Buildstore Case Study

A little while ago we were contacted by Buildstore, the UK's leading organisation for self build, renovation and conversion products and services. Our mortgage is with Buildstore Financial Services and during a conversation with our mortgage advisor, Tom McSherry, he asked to see some pictures of our project which he had helped to support, I sent him through a link to this blog, and the next day was contacted by Jaclyn Thorburn, PR and Communications Manager for Buildstore wanting to feature Darran and I as a case study!

We were really, really chuffed, to say the least.

Buildstore often get approached by national newspapers and magazines for stories for self-build projects and Darran and I are now in the mix should they get any requests. We are also featured on their website here.

Jaclyn has also requested a picture of Darran and I in front of the house, which we have promised when it's looking a little more picturesque i.e. when the Roundup has done its job, which shouldn't be too long now.

Thank you again to Jaclyn, Tom and the team at Buildstore for taking an interest!

Council Decisions

We had some good news earlier on this week. We mentioned here that we were having trouble with the approval of materials, namely the Council Officer's decision over the slates and guttering. He wanted Welsh slate and cast guttering, we wanted man made slate and aluminium guttering.

Our architects confirmed that approval has been given for the use of both man made slate and aluminium guttering. The meeting with the Head of Planning worked. We were so relieved as there is about a £15,000 differential between having a Welsh slate roof and a man made slate roof. A house with no roof all year round brings a new dimension to the great outdoors.

So, all planning conditions have now been cleared and we can just get on with it without having to go back to submit anything or wait for a decision. The Councils 21 day turnaround time is more like 41, and they had lost one slate sample too, so we really don't want to have to go through all that again!

Not Too Big For a Told Off

We had some good news on Friday; our architects had arranged a meeting with the Head of Planning at the Council to discuss a certain planning officer's decisions with regard to the choice and use of materials on quite a few of their projects. Our house is one of these projects that has this particularly troublesome officer overseeing the approval of materials. As our architect put it "the Head of the Planning Department is the only person who can tell off this officer". Woman after my own heart!

As we mentioned here this officer had refused the use of man made slates and aluminium guttering. We were frustrated at this decision, not only because of the cost issue, but that there didn't seem any rationale for it as aesthetically it matches the surrounding properties and the dratted house at the front which, it seems, the world revolves around. Our architects were equally frustrated. When they discussed this with the Head of Planning, he agreed that there was no reason at all why man made slates and aluminium guttering weren't appropriate materials to use.

We now wait and see what happens next as this particular officer won't want to lose face in the planning department.

Go!

We met with our project manager and architect yesterday and have pressed the 'Go' button!

We have signed a contract and appointed a contractor to carry out the foundation and groundworks. They start on the 11th May and will complete on or before 19th June.

We are so pleased to have a start date, both for starting on site, but also to have a date that we can work to. We will now be able to plan our time so much better and work out delivery schedules and lead times.

Our project manager was far more positive and we have definitely found a level. He seems genuinely enthusiastic and interested in our build and what we will be doing when his role has finished.

For now though, it's a huge sigh of relief. This may only be short lived but we're enjoying it at the moment!

Keep Out!

On Saturday we collected some site security fencing and put it up along the open boundary to the plot, after asking the people we bought the plot from to clear their rubbish, cement mixer, sand and some polystyrene off. Cheeky! They were all ready to have another bonfire as well so were a bit miffed I think!

Collecting the fence put the pick-up to work for the first time and it was perfect. It fitted up the access way without any problems. Getting out was a little more tricky, but I'm sure when Darran's had a bit more practice it will be a piece of cake!

In other news, it would appear that the project manager hasn't sent the foundation tender documents to the two people we requested so Darran needs to ring again tomorrow. The water board will also be getting a call as we think they have quoted a connection to the wrong property, and also asked us to install a connection pipe when there is one already in the ground.

It was nice to be actually doing something on our plot, even if it was only putting up fence panels!

The Drawings Have Arrived

Now, I don't want to get too carried away, but....yesterday a big package arrived from the architect with all our foundation and ground works drawings enclosed, and they have gone out to tender for the work too. Wait, there's more, I also had an email back with the information we asked for last week. Things are looking up!

I think it could be time for another celebration!

Darran was just about to call them again and then the postman arrived. Saved by the bell! Darran was off yesterday too so had the day to really look over the drawings. He is happy with them and just has a few things to clarify today with the project manager.

He also phoned the water board and our water connection is now being 'fast tracked' so we should have that sorted fairly soon.

It is nice to know we have a bit of persuasive influence (or clout!) between us when necessary, just a shame we have had to use it so early into the project!

Here We Go Again

Here I am, writing another post about our project manager, or the lack of him. Am I boring anyone yet?

Still no improvement, or so it would appear, with communication or response times to letters and emails.

Here is a brief overview of our current frustration. Emailed last Monday night requesting information needed to complete a form, only basic stuff. Nothing. Telephoned on Thursday, yes, they had my email and I was assured a response that day. Phone call back shortly after initial phone call asking me to resend original email. Again, reiterated that I would like a response that day. Yes, was going to be done right away.

Nothing. Not even any post today and Darran was hopeful for some drawings as we are meeting a representative from BuildCentre on site next week and he wanted to get a cutting list ready to discuss.

I have sent another email which is a forward on from the previous two so the email trail is clearly visible. Darran is phoning on Tuesday as going on the assurances given in the last phone call he had, we should have received something by now.

The saga continues.....

And Action

Darran made the call we hoped he wouldn't have to make to the Project Manager this morning, following no response at all to the letter we delivered in Stand Well Back. Even the Receptionist gulped when she asked who it was so our letter obviously had an impact, even if we didn't know about it!

Things are moving forward again (for now), and more importantly our instructions are being followed.

We're probably not 'friends', but a professional understanding has been reached.

Still Waiting....

We're still waiting for a response to the letter we hand delivered on Sunday (as noted in Stand Well Back).

We both hoped that we would have had an acknowledgement by now, if not a full response, given the nature of the letter and its contents.

Another week slips by; not got a good feeling about this.....

On a more positive note, all application forms have been filled in and sent back for water, electricity and gas connections. Only BT to go, although that isn't quite so urgent.

We have also made enquiries into schemes for structural warranties, and are about to register the plot with Zurich 10 Self Build Warranty. This needs to be done prior to work starting on site (which shouldn't cause a problem at the moment!). Thinking about work starting on site, that reminds me, we haven't received confirmation of Land Registry yet so I ought to phone the solicitor to find out how long that should take.

Seems like we're just waiting at the moment, then.

Stand Well Back

We hand delivered a letter to our project manager on our way home this morning. We only instructed him last week, and after a conversation Darran had with him on Friday, we're already not happy (and that's an understatement).

We wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Light the blue touch paper and stand well back.