foundation and blockwork books

Gary Busey

hi, im a qualified carpenter of 10 years and im looking into starting my own business at some stage.
Im going to advance my building knowledge as much as possible before i start up. It is essential I know what is standard from foundations, dpc, rising walls all the way to the final paintjob.
I have a vast knowledge of most trades (even a little in structural engineering side) but I have never really applied my time towards the basics of calculating and pouring foundations etc.
Ive been on sites for 14 years and work on my own too. I have seen their constuction hundreds of times but now I want to know their laws and boundaries.

Basically I want to build up enough knowlegde on every aspect of home building so if someone is cutting corners, I will see through them straight away and have the ability to pull them on it.

Ive read dozens of books on carpentry and structural wood construction and I am now looking for the books used by fas to teach brickworkers and foundation workers.

Ive read homebond a few times and other books. I would also be open to personal book choices on this as I love the extra knowledge.

Anyway cheers in advance, hopefully knowledge is the way to save money as apposed to cutting corners.

BryanF

Contact one of the colleges that offer construction degrees and ask for their reading lists. If your thinking of starting your own business as a main contractor why not look in to CIOB membership.

crockholm

Would you be looking to do the blockwork/footings yourself then also?

Gary Busey

Its less a case of doing them myself and more a case of knowing how their are done so I can be sure when pricing and undertaking the work what is involved.

I wouldnt be doing the blockwork or rising wall myself but foundations, slab and dpc would be my responsibility.

The reason I want to learn about this is so I can stand over the work that I will be paying groundworkers and brickys to do knowing its done right.

As for the CIOB membership, I will look into it.

Cheers for the info

crockholm

Gary Busey wrote: »

Its less a case of doing them myself and more a case of knowing how their are done so I can be sure when pricing and undertaking the work what is involved.

I wouldnt be doing the blockwork or rising wall myself but foundations, slab and dpc would be my responsibility.

The reason I want to learn about this is so I can stand over the work that I will be paying groundworkers and brickys to do knowing its done right.

As for the CIOB membership, I will look into it.

Cheers for the info

Or just hire the right men, I don't wish to be flippant,but we all have our trade secrets and no doubt we have both seen our fair share of mushrooms spring up and it's this kind of knowledge that seperates us from them.

There are books that I consult if need the info, e.g. flat cambered arches or niches, but I would honestly think that getting the right men who know the job would be better that hiring a few dolts and correcting their footings for them.

Gary Busey

I had a look into the CIOB course, 72weeks and around €10,000 to complete. Thats crazy stuff.