Barn Conversion, Buckinghamshire

[maxe307]

Hi all

 

We are undertaking a barn conversion in Buckinghamshire. The barn is in terrible condition that we are going to remove 95% of the timber cladding and roof and rebuild it using clay hanging tiles.

 

We are trying to make it as sustainable as possible and solar panels, heat pumps and also we plan on collecting the water from the gutters to use for flushing the toilets. 
 

Having worked in the construction industry for 25 years I am looking forward to getting on site and doing some actual construction work myself 

[twice round the block]

Welcome to the forum.

There's lots of us on here that have done barn conversions of different types of constructions.

Certainly a challenge of the unknown doing barns.

What's your anticipated timescale ?

[saveasteading]

3 hours ago, maxe307 said:

in the construction industry for 25 years I am looking forward to getting on site and doing some actual construction work myself 

We all say that. Then 2 years later it has become something of a chore.

However, you are right. you will know  a lot, not get ripped off, can finish things off properly, and more..

A big plus is flexibility. you can take an opportunity or accept a delay if it is in your best interests, as compared to a commercial project where there are penalties for going over programme.

 

For example, we had a demo contractor start 2 days after I met him. he had a gap in his workload. we could accommodate it.  There then follows a very long delay with no action.

On the opposite extreme, if no price is right, don't start: keep looking.

 

Good luck. 

1 hour ago, twice round the block said:

What's your anticipated timescale ?

3 years?  allow 4.

[SteamyTea]

Welcome.

 

I know Buckinghamshire quite well, I go there every couple of weeks.

What is your nearest town?

[Alan Ambrose]

What kind of construction is it presently? The first person I would look for is an SE with barn experience, especially if some of the structure is dodgy. Then figure out how you add your required amount of insulation to the frame re roof, walls, floor. We have a barn conversion atm and love it.

[saveasteading]

3 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

or is an SE with barn experience

Prepare for surprises and tricky detailing.

Barns are underdesigned. They have no factors of safety (newish ones) and are simply a bit lighter built (older ones) without any building control.

You may have to make it stronger...so ask around ASAP for an experienced SE.

I always suspected that some barns are not strengthened but BCO's insist that there are no 'blind eyes'  to this.