Live self-Builds - mod warning in post no. 1

mr_edge_to_you

We moved in on Friday. Spent yesterday throwing up a few flatpacks! We are living downstairs as we don't want to move everything upstairs because there is 4 days work to be done on painting/varnishing our stairs during which it will be out of bounds.

I'm looking at patches on the wall where the plaster was touched up and thinking I couldn't care less if they're never painted. Both us are absolutely shattered. Its like an enormous weight of our shoulders.

On the serious side though I would advise everyone to keep a very very close eye on your budget. We got our valuation done last week on the completed house and the value of the land has been reduced by 50%. Luckily it has no major implications for us but for some it may mean that if you overspend before your final drawdown you might end up owing tradesmen a few quid which is not ideal - just be extra vigilant!.

I'd like to thank everyone who offered advice on any queries I had - a special thanks to Muffler, Sinnerboy and Uncle Tom! Best of luck to those about to embark on the jounrney - enjoy it and be patient, you'll get there and for god's sake make sure you give yourself a break every now and again from the project! And to the rest of ye enjoy your home!

I even used a smiley Muffler!

muffler

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

I even used a smiley Muffler!

I knew Id get you round to my way of thinking.....eventually.

Seriously though Im delighted that you have reached the end of the journey so to speak and its been a pleasure having you post here all throughout the build process. I think you have given given great encouragement and advice to others and that is indeed most welcomed.

I wish you and yours every happiness in your new home and I hope you will remain around these parts to offer up some opinions for others.

goat2

Deleted User wrote: »

How many people on boards are in the process of building their own homes at the moment, have recently completed or planning to do so in the near future.

I am about 3/4 of the way through a self-build.
It would be interesting to have a "live" list of current self-builds on the forum.

i have a friend who is starting out on a self build,
he is looking for a diesel driven cement mixer at a decent price
any help here

Poor Uncle Tom

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

We moved in on Friday.

Don't be a stranger around, you've just been through the process, your opinion on topics would be valued. Best of luck with the new build.....:)

JuniorB

Congrats Monsieur Edge, well wear as they say ..:)

ei.sdraob

Very informative thread heres my "adventure" so far

Mine is not a classic self-build, I bought the dormer bungalow+land about halfway done (block-work up-to and including roof + little bits here and there)
Took a long time for sale (house stood semi-build for a year before sale agreed) to go thru since it was conditional on builder doing few things and more importantly the planning permission extended for another 5 years (I didn't want risk any hassle or risk)

Anyways the windows (pvc triple glazed) being installed on monday
all the groundwork is being done for last week or so; alot of rock to remove and flatten the garden (its on a hill incline) somewhat, move driveway, put in pipework (esb,water,sewage,eircom etc), concrete path all around, put in soil, dig hole for and install sewage treatment plant, build boundary walls...

esb are on site today and hopefully they pick where to put their pole and move the cable they have buried on the land :eek:

once the above is done will move quickly to get it plastered, insulated (bead in 15cm cavity, foam in attic, insulation in floor and between floors) and screed + first fixes

planning also to get solar water heater after this, trying to plan, choose and budget for tiles, doors, wood, kitchen, sanitary-ware now (theres so much choice is mind numbing)

below is plan i made from measurements, 4bed, 225m sq in all

muffler

Good stuff ei.sdraob. You seem to be progressing nicely and we wish you well with it.

Keep us updated on progress especially on any problems you encounter as it's a big help to other self builders reading this.

ei.sdraob

muffler wrote: »

Good stuff ei.sdraob. You seem to be progressing nicely and we wish you well with it.

Yes It will be few months for plaster screed to dry up once its in, before can move onto more "fun" bits

so hopefully be in before xmas

muffler wrote: »

Keep us updated on progress especially on any problems you encounter as it's a big help to other self builders reading this.

I think main problem is making a budget and keeping to it, considering there's so much choice, on the bright side thanks to the recession the price for labour has gone down quite a bit and the builders/tradesmen are eager to work and on time :eek:

also measure, measure, measure

one needs floor and wall areas in order to budget for things like wooden floors and tiles, thats why i went to great lenght to make a plan in google sketchup. needless to say the actual build building somewhat differed from the architects plans, meter here, meter there, wall over there it all ads up
im now split as to whether go for porcelain or marble and what internal doors to get

BullBauld

Hello all

Although I'm well on the way it's my first time to post here about it.

Turned the sod approx 12 months ago for a 2000sq ft two storey with hollowcore and concrete stairs.

Had it plastered and painted outside by October. Before xmas had upstairs pipes in, suspended ceiling in and ceiling slabbed.

All plastered inside since xmas and well dried out now. Plumbed downstairs a few weeks back. Insulated the floor and finally got screed poured yesterday.

I plan on giving the place a coat or 2 of paint in the coming weeks, get boiler & cylinder in, tile bathrooms and get sanitary ware fitted. Is this ok or should I wait a bit longer. I realise screed has to be given time to dry but how much is enough? Should I have heat on for a while before I even think of tiling or doing anything else??

I want to get cracking and get things moving as the finish line is coming into sight and the excitement is building but I don't want to rush things and make
mistakes.

It's been great reading through the C&P forum the past while and getting bucket loads of ideas/tips and helpful info. I need it all!!

Thanks
Bull

Leadership

After 4 months of nothing happening to our build its has finally started again. Had an issue with the flues and the air tight membrane so the builders could not continue with slabbing up until it was resolved.

Issue was that no one took ownership of the flue detailing with the air tight membrane and the fire regs (flues need an air gap). The engineer we had left the country to a job in South Africa as he had nothing in Ireland and spent two months trying to find someone to take ownership. It was finally resolved by getting in a specialist to help so the "work around" is to take the flues straight out of the wall and up the side of the house. This way we maintain the membraine but now have two (expensive) flues on the gable walls. So now our chimneys will be fake to comply with the planning.

So the house is now slabbed up and all and the plasterers have a scratch coat on the internal block walls. The outside rendering has started and have been given a finish date for the plastering as the June bank holiday weekend. So hopefully we will be in towards the end of summer.

Technophobe

Progress update...

Heating on for last few days...House very warm...
ESB coming next Tuesday to connect supply...:)
Floor tiles nearly ordered...
Inside is now spray painted throughout..
Sockets & switches on walls...

Getting there, bit by bit by bit...;)

Ferocious

Like some of the recent posters here, I’ve asked a few questions and received loads of advice on the C&P forum but this is my first time on the live builds thread.

I’m building a 260m2 single story house. Block built with 140mm cavity, 100mm polyiso.
I went with alu-clad windows, natural slate, limestone sills, nap plaster.
I’m installing a HRV system and hope to use an air source heat pump for UFH, solar and pellet stove as a ‘boost’ in a large open area. Thinking of having a buffer tank with coils for these three sources but not sure about the efficiency of that.

Plastering inside finished last week so about to start putting down radon/dpm and floor insulation. Heating will be air-water heat-pump.

At the moment decisions have to made on the electrics – particularly around whether to incorporate some level of automation and the cost v benefit. The more I learn about this stuff, the more confused I get.

Advice so far: It’s been said enough times but here goes again – be wary of hiring friends or family. Advice/accessibility and price is good but a lack of experience has cost me in one area. Another tends to have it at the bottom of the priority list, I suppose because of price, so things get dragged on at times and Its hard to complain.
Everyone else is spot on and no major complaints so far.

The only regret is the attic/upstairs space. Architect and engineer said I wouldn’t have much habitable space up there. Compromises were made on room sizes on the ground to get an extra room. When the roof was finished, there was great space created, good enough for a study and bedroom. Bit disappointed this wasn’t addressed better at the design stage.

Anyway, thanks to everyone that posts and replies here. It really is a great (re)source.

mr_edge_to_you

Technophobe wrote: »

Progress update...

Heating on for last few days...House very warm...
ESB coming next Tuesday to connect supply...:)
Floor tiles nearly ordered...
Inside is now spray painted throughout..
Sockets & switches on walls...

Getting there, bit by bit by bit...;)

good stuff Technophobe!! when your tiles go in make sure there isn't any nails or stones caught under the back door that might scratch them!!!!

ECO_Mental

Bloody Hell Ferocious thats some serious heating system your are putting in there

HRV &
Pellet Stove
Solar Panels and a
Air Source Heat Pump

Money must be no object??

Why dont you spend a bit extra on the insulation and air tightness and just get a condensing gas boiler with Rads, save your self €30,000. The heat pump alone will cost you a small fortune alone in electricity to run each year.

IMO, which isn't worth much anyway:)

sas

Not much to add to the title save to say I'm thrilled to have this step over.

IMG_6679.JPG

IMG_6682.JPG

sydthebeat

sas wrote: »

Not much to add to the title save to say I'm thrilled to have this step over.

IMG_6679.JPG

IMG_6682.JPG

excellent steve....

any rips in the membrane???

how did the crane driver feel about the "guide" block being in place??

ECO_Mental

Well guys its been a few months now, I met the area planner in a pre-planning clinic about 2 months ago and didn't get a good reception so I had to jump through a few more hoops and get a few Photoshop pictures done to show the house would not be prominent and sticking out, as it looks like the house sits on top of a hill.

Anyway after the last meeting two weeks ago with the planners I got a good reception and I am feeling a more confident now so the application is going in on Monday yippee.

Looking back its been over six months ago since I first met my architect didn't think its was that long ago. Its a long process..

Architect has been great though well worth spending the extra money other than getting plans on the net. The planners appreciated it as well they liked the design so I think it will help in getting planning, fingers crossed....

So the next time you hear from me (in about 12 weeks is it) it will either be heart break or relief.

Just a reminder heres what I am looking to build

Keep on Trucking
EM

sas

sydthebeat wrote: »

excellent steve....

any rips in the membrane???

how did the crane driver feel about the "guide" block being in place??

No, I think we're in the clear as regards rips. I used a bed of mortar under every slab so that should help seal anything that did occur.

They didn't bat an eyelid at the guide block. They simply took it nice and steady and dropped everything straight down. We were blessed with a beautiful calm day so that helped of course.

Couldn't be more impressed. Genuinely interested and careful installers.

I'm genuinely starting to enjoy the building process. I'm sure that will change of course.....

ei.sdraob

Ok alot of progress since last post, windows/doors in, electrics wired, most of plastering outside done

almost all of the outside groundwork done, pipes laid etc, treatment plant in, water connected to mains
waiting for esb now to put up a pole, they agreed on spot, there was a buried esb cable across the driveway for nearby council water pump, had to pay to get it into red cable for them and bury it deeper (i think i mentioned in earlier post they just left it underground >:0 with no warning cable/pipe before and the digger nearly pulled it up when doing driveway)

also Eircom told me it would cost 7K to move one of their poles few meters :eek:, i told them to get lost, me thinks time to reverse a tractor into it
ESB are definitely much more accommodating


rest of plumbing, insulation and screed in over next 10 days or so as well as the initial solar heating setup/piping


now does anyone know if the weather we had over the weekend good or bad for plaster drying? me thinks it could be quite dry??

AdamAntsy

Started on an ICF Build in Laois, 5500sqft and just getting onto the formwork! Was going great until we wanted to drawdown the mortgage, but the loan offer had expired. Back on course, and like everyone and their dog I'm blogging it so I can look back in 10 years and remember the pain

Blog

Leadership

AdamAntsy wrote: »

Started on an ICF Build in Laois,
Blog

Good stuff, looks like the reward system for your ICF if I am not mistaken. Ours is the same and went up very well with no problems what so ever.

Have you ny chimneys in your plans? We had a big issue with ours due to the ICF and the air tight mambrane. If you do make sure the detailing is looked at soon in order to maintain airtightness and fire regulations as we got badly caught and delayed our build by 3 months.

AdamAntsy

Thats an interesting point re. Chimney - yes we have one that we're planning on putting a sealed stove underneath, I probably always thought that it would be sealed at the roof detail (planning a 'warm' roof with possibly an open-cell foam insulation). But its something to think of and ask a few questions. My engineer has been great already, on site at least once a week if not more to look at details and make sure its how he wants it done - but always wise to ask - thanks.

Re the system - the block is KORE by a local contractor - not sure if that is the same?

selfbuildkk

ECO_Mental wrote: »

Well guys its been a few months now, I met the area planner in a pre-planning clinic about 2 months ago and didn't get a good reception so I had to jump through a few more hoops and get a few Photoshop pictures done to show the house would not be prominent and sticking out, as it looks like the house sits on top of a hill.

Anyway after the last meeting two weeks ago with the planners I got a good reception and I am feeling a more confident now so the application is going in on Monday yippee.

Looking back its been over six months ago since I first met my architect didn't think its was that long ago. Its a long process..

Architect has been great though well worth spending the extra money other than getting plans on the net. The planners appreciated it as well they liked the design so I think it will help in getting planning, fingers crossed....

So the next time you hear from me (in about 12 weeks is it) it will either be heart break or relief.

Just a reminder heres what I am looking to build

Keep on Trucking
EM

Hey hope you dont mind but your design reminded me of this eposode of Designs for life. Couldnt find the link to actual episode but this link http://www.rte.ie/tv/designsforlife/s1ep3.html has some info on the suppliers they used if it helps at all

paolosnapid

Slabs in place for the 1st floor,waiting for plumber to put down pipes so we can pour concrete,wasn't gonna put down light mesh but not sure now,any1 get away with not putting down mesh on 1st floor? Hope to have the roof finished by end of July,seriously considering using Spanish natural slates even though they are more expensive,but I think the quality and long life of natural slates will be worth the money??

JuniorB

Have had a few stressfull weeks but all appears to be back on track again.

From day 1 I've been very much in the 'be nice to everyone and you'll get it back in spades' type attitude. That all changed a couple of weeks back!

We made a couple of changes - mainly to add more glass to the back section of our main hall that will look fabulous when completed. I got a 'ball park' off the builder for the extra work from his side. However when his QS got involved this figure went up substanially. This was the straw that broke the camel's back (so to speak) and I went stone cracked with my AT, the QS, the foreman, the builder and anyone who would listen!
In the end we got it back down to the ball park that was given but there were a lot of home truths given from my side. Since then I've been a lot more forthright and upfront in my dealings with everyone. Generally I guess people try to avoid confrontation and I was no different. But I've now gone into the 'nobody is going to ride me' mode which I probably should have had from the start and all seems to be progressing a lot more smoothly.

In a supposedly unrelated event we have a new foreman. He hit the ground running and has made great progress in a week.
As for progress...
We've decide to plaster 'bands' around the windows. This means that we can plaster the external walls before the windows are installed.
We've the roof felted. Chimney has been plastered and will be painted this week. Natural slates will go on this week hopefully.
Plumber and electrician have been appointed and will be first fixing this week.
Windows were measued up and ordered. Hoping to get them in 3 or 4 weeks. The factory closes for 3 weeks from July 1st so we could have a serious delay if we miss that
Stone mason is working away.
Glass balustrade for stairs and gangway has been measured and ordered.
Stove is ordered.
20 pairs of Ceiling and Outdoor speakers are winging their way from the states as we speak. Got the speaker cable last week for 1/2 the price the electrician could source it for!
Hopefully will get a tiler on board this week. All tiles have been picked and some ordered - the rest will be ordered by next week.
Kitchen guy is on board.
And the most important of all - 1/2 spread of turf has been saved and is sitting in bags waiting for garage to be completed!

As expected there are a fair few 'extras' building up. To give people an idea here's our list so far and cost (ex VAT):
Stove installation and back boiler connection to buffer tank: €600
Installation of bespoke studding design around stove: €350
Vaulted ceilings in 3 rooms: €300
Installation of ceiling bulkhead in Living Room: €300
Additional Velux: €400
Additional Glass in back of main hallway (incl 2 rooflight sections): €6,000
Change from trutone slates to Natural Slates: €1800
Change in ridge tiles: €400
Additonal Floor insulation in garage: €350
Hollowcore change from 150mm to 200mm: €400
Move oil boiler to garage (30 metres of 'pipe in a pipe'required): €1500
Upgrade all stats and install central controller: €850

We're still on course for early Sept move in.
Have started a bit of a blog... well photo blog would be a better description !
Click on 'Older Posts' down the bottom see house plans and to go to the start..
http://carrickaneha.blogspot.com/

mr_edge_to_you

Good stuff juniorb. It does slow down when you get to this stage. You'll probably get caught with builders holidays too.

JuniorB

Cheers Mr Edge. Jasus it couldn't slow down any more than it's going now !! I doubt we'll notice much difference with the builders holidays either... will give me a chance to enjoy the races in peace anyway

mr_edge_to_you

some nice views there JB! cool design too. ours was a fairly bog standard design. seriously though - from the roof onwards was the most drawn out stage.

ah ye the races - important keep things in prioritised!

paolosnapid

Poured the concrete screed on hollowcore slabs on Sat last,had to prop the slabs b4 pouring to be safe,the stonemason started last wk on front porch & already it looks like its gonna be very nice.
Need to get the cavity walls pumped with insulation now,can anyone recommend a reasonably priced good contractor,preferably in the midlands?

BoozyBabe

Underfloor piping laid & tested.
Floors being poured this week.
Stairs almost ready.
All drainage & sewerage works complete outside.

Will stud & slab attic shortly.