The new project

I've asked the builder to take some pics and send those over with his recommendation. Tbh we agreed on the bricks so likely his choice will be fine. I might sneak over later but prob just stick with the pics he sends

Last planning condition was for the soakaway (total palaver) and that was signed off last week. After the drainage consultant, at huge expense I might add, calculated and designed the soakaway based on the council requirements and the soakaway built... the council changed a % figure and buggered the calcs. The council then said we had to increase it all (this is the size of a swimming pool, I kid you not) to which the consultant said jog on. The storage figure mis-matched by about 1.5m3 and the council got all 'councilly' about it until the consultant, at great patience, pointed out that water is also stored in the pipework and and micro overspill into the garden would drain away without damage to structures that were 9+m away...

Don't think the architect is shutting down, most of them are set up to work from home anyway. Push comes to shove we only need the builders at this point anyway

 

Roof coming along... Tiles ordered this morning and to be delivered tomorrow so that should keep them busy

 

Yup, I expect the offcuts will be burned but will make use of anything left. Can't be there most of the time to scavenge

 

Don't worry, @Scrungee will have them.

 

First problem with the supply chain has become an issue - no windows! Even the glass manufacturers have shut down and it take the furnace a week to get up to temp after being switched on so fairly big issue :(

 

Well we were going for aluminium but having read into it they can be colder in winter (obviously due to metal frame) and uPVC are much cheaper... so yes uPVC for me I was tickled a bit when some sales spiel came out saying a selling point of alu windows was how long they last making them 'cheaper in the long run'. Given the lifetime they were saying I think I really won't care by then!

So yes, the roof can continue and the internal stud walls after that; plumbing first fix is happening now. They'll put battens in where the bi-fold doors are going and do the kitchen floor screed over the underfloor heating. As you say, a bit of making good around the windows is not the end of the world but everyone would prefer it to be weathertight!

 

No, windows just specced as like for like, based on the current dwelling (which was uPVC) and that's what we're going for. One exception is the bi-folds which are alu and also on the drawings

 

Well at this point we're thinking just leave ply wood in place. I guess we'll have to rethink that as time goes by and if the lockdown continues...