We’ve retained QSP Construction to build the fabric of the house ie the foundations, wall, roof, windows, floors. We knew them from the work they have done with the architects and our friend (maybe ex!) Jonathan who’s worked on a number of projects. The MD Martyn happens to be from my hometown and our conversations are pleasantly free of any bull.

Its a 28 week build program so due to finish end Oct 2019. We then take on the electrics, plumbing, interior ceilings/wall/flooring, bathrooms, kitchens ….. which will probably take the rest of our lives.

August Update:
We started in April with a design from Mike the architect, an agreed budget and a project plan. Halfway through the project I’ve learnt:
– The design docs were fine to get through building control but have needed reasonably more detail to build to, be tweaked as each stage of the build brought minor issues and big rework with the foundations. I’m relieved Mike has been on hand through the build
– The build is all dependent on the weather .. and we’ve had a poor spring/summer. The site turns into a shit-fest, everyone gets grumpy but half the trades .. brickies, joiners cannot work in the rain. If it rains on a Friday everyone takes a long weekend.
– The site overheads are eye-watering. We have a site cabin, a canteen, a drying room, 2-3 toilets including a ladies (despite no ladies on site), fencing, loads of toys (eg telehandlers) on site and a cocktail bar. A site manager is always needed to monitor health and safety .. with its associated infrastructure overheads and there are independent h&s inspectors insurance visits and the obligatory uniforms.
– The foundations are an unknown and we hit problems that needed time, money and concrete (200m3, 80+ alone in the garage) thrown at it. Even with hindsight there is nothing we could have done .. I have no issue in the way it got resolved with architects, structural engineers, building control and QSP all getting stuck in.
– There is a lot on checking, tweaking, minor reworking going on as we build .. ground-workers, brickies, steelworkers, joiners. Nothing unreasonable and it shows how important it was to design a build-able house with no fancy stuff.
– A lot of organising goes on in the background arranging materials and sub-contractors for when we need it. In addition to QSPs efforts during the build I’ve spent huge time preparing for the fit-out.
– Notwithstanding all this QSP are experienced at this game and other than the foundations we remain on plan and in budget. I’m in a permanent state of being both frustrated and impressed at the same time.
– The neighbours have been exceedingly pleasant as we build .. thanks to you all.
– We -really- enjoy living in the static, its a simple lifestyle and we always feel like on holiday walking out the front door in the morning. Maybe we should airbnb the house and stay in the static.