Building Blox: Week 33 – Landscaping, Working practices in construction

After finishing the second fix electrics and connecting up utilities last week, the final part of decorating was going on inside. My attention shifted outside to the land and hardscaping (AKA tarmacking). The planting areas were marked out and tarmacking laid. Before doing this we had to plan for rain water drainage, where I realised again the contractor was drowning in the details… Read More …

Building Blox: Week 32 – How we get electricity, gas, BT, TV to homes

What we did: Electrical second fix; Connecting electricity mains, gas, BT and TV to houses. With the utility services fed up to the front of the properties, it was time to finish off the internal wiring and connect up to Read More …

Building Blox: Week 31 – Cycle and bin stores, Dealing with variations

What we did: Cycle and bin stores; Variations to contract spec.
This week we finalised these structures which I designed to complement the landscaping. Additionally, in this post I’ll talk through variations and how these are factored into the project and you can ensure extra costs don’t demolish your budget! Read More …

Building Blox: Week 30 – How to design an interior layout (3/3) – Upstairs

What we did: Stairs; Interior design upstairs and bathroom.
This week we head up the open and light staircase and look at the interior layout upstairs Read More …

Building Blox: Week 29 – How to design an interior layout (2/3) – Kitchen

What we did: Interior design – kitchen; Kitchen fitting.
This week another instalment about design, this time moving on to the kitchen. Read More …

Building Blox: Week 28 – How to design an interior layout (1/3) – Downstairs

What we did: Interior design – downstairs; Decorating. This week we move inside as I switch up the format a bit and discuss how I designed the interior Read More …

Building Blox: Week 27 – Guide to utility connections for new properties (part 2/2)

What we did: Reinstated utility service trenches (part 2); Pipework and ducting run into properties. Here’s the second part of my guide on how to connect new homes to the utility services. Check out part 1 in week 25 here. Read More …

Building Blox: Week 26 – Backfilling trenches for utility services

What we did Reinstated utility service trenches (part 1) Thames Water inspection This week we began reinstating the trenches for the utilities and I touch on part of the skillset required to run a project. As well as being a Read More …

Building Blox: Week 25 – Guide to utility connections for new properties (part 1/2)

What we did Excavated trenches to public-private boundary; Laid pipework and ducting; Gas pipes connected. This week was pretty hectic, with lots of busy spades, angry neighbours and bundles of cables (as well as bundles of nerves) as we did Read More …

Building Blox: Week 24 – Foul water drainage and specifying fixtures & fittings in tenders

What we did: Foul water drainage. This week we connected pipework carrying foul/waste water to the sewer system, involving getting dirty in mud again. Inside, I focussed on the other end of the pipework, finalising my selection of sanitary ware. Read More …