It Is Finally Happening!

Today is the day that work starts on our plot. We're feeling a nervous excitement that this is actually happening! After such a long wait, someone is actually starting to build our house for us.

We will be going up to the plot in a few weeks time to have a look and take some photos. The work should be about half way through so there should be something to see.

Still slightly struggling with the services, it's all just wait wait wait! I was volunteered to ring the Gas board today (although I do think this is technically a construction matter = Darran!) to try and get some coherence out of someone called Farooq. Came away still with a clean page in my notebook so rang the shipper of the actual gas who could explain everything and were much more helpful. They also fit meters for free. FREE! Now there's a word we haven't heard for a very long time.

So, that's about all for now. All seems to be going smoothly and as planned, but as with any self build, watch this space!

PS - If you've some across this site by chance and are also a self-builder and own the The Housebuilders Bible, multiply the cost they give you for service installation by four, that will be far more realistic!

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!

Perspiration And Percolation

We went up to the plot again today to install a builders standpipe and tap fitment on the end of our water pipe. Darran did this with apparent ease, although we did have water on site today in the form of perspiration (and rain at times)! The trench for the water pipe had to be 750mm deep which once you got through the top 4 inches or so was easy (or looked easy, I was only the one holding the tape at the required length to measure the depth of the trench and giving encouragement!).

And then it rained.

We (Darran!) then had to dig two holes to carry out percolation testing. The results will tell us how good the drainage capability is of the ground and will determine whether we can just have a soak away or will have to discharge rain water etc. in to the mains drainage system. Mum and Dad have kindly agreed to fill our holes with water and stand and watch how may seconds it takes the water to drain away!

Our tenders are due back on Monday for the foundations and ground works. We will hopefully be able to meet with the architect and project manager next week to decide on the preferred contractor and make the instruction for work to commence.

More Fun With Water

Darran had a telephone call from the water board yesterday advising they were going out to inspect the pipe ready for the connection. He then had a call back about an hour later saying that we needed to install a standpipe on the end of it and they couldn't make a connection until one was in place.

We could just have been particularly thick, but we didn't realise this! No where on any of the literature we had received from the water board did it state we needed a standpipe, only that a pipe needed to be there, which it is!

So, back up on Saturday to install a standpipe, complete with tap.

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!

Flowers

Two red tulips picked from under one of the trees on the plot.

Why It's Worth Having A Project Manager: Point 1

We don't need to worry about how we're going to get 1.8m concrete columns on to the site and into the ground.

They do!