Is it possible to get contractor to build the "shell" of a house

fitzie79

Has anyone experience of getting contractors to build the "shell" of a house, ie doing the foundations, block laying and roofing?

I am thinking of doing a self build but am worried about going that route due to time considerations and a lack of knowledge. I would be more confident with regard to the electrical, plumbing and plastering and therefore I am thinking that getting the contractor to build the shell and looking after the rest myself might be a compromise between the full contractor route and the self build route.

Are contractors willing to tender for this type of work? Are there any potential pitfalls that other people have experienced this way? One that I can think of would be underfloor heating - I presume that I would need to have the plumber lined up in to tie in with the builder for this work.

Any feedback appreciated....

sunnysoutheast

It certainly is possible, and quite widespread.

We engaged a contractor for groundworks, blockwork, roofing, windows, precast floors, plastering (not in that order).

We engaged plumber, electrician, carpenter, skirting/architrave/doors, tiler, kitchen, driveway, garage doors ourselves.

Whether this would work for you probably depends on your builder, some seem fine with it with others not so good (i.e. they'll take everyone off site for your first fix electrical and plumbing, some never to return). Ours was quite happy to work around the workers we'd directly contracted.

One thing to watch is insurance, the builder's cover will only cover what he's contracted to do.

SSE

Builderfromhell

Many builder's I know would even prefer to just bring house to roof level. It's easier to price and it's their core business.
Some, including myself, would not allow your sub-contractors on site for the duration of their contract for insurance reasons.
I can't see too many pitfalls. I would use a plumber with UFH experience to lay pipes in slab. I have often done it and see no need to go to specialist UFH company. In face we have always found it easier to do it ourselves as we have more control.
However, if I were inexperienced and going semi direct labour I would consider timber frame. The prices seem more reasonable everyday.

muffler

As stated above its par for the course. Personally I cant see any major problems but you need to look at a couple of points such as plastering chimneys, providing ramp etc.

Villain

I think that some of the biggest savings on a self build are to made with the construction of the "shell".

i.e. go directly to contractors for ground work, then get someone to mark the house and level the pegs for foundations and put in the steel mesh, Pouring of the foundations once you have enough pegs in place is very simple.

After that its get a block layer in to do the footings and get the radon sump in then filling and radon barrier, get a plumber in for 1st fix and then pour the floors then back over to your block layer to get to wall plate, get a carpenter in to do the roof and thats the shell.

You will be surpirsed at how many people in the trade will be happy to do small aspects of the build now and at decent pricing too. I just got a quote from a blocklayer for 2,500 Sqft house of €5,400 for labour for the entire house!

Villain

You could pay for advertisng you know.

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