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Build Programme

Here we will try and give you an indication of the time frame and steps involved from meeting us for the first time, to moving in and cracking open a bottle of Champagne.

  • A meeting with a Solo Project Manager will be arranged to discuss your requirements.

    Assuming this has not already been done by you, we will instruct a Surveyor to visit your plot, take detailed measurements and undertake a land survey.

    This information will be passed to our Architect and taking into account your instructions a design will be prepared.
    Alternatively if your own Architect has already drawn up plans we can prepare a full quote from those.

    The Architect will submit plans and a quotation to you for your approval within six weeks of our first meeting.
    If you are happy they will be submitted to your local Council for approval, Depending on which Council is involved this process can take between six and ten weeks.

    Assuming planning permission is given we apply for building control approval which tells the Council exactly how the house will be built. This can take another four weeks to get a decision.
    During this time you should approach one of the new build insurance companies to provide your warranty, typically this will be NHBC or Zurich.

    We provide you or your chosen builder with a setting out plan which will explain in detail how to build your foundations. They will very likely lay in your services at this stage, drainage, electric, water, etc.

    Getting the Utility companies to provide quotations can sometimes be a long and difficult process, so ensure that you conatct them early on.

    A block and beam floor is the quickest and most cost effective way of building your ground floor.
    We can order this for you as part of your package.

    During this period we will order your timber frame, depending on workload at the factory this can take up-to six weeks before delivery to your site.

    Prior to delivery and erection of the timber frame a scaffold will need to be erected around the footprint of your new home to facilitate construction. This differs to traditional brick and block were the scaffold is adjusted regularly as the build progresses.

    Your new home arrives on the back of a heavy goods vehicle. We hire a crane to lift the component sections from the lorry into position, our team of shell erectors overseen by our Contracts Manager then commence the build.
    This is the fun bit as you will be amazed at the speed of construction compared to traditional methods.

    External windows and doors are delivered and fitted and within a week you will have a watertight shell ready for your roofer to lay tiles. This is the first trade you should employ in order that the frame can settle and compress under the weight of the roof.

    First fix Electricians and Plumbers can now lay in cable for lighting and power points, and pipe work for either conventional heating systems or underfloor heating.

    When you are ready you can call off the next delivery which would be wall & floor insulation and plasterboard.
    With the floor ground insulation in position a cement screed is laid on top. Once this has dried out you can fill the wall voids with insulation and the plasterers can plasterboard and skim the walls and ceilings.

    During this period the exterior of the building can be lined with bricks and/or cladding. We can also advise you of systems that do away with the need for any brickwork at all saving even more time and money.

    With the external skin complete, soffits, fascias, guttering and soil pipes can be fitted.

    Now comes the part you have been waiting for.
    Second fix carpentry (internal doors sets, stairs and skirting board as well as the kitchen and bathroom/s)
    Second fix electrics (power points, light switches, telephone and TV points)

    Second fix plumbing (boiler, radiators, towel rails)
    You're almost there now; it's choosing materials for landscaping and driveways.

    Now it's time to visit your local DIY store and spend hours poring over colour charts and wallpaper samples and the dreaded trip to IKEA for soft furnishings.

    From delivery of your timber frame to site and dependant on the size of your house it will be another two or three months before completion.

 

 

Plans of your Timber Framed home are designed

The foundations that the Timber Frame sits on get installed now

The block and beam floor is at the base of the building

Your new Timber Frame is delivered to site

The Timber Frame is erected on site

Your Timber Frame is half way completed

The first fix plumbing and electrics can now be installed

Various other parts of your house are installed

The Timber Frame build is finally complete


Click to download our free  tools

Use our free excel self build calculators to help you keep track of your build.

The budget tracker will help you keep a close eye on your purse-strings and the building works scheduler on your time frame.

 

Copyright © Solo Timber Frame Limited. 2008 All rights reserved.
The Byre, Hodore Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex, TN7 4AR
Tel: 01892 771 354
E-mail: info@solotimberframe.co.uk
Click to download our free budget tracker. Click to download our free building schedule.