http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/A Diary of a Self Build.......starting from day one and following the progress of build to the end (if I ever finish it!)en-UKMokoFeed10http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/8c/abe8591d1cf72c431a5c80b1122b1f_160x200.jpghttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/mapex-drum-masterclass-6572836/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2009-07-23:/2009/07/23/mapex-drum-masterclass-6572836/Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:01:27 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mapex/3714350" title="mapex"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/350/3714350_462ca968df_s.jpeg" alt="mapex"></a>Mapex Drum Masterclass is a ground breaking interactive drum teaching app for the iPhone 3Gs and iPod Touch. It will not only instruct you how to read drum music in a very accessible way, but encourages you to play out the drum patterns on the iPhone’s fully touch responsive screen, letting you practise and learn drum music on the move.</p> <p>The application will teach you all the skills you need to drum with two main modes, Lesson and Drill. In the main Lesson mode, the program progressively guides you through the simple concepts of reading drum music with crib sheets and then gives you a practical demonstration of the drum lesson that follows. After that it will be your turn to discover how easy it is to learn to play drum music and practice the 32 carefully designed drum lessons at your own pace. A further 64 lessons are available for instant download; giving you scope to master some very advanced drumming skills. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/product/3714337" title="Product"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/337/3714337_95f84351f6_s.jpeg" alt="Product"></a></p> <p>In the Drill mode, you will quickly learn to sight read drum music as the application cleverly produces randomly generated patterns for you at 8 different difficulty levels, so you will never run out of fresh patterns to practise.</p> <p>The application lets you choose and customise 6 painstakingly sampled virtual Mapex snare drums, carefully selected from their acclaimed Black Panther range. This unparalleled flexibility lets you tweak the tone of the drum, and develop your own unique sound by controlling the tuning, dampening and snare settings.</p> <p>The application will be sold exclusively through the apple app store price £2.99 and for more information and support with the product please visit <a href="http://www.mapexdrummasterclass.com">www.mapexdrummasterclass.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlbdAIXyxnA"><br> </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/mapex-drum-masterclass-6572836/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>iphonedrumming-on-iphonedrum-applicationmapex-drum-masterclassiphone-3gsipod-touchiphone-3glearn-to-drum-on-iphonehttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/mapex-drum-masterclass-6572836/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/first-look-4259702/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-06-02:/2008/06/02/first-look-4259702/Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:12:23 +0200 <p>So I re-submitted for planning on Friday. I hope it goes smoothly but the next 8 weeks will be tense. Here's a first look at the new scheme in 3D.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/4_corners_revised/2567023" title="4 Corners Revised"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/023/2567023_bc759badb4_m.jpeg" alt="4 Corners Revised" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/first-look-4259702/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/first-look-4259702/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-4227273/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-05-27:/2008/05/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-4227273/Tue, 27 May 2008 08:50:22 +0200 <p>So after all my negotiations, my options seem to be running out. The council are digging their heals in, and rather than letting me negotiate the ransom strip are just outright telling me that I am not allowed to do the sewer works on their land.</p> <p>It's a nightmare, the people in the council, are just acting like complete job's worths. It doesn't surprise me that these people are so bitter towards people like myself who are trying to make something of themselves, as they are stuck in their dead end jobs with little passion or inspiration for anything, good luck to them I say, they are so pathetic in their little power trip jobs. One guy was particularly rude and a complete dick in my opinion. He was very unprofessional, but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys I suppose. Harking back to his sarcky comments about "why should I be driving round in a flash car if he has to drive round in an banger", well, if I ever get this project completed I might just buy one and send you a picture of me in it! That or I can send him a turd in the post, as someone hilariously suggested.</p> <p>Anyway, back to the project. I've come up with a new set of plans, for a new pair of properties, only these are set away from any pipes! I spoke to the duty officer at the planning department, and he was very happy with the design overall, and he should be as it is so in offensive, but the only feature he didn't like, which ironically was the nicest feature of the property in my eyes, was a second floor bedroom, which has a beautiful full height, gable window. So after much deliberating I have removed it in favour of a single storey section to the rear of the property, to hopefully have a painless trip through planning, fingers crossed. So all I have to do now is the get a 3D visual done today, and get the thing submitted to planning quick sharp, and without further delay!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-4227273/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>barrie-simpsonhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-4227273/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/12/surely-this-is-illegal-4163774/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-05-12:/2008/05/12/surely-this-is-illegal-4163774/Mon, 12 May 2008 14:14:59 +0200 <p>So, as time ticks by, the project is slowly grinding to a halt with everyone seemingly wanting a piece of the action.</p> <p>Now it is the turn of the council. Apparently I have to get permission to place a manhole in their land, and the cost of this? about £22,000 !!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>It's just unbelievable, total daylight robbery. I just don;t what else to say. It's looking like this project is going back to the drawing board.</p> <p>It's very difficult to establish whether this is all above board or not, and I very much get the opinion that the people who work on the council resent developers. one of the people I spoke to actually had the nerve to say "why should you drive around in a Jaguar, if I'm driving round in an escort". I was dumb founded.</p> <p>So the running total is, £37,000 pounds to build over a pipe. I'm just glad this project hasn't got out of the ground yet. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/12/surely-this-is-illegal-4163774/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/05/12/surely-this-is-illegal-4163774/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/urban-start-is-born-4100774/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-04-27:/2008/04/27/urban-start-is-born-4100774/Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:11:54 +0200 <p>So i have finally decided on a name for my new house building company, and "urban start developments" is it!</p> <p>I spent a long time trying to decided which to go for, and in the end it was a toss up between abode homes and urban start. I thought urban start had a bit more punchiness about it so thats what I've gone for.</p> <p>Things on the development front are going slowly, it's a combination of two things, one these pipes have really blown the wind out of my sails, it's hard to know what to do to get around the problem. As far as I understand it I need to get permission to find out who owns the school yard next door, and hopefully if it is publicly owned then I'm at least in a fighting chance to get the diversion done. But getting answers to such questions is a slow process.</p> <p>I've got almost all my quotes in now, and I'm getting a much clearer idea of my budget. I've also been tempted by the prospect of getting a main contractor in to do the whole job, while it would be great just to pass the reins over to someone else, and say "here, it's all yours", i think that it will be both more costly, and potentially less fun. That said, it should be easier that way, we'll see what they come back with cost wise.</p> <p>Anyway.... you can see below, my new company logo... who hoo, website on it's way soon.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/urban_start/2492709" title="urban start"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/709/2492709_055c97c9c8_m.jpeg" alt="urban start" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/urban-start-is-born-4100774/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>urban-start-logohttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/urban-start-is-born-4100774/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/03/04/un-united-utilities-and-build-over-agree-3814564/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-03-04:/2008/03/04/un-united-utilities-and-build-over-agree-3814564/Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:36:09 +0100 <p>So I finally get to speak to an engineer about the pipes running across my land. It has to be said the woman working for united utilities has been an absolute pain, completely obstructive and unbelievably unhelpful. It just did not matter how many times I tried, or how I went about it she just would not let me speak to an engineer about the pipe situation.</p> <p>Fortunately I did manage to meet him on site and I got a real version of how things operate at united utilities, they say 'no' by default to everything, then you have to go through a lengthy process of making your case and chipping away at them.</p> <p>The good news is that a solution can be found, but at what cost? Diversion seems to be the least problematic solution, though I reckon it could hold things up by months, but it would mean I can sell on without a 'build over agreement' in place. And then of course there is the build over agreement instead, which would mean probably cheaper to implement, but the unknown of if it will effect the re-sale value of the property.</p> <p>Anyway, the main thing is that the ball is in my court now, which is where I prefer it, not relying on crappy united utilities. Oh the fun of building houses!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/03/04/un-united-utilities-and-build-over-agree-3814564/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>united-utilities-build-over-agreementshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/03/04/un-united-utilities-and-build-over-agree-3814564/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/pipes_oh_no~3696904/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-02-08:/2008/02/08/pipes_oh_no~3696904/Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:29:24 +0100 <p>Well the title may seem lighthearted, but the reality is actually far worse. After the elation of finally getting my planning last week, I have thrown myself headlong into getting the build planned and on track. And no sooner have I started, I've been stopped in my tracks.</p> <p>An inquiry to United Utilities about sewer connections has unearthed, literally a bigger problem than I could have anticipated. Apparently there is a sewer main running across my land, and the position of the sewer means that in all likely hood i will not be able to build my two houses, because the sewer needs a clear 3 m access to it. Did my solicitor bring this to my attention, NO, did the planners realize this when they gave me planning permission, NO, did I spot it when I bought the land, NO. So it seems it has properly slipped through the net. While my initial response to this terrible news was to point the finger, I realize that what I need to concentrate on is finding a solution to this problem. and it would seem solutions in this game don't come along easy.</p> <p>I'm getting some great advice from people so far, and everyone bar united utilities are being very helpful. But they don't want to discuss this matter, and instead have asked me to leave it with them for 3 weeks and they'll get back to me then.</p> <p>So bad news indeed, lets hope next time I update this it will be with better news.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/pipes_oh_no~3696904/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>united-utilities-crap-solicitorshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/pipes_oh_no~3696904/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/06/er_what_next_then~3687114/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-02-06:/2008/02/06/er_what_next_then~3687114/Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:21:28 +0100 <p>It's funny, it has been such a long process getting planning, and I have put so much into it, now I have it I feel a little bit lost. What next? is my big question.</p> <p>I think when you have such a big milestone it is easy to lose sight of the big picture, and I must admit this happens to me a lot. So what is next? well as I've done all the design work so far myself, I feel like it is getting time to hand over the reigns to someone with more experience. My brief chat with the building control guy on Tuesday left me feeling very inadequate, and I think that the project is going to run more smoothly with some expertise in the areas, which I am to all intents and purposes fairly clueless.</p> <p>My other big issue is that of land contamination. It seems it a big thing these days with planning, and that it must be highly likely that this garden plot, is home to some nuclear waste or something which no-one has ever known about before. So I've commissioned the soil reports, and I only hope that they come back fine. </p> <p>Then what of my foundations?, well i guess if my soil survey comes back ok, I can get some trial pits dug, and then I will have to pass this over to my new designer. It's all a bit unknown to me, lets see how it pans out. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/06/er_what_next_then~3687114/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foundations-and-soil-surveyshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/06/er_what_next_then~3687114/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/04/i_have_planning_permission~3677090/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2008-02-04:/2008/02/04/i_have_planning_permission~3677090/Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:18:25 +0100 <p>So a decision has finally been made; I was of course supposed to be informed before Christmas about the outcome of my planning permission, to put two semi houses on the land instead of one detached house, which currently has planning. But no, there was an issue with the planning officer rather stupidly not informing one of the neighbors. Well I say one of the neighbors, I mean THE neighbor, the one next door, the one who would be effected most by the development! how stupid. so this has put me back 1 month, well I say one month, I was supposed to get planning two weeks ago, at least that was when is was signed off apparently. I didn't actually get my planning notice till 2 weeks later, i.e. last Friday, (they were too busy).</p> <p>Anyway who cares now, i have it, and I'm chuffed to bits, I can't explain how exciting it is the prospect of building a house from scratch. So what next, well that is the burning question.</p> <p>I've been told the service companies, gas, elec, water, are a law unto them selves, much like the planning department, and that you can't get onto them too soon. So I guess that is a major priority. Then there is building regs, and the ground survey, blimey i better get my skates on!</p> <p>I'll be back soon with details of the new plans.</p> <p>My other big issue is what am I going to call this start up enterprise. To me how I sell these properties is just as important as how i build them, so I gotta get it right. I'm toying with a few ideas at the moment, 'urban start' (which I think is quite young and trendy, but perhaps a bit too so), then there is 'beyond homes' which I think is quite cool also. I want to get this right so I'm not going to press the issue just yet.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/04/i_have_planning_permission~3677090/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>planning-permissionhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2008/02/04/i_have_planning_permission~3677090/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/it_mine_all_mine~3089644/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-10-05:/2007/10/05/it_mine_all_mine~3089644/Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:05:08 +0200 <p>So, I've finally completed on the land, HURRAY!</p> <p>After what has been an unbelievably frustrating and time consuming purchase. Now I know the process, I will be so much wiser next time I appoint a solicitor. I can not believe what a pain mine has been throughout the entire process, how totally condescending he has been towards me.</p> <p>For instance, the title deeds, had a pencil sketch of where the new boundary line would be, drawn at a scale 1/1250, the pencil line itself was 1mm thick so by my reckoning that makes a boundary line of 1.25 meters thick! Not exactly precise would you say? when I asked my solicitor for something more accurate he said, 'you have a scale drawing, scale it up' what an idiot.</p> <p>Anyway, it was left to me to produce something more accurate, and I'm glad that I have, as the last thing I want to start this project with is a boundary dispute...</p> <p>Anyway, enough of that! So I have the land, next job obtaining planning permission. </p> <p>Well thats going to be a right old pain too, as the planning officers seem to respond in a time scale about 5% the speed of normal human beings. Even so, with my scrupulous pre-application advice I feel like I'm getting the design honed down. And I reckon I'm on the cusp of getting to a formal application. This stuff takes time I know, but it's pretty exciting now it's getting close to a final design.</p> <p>Hopefully, by the end of today, the Barn should be cleared out by the old vendor, and tomorrow I can start planning ahead proper! woo hoo. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/it_mine_all_mine~3089644/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>completedhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/10/05/it_mine_all_mine~3089644/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/soil_who_would_thought_it_could_be_such_~3004183/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-09-19:/2007/09/19/soil_who_would_thought_it_could_be_such_~3004183/Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:19:56 +0200 <p>So I'm still in the process of trying to complete on this land, and I am only just getting to understand the issues and problems of the Local Planning authority system. The main problem being it is unbelievably inefficient and disorganized. How long have we been building houses in this country, you'd think that there would be a better way of doing things by now.</p> <p>At the moment I am knee deep in the toils of contamination reports, and what a nightmare it all is. My solicitor's report has detailed that the land should be described as contaminated, yet the actual searches say not. And even then, there is a requirement apparently for all residential planning applications to have something called a PPS23 report done, which is essentially a detail site history check, soil samples and ground survey. This is of course to ensure that people who inhabit the properties in the future do not suffer the same debilitating and unfortunate fate as the current owner, that being a completely normal plot of land. which is after all just someones garden. Ridiculous!</p> <p>This report is going to cost at least £1000, talk about your all time unexpected and completely unnecessary costs. The thing is as well, these type of reports exist for only one reason, to find problems, so I dread to think what problems this is going to unearth, (no pun intended) Hopefully once this is clarified I'm hoping that there won't be anymore holdups, as I really want to get cracking on this project. It's delay, after delay.</p> <p>On a massive positive note however, I managed to side step my completely inefficient planning officer and speak directly to the duty officer about my proposed plans. (She was a nervous and jittery young girl) Basically all is looking good and positive, so I'm really pleased about that, as this is a pretty big step towards the success of this project! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/soil_who_would_thought_it_could_be_such_~3004183/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>soildelayplanning-authorityhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/soil_who_would_thought_it_could_be_such_~3004183/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/22/the_best_made_plans_of_men_and_mice~2851377/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-22:/2007/08/22/the_best_made_plans_of_men_and_mice~2851377/Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:30:55 +0200 <p>So, after a week and a bit of waiting I finally heard back from the planners after my 'pre-application advise'. And the outcome, well pretty positive really. </p> <p>Though all i wanted was to have a quick informal chat about the some of the ideas for the scheme I was planning, but what I got back was a long involved email regarding the do's and don'ts of planning, which although was helpful for me, seemed a little unnecessary really, as the result led to ripping my ideas apart and I have had to go back to the drawing board, literally, and start from scratch, which means I will likely have to go through this process again.</p> <p>The upshot of it is that I feel like I have produced a better design because of this, a least I have now added a bit of the contemporary design touches which led me to be interested in architecture. Ultimately, I feel as though if I am getting into house building, then I want to be setting president for the types of houses I want to be creating, and although I realize the importance of a basic design, in terms of cost, I think this doesn't mean it has to be boring.</p> <p>Effectively the front of the house, is the same design as the rest of the street, but the back is the hidden treasure, with some great modern floor to ceiling windows, in the upstairs and the downstairs. I have also added a great long tall window at the top of the stairs which I hope will make the most of the great views across the fields next to the plot.</p> <p>I'm starting to feel quite excited about the project again. However, with the likelihood of there being a pair of semis on the land now, it does beg the question of the extra finance. The build cost will almost have doubled! mountains of debt, here I come.......</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/22/the_best_made_plans_of_men_and_mice~2851377/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>planningdesigndebthouse-buildinghttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/22/the_best_made_plans_of_men_and_mice~2851377/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/17/so_slow~2822473/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-17:/2007/08/17/so_slow~2822473/Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:52:44 +0200 <p>Buying land (and houses for that matter) in this country sucks big time. Every time I have purchased a property in this country I have been immensely frustrated by the inadequacy and unbelievably slow pace at which things seem to crawl along. And even then, without a dot of security that at the end of the process that either on of the parties won't pull out!</p> <p>I really thought buying land as a cash purchase would have been different. I thought great, we've got the money in the bank, all we need to do, tell the agent, they had over all the deeds to the solicitor, my solicitor does the searches which takes a couple of days we're done in a week. But no. This is how it has panned out so far. </p> <p>1st Day of offer acceptance, I immediately meet my solicitor, we go through the ins and outs of the purchase, and I appoint him to handle the sale. I pass this information to the agent, they say they are waiting to hear who the vendors solicitor will be.</p> <p>2nd Day, I call the agent telling him my solicitor is waiting for the Site details so he can start his searches, he tells me they are using such and such and I say superb, thinking this is swift, I'll be dancing on the barn roof in a week.</p> <p>3rd Day, nothing</p> <p>4th Day, nothing</p> <p>5th Day, nothing,</p> <p>6th Day, nothing, (can you see a pattern emerging)</p> <p>3 weeks later, after another phone call from myself, the site plan is in the post (apparently), unbelievable, 3 weeks to get a plan in the post!!</p> <p>I asked the agent what the hold up was, according to the vendors solicitor, dividing up land is a complex business, and can't happen overnight blah blah blah. Typical, in other word, Mr Solicitor is being totally patronizing and saying "I'm a lawyer and I'll do it when I get round to it, blah blah, so just wait till then." I can think of a great many things which are more complex than drawing a line on a map and then registering it, which can happen in 3 weeks. Pathetic.</p> <p>So all the meanwhile, I am getting itchy feet, raring to get on with it. But, till the land is mine, I have to wait behind the imaginary line (so poetic). </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/17/so_slow~2822473/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>crap-solicitorshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/17/so_slow~2822473/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/15/what_next~2811746/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-15:/2007/08/15/what_next~2811746/Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:25:02 +0200 <p>So today I tried working through the entire build process in my head for the first time. It felt like a really useful exercise actually, as with everything at the moment I put in an excel chart, and tried to link each step to the specific trade. I find making lists incredibly cathartic and a great way to focus myself, and I'm really becoming a dab hand at using excel spreadsheets now. So worked from the beginning, starting with my first building inspection from the council (apparently you have to have one when work on site commences) then from there on I tried to think of each step in a logical order. Clearing the site, getting the surveyor out, setting out the foundations.etc.....</p> <p>It's not easy really, I guess trying to figure out which stage comes before which without really knowing if it is the case or not.</p> <p>One of the aspects of this build I'm really keen to explore is the use of SIP panels to construct the main core of the house. They are a 'Structurally Insulated Panel', essentially two boards of OSB wood sandwiching a think layer of strong bonded insulation. The thing that really appeals to me with the panels is the apparent ease and speed at which buildings can be constructed with them, as the they big panels, measuring about 1.2m x 2.4m. I think anything which can save time, and take away labour costs on site is a good thing. Though I'm not sure yet whether I would have to pay a whopping premium to use these panels in the first place.</p> <p>As I said yesterday, I really wish I knew where i stood with the planning situation, as I could start firing my plans out for quotes to get some really firm answers about this sort of stuff.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1884564" title="797"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/564/1884564_d2466fd226_m.jpeg" alt="797" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/15/what_next~2811746/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>planningself-buildsip-panelshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/15/what_next~2811746/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/14/can_i_get_a_semi_on~2806402/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-14:/2007/08/14/can_i_get_a_semi_on~2806402/Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:20:06 +0200 <p>So the biggest thing which is bugging me at the moment is what am I going to do with this land. The way i see it there are two main choices. I can go the safe route and plough on with a 4 bed detached house, as written in the planning permission. Or I can take the more risky, and delayed step of trying to get planning for a pair of semi-detached houses. Unfortunately I can't run the risk of applying for this until I have completed on the land, as the current land owner may see the value in it and pull out of the sale.</p> <p>Having drawn up some plans for both, I'm pretty convinced that i could fit them on the land quite comfortably. The question is, is it going to be financially viable, and which project is going to make more money. At this stage it is quite hard to grasp the figures as I'm still feverishly trying to budget for the detached house, to give me at least an idea of a ball park figure, then I am assuming that the cost of the semis would be around double the build cost of the detached house, as in essence the floor area is almost double. That said, the finished cost of the individual semi would be less than the 4 bed detached house.</p> <p>But surely there must be a lot of shared costs? Well I don't know yet, on the surface it looks like plant hire maybe shared, and site fencing and the admin etc. but these costs aren't going to make me save ££££s. There must be other savings which i haven't unearthed yet. Not only that, but there are probably cost which i have no idea about yet too, for building a detached house or otherwise!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/14/can_i_get_a_semi_on~2806402/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>house-buildingsemi-detachedhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/14/can_i_get_a_semi_on~2806402/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/12/demonlition_man~2794803/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-12:/2007/08/12/demonlition_man~2794803/Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:55:46 +0200 <p>So the first thing I need to solve on this project is the barn. It's sat at the back of the site, and it's not an insubstantial building. The question is, what to do with it?</p> <p>There's no question that it's going to have come down, the difficulty is how am I going to do it, should I simply get a JCB in and bring it to it's knees in a matter of minutes, scoop up the rubble into a big truck and see the back of it, of do I take it down bit by bit and see what I can salvage.</p> <p>I reckon the roof alone is worth keeping as it's proper slate tiles, which appear in good condition, and besides which, apparently there is a condition of the planning that I need to take them off one by one to look for Bat droppings of all things! Suffice to say in the event that I may find the said droppings I'm not sure I'm going to shout too loudly about it, as I really don't want a Bat in my belfry to bring the project to a dead stop before it's begun.</p> <p>I know it's not the greenest solution to trash the whole barn, but I reckon to get the ball rolling it might be my only option. I suppose with all self build there is a question of personal involvement. I said before I started this project that I want to do minimal labour, however, I am kind of resigning myself to the fact that it is going to be on the top of a tall ladder picking off the tiles and storing them neatly. We shall see.</p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/639/1875639_8579827924_m.jpeg" alt="barn" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/12/demonlition_man~2794803/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>house-biuildingdemolitionhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/12/demonlition_man~2794803/#commentshttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/11/getting_started~2790714/tag:housebuilder.blog.co.uk,2007-08-11:/2007/08/11/getting_started~2790714/Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:12:47 +0200 <p>My wife and I have decided to build a house.</p> <p>Having never done it before it has been a life long dream of mine, and after many months of researching the market we have finally put an offer in on some land which has been accepted.</p> <p>Bizarrely the fruits of my labour will not be for the benefit of some super luxury home for ourselves, but instead we are planning to do this as an investment. And so the land we have acquired has planning for a dwelling which would normally have me cursing and swearing.... it's a simple box shape. 4 walls, no frills. A box with 4 bedrooms and two reception rooms, at least thats the idea when it is finished.</p> <p>I'm doing my research at the moment, and I believe, the less character and boxiness a property can have, the easier (and cheaper) is should be to put up. I do feel like a bit of a sell out, as this isn't going to be cutting edge design, and design and creativity is my passion, but we all have to start some where.</p> <p>So where are we up to? Well, the offer on the land has been accepted, so the solicitors are now fighting it out, using their high powered legal speak to get the sale agreed in law, well I say they are fighting it out, I appointed my solicitor last Monday, and so far he hasn't received any paper work. I'm assured that this is a good sign.</p> <p>My mind is in overdrive trying to think of ways to make the 'box' a more desirable place to be, planing the space out and trying out new ideas for the site as to what could go on there. To be honest, I would much rather to get two boxes on there rather than the one, and the enticing prospect of designing my own two square box houses really is too much for my little mind to keep track of. I'm sure I'll be uploading my plans as they get a little more concrete.</p> <p>At this stage I feel a little overwhelmed with all the choices I am going to have to make, and trying to second guess parts of the build process which I clearly have no idea about yet. Yes there is a lot of learning to do, but I guess thats what makes it exciting.</p> <p>I will appologize in advance for the scatty nature of the forthcoming blogs as the build progresses over the next few months, I'm not the best at keeping my mind focused, but then at the moment there seems to be so much to think about. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/11/getting_started~2790714/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>house-building-self-buildhttp://HouseBuilder.blog.co.uk/2007/08/11/getting_started~2790714/#comments