a bit stretched. It seems like some of the their internal communication has been poor over the last lockdown and there are some knock on effects now at the deliver stage.  I think they are having issues with suppliers which is also causing some issues. 

 

My biggest frustration has been with ADW, agents for Rationel and RK. The windows were delayed a bit which was fair enough but the RK front door delay has had a massive impact on getting cladding etc done.

 

What Scotframe actually deliver has been good but the process has been a bit laboured. I'm getting emails from my contact there into the evening so I think they are flat out. I'm assuming that most frame companies are in the same boat. 

 

I've been told that because they are owned by Saint Gobain they have better access to materials, plasterboard etc. but I've no idea if this is true or not.

 

We've not a had a problem (so far) getting sanitaryware and tiles but prices on materials like cladding seems to have taken a real hike up. 

[Jac]

7 minutes ago, Ralph said:

It's starting to get better now but they seem a bit stretched. It seems like some of the their internal communication has been poor over the last lockdown and there are some knock on effects now at the deliver stage.  I think they are having issues with suppliers which is also causing some issues. 

 

My biggest frustration has been with ADW, agents for Rationel and RK. The windows were delayed a bit which was fair enough but the RK front door delay has had a massive impact on getting cladding etc done.

 

What Scotframe actually deliver has been good but the process has been a bit laboured. I'm getting emails from my contact there into the evening so I think they are flat out. I'm assuming that most frame companies are in the same boat. 

 

I've been told that because they are owned by Saint Gobain they have better access to materials, plasterboard etc. but I've no idea if this is true or not.

 

We've not a had a problem (so far) getting sanitaryware and tiles but prices on materials like cladding seems to have taken a real hike up. 

Thanks for replying so quickly, much appreciated.  Fair enough, I won’t score off Scotframe just now.  My personal experience is with the Cumbernauld office.  Unfortunately they have lost Ray who was our main contact with his encyclopaedic wealth of knowledge in self build.  I’m going to contact a few more kit companies this week to get a ‘feel’ of how they are coping and of course costs but good to know Scotframe have delivered a good product for you albeit with some delays which are understandable just now.

[Ralph]

1 minute ago, Jac said:

Unfortunately they have lost Ray who was our main contact with his encyclopaedic wealth of knowledge in self build.

So I think this is one of the main issues for a few of the suppliers we are dealing with, they seem to have lost some of their long term knowledgeable guys.

 

I'm dealing with the head office in Inverurie and the guy there is an old hand. Great guy but clearly picking up the slack from other people leaving. We were dealing with a lady in Dundee who I think is also covering Cumbernauld, Again she was good but it seems like they are all stretched. 

 

My builder while at times frustrated with Scotframe still rates them and likes the product enough that he will defend them when I get a bit tetchy with them.

[SuperJohnG]

1 hour ago, Jac said:

Thanks for replying so quickly, much appreciated.  Fair enough, I won’t score off Scotframe just now.  My personal experience is with the Cumbernauld office.  Unfortunately they have lost Ray who was our main contact with his encyclopaedic wealth of knowledge in self build.  I’m going to contact a few more kit companies this week to get a ‘feel’ of how they are coping and of course costs but good to know Scotframe have delivered a good product for you albeit with some delays which are understandable just now.

Just to point you in good direction - I went quite far with Fleming homes, down in the borders, very competitive and good outfit, repsonsive etc. I would have chosen them if they did SIPS. But if you are TF I would contact them for a price. If you look up @Redoctober's blog he used them and reported well. 

[Jac]

33 minutes ago, SuperJohnG said:

Just to point you in good direction - I went quite far with Fleming homes, down in the borders, very competitive and good outfit, repsonsive etc. I would have chosen them if they did SIPS. But if you are TF I would contact them for a price. If you look up @Redoctober's blog he used them and reported well. 

Many thanks, definitely on my list for estimates.  Nothing like personal recommendations.