The Self Builder’s blog

Now I have a first floor level, I can wander un-hindered, unless I happen to wander onto the stairs aperture, around the upstairs of our shaping up home. 

It gives a good idea of space upstairs, but now the gaps for the windows are in, you can see, what I hope to be looking at from the bedrooms for a long time, minus a pane of glass. 

The views are fantastic, virtually green all around, out of all the west elevation windows.  There’s a farm to take in, and what looks like a mobile phone transmitter in the distance.   

I think that looks ok, and may even add to the landscape, plus it makes me feel better - I’m not the only one blotting, or blocking, the local landscape. 

It’s an interesting point, that view will add huge value to me, but what price and well-being damage to those properties and tenants, respectively, around? 

Until the roof is actually on, and I can’t see how big the house will actually be, it’s difficult to work out how much of the neighbours’ views will become my house. 

It does seem very high, higher than the neighbours, not really sure what I expected.  

For now, I’m just chuffed I’ll have that wonderful view.  Long may it last.

It was really pleasing to hear my Son has such a high opinion of me today. 

When I suggested his first working day visit of 2008 to the site, his reluctance due to the inclement weather was resoundly beaten by his urge to sit on ‘the giant fork-lift’.

‘Wow – look at that’ he said as we drove passed the site to park safely nearby. 

Both in our green wellies, a pre-requisite of semi-urban living, we plodded onto the site with our usual gusto.  He has more than enough for both of us. 

We’d just popped to check on progress and see if the builders required anything or had any queries. The works were inspected and questions from the 3ft foreman were asked and satisfactorily answered.  Compliments were even exchanged. 

Max then suggested that we assist in the bricklaying, ‘especially Daddy’.  Now I know children will love their parents and hopefully have faith in them.  But, me bricklaying, would stretch cataclysmic optimism. 

However, and as always, my child was correct. I could help. 

The builders had omitted one of the patio door openings, the one probably to be used the most.  So a wall as a substitute simply wouldn’t do. 

So Daddy did help the brickies, as they’d only done that part of the bricklaying very recently, and only to plinth height, it was amended as we looked on (and took this blog entry photo). A well timed visit.

Must listen more to the mini-project manager, well after all, the builders have to!

I genuinely can’t believe the progress that the builders have made on this project.  They told me they expected to have the DPC level up by the end of next week, but I always thought that was going to be an optimistic target.

However they have done exactly as they have said this week, the foundations are poured.  And they didn’t even work on Tuesday.  They look like, and act like, they know what they are doing and what they want to achieve.

The building inspector is impressed too.  Not only at the speed of the work, but how well they have done it.  The foundations are around 1200mm deep all the way round.  Thus I reckon we have about a 600 x 600 plinth to work from.  This, remember, is on ground described as the Rolls Royce of soil.  Fantastic.

Unfortunately the neighbours are less impressed, and we’ve had liaisons with the Highways Agency, The Local Councillor, the Health and Safety Executive and the Police.   It transpired we’ve done little wrong but annoyed people that are used to a quiet life, the way they like it.  It can’t be great having the builders move in, but I’m not entirely sure the best way to object is in such a clipboard and pen manner.

Still, Junior was mesmerised again. He was in his element.  Photo on the digger, telling the truck driver where to pour the cement, and advising the building inspector that ”this is going to be my house”.  Bless him. He really is a wonder, and what makes this so worthwhile, if a little bitter-sweet.

So, end of week one.  Not without its problems and aggravations, but overall the best week in the building project by far. 

Now, this weekends task.  I’ve got to smooth talk one of my neighbours into selling me some water.  I hope they don’t all take a dislike to us. But I don’t suppose I can do a lot about that.

The diggers are back, engines running, quite literally as it’s soooo cold.  I’ve been at the site this morning to ‘assist’ with the setting out of the house.

We’ve encountered a couple of problems, only one a surprise.  Because of a decorative plinth around the building, there at the insistence of the planners, we may lose some of the internal dimensions because of the tightness of the site.  The other means a reduced pantry or its removal.  Not a problem, I’ll just have to find another place for my sweeties.

I think the builder was tested this morning, but also respectful of what a good design the house is for the plot.  That was reasurring. 

It was great to see the foot-plan of the house, and while the overall size of it looked huge, standing inside each ‘room’ made them feel small.  A feeling other self builders have told me to expect.

Still, the diggers should get going later today, and the building inspector is due on site.  He will be looking at the first trench and advise how far down we need, or need not, go.

Will be back on site later, may even take junior after nursery, must remember to put his hard hat in the car.

The day I doubted would ever arrive, has. It’s been t-minus my sanity for what feels like forever. I’m still pinching myself that I’ve got this far. However excited I feel, that is now dwarfed by an overriding feel of relief at this point. 

I think the next feeling I can muster is akin to feeling like I’ve gone out and left the cooker on.  Except, surprisingly, I know how to use a cooker.  I haven’t really a clue as to how you’re supposed to build a house.  What have I missed off? What T’s are left uncrossed? Who’s not told me all I need to know?

These are concerns I knew I would have, as do many self builders.  My skill is not in the knowledge of, or performance of, building tasks.  However I do have an ingrained desire to understand what is going on, regardless of my ability to perform the actual task in hand.

I think this can sometimes be my downfall, and also reason behind a fair few sleepless nights.  What also feels apparent is that many builders don’t take or find some issues too serious.  This is down to experience I believe. The knowledge of what a buildings inspector will like or dislike, or whether a planner will actually ask you to correct any of your planning permission condition failings.

Still, onwards and upwards, well actually I think we still need to go down a bit to meet the finished floor level condition, or perhaps we don’t. I’ll sleep on it!

I have an appointment with my builder, 8.00 Monday morning.  Where I’m hoping to start watching the excavation unfold. The builder has provisionally set a target of DPC pre-Christmas, for, his words not mine, blasting it in the New Year.

Fantastic news.  But I’m not sure whether to feel excited or shit scared.  Excited as the projected is finally getting off the ground, literally speaking.  Scared as I’m not sure with have crossed enough I’s and I’m sure I’ve seen some un-dotted T’s knocking around.

No worries, leave it to me.  Famous, or should that be infamous, last words.

We’re waiting on a final SAP estimate calcs, and structural engineering calcs related to a revision in the roof structure.  I’ve decided to to have an open trust effect in the master, or more specifically, my bedroom.

However the buildings inspector is happy to proceed, and the builder is chomping at the bit.  Albeit with stage payments that don’t quite add up.  Trust is the name of the game, I think.  We both agree on the actual total cost, even if how it’s been divided up has been done incorrectly.

I think it’s the unknown and lack of control in all the goings on in this project that are making me nervous. But I’m hopeful that all will start to drop, or be drilled, into place now we are finally going to see some physical action.

Wish me luck, and godspeed.