Things I wish I had done when building?

- More insulation around the windows
- Better costing process
- Planted trees and hedges at the very start - the damn things don't grow overnight!
- Insulated the dormer section a helluva lot better
- Built A garage - never mind one detached or otherwise!
- A bigger kitchen


Next one will definitely be better!!!

I like this thread.
Good idea villian and thanks to those who posted.

construct06 wrote: »

I wish we didnt put down black tiles in the hallway.

Cannot keep them clean.

Exact same tile in kitchen in cream, no bother keep clean.

Moral..never use black floor tiles....!

Have you been talking to Mrs. smashey?

construct06 wrote: »

no...but mrs. construct_06 is a very unhappy bunny with her black tiles...
is mrs. smashey in same situation...!?:rolleyes:

She certainly is. :eek:

Build the shed/garage/barn before the house and make sure you can secure it well..........then you don't need a container, and you have somewhere dry to work.

slanleat wrote: »

When your happy with the size of your utility room, tripple it!

Why?

slanleat wrote: »

Most double up as laundry rooms and if you have kids, size does matter..
The more storage you can fit into your utility room, the more chance u have of keeping the kitchen free of clutter.
Apart from what the units can take (cleaning + laundry products, shoe polishes, dusters, cloths, black bags, plastic bags, paper bags, bulbs, batteries and all those other bits that just have no obvious home), it’s the place where the washing machine and drier go, as well as the iron, ironing board, clothes horse/s, wellies, mucky shoes, school bags, handbags, work bags, shopping bags, hats, scarfs, gloves, possibly the hotpress, Then theres the sweeping brush, clothes pegs, clothes line basket, mop, bucket, first aid etc etc..
Make sure its off the kitchen and has a sink.
Im a mammy with 3 kids, so maybe Im bias, but ask any woman u know with a util room, would they like a bigger one..utility room that is.;)

Fair enough points although I dont think you would actually need it 3 times bigger after it is planned out but I can see where you are coming from alright.

And yes, most of my female clients would want a bigger one

Ours is circa 10 ft x 12 ft - and is too small. Have 4 kids doing a lot of sport.
I beileve its too square - wasted space in the middle of the floor. Better designed if it was longer and narrower

Contains - clothes horse (damn nuisance!), washing machine and dryer housed under a counter top unit that also has a sink. Oil boiler also under the sink. 4 storage cupboards over the sink for cleaning kit, some booze, basket of bulbs, and other incidentals.
One wall has built in cupboards for recycling bin, bag of spuds, lots of coats and the ironing board & vacuum cleaner. BUT - neither are in there - it's full of hurleys, archery equipment, tennis rackets and whatever is "in season"!!

More drawer units under the window with pull-out baskets for all things sporting that need storing - from sliothars to gloves to hats and gum-shields. Then there's the rack for shoes, boots and all things at the end of your feet ..................... TBH, I was happier in the 2 up 2 down in Surrey!!!!:eek:

smashey wrote: »

Not in Donegal you wouldn't.

Far be it from me to add to the blighted landscape in Donegal!

smashey wrote: »

No worries. Horses, doors and bolted spring to mind.

True.

I seen a couple of your designs and they look like stables alright

I'll have a word with Mellor & smashey about this.

muffler wrote: »

I'll have a word with Mellor & smashey about this.

Any update on the 'sticky' situation?
Really - I'm just asking to get it back up the list in lieu of it's unsticky status!;)

If using timber floor then bracing between joists ever 1M.
If you do a timber floor correctly there is very little difference between it and a concrete one in terms of sound and deflection.

blindsider I have moved your post to a new thread here

250882 wrote: »

no pvc windows

Are you giving out that you don't have pvc windows or that you have them and aren't happy with them?

Slig wrote: »

Have em, dont like em. They are sh1t.
In fact I am amazed that they are still being made!

Have what and hate what?

Things I wish I had done
I wish I had not shone the wife the plans; I started off with a nice small bungalow; finished up with a dormer bungalow; two and half thousand squire feet
Put in more insulation; at the time I put in more than the codes specified .
Advice for anyone’ buy the home bound book’ it will be your bible .
Build your garage’ onto the side of your house’ you already have one wall
The cost will be small’ compared to building one after a few years
You can leave the finished work to the trade’s anything else you can do yourself
If you are going direct labour’ get three prices’ don’t hand over any money until the job is done’ and be prepared to be disappointed’ and frustrated’ give yourself plenty of time’ plan everything twice
It took me one year to build’ direct labour’ I was lucky I was able to do allot of the labour myself.
It was worth it