No Really..

After the optimism of the last post (February 2012) we hit a bit of stick patch. The original plan was for the build to go out to tender c\o the architects. Having paid for a quantity surveyor we were not expecting too much of a shock, however we got a very nasty jolt when the tenders came back. The cheapest was @ 60k over budget. At this point I lost faith in the architect led process and we decided to go it alone - although the architects would be retained to answer questions etc. After a long search for builders we came across Andrew Lebrun of LeBrun Construction. Andrew is a groundworks specialist which we means that we have a suitable specialist to get us through the tricky ground works on site. Andrew is also project managing the rest of build so we have continuity from beginning to end. Andrew did the groundworks for a well known eco-build called Cropthorne House, he has some experience at delivering the kind of thinsg we are after (though we aren't taking it fas as the Cropthorne House sadly). Western Power Distribution decided that a plan for moving electricity poles and transformers that has stood in place for 12+ months wouldn't work so we have ended up having a new electricity transformer installed across the road from the plot. After much lobbying we had it moved from the original position (terrible) to one that still spoils the view but doesn't trash it completely. On other things they have been very helpful and the dig across the road (part of the scheme to put the electrics underground) is due for early January. Also in early January is the redirection of the gas to the house next door (where we are living) which in turn will enable us to excavate the parking (as part of the planning revamped parking has to be provided for this house as well as the new one). This should give us a bit more space on site. Hopefully by mid Jan we should be free of the electricity pole on site and that will allow us to crank up the pace of the build. We are hoping that be build will be @ 9 months, so allowing for weather delays we SHOULD be in the house this time next year.

Picture Progress

A long time ago - before we even bought the plot...

Week 1: we get stuck in to the bank so we access the plot direct from the road.

Week 2: now we have a bit of room to work. Alot of earth now removed - but only a fraction of the total that has to shifted.

Week 2: by the end of week two we are now touching the rear of the excavations for the house.

Week 2: this week the plot has become almost unworkable due to the constant rain. We now break for Xmas and hope things dry out by the time Andrew starts work in January

Long time no post

It's been a while since I posted anything. It's actually be a VERY long time since I posted anything, but the project is still on..

Things should start to build up a head of steam over the next 2 to 3 months. We have building regs approval (bar some details which can be OK'd as the project proceeds) but there's a story or two in that for a future post.

We're just about to go to tender - which means we actually find out what someone will build the house for rather what than the QS estimates it shold cost (that's not to say I don't have confidence in the QS, I do).

We are also just about to move house - which after 15 years in Selly Park, Birmingham will be a major wrench.

By a bit of scheming and good luck we have secured the rental of the house next to the building plot so we will be on site to see the house go up - and to do a little supervision.

Back soon. And that doesn't mean 6 months..