Considering a Contractor to get to Airtight

B-D-P--

Hi all,

So we are commencing soon on out build, thankfully.

I am in two (or three or four) minds as to wither I want to fork out the extra 30-40 thousand (so I'm told) to get a contractor,

SO I am considering this: Getting a contractor in to get the house airtight,
So they take care of Foundation, Windows, Roof, Block, Plaster, Insulation.
However, this can still lead to a hefty amount extra, and my fear of a contractor cutting corners.
Dont get me wrong I understand the trade lads will try cut corners as well but I'll be able to watch closer with them.

This is a First Time build with a 2 story 2400 sq foot house.
There is some ground work needed, but we will be borrowing a digger off a cousin and do that ourselves, (Well capable of this)

Thing is we are not rushing the build, I'm throwing a 2 year time estimate at it, we are lucky to be living rent free at the moment so it takes alot of rushing off it.

However I'm finding it difficult to weigh up the gains vs cost for contractor for full build or even airtight level.
Contractor also eliminates cash deals which in the west is very available.

I'm guessing looking for people who were in similar circumstances to rant at me and tell me to go for 1 way or another.

Also when pricing up your house for self build,
How do you know your not overlooking simple things? Small things add up like airtight tests, Ber certs, to even getting a crane to put in hollowcore.

Dr4gul4

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Hi all,

So we are commencing soon on out build, thankfully.

I am in two (or three or four) minds as to wither I want to fork out the extra 30-40 thousand (so I'm told) to get a contractor,

SO I am considering this: Getting a contractor in to get the house airtight,
So they take care of Foundation, Windows, Roof, Block, Plaster, Insulation.
However, this can still lead to a hefty amount extra, and my fear of a contractor cutting corners.
Dont get me wrong I understand the trade lads will try cut corners as well but I'll be able to watch closer with them.

This is a First Time build with a 2 story 2400 sq foot house.
There is some ground work needed, but we will be borrowing a digger off a cousin and do that ourselves, (Well capable of this)

Thing is we are not rushing the build, I'm throwing a 2 year time estimate at it, we are lucky to be living rent free at the moment so it takes alot of rushing off it.

However I'm finding it difficult to weigh up the gains vs cost for contractor for full build or even airtight level.
Contractor also eliminates cash deals which in the west is very available.

I'm guessing looking for people who were in similar circumstances to rant at me and tell me to go for 1 way or another.

Also when pricing up your house for self build,
How do you know your not overlooking simple things? Small things add up like airtight tests, Ber certs, to even getting a crane to put in hollowcore.

I feel your pain, in the very same boat looking at 3100 sq feet, hoped to be started two weeks ago, but paper work not sorted yet.


I've reviewed a few tenders and none of them gave me a very warm fuzzy feeling, but the thoughts of missing something is weighing heavily on me also.

At the very Min, I intend on covering the site works, at least i'll know how much hardcore goes in, employ my own plumber for the UFB/ A2W sparks .. finish out the grounds / kerbs etc after.


I'd love to see a Runbook of sorts for self builds.

Calahonda52

A question to my fellow professionals here: what are we doing wrong?
The two posts above represent c euro 1m spend and not a professional on/in site/sight
[2,400 +3,100]/11*2,000 = 1million

B-D-P--

Calahonda52 wrote: »

A question to my fellow professionals here: what are we doing wrong?

How do you mean what are you doing wrong?

Metric Tensor

He means that despite the existence of people who are experts and manage/monitor/advise/inspect on works like this every day there are still plenty of people who doesn't think it represents value for money to employ one of these experts and trust that they can do it themselves.

I suppose the analogy is could an architect or an engineer or a builder walk in off the street and do your job with no prior experience.

There's no right answer but I think the Irish psyche is partly to blame - also to blame, in my opinion, is the professional bodies of all the consulting building professionals who put more stock in the "big issue" items than in advertising the benefits of having a professional employed on small construction jobs - which is the bread and butter of many (dare I say most) practising construction professionals in the country.

Also CH might be hinting that your Engineer or Architect or Technician might be able to answer these questions and also inspect the build to check for quality - provided you pay them to do so of course

BryanF

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Contractor also eliminates cash deals which in the west is very available..

Hi please read the forum charter, we cannot entertain discussions on the black economy or tax avoidance
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055036302

B-D-P--

Noted, Apoligies

Dr4gul4

Calahonda52 wrote: »

A question to my fellow professionals here: what are we doing wrong?
The two posts above represent c euro 1m spend and not a professional on/in site/sight
[2,400 +3,100]/11*2,000 = 1million

Would it not be a case of Balance Vs Cost effectiveness.

It cost's to build a house, regardless of finish, If one has the ability to take care of some of the process and it's cost effective then the answer is simple.

In terms of block laying, pipe work, air tightness, etc, I would be well out of my depth, hense will always look at professional services.

Not to sounds overly negative, but there is a running trend, not just on there but in the public, ( Building costs have risen again, in a time when there's no building being done / Very little) and ( Good old fashioned Irish greed)


Finally, I'm just a joe soap, Not having a go at any body here or in the public, just an observation.

Metric Tensor

What CH is saying is that for whatever reason building professionals haven't convinced many house builders that having a professional on board will get you a better quality build and save you wasted money in the process.