Slightly mad "wants-to-do-everything myself" type, looking for a plot

[Del-inquent]

Hi all, I'm new here so doing as I'm told and introducing myself. 

I'm Del, I've a serial DIY'er, I've renovated a handful of properties, built an extension on one that was larger than the house it went on to, I tinker in the workshop on projects all the time and can turn my hand to most things, also love restoring classic cars or "fixing things" when I can. 

We are in a rented flat while we look for the next project. I'd REALLY like to find a plot in Hampshire to build on, but we have a budget more suited to a carboard box outside a shopfront... working on that one though.

I don't know why but I've got a real thing about A-Frame houses at the moment. I've spent a lot of time watching videos from avrame but really... I'd like to design it myself. Also have a thing about posi-joists so thinking about combining the two... The extension I built, I designed myself then paid a structural engineer to make sure it wasn't going to fall on my head as maths isn't my strongest point. Another reason for liking the A-Frames is that I can do pretty much everything apart from lay bricks / blocks. I've tried, I've failed, I've accepted it's not something I'll ever be good at. 

My key requirements are Eco-friendly (not just from the eco friendly perspective, but also to minimise running costs!) I'm looking at all sorts of things at the moment including building a thermal battery. Today's "why don't I just..." thought to add to the list is to have a basement below the A-frame, so I'm also reading anything I can on building basements. 

With reference to my poor maths, I'm trying to construct a *complete* price breakdown of doing a newbuild - a friend told me "there's lots of new fees" but failed to provide any info on what they are, so I was wondering if anyone can give me a comprehensive list of things I've not thought of outside of the actual construction costs.

Many thanks, look forward to reading lots on here (and probably asking some pretty stupid questions)

[markc]

Hi and welcome, always good to see people not wanting to build a box, but as many on here will say, anything other than a box costs extra.

a good few members have built basements so lots of information available in past posts and threads.

[Del-inquent]

24 minutes ago, markc said:

Hi and welcome, always good to see people not wanting to build a box, but as many on here will say, anything other than a box costs extra.

a good few members have built basements so lots of information available in past posts and threads.

Many thanks! I'm in the process of trying to cost out the differences and at the moment, subject to Structural engineer telling me I'm an idiot, an A-frame should come in substantially lower in terms of money, just more in terms of my time, but thanks to the pandemic and recession I have lots of time and not so much money lol

I am just searching around for Basement stuff now. So many learning curves... but that's the fun bit.

[SteamyTea]

Welcome

 

Have a read of out old mate @Ed Davies blog.

https://edavies.me.uk/

 

Maybe go up and help him finish it.

[Del-inquent]

13 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

Welcome

 

Have a read of out old mate @Ed Davies blog.

https://edavies.me.uk/

 

Maybe go up and help him finish it.

Many thanks - I don't seem to be able to access the site, it's giving me an error, will try and work out why!

[Roger440]

Welcome.

 

Im no use to you as i decided its all too hard. 

 

But hampshire you say? And not much money.

 

As im sure others will say, move north. " plots here. Build both, sell one. All for no money, releatively. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112306787#/?channel=COM_BUY

 

 

[SteamyTea]

I would have thought with the coming recession, there will be projects to pick up at a reasonable price.

If you can find something that already has a suitable foundation poured, and you can change the house design, that may be a good option.

[Del-inquent]

31 minutes ago, Roger440 said:

Welcome.

 

Im no use to you as i decided its all too hard. 

 

But hampshire you say? And not much money.

 

As im sure others will say, move north. " plots here. Build both, sell one. All for no money, releatively. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112306787#/?channel=COM_BUY

 

 

Convincing my wife to move from the Caribbean to the south coast UK was hard work, chances of getting her to move away from the "limited scraps" of heat in the UK to the cooler climes up north... I think I'd need a burial plot rather than a building plot lol

[Del-inquent]

11 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

I would have thought with the coming recession, there will be projects to pick up at a reasonable price.

If you can find something that already has a suitable foundation poured, and you can change the house design, that may be a good option.

One big advantage with an A-frame, foundation requirements are tiny - 3 parallel strips and you're done!

[SteamyTea]

2 minutes ago, Del-inquent said:

One big advantage with an A-frame, foundation requirements are tiny - 3 parallel strips and you're done!

I think out Ed dug holes and filled them up with concrete.

9 minutes ago, Del-inquent said:

Convincing my wife to move from the Caribbean to the south coast UK was hard work,

I am still struggling, one day I may return.