Self Build - Project Planning

K

kildarebuild

Registered User
Messages
135
Hi -

I have been looking for a project plan, where i can draw up the plan for the house.

The footings of the house went on the site during the week... At the moment i did not forseen that the pipework for electrics, water, radon pipe, underfloor etc. so now i have to make a hole in the footings wall. Which would like a bit of a mess.

Is their anything out there that tells you what to watch out for since one cannot rely on the builders to know this. Even a list detailing potential pitfalls etc.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
 
"Is their anything out there that tells you what to watch out for since one cannot rely on the builders to know this"

We recently did a big build/renovate job on our house. We know nada combined with diddly squat about anything to do with building. For that very reason, we engaged our builder and an architect who has project managed the whole process. It came at considerable cost but the reassurance combined with the design added factor has been immeasurable. I shudder at the thought of attempting such a major project without professional guidance/support.

Other than that, all I will say is get yourself off to your local library and start reading up.

mf
 
mf1 said:
It came at considerable cost but the reassurance combined with the design added factor has been immeasurable.
Click to expand...
While being an addition to the quality of the design/work, it can also save huge costs where work has to be redone.

If something is done out of sequence it leads to additional work (having to undo previously done work - drilling etc.), additional time (to do the extra works) and additional costs leading from both (if time slips are large the financial implications can grow exponentially).

This doesn't even start to quantify the frustration of the builder/sub contractors if/when this continually happens, the chance they may walk away from the job and the increase of your own stress levels.
 
An experienced, degree qualified civil engineer with references.
An Architect to draw up your plans.

You cant get a perscrpition without a doctor, you wouldnt go to court without a solicitor/barrister , and yet people feel that they know all about building their own home and dont bother with professional advice on what is often the most expensive thing they will ever spend money on.

Beggars belief really.
 
I believe that the Homebond Home Builders Guide is a great reference but like other posters have said, I'd definitely employ a professional on this..
 
I do have both an architect and an engineer. And also it was stated on the architectural plans that their was going to be a radon sump and pipe. But the builders did not go along with the plan.

I am a selfbuilder taking on the job of project management, its not impossible and does not require a degree. Just organisation, patience and time.
 
kildarebuild said:
I do have both an architect and an engineer. And also it was stated on the architectural plans that their was going to be a radon sump and pipe. But the builders did not go along with the plan.

I am a selfbuilder taking on the job of project management, its not impossible and does not require a degree. Just organisation, patience and time.
Click to expand...


You need to pay the architect or engineer more to project manage the job.


Like every other job from accountant to bin man to car sales man a person who has done a job repeatedly will learn "the tricks of the trade".

I was once told that there are only three variables in any project
Time
Quality
Price

By keeping price down either Time or Quality will suffer
 
kildarebuild said:
I am a selfbuilder taking on the job of project management, its not impossible and does not require a degree. Just organisation, patience and time.
Click to expand...
Nobody is saying it's impossible, but it is hard!

An engineer working on his first PM role will make mistakes. One working on a 100th PM job will make far less and catch all sorts of additional problems in advance.

If the problem with the pipework etc. had been spotted by a professional PM how much would it have saved (in time and financially)? How much of the additional cost would that have covered. If you believe for a second than a huge number of other problems won't arrise over the term of the build then fair enough, if however you're realistic about it, it certainly is worth having a professional on board. Totally your choice of course.
 
Just one tip I'll give.
Ensure the hockey stick is in place from the start of wall construction. Cover your ESB Telecom and Gas boxes with protective film to prevent scraps
 
kildarebuild said:
now i have to make a hole in the footings wall. Which would like a bit of a mess.


Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

It shouldnt be a mess. For your foul water and radon pipe go to local hire shop and hire a 100mm coring bit. This will leave a very snug hole for radon pipe. You'll need a good strong drill for this.
 
Kildare build

I am six months in a self build due to finsih in 3 months. I knew little to nothing about building before I started. I have learned alot since then and to my mind the build has gone very well. All pipe work and services have worked out well apart from a days work to redirect the cable for the electrics.


I paid an engineer to do sign off of stage payments and he said he would supervise. He did not do anything other than come up and look and the odd time point out something
I basically checked with my friends who were the best people to do the job. I got one guy to do all the ground work so I worked with him. These guys no more than any engineer about services etc. Put in ducting for electric gates, treatment system, gas, telephone.
I kept asking people who know about building what do I need to do next. I listened to one or two people that I would trust as experts. People who have built houses know the pit falls.
Rather than spending the money on expensive architects/engineers I spent it on good tradesmen that are diligent, trustworthy and reliable.
In saynig that it is damn hard work and requires focus on the project for the time. However it is very rewarding. Don't lose faith it'll be worth it!!.
 
Building isn't rocket science but you do need to think things through logically before you do them. If this ain't the way you think employ someone who thinks this way, it will help no end and pay itself back ten fold. However if logic and DIY is your thing I would feel you are better off doing it yourself. The house at the end of the day is for YOU and you tend to think of things in more detail. Things like insulation, access to wires afterwards, location of plugs, TV points where storm water is going to go the list endless.

Don't get me wrong engineers and archs are generally worth every penny if you don't want the hassle or don't have the time but they still won't put as much into it as you will!

The Homebond book is a must and you should go through every page of it and pick out the points that apply to the build and use it as a reference. As AJL said it’s not easy but it is worth it

Enjoy your build
 
Kildare take AJLs advice its good.

We had an engineer at a stage who was going to charge 250euro to put on his wellies I kid you not unfortunately. He asked me how far he would have to walk to get to the house (not more than 50m) this was when I questioned him about his fee. Needless to say I got a friend to do the job but its seriously not rocket science and as you drive by sites have a good look in to see whats going on dont be shy or ashmed to ask questions.
I rang 3-4 engineers to do our job and they each in turn got rattled when i questioned the fee because they could not be justified.


And whatever you do when you are talking to these fellas be sure you sound like youve an idea what you are talking about because they just see euro signs!

To the honest lads out their i do appologise I realise its a minority and they have such a vilume of work all the time they really dont want to be bothered with penny pinching people like me I suppose!

Best of luck kildarebuild you'll be fine your obviouly researcing it so youve a good start.
J
 
Meathman thats not the issue I wanted the engineer to do a job that was all I had got the documentation all he hato do was measure and sign one fella said to me - why dont you get who ever got the rest of the documentation for you planing maps and that to finish the job I had done this myself and thought this was the hight of cheek he was peeved because I had an idea of ehat i was tlaking about and couldnt be bluffed. A fair price for a 30min job looking at the site and signing 200 euro and not 450 that I was quoted even 200 is too much but I would have paid it if he didnt have such atitude.
J
 
ignorance is a great thing.
His price is nto just for the 30mins work. He is signing off that everything is to spec and he is responsible for possible defects. He has to keep his insurance for 6 years after the job is done so it is very unfair to base it on the timeframe. Meathman asked a very valid question, how much as a % did the engineer cost? Id guess less than you will pay for curtains
 
To go further on Ludermor's point. He also has studied for 4 or more years. Has overheads for his office, is self employed, has to pay the petrol to get out to your site.

How much does a solicitor or accountant or doctor charge for their few minutes. Again they have their overheads, insurance education etc. How much would Joanad charge a complete stranger for your time?
 
Calm down all....
I was only highlighting what happened to me... for your info the eng was signing off for the sale of a house bordered by local authority on 3 sides of a property that was insitu since the 1700's I had all the documentation there was no issue with it at all! But I understand that they charge all trhe same and I dont think thats fair you have to be on the look out that is th point I am trying to make -
And as for ignorance Ive done a lot more that 3-4 yrs in college myself and am an engineer all be it in a different field I value my professionalism aswell as that of others but just because you go to college for a few years and have to pay insurance doesnt give you the right to rip people off - end of
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top