Self build diary day 1

I have been down to site today to pretty much do lots of tidying up! Builder has cleared the footprint back and has in filled the footprint with hardcore for us to sit the raft foundations on top.

We are using a raft due to the potential for coal mining activity in the area, so we are working belt and braces on the foundations.

Working on getting the electricity and water connections ready for the builders starting proper. Steel for the raft has been order and we are awaiting delivery, this week hopefully!

The most frustrating part of this project is that people don't get back to you quickly with quotes or prices! I suppose it's tough so especially tradesmen don't want commit time to pricing when they have jobs on the go.

I'm feeling really confident about the budgeting, although no doubt there are elements of the build that I may have missed or need to budgEt for unknowns, we are using a firm of builders to do the entire build of the shell, they will leave it with a sealed roof, joists in but without windows.

My job is to coordinate the rest, so I have been working on pulling together quotes for all manner of things, floor boards, heating plumbing, electricians, joinery, stairs, windows, kitchens, plastering and loads more! I forgot we needed stairs until today!

This is our plot, in the middle of a gated development of 13 homes.

This is what we are building, 3 storey main property, with a 2 storey extension and single storey garage block. The house will sit on the front of the site and garage access will be from the rear garden area.

So we are off and ready! Heras fencing is up, groundworks are away! Maybe steel down before Christmas and concrete pouring first thing in the new year!

To tent or not to tent is the dilemma of the moment, it's a difficult one!!