Build thread - Creating a multi-family home

[Minemapper]

Making progress. The big ridge beam went in today, and some more framing. Not sure why it needs to be so beefy, but this kitchen's going nowhere....

[singlecoil]

Minemapper said:

Making progress.

And it looks good too, really looks like it will be a tasteful modern update of an already attractive house.

Have the builders been able to give you an idea of when the extension will be weatherproof, and, after that, ready for occupation?

[Minemapper]

I was told today that this side will be weathertight by Christmas, plastering will be complete late Jan, and ready for furnishing some weeks after that.

A timely question, as that's something I have down to discuss with you on Sunday.

[anonymous-user]

Good work Minemapper. ^ Is he the guy that does the kitchens then. I could do with someone...

[singlecoil]

skintemma said:

^ Is he the guy that does the kitchens then.

I'm one of the (at least two) guys that does kitchens on this thread, plus there's a couple more on this forum but not on this thread. If you click on my log-in name in the side bar to the left of this post, you will see my profile.

[Minemapper]

Hi Emma, I can highly recommend John (singlecoil). Although we haven't made a final decision yet, he's been a pleasure to work with so far (unlike some of our other subs). With a bit of luck we'll be able to make a decision next week.

- Matt.

[Minemapper]

Roof coming along nicely. Builder said it was the biggest steel he'd ever installed in a residential setting.





-Matt

[GuinnessMK]

Looking good.

What does the steel sit on?

[Minemapper]

One end is sitting in the brick wall out of sight at the far end. The exposed end is currently resting on a lift, and hopefully by tomorrow they will have built up the gable end of the wall to hold it. There's a tricky round window going in the gable end though, so that took the brickie some time today.

[northandy]

Blimey thats a big house in the first place, the garden looks fabulous. Looking forward to seeing more updates.

[Minemapper]

Progress on the roof. Really glad I'm not up there in this arctic weather, but the lads are doing a grand job. The dead ivy is now gone as well.




Floor samples arrived today.



I know immediately which one I prefer, and it's the one that's more expensive and the polar opposite of the one my wife likes. C'est la vie.

[GhiaX]

Very similar but the bottom one has it for me.

[Mark Benson]

Minemapper said:

Floor samples arrived today.



I know immediately which one I prefer, and it's the one that's more expensive and the polar opposite of the one my wife likes. C'est la vie.

I can highly recommend North Yorkshire Timber (we went to the Richmond branch, but if you're in Northallerton looking at woodburners, they're near Sam Turners as well), lots of samples to have a look at and some really good advice too.
Don't pay the advertised price though, they'll come down quite a bit if you do what I did and have a female to haggle them down (Engineered oak started out at £36 a square metre, ended up at £29 with free underlay, oil and architrave once the wife had finished with them).
Also means you can take any knotty stuff back and they'll replace it without a problem.

[Minemapper]

I'm in.

Looking at £37/m for the oiled oak there. Lots of m's to cover too. Anything I can get to lessen the pain will help.

[Minemapper]

Roof coming along nicely.



Stupid expensive (like most things in my life at the moment) waterproof membrane going down.

[Busa mav]

Have you put a cavity tray in the existing wall ?

Assuming it looks of cavity construction

[Minemapper]

Yes, they will be putting a cavity tray in, but only around the corner, where the valley gutter is. Not needed on the flat roof. Or so I'm told.

Hot tub went on today. Small problem. They seem to have installed it upside down. Must have a word with the chap about that....

[Busa mav]

Minemapper said:

Yes, they will be putting a cavity tray in, but only around the corner, where the valley gutter is. Not needed on the flat roof. Or so I'm told.

I would seriously ask them to re consider how they came to that decision, and check with the building inspector too.

If it was my house I would insist on one.

[Minemapper]

OK. Will do. I'd never even heard of such a thing, so wouldn't have known it was an issue. Thanks.

[Lanby]

Hi,
I've been reading this with interest as we are in the process of doing something very similar.
How did you decide on your builders, and do you have any advice on questions we should be asking them?

Cheers