First house, first renovation, 1930's semi.

[Phillymclee]

Hi all. We recently purchased our first house which needs a 'bit' of TLC to put it lightly. Currently living in a rented flat so need to get into the new house as soon as possible but have an awful lot to do and not a lot of money to do it so it's down to me to put my DIY skills to the test and hopefully pick some up along the way. I have a background in construction being a draughtsman for the last 17 years, starting on AutoCAD and have been using Revit for the last 6 years in a Structural Engineering consultancy but I'm quickly finding it's one thing drawing something and another thing building it. I'm yet to find a straight line in our new house. So while I have an understanding of the theoretical side of construction techniques I am less versed in the actual application so will hopefully call on the knowledge and experience from you lovely people to get me through this. I have a few big jobs on my list before I can begin to turn the current 'building site' into something that resembles a home. I have just finished replacing all of the first floor ceiling joists for a future loft conversion (all calcs done by an old colleague and signed off by building control) and am now halfway through a full rewire. I will be moving the bathroom so will need to learn some plumbing skills and will be taking out a short length of load bearing wall at ground floor (again already have the calcs, steel procured and building control notified). Anyway that's a little bit about my situation. Look forward to chatting to some of you soon. Thanks

 

Edited October 11 by Phillymclee

[Mr Punter]

Hello and welcome Philly.  It sounds like you are making decent progress.  Hopefully you will not have to live in a building site for too long.

[Phillymclee]

Thanks Mr Punter, yes let's hope so or the wife won't be happy haha!

[Gus Potter]

5 hours ago, Phillymclee said:

Hi all. We recently purchased our first house

Brilliant. Well done.

 

5 hours ago, Phillymclee said:

I have a background in construction being a draughtsman for the last 17 years, starting on AutoCAD and have been using Revit for the last 6 years in a Structural Engineering consultancy

We have somethings in common! I spent the first 20 years, running a building contracting business, went to Uni and after spent some time in an SE consultancy and a bit of time with a "steel company" I now work for myself, 8 years doing that.. time flies!

 

Now as an SE / Architectural designer myself it's a massive learing curve as what gets designed in an SE consulting office does not always reflect real buildability, cost effective design and so on. You'll be able to see youself that in the office the Client design fee often does not allow you to do your job properly... to translate the SE principles into something buildable and cost effective and have time to think to let you do a good job.

 

5 hours ago, Phillymclee said:

but I'm quickly finding it's one thing drawing something and another thing building it. I'm yet to find a straight line in our new house.

Yes that is no surprise. But you have a good backgound which will serve you well. Old houses tend not to be square.. the skill and work when drafting and doing SE design is to recognise what is important and what is not.

Think about it this way.. the job you do has probably given you the skills to be able to teach yourself. You have a grasp of the theory, trust your own judgement and go for it.

 

You'll get loads of practical help here on BH. If you get stuck technically there are a few SE's, highly experienced Civil Engineers kicking about on BH who will help you.

 

There are plenty other folk on BH that know about.. well everything, plumbing, heating, insulation, Architecture.. BH is a huge friendly resource.

 

All the best and keep posting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Phillymclee]

Hi Gus, thanks for the reply.

59 minutes ago, Gus Potter said:

We have somethings in common! I spent the first 20 years, running a building contracting business, went to Uni and after spent some time in an SE consultancy and a bit of time with a "steel company" I now work for myself, 8 years doing that.. time flies!

Sounds like you've had an interesting career and learnt a lot a long the way no doubt. 

59 minutes ago, Gus Potter said:

Now as an SE / Architectural designer myself it's a massive learing curve as what gets designed in an SE consulting office does not always reflect real buildability, cost effective design and so on. You'll be able to see youself that in the office the Client design fee often does not allow you to do your job properly... to translate the SE principles into something buildable and cost effective and have time to think to let you do a good job.

 Yes as someone who spent a bit of time working as a technician for a modular builder working to tolerances of a couple of mm and detailing every nut, washer and bolt, to enable the generally unskilled guys in the factory put the modules together,  I sometimes find the lack of detail we provide in a SE consultancy for smaller jobs frustrating and feel sorry for the poor buggers on site having to build it. But glad I had the experience of both as can now put as much detail as I want into my own project whilst understanding the overall structural principles and limitations which really helps me when I come to actually carry out the work.

1 hour ago, Gus Potter said:

Yes that is no surprise. But you have a good backgound which will serve you well. Old houses tend not to be square.. the skill and work when drafting and doing SE design is to recognise what is important and what is not.

Think about it this way.. the job you do has probably given you the skills to be able to teach yourself. You have a grasp of the theory, trust your own judgement and go for it.

 

You'll get loads of practical help here on BH. If you get stuck technically there are a few SE's, highly experienced Civil Engineers kicking about on BH who will help you.

 

There are plenty other folk on BH that know about.. well everything, plumbing, heating, insulation, Architecture.. BH is a huge friendly resource.

Thanks it has helped me a lot so far, always helps to be able to model something before building it and I've managed to overcome every issue that has cropped up but have also been scouring the internet for answers when I need a second opinion so thought I might as well sign up to BH as would be better to have a direct dialogue with people in the know. I am still working on the structural modifications at this stage but I expect I will be looking for advice from the plumbing, heating, Architecture specialists a bit further down the line for sure. Many thanks for all of the info, look forward to our potential discussions in the future. 

[Gus Potter]

32 minutes ago, Phillymclee said:

Thanks it has helped me a lot so far

That's just the start.. BH is a mine of information and practical advice. I still keep my hands on the tools and have learnt loads myself on BH. Lots of folk on BH are at the cutting edge of innovation, design and have worn the teeshirt!

 

I have got a bit stuck myself at times and folk here have pitched in to help me.

 

Enjoy, review what is here on BH, trust you own judgement.

[SteamyTea]

Welcome

 

We like pictures on here, so feel free to post up relevant stuff.

[Phillymclee]

Hi SteamyTea, I’ve started my first post regarding the ground floor wall alterations with a few photos you may be interested in on the RSJ, Lintels sub forum but will also take a few today of the progress so far and add to here.