Our Victorian/industrial/canalside new build thread...
Discussion
VX Foxy said:
Nice! Where do you sail?
Thanks! Draycote Water.ndg said:
They've now sorted their site (or it isn't mobile device friendly). Here's the link for black floor tiles at £12/sqm
http://www.endurancemats.com/product/interlocking-...
Thanks for that! They seem really competitive...talking about being in the fives rather than the eights of hundreds quids to do it, save a bit on delivery too as they are just down the road from me in Coventry, so I will definitely go for the flooring. If I don't do it now, before I start filling the garage with stuff, I know it will just never happen.http://www.endurancemats.com/product/interlocking-...
MKnight702 said:
You can get the USB plugs in the UK, I've got them in the new kitchen.
Cool...do you know if your USB ports are also switched (as well as the 240v three pin), as that seemed to be a deal breaker earlier in the thread?Garybee said:
Just seen this thread...
What a fantastic plot, about as nice a setting as I've seen. Looks to be coming on well, please keep the thread updated.
Thanks! What a fantastic plot, about as nice a setting as I've seen. Looks to be coming on well, please keep the thread updated.
Edited by Hard-Drive on Monday 23 November 22:18
Craikeybaby said:
I didn't realise you were local!
It is worth looking at those Endurance mats floor tiles, I wasn't overly impressed with the quality compared to something like Mototile.
Cheers for the tip...I'll go and have a look before handing over the cash, but they reckon they've just done a Mercedes dealer with them, so they can't be too shoddy. Also, as they are 25% cheaper than elsewhere, that's a big saving over what is a big garage, and it's going to be a lot better than a painted concrete floor. And bear in mind that I've never had a garage before!It is worth looking at those Endurance mats floor tiles, I wasn't overly impressed with the quality compared to something like Mototile.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
What makes good brickwork? Is it the regularity and consistency, or something else?
I'm no expert, but yes, it's all dead straight and regular, and the "details" are very well executed IMHO. The corbeling (sticky out bits) at the top of the walls, and the bits at the top of the gable ends are all very precise, as are the brick arches which are apparently easy to get wrong. And the pointing is very neat too...there's no excess mortar anywhere, and the teeny bit that has ended up falling down onto the blue plinth base is apparently going to be cleaned up by some wonder acid stuff that will bring them up like a shotgun barrel.The thread has been updated in "real time" as it were, and all the red bricks have basically been laid by just one guy in that time. The others have been doing other things on the house including the blockwork, woodwork etc and keeping him supplied with bricks and mortar, but it's amazing just how fast he works. Nice chap too, I think it really helps to be able to go and have a chat and strike up some friendships with the guys who are building our home.
OK, so that's all the brickwork done! Gable ends, corbeling and chimney now complete, and the roofing started...
Looking more complex inside...wood everywhere. Also wierd not seeing sky any more...however not sure that will still be the case in the morning...it's bloody howling outside...
And I've actually done some work myself...I'd not done anything since clearing the site! The central part of the loft space in the garage is now boarded out...it will be a really useful storage space...
...and I've also plasterboarded the garage ceiling. Walls next, then time for a professional to skim it before I paint it, and fit coving, skirting and flooring. Never done anything like that before so quite happy with the result, it's a bit of a pain to do, but a good mate helped me out. Started slowly but by the time we'd got halfway we'd worked out quite a system involving a ladder wedged between two chairs, a broom, some cushions, and banging screws in pronto with some of DeWalt's finest cordless man-tools!
Garage doors are test fitted too. Frames/arch fillers will be "Gardenia" (a slightly creamy white) and the doors will be battleship grey.
Power goes in on Monday all being well and hopefully the roof slates start to go on...
Looking more complex inside...wood everywhere. Also wierd not seeing sky any more...however not sure that will still be the case in the morning...it's bloody howling outside...
And I've actually done some work myself...I'd not done anything since clearing the site! The central part of the loft space in the garage is now boarded out...it will be a really useful storage space...
...and I've also plasterboarded the garage ceiling. Walls next, then time for a professional to skim it before I paint it, and fit coving, skirting and flooring. Never done anything like that before so quite happy with the result, it's a bit of a pain to do, but a good mate helped me out. Started slowly but by the time we'd got halfway we'd worked out quite a system involving a ladder wedged between two chairs, a broom, some cushions, and banging screws in pronto with some of DeWalt's finest cordless man-tools!
Garage doors are test fitted too. Frames/arch fillers will be "Gardenia" (a slightly creamy white) and the doors will be battleship grey.
Power goes in on Monday all being well and hopefully the roof slates start to go on...
Minemapper said:
Always amazing to watch how fast these things happen. I know it doesn't feel like it when you're neck deep though.
Very much agreeing with the first part of the sentence...it's gone up super quick so far. It's pretty sobering really, OK so there's been some Makita drills and a petrol powered cement mixer and brick cutter and of course a JCB, but the rest of it is not much different to what the Romans would have done, carry stuff brick by brick up some scaffolding and laying each one by hand and eye. Seems amazing that's how we still build most houses! Yet it's still gone up really fast and I see big changes every time I visit site (currently live 5 mins walk round the corner so I see it most days)Dave_ST220 said:
Bet your glad the roof is on with the recent weather! IME it seems to slow down when the work starts inside then all of a sudden it's time to move in 
The inside seems to be where the budget gets spent quickly too!
Yes, I can understand that. Once the shell is up and watertight it doesn't really change that dramatically any more...you know what the finished house will look like from the outside and although kitchens and bathroom and woodburners are exciting, plug sockets and hot water cylinders aren't! The inside seems to be where the budget gets spent quickly too!Although man cave flooring and coving will be VERY exciting!!
OK another update...
We now have power so I've been in in the evenings doing more plasterboarding and installing the loft hatch...ready for the plasterer who will be in sometime next week. It's been quite a big job...the garage measures 7m by 6m, so with battens at 400mm and five concrete screws per batten, that's a lot of drilling. Having "n+1" electric drills has been useful here to save constantly changing bits...240v hammer drill to do the holes in the blockwork (although in practice you really don't need it on hammer setting and even a very slow speed if fine), one of DeWalt's cordless items to drive the torx headed concrete screws in, and and Aldi special on plasterboard screwdriving duty.
I've also installed a Fakro loft hatch...nice piece of kit, and it reminds me of the crew hatch of a Vulcan bomber! Once the plasterer has been I'll sort out a surround for it (and try to resist painting it camo...)
It gives a useful garage loft storage space...for me there's almost standing headroom in there so it's going to be quite handy.
The roof is now finished and the guttering installed...
...and the plumbing is going in as well as some serious insulation for the wet UFH system. The floor screed will go in before Christmas to give it plenty of drying time.
And another milestone moment today...the scaffold has come down. Seems totally different now, and we are really pleased with how it's looking. Can't wait to get the windows, doors and porch on it!
Please excuse crappity crap iPhone pics, and the dull British winter. The photos make the bricks look a bit odd...in reality they are much redder then that and the black bits much less obvious (it looks much more like the close up of the gutter/slates).
We now have power so I've been in in the evenings doing more plasterboarding and installing the loft hatch...ready for the plasterer who will be in sometime next week. It's been quite a big job...the garage measures 7m by 6m, so with battens at 400mm and five concrete screws per batten, that's a lot of drilling. Having "n+1" electric drills has been useful here to save constantly changing bits...240v hammer drill to do the holes in the blockwork (although in practice you really don't need it on hammer setting and even a very slow speed if fine), one of DeWalt's cordless items to drive the torx headed concrete screws in, and and Aldi special on plasterboard screwdriving duty.
I've also installed a Fakro loft hatch...nice piece of kit, and it reminds me of the crew hatch of a Vulcan bomber! Once the plasterer has been I'll sort out a surround for it (and try to resist painting it camo...)
It gives a useful garage loft storage space...for me there's almost standing headroom in there so it's going to be quite handy.
The roof is now finished and the guttering installed...
...and the plumbing is going in as well as some serious insulation for the wet UFH system. The floor screed will go in before Christmas to give it plenty of drying time.
And another milestone moment today...the scaffold has come down. Seems totally different now, and we are really pleased with how it's looking. Can't wait to get the windows, doors and porch on it!
Please excuse crappity crap iPhone pics, and the dull British winter. The photos make the bricks look a bit odd...in reality they are much redder then that and the black bits much less obvious (it looks much more like the close up of the gutter/slates).
Edited by Hard-Drive on Friday 11th December 17:26
Thanks for the encouragement guys. Even though it's all gone very smoothly so far and the planning nightmare seems a distant memory the whole juggling the day job/year end at work in a sales role/this project/other huge forthcoming life events/two mortgages/scary numbers/etc etc, can get pretty full-on so it's good that the PH collective approve of this gamble!
I'm fairly sure that the plinth bricks are purely for show and it just adds complication and expense! The red bricks are stepped back over a larger cavity at the bottom of the wall, plus there's a lot more wall ties, different thicknesses of insulation, and a lot more of a potential for a measuring or bricklaying screw up. But it's been absolutely worth it, it does really set the building off. Our architect and builder (father/son team) are very into a big blue brick base...in fact I asked them to take one course out as I wanted at least two courses of red under the stone cills to give it a bit of balance. It also reflects the corbeling at roof height so gives some more balance there.
One other detail I only spotted the other day was that the pointing on the blues (which are a very square/sharp edged) is super smooth and almost flush with the brick, where the pointing around the reds, (which have very rough/chipped edges by design) is much rougher/more rustic. Our brickie has been great, highly recommended.
I'm fairly sure that the plinth bricks are purely for show and it just adds complication and expense! The red bricks are stepped back over a larger cavity at the bottom of the wall, plus there's a lot more wall ties, different thicknesses of insulation, and a lot more of a potential for a measuring or bricklaying screw up. But it's been absolutely worth it, it does really set the building off. Our architect and builder (father/son team) are very into a big blue brick base...in fact I asked them to take one course out as I wanted at least two courses of red under the stone cills to give it a bit of balance. It also reflects the corbeling at roof height so gives some more balance there.
One other detail I only spotted the other day was that the pointing on the blues (which are a very square/sharp edged) is super smooth and almost flush with the brick, where the pointing around the reds, (which have very rough/chipped edges by design) is much rougher/more rustic. Our brickie has been great, highly recommended.
Dave_ST220 said:
I can relate to that, I lost so much weight doing ours I ended up with T&E cable holding up my trousers as my belts were no where near! It's all a distant memory now & worth it in the end, I can assure you that! I have plenty of pictures to remind me of the hell though should I ever feel silly enough to do it again 
Haha! Well I look forward to this unexpected benefit of the project...because trust me the only thing that is getting rapidly skinnier by the day right now is my bank balance!Davey S2 said:
That's a 360 Spider surely?
House looks great. When are you hoping to move in?
Correct, it looks like a Fezza, however it was the closest "sports car" the CAD program had to a Boxster. Yeah, in my dreams, I know...House looks great. When are you hoping to move in?
Hopefully moving in around March. Anyway, a bit more progress and also dissapointment...I've been working away for a few days so I missed the opportunity to photograph the wet UFH system and see where all the pipes went. But the insulation and floor screed are now in, and the manifold is in what will be the understairs cupboard.
That's probably it now on the house until after Christmas to let it all dry out ready for first fix, however the garage gets plastered by a pro tomorrow, then I'll be painting it, coving it, skirting it and laying the rubber floor over the break.
Update time!
I've been busy on the garage, painting the walls and ceiling, adding rubber flooring and fitting the skirting (which needs priming and painting). It's getting there and I'll be kitting it out as a proper man cave soon...various bits of motoring memorabilia have been coming in from eBay!
Floorboards, stud walls, services and other bits going in upstairs...
From day 1 we'd wanted an L-shape to the house, with bifolds into the kitchen/diner and lounge from the outside, oriented to be a sun trap. We really love "outside living" and want the patio to almost be another "room". The bifolds are now in and it's going to work really well, with a nice big table out there and possibly an awning for chillier evenings, it will get loads of use. It's also bordered by the garage to give an almost "courtyard" feel.
I've installed a load of Cat6 cabling, with advice from another PH thread. It might be overkill, but far better to have too much than too little! Cabinet, 48 port patch panel ready to go and 48 port unmanaged switch going in too. I know the world has gone wireless but bloody wireless printers never seem to work, wifi signal can sometimes be infuriating, and this just leaves a load of options WRT media servers, HDMI over ethernet, smart devices etc (yes there's even a port behind the fridge!)
And lastly the levels are starting to be made up, ready for a proper driveway and paths etc so when the plasterers move in, the inside of the house won't look like the Somme. Windows and stone sills arriving soon...that will make a massive difference.
I've been busy on the garage, painting the walls and ceiling, adding rubber flooring and fitting the skirting (which needs priming and painting). It's getting there and I'll be kitting it out as a proper man cave soon...various bits of motoring memorabilia have been coming in from eBay!
Floorboards, stud walls, services and other bits going in upstairs...
From day 1 we'd wanted an L-shape to the house, with bifolds into the kitchen/diner and lounge from the outside, oriented to be a sun trap. We really love "outside living" and want the patio to almost be another "room". The bifolds are now in and it's going to work really well, with a nice big table out there and possibly an awning for chillier evenings, it will get loads of use. It's also bordered by the garage to give an almost "courtyard" feel.
I've installed a load of Cat6 cabling, with advice from another PH thread. It might be overkill, but far better to have too much than too little! Cabinet, 48 port patch panel ready to go and 48 port unmanaged switch going in too. I know the world has gone wireless but bloody wireless printers never seem to work, wifi signal can sometimes be infuriating, and this just leaves a load of options WRT media servers, HDMI over ethernet, smart devices etc (yes there's even a port behind the fridge!)
And lastly the levels are starting to be made up, ready for a proper driveway and paths etc so when the plasterers move in, the inside of the house won't look like the Somme. Windows and stone sills arriving soon...that will make a massive difference.
ILoveMondeo said:
This looks amazing! I love these self build threads.
OP, it looks every bit the Victorian house, really nice job! Looking forward to seeing how the interior shapes up.
Don't hold your breath on the interior! We're doing the kitchen and utility room to a fairly decent standard (Benchmarx, gloss units, oak worktops and Smeg appliances) and the bathroom should be fairly nice (all Twyford). There will be a decent woodburner and fireplace in from day 1, but as we're looking at finishing about 10k over budget so far, everything else will be bog standard. We won't even carpet upstairs (varnished floor and rugs to start with) and slowly we'll sort it as we get to know the place over the seasons. As long as the basics that are a nightmare to add later are right, all the fancy stuff can wait. We'll probably be living there for life so we can take our time!OP, it looks every bit the Victorian house, really nice job! Looking forward to seeing how the interior shapes up.
More progress. Exciting details starting to happen...not long now!
Patio...this is about half of it, and will project out onto the lawn like a runway/jetty, basically being a straight run out of the lounge bi-fold...
Garage lights...gone for that industrial look (but cheap cheap from Screwfix). They are on a timer inside the garage, but with a light sensor so they won't come on too early when the days get longer...
Retaining wall. Big win here, this will be a 30M run, and we thought the most cost effective way of doing it was going to be gabian rock baskets, but they are still big money. But the bank has been remarkably stable all winter in some pretty minging weather, so the builder has recommended simple natural stone slabs at a fraction of the cost.
Fencing...tidying the place up no end. Simple rustic fencing (half round posts) on some of it as seen here, with slightly posher sawn posts for the front of the house.
Fireplace arch in, ready for oak mantelpiece, dark grey stone hearth and a woodburner (going in this week). Chunky bits of timber to the right of the fireplace is the rather substantial porch.
The beginnings of a kitchen...
Staircase finished. The chippie has done a great job. Seems a real shame to paint it, so we'll oil it.
Some rooms decorated. Slight change of plan on the colour, we're going for more of an off-white rather than magnolia seen here.
Boiler in, rads and UFH working away...nice and warm inside!
Power and light!
Big push on the kitchen next week. Engineered wood floor arrives at the back end of the week, ready to acclimatise and go in the following week. And we've even chosen some carpet for upstairs, and I've been busy picking up tiles, fencing materials etc. Definitely light at the end of the tunnel now!
Patio...this is about half of it, and will project out onto the lawn like a runway/jetty, basically being a straight run out of the lounge bi-fold...
Garage lights...gone for that industrial look (but cheap cheap from Screwfix). They are on a timer inside the garage, but with a light sensor so they won't come on too early when the days get longer...
Retaining wall. Big win here, this will be a 30M run, and we thought the most cost effective way of doing it was going to be gabian rock baskets, but they are still big money. But the bank has been remarkably stable all winter in some pretty minging weather, so the builder has recommended simple natural stone slabs at a fraction of the cost.
Fencing...tidying the place up no end. Simple rustic fencing (half round posts) on some of it as seen here, with slightly posher sawn posts for the front of the house.
Fireplace arch in, ready for oak mantelpiece, dark grey stone hearth and a woodburner (going in this week). Chunky bits of timber to the right of the fireplace is the rather substantial porch.
The beginnings of a kitchen...
Staircase finished. The chippie has done a great job. Seems a real shame to paint it, so we'll oil it.
Some rooms decorated. Slight change of plan on the colour, we're going for more of an off-white rather than magnolia seen here.
Boiler in, rads and UFH working away...nice and warm inside!
Power and light!
Big push on the kitchen next week. Engineered wood floor arrives at the back end of the week, ready to acclimatise and go in the following week. And we've even chosen some carpet for upstairs, and I've been busy picking up tiles, fencing materials etc. Definitely light at the end of the tunnel now!
Edited by Hard-Drive on Sunday 6th March 22:41
EddyP said:
Looking great!
Who's been doing your painting?
Think we're not too far from you but seem to be having a nightmare finding a decent decorator that can do a good job without putting paint on everything they go near, like the supposedly "perfect" guy that hand painted the kitchen units who at the same time decided to splash the new karndean floor!
Doesn't anyone use masking tape anymore?
A couple of guys the builder has brought in...I can see if they are doing other work? PM me your details and I'll pass them on if you want...Who's been doing your painting?
Think we're not too far from you but seem to be having a nightmare finding a decent decorator that can do a good job without putting paint on everything they go near, like the supposedly "perfect" guy that hand painted the kitchen units who at the same time decided to splash the new karndean floor!
Doesn't anyone use masking tape anymore?
Sorry, but time to lose my rag slightly now...
I've now had two letters, one some time ago from the local council, giving me a last chance to pay up for council tax or who to write to if I wish to appeal. I pointed out that the property at the time was devoid of windows, doors, gas, electricity, sanitation, furniture, building control signoff (yes, from you, the council) and of course totally devoid of anyone actually living there. I was begrudgingly given a few months grace.
Now I've just gone round to site and found a red letter from TV Licensing telling me that "Officers from the Enforcement Division have now been authorised to visit me" and in big letters (bullet pointed too) I now face "prosecution, court, and a fine of up to £1,000.00". Un-bloody-believable how efficient these people are for this kind of stuff!!!!!
I've now had two letters, one some time ago from the local council, giving me a last chance to pay up for council tax or who to write to if I wish to appeal. I pointed out that the property at the time was devoid of windows, doors, gas, electricity, sanitation, furniture, building control signoff (yes, from you, the council) and of course totally devoid of anyone actually living there. I was begrudgingly given a few months grace.
Now I've just gone round to site and found a red letter from TV Licensing telling me that "Officers from the Enforcement Division have now been authorised to visit me" and in big letters (bullet pointed too) I now face "prosecution, court, and a fine of up to £1,000.00". Un-bloody-believable how efficient these people are for this kind of stuff!!!!!
roofer said:
Bud, what you have created is a fantastic thing. Don't let the gold hat brigade take the shine off, just pen pushing arse holes who will never achieve what you have. Meet them with a grin, shoot them down.
Oh trust me, I won't let some piece of pathetic "process" and whoever dreamed it up take the shine off one little bit. But really, can't they start off with a "our records indicate this is a new property, if this is now lived in can we ask you to contact us to arrange payment", rather than the opening line being threats of "see you in court" letters in red ink!TheBaj said:
Looks fantastic, great job.
Where did you get the garage flooring from in the end? I'm after something similar soon and yours looks really good.
They came from Endurance Mats in Coventry. I can't remember how much they ended up costing but it was a fair bit less than I'd originally expected. A few tips if you do it...Where did you get the garage flooring from in the end? I'm after something similar soon and yours looks really good.
-I followed their advice on how much was needed but wasn't convinced...and I did end up needing another "row" of tiles, so might be worth buying more than you need and returning them
-They are bulky and heavy. I only just, and I do mean just, got all mine in the back of a 3 series estate, and it was pretty much on the bump stops for the journey home. A more suitable car/van might have been advisable...I'm local so I didn't want to pay the delivery charge!
-A big square, tape measure, chalk line and laser level were very useful for marking out
-Have a think/test before you start laying them. Start at the door end in the middle, plan ahead and make sure you don't end up in a corner with a little sliver to fill. Get your head around measuring the tiles compared to the floor area and "loosing" the interlocking but in your sums. Double garages do take a bit more thinking about too in terms of getting the doors right
-I'm sure I read somewhere "cut with a Stanley knife". Forget it. They are far more plastic than rubber. I used a cheapinsh hobby spec table saw, and it was absolutely invaluable for the job
I've been doing some work on a car in the garage already, and having a flat, clean, comparatively warm surface to work on that shrugs off oil stains etc is just brilliant, it's such a worthwhile thing to do to your garage.
More progress...really close now. Just want to move in!
Living room...engineered oak floor fitted, fireplace almost finished (bar the mantelpiece) and Pevex Bohemia X40 wood burner in. Bifolds work brilliantly opening out onto the patio.
Comms cabinet. Spent most of Easter doing this. 48 ports, 8 wires at the patch panel end, 8 wires at the outlet end, yes, 768 tedious terminations needing punching down...yawn...
Ensuite bathroom. Bit of an error with the paint choice, was supposed to be a grey colour turns out Dulux "Frosted Steel" has a real lilac tinge to it. Guess I'll be repainting that then!
French doors in master bedroom. And yes, the Juliette balcony is on the way!
Utility room...
...and kitchen, just about ready for some Smeggy goodness!
Stair bannister oiled...really glad we didn't paint it.
More to follow when it happens...last few weeks to go now!
Living room...engineered oak floor fitted, fireplace almost finished (bar the mantelpiece) and Pevex Bohemia X40 wood burner in. Bifolds work brilliantly opening out onto the patio.
Comms cabinet. Spent most of Easter doing this. 48 ports, 8 wires at the patch panel end, 8 wires at the outlet end, yes, 768 tedious terminations needing punching down...yawn...
Ensuite bathroom. Bit of an error with the paint choice, was supposed to be a grey colour turns out Dulux "Frosted Steel" has a real lilac tinge to it. Guess I'll be repainting that then!
French doors in master bedroom. And yes, the Juliette balcony is on the way!
Utility room...
...and kitchen, just about ready for some Smeggy goodness!
Stair bannister oiled...really glad we didn't paint it.
More to follow when it happens...last few weeks to go now!
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