BUILDING IN 2018

Newxcitedmom

Hi. So myself and my partner are hoping to start building our home this year. We have planning and that is pretty much as far as we have got we are going to see banks next week. I suppose I am just looking for some advice on anything at all build/ mortgage related. Thanks guys.. also

Gumbo

Sort out budget.
Sort out bill of quantities.
Make sure it meets budget.
Get the technical details sorted BEFORE you start building.

mrsWhippy

Know exactly what you will be paying your builder to build. Definitely get a BoQ, not only does it help you compare tender quotes, you can clearly see values for rates versus supply of materials, and it's much more transparent.

We found EBS great for our self build mortgage.

Dudda

Congrats on the planning. That's the first major hurdle. You need to have your ducks in a row for the banks too. Delete that paddy power account, pay off all your credit cards, student loads, car loads if you've any and don't go buying stuff you don't need for the next three months. If you're flush with cash and have a large deposit and good saving record this step isn't as much of an issue but it often is a place where people stumble.

If your not in the building industry I'd strongly consider getting a Quantity Surveyor to prepare a Bill of Quantities as mentioned above. You need to get detailed drawings and this prepared to give to builders to tender. The better the BoQ and detailed drawings the less issues you have on site. Decide now all the finishes, what floor finishes in each room, what type of doors (painted, oak, shaker or flush, type of handles, etc). If this isn't specified you'll end up with crap cheap stuff and then you'll have to pay more for what you want because you never told anyone. This is the same for skirtings/shadow gaps, wall finishes (tiles on the walls of WC's or only floor), kitchen splashback, does the fridge need a water supply if it makes ice (similar for coffee machine), type of windows (triple, wood/pvc, aluclad, colour, etc), window boards, underfloor heating or rads and if rads where do they go compared to furniture. You've a million decisions to make and the more you can make now the easier, cheaper and less stress it will be. If you don't make any of these decisions now include for marriage counselling.

kev1234

A quick query in relation to this, if I were looking to get a Quantity Surveyor to prepare a Bill of Quantities what would they require to do this? Detailed construction drawings from the Architect?
Would both a QS and Architect be required for an extension or could 1 complete both jobs for a smaller project such as this (approx. 45 square meter extension)?

Dudda

kev1234 wrote: »

A quick query in relation to this, if I were looking to get a Quantity Surveyor to prepare a Bill of Quantities what would they require to do this? Detailed construction drawings from the Architect?
Would both a QS and Architect be required for an extension or could 1 complete both jobs for a smaller project such as this (approx. 45 square meter extension)?

Yes a Quantity Surveyor needs detailed construction drawings and will usually discuss and query some of the information in the drawings which usually leads to the architect updating some aspects of the drawings and adding missing information. This is what makes the overall tender package (drawings, specification and BoQ) more robust against builder claims. For a smaller extension you probably don't need a Quantity Surveyor and if the architect adds enough detail to the drawings and specification you'll be ok. In the original post Newxcitedmom is looking to build a new house which is why it's suggested.

kev1234

Dudda wrote: »

kev1234 wrote: »

A quick query in relation to this, if I were looking to get a Quantity Surveyor to prepare a Bill of Quantities what would they require to do this? Detailed construction drawings from the Architect?
Would both a QS and Architect be required for an extension or could 1 complete both jobs for a smaller project such as this (approx. 45 square meter extension)?

Yes a Quantity Surveyor needs detailed construction drawings and will usually discuss and query some of the information in the drawings which usually leads to the architect updating some aspects of the drawings and adding missing information. This is what makes the overall tender package (drawings, specification and BoQ) more robust against builder claims. For a smaller extension you probably don't need a Quantity Surveyor and if the architect adds enough detail to the drawings and specification you'll be ok. In the original post Newxcitedmom is looking to build a new house which is why it's suggested.

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense, I will still look to ensure that the Architect's spec is as detailed as it can be to allow for as evenly matched tendering as possible.

mike_2009

If you've time attend the NHBC self build course in the UK: http://www.buildstore.co.uk/mykindofhome/events/self-build-courses.html
There's an open doors event in Spring to view energy efficient housing - good to speak to homeowner who's been through the process over a coffee and get advice and ideas (Used to be NZEB open doors): https://www.nzeb-opendoors.ie/visit-a-building/
Attend RDS ideal homes exhibition
Be realistic about how much you can take on vs what you need done for you
Bank - Mortgage, also enquire about insurance elsewhere for site during build and structural for warranty afterwards
Search these boards forums for lots of similar threads
Get the Magazines - Self Build Ireland was really good last month I thought and is available digitally too. There's a few UK versions and Passive House Ireland also has paper and digital editions also
I use https://forum.buildhub.org.uk and these forums the most
You sound like you're well on the path but one or two items above might help you out.....