Block and Beam floor - who designs the layout and how hard is it to install?

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

We’re due to have a steel ring beam installed on screw piles (this is a separate challenge - one for another thread probably), and then a timber frame house (Larsen Truss) on top; the footprint of the house is c.135sqm and I’ve been quoted the following:

 

Materials for B&B floor: £3.7k

Labour to install the ring beam and B&B floor: £12-15k (tbf the ring beam is complicated - it does feel excessive, but I’m rather stuck as I’m not a structural engineer and I need it to be able to meet the warranty requirements).

 

From what I’ve seen on this forum and various insta accounts of self-builders, the laying of B&B floor looks quite easy but jut a lot of manual labour.

 

Should I be expecting our principal designer to design the B&B layout configuration, or our structural engineer? (I’ve seen combinations of blocks laid in each orientation, but it’s so far not been included in the SE drawings).

 

Grateful for views from those who have done it and any advice.

 

Thanks in advance.

[nod]

I got a quote for installing and supplying Full design came with the free quote Pretty much like getting a quote for UFH They all seem to use the same software The SE will have already allowed for this in his foundation design 

I decided to self install Super Simple Apart from the weight of the beams I borrowed a five ton digger Both times 

Both quotes I had where charging for crane hire Plus ground plates 

Twice as quick with a crane 

 

[crispy_wafer]

I went straight to floorspan, they did the design for me, supply only, or supply and install.  Install is an easy task with two pairs of hands and something that can lift with a sling or two.  End of the day, they are just like long concrete fence posts...

 

image attached from back in the days before covid! approx 200sq/m

 

[ETC]

The beam and block design layout should come from the manufacturer.

[Pocster]

Easy peasey to install . Crane for beams . Get a block of wood same length as concrete block . Use that 2 space as beams go in ( following the supplied plan ! ). Someone else at the other end doing the same is dead helpful . Drop the blocks in . Grout type slush over the lot I.e slushy cement mix . Job done 👍

[Oz07]

+ compo to lay the fillets under the end blocks. Don't forget to sit on dpc

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

5 hours ago, ETC said:

The beam and block design layout should come from the manufacturer.

@ETC Thanks - I've picked up on this and have submitted for some quotes, partly to see if different layout configurations come back, or if they all approach it the same way (which is what I hope)

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

1 hour ago, Oz07 said:

+ compo to lay the fillets under the end blocks. Don't forget to sit on dpc

@Oz07 can you please explain '+compo'?

 

20250527-Floor_Build-up_Layers_Client questions.pdfThe beam ends will be sat on a steel ring beam (with at least a 150mm air gap beneath), do I need DPC to be underneath the B&B (please see attached image that I sent to our architect. I was getting frustrated at the ambiguity of the dimensions being discussed, hence the sketch - could you please comment on the dashed lines and my question on the image?

[Oz07]

Most manufacturers want their beam ends sat on dpc where they bear onto the walls. Then the perimeter blocks end up with a 50mm ish void under them and you lay slithers of block beneath these on mortar, provided by manufacturer. Did a sketch on your drawing but could be different with yours is it sat on masonry or steel?

20250527-Floor_Build-up_Layers_Client questions_250530_201741.pdf

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

30 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Most manufacturers want their beam ends sat on dpc where they bear onto the walls. Then the perimeter blocks end up with a 50mm ish void under them and you lay slithers of block beneath these on mortar, provided by manufacturer. Did a sketch on your drawing but could be different with yours is it sat on masonry or steel?

20250527-Floor_Build-up_Layers_Client questions_250530_201741.pdf 2.45 MB · 0 downloads

@Oz07 thanks - I'll be sure to ask.