Finding a good builder (Part 2)

Finding a good builder (Part 2)

In Part 1 We said finding a good builder is said to be notoriously difficult to find and if you unwittingly obtain the services of a cowboy builder in it can turn into a nightmare.

You've had the architects in, the plans and building regs have been drawn, written, submitted and approved,

You've chosen your list of builders.(Say three) You've looked at their work and thats fine your satisfied.

Their quotes are within your budget (I assume you would have worked out how much it should cost you plus you've added 10% on top for unforseen eventuallities baring in mind you don't know whats underneath. i.e Rock, a stream, sand, a main sewer pipe, Cables, water, gas, old infill, even a mine shaft is possible.

So allow for this and before you start do some investigations yourself, Ask around the locality go to the council offices. Theres one site called Britain Beneath Our Feet  click on the link Hazards!,and you are able to see what lies beneath your feet in your area.

Another clue to whats underneath is to look at the street name or the house name. Trellech springs road gives you a good clue to whats beneath. Where what would you think is beneath Rock Cottage (it's not just the fact that the cottage is built out of rock.) So as you see there's more to it that just  Finding a good builder
Yeap! There's much investigation to do before you even think of signing the contract
Part 3 follows soon
Good luck

How do you build in this constant bad weather?

How do you build in this constant bad weather?

       We’re now near the end of the Hot! Dry! summer season.

Erm! Pardon! “What Hot! Dry! Summer I hear you cry???

”Exactly“ 

What Season was it? Answer A warm winter with lighter nights

       I could be wrong but I would say (being the smug clever builder that I am ("Joking")) We have hardly had a clear dry spell this year summer although apart from some snow at the beginning of the year (February I think) there was a dryer period in March and April increase in rain as May and June came along (as indicated by the Weather graph for Thornbury, just outside Bristol).  With all the rain we’ve had, what happened to that barbecue summer that was forecast (Weathermen/woman bashing over… Well we all make mistakes)

       Anyway back to my question: How do you build in this constant bad weather?

1. Just work out in the wet... well macho man builder can work out in the rain if he wants. I did it for years and got soaked to the skin and the job was a mess, baring in mind it was less wet back then.
2. Knock a frame up with some 2x2 and cover with a sheet
3. Well if you're building a house perhaps scaffolding erected and covered with tarpaulins before the walls etc are built same with a an extension
4. For small jobs use the tubular or folding gazebos (tied down) but these tend to buckle or break if a strong gust of wind catches them
5. Invest in a polytunnel as wide as 30ft and up to 90ft  maybe longer if you required

       Well I'm going to choose one or more of these (Except No.1). The gazebo for small building jobs and a polytunnel for the march larger types of construction, i.e a swimming pools or ground works like drainage

       It will be worth the initial investment No more wondering day by day what the weather is going to do the next day Although there will be times when it will be unavoidable and we'll have to work outside but as i said it will be worth it. ..

How do you build in this constant bad weather? Buy a Polytunnel