House Build Diary
Discussion
Lynch91 said:
Interesting thread, one thing I thought worth mentioning regarding Internet is could you just tether the data from your phone (assuming your on unlimited data)?
I can tether, but the phone only has a decent signal in certain spots inside the caravan, and I only have 3GB from the misers at EE. So not a replacement solution for ADSL. 
Chaps, bit of an update for you. We got the final building regs drawings done in February and then started the process of looking for a builder. Seemingly builders don't worry too much about things like returning calls, turning up for appointments or actually sending quotes out. How many of them actually stay in business astounds me. When you apply pressure on them to send you an estimate they just send you a quote seemingly pulled from their backsides. One bloke quoted half a million! No breakdown, nothing - just a line 'construction of x1 new build house price £500,000 plus VAT.' Er, thanks.
By the end of March we had been to see our finance guy and were just waiting on a final builder's quote to get sign off on the mortgage. Once we had this, we could commence within a few weeks, notwithstanding any issue with the building regs. All was on course for a late Spring start, which was later than planned (the building plans took way too long) but with a herculean effort we might be in for Christmas.
Then a week later I lost my job, as the company I worked for was folded up and integrated into the larger sister company up the road.
Streamlining, downsizing, a 'commercial decision', blah blah blah. Either way it was b
ks and as I work in a rather specialised industry with a very small jobs pool, it quickly became evident that there were no commutable options for me here in the North East. So here we were, in a fking caravan, with a plot of land and no way to get the house built as the mortgage offer had just vaporised before our eyes.
Cue the last 9 months being spent setting up a new business, which we've done from a caravan, on one income and against the backdrop of knowing that I'll not get live in my dream house if it doesn't pay off, as I'll be living in a one bedroom flat across the other side of the country doing my old job somewhere else. It's not all been bad news though, the missus is now a director of her family business ( nope she's not goateed nor powerfully built) and that extra income from her new tax-efficient status allows us to scrape into building the house, albeit with some serious corner cutting and cost saving measures.
The best part of a year in a caravan with no money has taught me a lot about what's important. Yes I've looked upon friends going on fancy holidays and buying flash new cars with some envy but a few years ago that was me, heading off around Europe in a Z4, or turning up at some posh gaff for the weekend in my (then new) E65. Ploughing a new furrow has been the hardest thing I've ever done but in the words of Thatch, TINA - there is no alternative. Yes I'd love a granite kitchen, a TV room with a 60 inch Panny and an oak garage but sometimes these things just take longer than planned. At this juncture a house that doesn't blow about in the wind, come with velour curtains, a gas stove and wasn't built in Hull out of aluminium would be like a dream come true.
So the builder is chosen and we're cracking on, provisional start date is end of Feb. Watch this space.
BB.
By the end of March we had been to see our finance guy and were just waiting on a final builder's quote to get sign off on the mortgage. Once we had this, we could commence within a few weeks, notwithstanding any issue with the building regs. All was on course for a late Spring start, which was later than planned (the building plans took way too long) but with a herculean effort we might be in for Christmas.
Then a week later I lost my job, as the company I worked for was folded up and integrated into the larger sister company up the road.
Streamlining, downsizing, a 'commercial decision', blah blah blah. Either way it was b
ks and as I work in a rather specialised industry with a very small jobs pool, it quickly became evident that there were no commutable options for me here in the North East. So here we were, in a fking caravan, with a plot of land and no way to get the house built as the mortgage offer had just vaporised before our eyes. Cue the last 9 months being spent setting up a new business, which we've done from a caravan, on one income and against the backdrop of knowing that I'll not get live in my dream house if it doesn't pay off, as I'll be living in a one bedroom flat across the other side of the country doing my old job somewhere else. It's not all been bad news though, the missus is now a director of her family business ( nope she's not goateed nor powerfully built) and that extra income from her new tax-efficient status allows us to scrape into building the house, albeit with some serious corner cutting and cost saving measures.
The best part of a year in a caravan with no money has taught me a lot about what's important. Yes I've looked upon friends going on fancy holidays and buying flash new cars with some envy but a few years ago that was me, heading off around Europe in a Z4, or turning up at some posh gaff for the weekend in my (then new) E65. Ploughing a new furrow has been the hardest thing I've ever done but in the words of Thatch, TINA - there is no alternative. Yes I'd love a granite kitchen, a TV room with a 60 inch Panny and an oak garage but sometimes these things just take longer than planned. At this juncture a house that doesn't blow about in the wind, come with velour curtains, a gas stove and wasn't built in Hull out of aluminium would be like a dream come true.
So the builder is chosen and we're cracking on, provisional start date is end of Feb. Watch this space.
BB.
bennyboydurham said:
Chaps, bit of an update for you. We got the final building regs drawings done in February and then started the process of looking for a builder. Seemingly builders don't worry too much about things like returning calls, turning up for appointments or actually sending quotes out. How many of them actually stay in business astounds me. When you apply pressure on them to send you an estimate they just send you a quote seemingly pulled from their backsides. One bloke quoted half a million! No breakdown, nothing - just a line 'construction of x1 new build house price £500,000 plus VAT.' Er, thanks.
By the end of March we had been to see our finance guy and were just waiting on a final builder's quote to get sign off on the mortgage. Once we had this, we could commence within a few weeks, notwithstanding any issue with the building regs. All was on course for a late Spring start, which was later than planned (the building plans took way too long) but with a herculean effort we might be in for Christmas.
Then a week later I lost my job, as the company I worked for was folded up and integrated into the larger sister company up the road.
Streamlining, downsizing, a 'commercial decision', blah blah blah. Either way it was bks and as I work in a rather specialised industry with a very small jobs pool, it quickly became evident that there were no commutable options for me here in the North East. So here we were, in a fking caravan, with a plot of land and no way to get the house built as the mortgage offer had just vaporised before our eyes.
Cue the last 9 months being spent setting up a new business, which we've done from a caravan, on one income and against the backdrop of knowing that I'll not get live in my dream house if it doesn't pay off, as I'll be living in a one bedroom flat across the other side of the country doing my old job somewhere else. It's not all been bad news though, the missus is now a director of her family business ( nope she's not goateed nor powerfully built) and that extra income from her new tax-efficient status allows us to scrape into building the house, albeit with some serious corner cutting and cost saving measures.
The best part of a year in a caravan with no money has taught me a lot about what's important. Yes I've looked upon friends going on fancy holidays and buying flash new cars with some envy but a few years ago that was me, heading off around Europe in a Z4, or turning up at some posh gaff for the weekend in my (then new) E65. Ploughing a new furrow has been the hardest thing I've ever done but in the words of Thatch, TINA - there is no alternative. Yes I'd love a granite kitchen, a TV room with a 60 inch Panny and an oak garage but sometimes these things just take longer than planned. At this juncture a house that doesn't blow about in the wind, come with velour curtains, a gas stove and wasn't built in Hull out of aluminium would be like a dream come true.
So the builder is chosen and we're cracking on, provisional start date is end of Feb. Watch this space.
BB.
Best wishes BB. Sometimes sBy the end of March we had been to see our finance guy and were just waiting on a final builder's quote to get sign off on the mortgage. Once we had this, we could commence within a few weeks, notwithstanding any issue with the building regs. All was on course for a late Spring start, which was later than planned (the building plans took way too long) but with a herculean effort we might be in for Christmas.
Then a week later I lost my job, as the company I worked for was folded up and integrated into the larger sister company up the road.
Streamlining, downsizing, a 'commercial decision', blah blah blah. Either way it was b
ks and as I work in a rather specialised industry with a very small jobs pool, it quickly became evident that there were no commutable options for me here in the North East. So here we were, in a fking caravan, with a plot of land and no way to get the house built as the mortgage offer had just vaporised before our eyes. Cue the last 9 months being spent setting up a new business, which we've done from a caravan, on one income and against the backdrop of knowing that I'll not get live in my dream house if it doesn't pay off, as I'll be living in a one bedroom flat across the other side of the country doing my old job somewhere else. It's not all been bad news though, the missus is now a director of her family business ( nope she's not goateed nor powerfully built) and that extra income from her new tax-efficient status allows us to scrape into building the house, albeit with some serious corner cutting and cost saving measures.
The best part of a year in a caravan with no money has taught me a lot about what's important. Yes I've looked upon friends going on fancy holidays and buying flash new cars with some envy but a few years ago that was me, heading off around Europe in a Z4, or turning up at some posh gaff for the weekend in my (then new) E65. Ploughing a new furrow has been the hardest thing I've ever done but in the words of Thatch, TINA - there is no alternative. Yes I'd love a granite kitchen, a TV room with a 60 inch Panny and an oak garage but sometimes these things just take longer than planned. At this juncture a house that doesn't blow about in the wind, come with velour curtains, a gas stove and wasn't built in Hull out of aluminium would be like a dream come true.
So the builder is chosen and we're cracking on, provisional start date is end of Feb. Watch this space.
BB.
t happens for a reason. Good luck.
Update time - we have a hole!
So - things are looking up. My business launch, whilst still in its early days, has been a big success and I've resisted the temptation to buy a chipped 330d with the proceeds and crack on with the house build. It's been a long, tough slog in a caravan but we can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now. Hopefully it's not some idiot with a torch!
The builder came along in March as planned, but we were still waiting on finance (I honestly cannot stress how inept and slow mortgage and finance companies are) so March became April and eventually May became June and thankfully before my wife and I went to shoot someone at the land registry (don't ask) finally the big day came when a digger arrived! Annoyingly I arrived about 5 minutes too late to catch a picture of them breaking ground...
Things went fast from this point - within a day the site was cleared out:
At the back of the site will be a fairly chunky retaining wall:
All the founds were dug within a week and the steel went down:
Then we laid down a load of dolomite as a base for the entrance area so we could get in and out of the site. The first time I pulled my car into my drive was a nice moment!
Then, predictably, things go tits up. The building inspector shows up and starts asking questions about soil surveys and roots and the retaining wall. Blank faces all round. We call the architect but he's on holiday for two weeks. He returns from holiday but then the building inspector is on holiday. Arghhhhhh.
After going around the houses for a month (by which time the founds have slowly filled with water) we settle the soil question and have to spend more money on more structural calculations for the wall, something we already did. So now waiting for the building inspector to return this week, along with the guy who will provide our building warranty so that we can get the concrete poured, something we hoped to do 3 weeks ago. Oh yes, and Halifax still haven't actually given us any money yet and on my desk is a bill for the valuer (£500), steel, sand, concrete, blocks and bricks (£2300), the warranty guy's deposit (£500), the water and electricity connection (£2000), the liability insurance for the site (£980) and the new structural calculations (£290). Anyone got a fiver they can lend me?
So - things are looking up. My business launch, whilst still in its early days, has been a big success and I've resisted the temptation to buy a chipped 330d with the proceeds and crack on with the house build. It's been a long, tough slog in a caravan but we can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now. Hopefully it's not some idiot with a torch!
The builder came along in March as planned, but we were still waiting on finance (I honestly cannot stress how inept and slow mortgage and finance companies are) so March became April and eventually May became June and thankfully before my wife and I went to shoot someone at the land registry (don't ask) finally the big day came when a digger arrived! Annoyingly I arrived about 5 minutes too late to catch a picture of them breaking ground...
Things went fast from this point - within a day the site was cleared out:
At the back of the site will be a fairly chunky retaining wall:
All the founds were dug within a week and the steel went down:
Then we laid down a load of dolomite as a base for the entrance area so we could get in and out of the site. The first time I pulled my car into my drive was a nice moment!
Then, predictably, things go tits up. The building inspector shows up and starts asking questions about soil surveys and roots and the retaining wall. Blank faces all round. We call the architect but he's on holiday for two weeks. He returns from holiday but then the building inspector is on holiday. Arghhhhhh.
After going around the houses for a month (by which time the founds have slowly filled with water) we settle the soil question and have to spend more money on more structural calculations for the wall, something we already did. So now waiting for the building inspector to return this week, along with the guy who will provide our building warranty so that we can get the concrete poured, something we hoped to do 3 weeks ago. Oh yes, and Halifax still haven't actually given us any money yet and on my desk is a bill for the valuer (£500), steel, sand, concrete, blocks and bricks (£2300), the warranty guy's deposit (£500), the water and electricity connection (£2000), the liability insurance for the site (£980) and the new structural calculations (£290). Anyone got a fiver they can lend me?
At last! Sort of. I've not biked past for a few weeks, but was wondering when things would get started. Great stuff!
If you get to the point where you're looking for another source of finance, I can highly recommend Handelsbanken in Durham, they'll deal with your less usual arrangements much better than any of the usual people.
If you get to the point where you're looking for another source of finance, I can highly recommend Handelsbanken in Durham, they'll deal with your less usual arrangements much better than any of the usual people.
Great news BBD.
Congrats at sticking with it and following the dream.
Don't give up on the toys either, just because you may not be able to add or justify the toys now, still plan and wire for them, then your ready for when you can.
Ideally you should think about this when you are planning the sockets and services ready for your first fix.
Good luck with the build, looks a great location.
V.
Congrats at sticking with it and following the dream.
Don't give up on the toys either, just because you may not be able to add or justify the toys now, still plan and wire for them, then your ready for when you can.
Ideally you should think about this when you are planning the sockets and services ready for your first fix.
Good luck with the build, looks a great location.
V.
VEX said:
Great news BBD.
Congrats at sticking with it and following the dream.
Don't give up on the toys either, just because you may not be able to add or justify the toys now, still plan and wire for them, then your ready for when you can.
Ideally you should think about this when you are planning the sockets and services ready for your first fix.
Good luck with the build, looks a great location.
V.
Thanks all. V, we had a chat on the phone a LONG time ago about my toys. Also you got us a free ticket to the homebuilding show at the NEC so I'm in your debt Congrats at sticking with it and following the dream.
Don't give up on the toys either, just because you may not be able to add or justify the toys now, still plan and wire for them, then your ready for when you can.
Ideally you should think about this when you are planning the sockets and services ready for your first fix.
Good luck with the build, looks a great location.
V.
As you say, CAT 5 (or is it 6 now?) cable costs pennies in the big scheme of things so we'll definitely make sure we're future proofed for home automation etc.
At the very least, I'd like some smart lighting, wifi enabled heating and some provision to get HD telly piped around the place.
So - the building inspector came along yesterday, grumbled a bit (he's a glass half empty sort of chap it appears) but eventually gave us the thumbs up to get the concrete poured. We'd already alerted the cement company and then it was a case of waiting for them to show up, which they did - two hours late.
Desperately trying not to drop my iPhone in the cement while helping the lads rake it out
One of my pals, a fellow PHer, yesterday reminded me of the classic episode of Partridge where he's talking to 'John' the builder and has a meltdown in his static caravan in front of HMRC. So from the bunkette of my own Apache I fired up the DVD....
Desperately trying not to drop my iPhone in the cement while helping the lads rake it out
One of my pals, a fellow PHer, yesterday reminded me of the classic episode of Partridge where he's talking to 'John' the builder and has a meltdown in his static caravan in front of HMRC. So from the bunkette of my own Apache I fired up the DVD....
Edited by bennyboydurham on Saturday 12th July 17:37
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