Live self-Builds - mod warning in post no. 1

Villain · 11-02-2008 5:46pm

Ah I see water on site is handy I'll probably end up having to get well bored and then use generator to pump it to a container each day, drawing it would be a serious pain in backside.

My costs to sub floor will depend a lot on how many rows of footings I put in, there is a meter of a drop to cleared area of site to road level, some people think I should bring floor level to road level but that would be or 9 rows of blocks on the footings I'll probably go 6 rows, the suspended timber floor will cost a bit more but make life for plumbing and cable running a lot lot easier.

What slates are going for, I'm leaning towards rubber slates.

Jollyman · 11-02-2008 6:13pm

Rubber slates??? Have you a link, i would like if at all possible with budget being the deciding factor go for a natural slate, if thats not achievable i may chance a natural Brazilian slate i must get peoples opinions on these first though. I think tegral do an imitation of a natural slate too though.
I suppose as long as you are well above ground level on the site to subfloor its ok, have you got a planning imposed ridge height?

Villain · 11-02-2008 6:27pm

I'll try and dig up info on rubber slates their made in Athy now, do a search others has posted about them. I went to see a house with them and I swore they looked like natural slates and then I want to do some AV work on a house and commented on the natural slates only to be told again that they were rubber, the prices are very keen compared to natural more expensive than trutone etc though as they are lattes are closer with more of an over lap. No breakages though and they will take waste back and recylce it!

my height restriction is 6.5 from floor to ridge, but no spec on what floor level is!!!

Slates · 12-02-2008 10:08am

Jollyman wrote: »

Rubber slates??? Have you a link, i would like if at all possible with budget being the deciding factor go for a natural slate, if thats not achievable i may chance a natural Brazilian slate i must get peoples opinions on these first though. I think tegral do an imitation of a natural slate too though.
I suppose as long as you are well above ground level on the site to subfloor its ok, have you got a planning imposed ridge height?

Jollyman, don't touch these rubber slates with a barge pole, Tegral do a reconstituted slate call Melboure, but these are the same prices as a mid range natural slate. If you want a natural looking slate without the cost you should be looking at Thrutone Relief of Rivendale
http://www.tegral.com/Tegralbp/pdf/roof.pdf

Jollyman · 12-02-2008 11:45am

Thanks for that slates, just curious as to why you would not recommend the rubber slates, im sure Villian would like to know

metalscrubber · 12-02-2008 1:25pm

Jolly,

Fair play to you for putting up your budgets.
Its great to see real figures for once.

Metal

Jollyman · 12-02-2008 1:48pm

Oh i don't know about that now sher ill keep putting them up for another while! If i disappear someday ye will know I'm gone broke!!:D

Slates · 12-02-2008 2:40pm

Jollyman wrote: »

Thanks for that slates, just curious as to why you would not recommend the rubber slates, im sure Villian would like to know

What guarantees are given that the rubber slates are suitable for the Irish climate. Are the agrément certified ?

sydthebeat · 12-02-2008 3:22pm

http://www.athyecoslate.com/houseroof1.html

I think this is the rubber slate crowd.

must admit, theres no proof of any certification on their website, this always worries me.

odonoso · 15-02-2008 11:50am

My Roofer start Monday and he is making good progress. When I saw the floor space in the attic I decided to put two velux on the back of my house. There is space for two rooms up there

Villain · 15-02-2008 1:17pm

Sorry I was away for the last few days only getting back now, the sample slate I go was from http://www.goecotech.com/index.htm they have BBA approved rubber slates with a 50 year warranty.

They look very very much like a natural slate but won't break and won't fade like cheaper slates.

Slates · 15-02-2008 1:54pm

Villain wrote: »

Sorry I was away for the last few days only getting back now, the sample slate I go was from http://www.goecotech.com/index.htm they have BBA approved rubber slates with a 50 year warranty.

They look very very much like a natural slate but won't break and won't fade like cheaper slates.

Does the BBA cert have an Irish regulation approvement cover letter ?

As I said before, use these rubber slates at your peril !

Villain · 15-02-2008 2:00pm

BBA certs are good enough for me, can you advise why rubber slates should only be used at your peril??

Seem good all round, only possible issue is wind on a very high pitch as the slates can "flap" but that can be worked around also??

sinnerboy · 15-02-2008 2:25pm

Slates wrote: »

Does the BBA cert have an Irish regulation approvement cover letter ?

As I said before, use these rubber slates at your peril !

some bba certs do have appendix relating to irish b regs ..... but most don't

nonetheless bba certs are almost always fine a reliable indicator of performance

mukki · 15-02-2008 2:27pm

my self build

http://www.slide.com/r/WrlekUlH2j82CFzTP3phbaJRlk1ZMZUk?current_view=TICKER&previous_view=TICKER_MENU_SHARE&previous_action=SHARE&cid=648518346349265764

Villain · 16-02-2008 6:39pm

House is marked out now, looks good location for sun couldn't be better, only one issue there is a land drain on the site which would be passing under the back of the house so that will have to be re-routed not a big problem but a few more Euro's!

Villain · 17-02-2008 9:29pm

Not much time to spare but blog is up http://livebuild.blogspot.com/

hiscan · 17-02-2008 11:21pm

BoylerMan wrote: »

It cost about 900 Euro for the materials as I recall which is for about a 100m2 area of ceiling. Its not cheap but the finished job is excellent. Again, it takes time to do it correct. A good laser level is essential as each clip must be checked when screwing the clips to the channel.

it costs e16 per sq meter supply and fit and it is way better than timber battens

odonoso · 18-02-2008 10:44am

Hi Hiscan

Who was your supplier

Sean

BoylerMan · 21-02-2008 1:57pm

Villain,
Had a look at your Blog and noticed that you are building in Co. Carlow. I too am building in Co. Carlow and am a bit further on. Currently insulating & Plasterboarding. From the picture I assume that you will stone the access also ? It may be best to do it now as it will pay off in the long run when you have trucks, etc in. I got my filling/stone for 7Euro/tonne (cash) locally.

Slates · 21-02-2008 4:11pm

Villain wrote: »

BBA certs are good enough for me, can you advise why rubber slates should only be used at your peril??

Seem good all round, only possible issue is wind on a very high pitch as the slates can "flap" but that can be worked around also??

"BBA certs are good enough for you" maby so but not without the Irish regulation approval .......so when there is a problem with colour loss, and lifting of the slate tails because the they as fixed to battens and not sarking board, who will you turn to ?

hiscan · 21-02-2008 10:18pm

odonoso wrote: »

Hi Hiscan

Who was your supplier

Sean

hes in mayo if thats any good to you

marianne.oneill · 21-02-2008 10:53pm

Husband and I are moving back home from Scotland, to start a self build in Offaly in August. Hopefully starting site clearance and foundations in April. Ryanair will make a fortune on us!!!

House will be 1.5 storey, approx 2500 sq ft, 4 bedrooms with detached garage. Have just taken on a contractor to do site clearance, foundations and blockwork up to the roof. Given us a price of 23K euros for the labour. He comes highly recommended from neighbours.

Would like to know what you think of this price?

Seriously considering putting in precast floors upstairs, would love to hear feedback from anyone who has used them.

:eek:

muffler · 22-02-2008 1:16am

marianne.oneill wrote: »

Husband and I are moving back home from Scotland, to start a self build in Offaly in August. Hopefully starting site clearance and foundations in April. Ryanair will make a fortune on us!!!

House will be 1.5 storey, approx 2500 sq ft, 4 bedrooms with detached garage. Have just taken on a contractor to do site clearance, foundations and blockwork up to the roof. Given us a price of 23K euros for the labour. He comes highly recommended from neighbours.

Would like to know what you think of this price?
Seriously considering putting in precast floors upstairs, would love to hear feedback from anyone who has used them.

:eek:

Like every price it depends on what he is doing for the money. You need to look at issues such as: making a roadway into site/piping roadside drain, building septic tank if applicable, laying service pipes in excavated trenched, providing and laying domestic water pipe, ducting for phine and esb, providing.fitting manholes and AJ's, sub floor filling, radon sump & membrane, subfloors and insulation. The list can go on and on. Hopefully there will be someone here from Offaly or surrounding areas who can give you a better idea re pricing.

Slabs on first floor would be highly recommended.

NOVICE-REFURB · 22-02-2008 6:12pm

I am currently refurbing a house in Dublin, and am a completely new to the whole sector.

Its a terrace house , which needs a lot of new work, the front of the house needs to be underpinned ?? Can someone please fully explain what this is, the building surveyor mentioned it in his report but to be honest I have not got the foggiest what he is talking about, the house has got to be fully rewired, floor have to come up , due to dry rot, the ceilings must all be replaced, the walls have got to be re-plastered and the insulation has got to be looked at.

I hired 2 guys who work in a quantity surveying practice on the side and they gave me a detailed budget of all the work that has got to be done and an estimated price, they asked me if i know any builders who they could send the book out to, to get a price.

Can any of you please forward me on reliable builders details in the dublin area to add to their list in order to get the best price.

Thanks for your help.
Novice

DJKAV · 23-02-2008 11:47am

:(I`m doing the roof on this cottage where do I start? what would be the price these days of tiles/felt? gutterin etc?

any information greatly appreciated?

p.

odonoso · 24-02-2008 4:27pm

My roof is nearly finish and the only started two week ago and I am just thinking about first fits
We are plaster boarding the external wall and should we chase the wall for the cable or cut on the insulation in the plaster board.
Which is best approach?

hiscan · 25-02-2008 1:40am

odonoso wrote: »

My roof is nearly finish and the only started two week ago and I am just thinking about first fits
We are plaster boarding the external wall and should we chase the wall for the cable or cut on the insulation in the plaster board.
Which is best approach?

chase the walls for the cable but leave the box mountd on the wall so it will be flush with the surface of the plasterboard

Jollyman · 25-02-2008 10:59am

Progress Pictures have been added to the blog! Blockwork is coming along

Villain · 25-02-2008 11:44am

My foundations are in after a lot of hard work last week, pics updated soon

sinnerboy · 25-02-2008 2:55pm

odonoso wrote: »

My roof is nearly finish and the only started two week ago and I am just thinking about first fits
We are plaster boarding the external wall and should we chase the wall for the cable or cut on the insulation in the plaster board.
Which is best approach?

batten out walls ( 50 wide 25 deep ) - ensure continuous battens top and bottom ( eliminate air path ) . screw fix over with foil faced , both sides , pu baord . ( no need to chase walls now ) foil tape to all board joints . plaster board over . increases air tightness and vapour resistance . to internal , - tape or silicone seal windows frames to walls ( as well as silicone externally ) . seal all pipe and cable penetrations of insulation . ensure min 25mm thick pu behind elec boxes ( don't create cold un insulated patches of wall , condensation risk at worst possible location )

smashey · 03-03-2008 1:53pm

secman wrote: »

Nearly there at last. Can finally see light at end of tunell. Here's a pic.

Secman

Nearly there?

Looks pretty good from here.

secman · 03-03-2008 1:59pm

Thanks Smashey, pictures do tell a lie though, upstairs is completely finished but down stairs is still work in progress ! Flooring it out in next few weeks, then kitchen and finalise painting. As I said nearly there !

Secman

muffler · 03-03-2008 2:30pm

secman wrote: »

Nearly there at last. Can finally see light at end of tunell. Here's a pic.

Secman

I would love to see you trying to get permission for that type of house design in Donegal or indeed some other counties for that matter.

Oh and I do like it but what I like is usually at odds with the planners idea of a traditional style house.

secman · 03-03-2008 5:23pm

"That type of house" ! .. It sits well in the locality , have had numerous well wishes and admiring comments from locals ! It fits the local criteria, such as black slate, napped plaster finish, no brick wall ( ok I used a modern stone type), however only on one wall and to good effect IMO !

Do the planners drive Model Ford T 2008 models !

Only kidding.

Secman

Jollyman · 06-03-2008 11:01am

Have un-privatised the blog for a day or two to see if it goes ok, progress pictures have been added to the slideshow, its coming along well thank god the weather has picked up from what it was!

smashey · 06-03-2008 11:08am

Jollyman wrote: »

Have un-privatised the blog for a day or two to see if it goes ok, progress pictures have been added to the slideshow, its coming along well thank god the weather has picked up from what it was!

Is that Mrs. Jollyman with the yellow wellies?

secman · 06-03-2008 11:16am

Keep it going Jollyman. Thank god no one hurt in accident. We had a similar accident, a top of gable wall blew down during the day whilst brickies were working. Fortunately nobody hurt, we were blessed. Thats when peace of mind with the site insurance is greatly appreciated. Stunning views by the way.

Secman

Villain · 06-03-2008 11:43am

Jollyman I see you say you have made the windows to be multiples of .675, can you explain why?

Cheers

Jollyman · 06-03-2008 11:45am

Thanks secman, its coming along well alright. The insurance is a great peace of mind for the sake of €2,500 well spent i reckon especially when you are going direct labour!

Jollyman · 10-03-2008 5:43pm

More progress pictures gone up on the blog, although seems to be a bit more falling down too :eek:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jollyman24/SiteProgressArdmore/photo#5176075202085594130

sydthebeat · 10-03-2008 5:56pm

jollyman :eek:

was that hit by some vehicle??

why have you 150mm inner leaf?

Jollyman · 11-03-2008 10:08am

Ya the hardware truck reversed into it! Have a bill made out for €2,000 for him i think that is fair enough! 150mm inner leaf just to the sitting room to support the steel frame and the cathedral ceiling and in the office wall to incorporate an inbuilt fish tank!!

Jollyman · 03-04-2008 9:31pm

Well pictures of the roof have gone on Picaso check them out the roof started on Monday

smashey · 03-04-2008 9:55pm

Jollyman wrote: »

Well pictures of the roof have gone on Picaso check them out the roof started on Monday

http://picasaweb.google.com/jollyman...75202085594130

I tried to look but there is a problem with the link.

404 NOT_FOUND

Unable to process request

03-04-2008 10:09pm

Hi Jollyman, I'm just finishing off building a garage at the moment if that counts. As I'm not a professional builder it's nice to see the end of the project in sight.
Next project is DIY a solar panel & buffertank.

03-04-2008 10:15pm

Jollyman wrote: »

Have updated the progress photos in my blog

http://picasaweb.google.com/jollyman24/SiteProgressArdmore/photo#5150928855389670626

smashey wrote: »

I tried to look but there is a problem with the link.

Smashey, try the earlier link and step through.

Jollyman · 03-04-2008 10:17pm

http://picasaweb.google.com/jollyman24/SiteProgressArdmore

Hopefully the above link will work!

A sher a garage is as good as a house, i was lookin at your plans for the solar on the renewable forum looks interesting.

odonoso · 06-04-2008 11:36am

Hi All

My Windows went in last week and there are looking good
Bored holes in the concrete slab for running services up and down stairs but we hit one of the underfloor heating pipes
Start chasing the wall next week

Sean

Villain · 07-04-2008 11:16am

Quick update.

My footings are been completed today, 2,500 blocks laid in 4.5 days by onw Block layer! That impressed me anyway and his work is excellent at a €1 a block.

I hired a 3.5 tonne mini digger for the weekend and got the perculation holes filled, after pumping the water from last weekend out, and I also pulled 1 half of the double ditch out and cleaned up around the garage and house.

I then dug a trench and found the 2 land drains on the site at point of entry to the site and marked for re routing around the house at a later day although both were dry so I doubt if they are working at all.

Hoping to get filling in in the next 2 weeks and then pour sub floor.

So far total cost estimate of clearing site, digging foundations, pouring foudnations and putting footings in is €9,500 not bad I think??

Live self-Builds - mod warning in post no. 1

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