Double Garage in England

[bazzateer]

Oh yeah, I believe on this forum it's customary at this point to suggest you go and bang his wife!

 

[gtr cook]

My advice would be to look for a local builder who is recommended by people you trust. These tend to be more reliable than the bloke who gives you the cheapest quote and ends up doing a bunk with your money when a better paid job comes up.

Unfortunately he was the local reliable builder. Has worked for me before a number of times including laying our driveway and perimeter walls. He has also worked for my neighbours, thought I could trust him.

 

[gtr cook]

Yeah, cordless drill & a 2.5mm bit. Use it to install a hole in the transmissions & differentials of every vehicle he owns.

Am liking that idea

 

[MG David]

I would like to see him get render on the wall next to the fence!

 

[gtr cook]

I would like to see him get render on the wall next to the fence!

The fence will be coming down so it can be rendered, it needs replacing anyway.

 

[0150carmac]

looks like he done a good job so far but you hear that much about builders doing half the job and vanishing these days keep the faith buddy you get there in the end

 

[bazzateer]

Unfortunately he was the local reliable builder. Has worked for me before a number of times including laying our driveway and perimeter walls. He has also worked for my neighbours, thought I could trust him.

..... and his wife?

 

[gtr cook]

..... and his wife?

Not going there

 

[gtr cook]

Sorry to hear this (I'm in the UK) - builders going AWOL is quite common, I'm afraid. The blockwork looks first rate so at least he did a good job on that before he gave up.

I do have some experience of legal matters - send me a PM if you want a chat.

Brunel,

Tried to reply to your pm, its not showing up in my sent items so not sure if you received it. If your ok to talk, i would appreciate your experience.

 

[gtr cook]

Small update.........

I have found another builder who is happy to finish the job for me. He should be able to start in a few weeks time.

There is a slight change. The original builder was going to use 6x2 joists to span the 7 meter gap.

The new builder has ruled this out, they will buckle over time and wont be sufficient to hold the roof. The new plan involes a second RSJ set on the blocks half way across the garage. The joists will then join this creating a shalllow pitch to the roof, instead of a flat roof angled front to back.

May have been a good job the previous builder lost interest as i dont think it would have lasted!

Have had quotes for the electrics and am really happy with the work thats going ahead in the next couple of weeks.

I will get some pictures up when the build resumes, in the mean time i will be preparing the hard standing area and fixing the fencing.

 

[gtr cook]

Some good news!

Roof is on and garage is now looking more like a building.





Having talked with the electrician, he suggested I should consider a side entrance I case of any fuses tripping. So the builder is also cutting a hole in the wall.



Starting to get the enthusiasm back now!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Its never a real nice experience when you have issues like you have been through.
Great to see your build is back on track.

Regards

 

[bazzateer]

Good news, moving forward after an issue is always good.

 

[jwhcars]

It is nice to see that your garage is nearing the build completion. Looking great !!

 

[gtr cook]

Thanks guys, I lost enthusiasm for a while but the new builder has restored it.

Side door has been installed, front a side wall has been fully rendered.

I will remove the fencing on Tuesday and the remaining walls can then be rendered.

 

[Audicon]

Building is looking great.

What are your plans for the floor if it is too thin?

Hope to see more pics of the 34 in the future. Have you had it on the 'Ring, or is it just the decal?

 

[gtr cook]

Building is looking great.

What are your plans for the floor if it is too thin?

Hope to see more pics of the 34 in the future. Have you had it on the 'Ring, or is it just the decal?

Thank you.

Having spoken to the builder, he is going to lay concrete on top, using uni bond to help it bond to what's there and possibly rebar to help reinforce it. He doubts we will have to break up what's there but if its necessary then we will.

Am hoping to get some arty pictures up once the garage is finished. The car has been round the ring, not many times but it has been there. Really want to go back but just not had the time of late.

 

[captain14]

Is this rendering a skim (thin) coat of plaster on the block?

Project looks good and I think with the roof With the pitch should allow the water to drain instead of standing and causing issues.

Are you going to put an overhang/canopy over the man door? Keep you dry unlocking the door and someplace to sit with a beverage thinking of your next step in the project.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Glad to see it taking shape! With space as a premium there you are a lucky person to have a nice garage!

 

[gtr cook]

Is this rendering a skim (thin) coat of plaster on the block?

Project looks good and I think with the roof With the pitch should allow the water to drain instead of standing and causing issues.

Are you going to put an overhang/canopy over the man door? Keep you dry unlocking the door and someplace to sit with a beverage thinking of your next step in the project.

The rendering is cement applied in the same way as plaster. The base coat which can bee seen in the pictures is applied, about 10mm thick and then a second smooth coat is applied on top of that to give a smooth finish for painting.

The render is flared where it meets the damp course so water doesn't hang around. I will get some more detailed pictures of the render tonight. The house has been rendered and painted, gives a nice clean appearance as well as protecting the bricks from any damp.

As for the roof, i feel its a blessing in disguise getting rid of the last builder. Couldn't be happier with how its turned out and really looks good up close. I agree the pitch will be better at clearing water and with some decent drainage i shouldn't have any issues with the ground.

I hadn't thought about a canopy to be honest. Its quite impossing in the garden and i guess i am trying to limit how much it stands out. However, things always change and projects are never turely finished, it may evole with a canopy in the future. It is a good idea and will certainly have me thinking about it!

 

[gtr cook]

Glad to see it taking shape! With space as a premium there you are a lucky person to have a nice garage!

Thank you, i am very lucky to have the space i do, with the access i do. Access is probably the biggest issue in the uk. Most property's in built up areas have narrow side entrances or shared entrances which can cause issues if your neighbour doesn't respect the space available.

Being on the end of our group of houses helped in this case.

 

[3.5TT]

looking good, anymore progress to report?

 

[gtr cook]

We are nearly finished with the building stage, roof is completed and has had it's first real test already, no leaks so am over the moon with that. Rendering is completed, need painting to match the house now, sandstone and finally the floor has been poured.

Outside of property and the fence that has been taken down:

Render going up on the sides:

Just to show the rendering stages. Bottom not rendered, middle base coat on and the top is the finished coat:

Leak test passed:

Old doors to keep the dog out while the floor sets:

I have a skip arriving tomorrow so I can clear the rubbish, amazing how much you collect! Hopefully I will get some garden back!

 

[Fredriz]

Nice garage

incredible it rains in kent
I went on a travel in kent on August 1 2014 for the IMM Maidstone (Internationnal Mini Meeting). you know this event.

 

[gtr cook]

Nice garage

incredible it rains in kent
I went on a travel in kent on August 1 2014 for the IMM Maidstone (Internationnal Mini Meeting). you know this event.

Thank you.

We have our fair share of rain unfortunately.

I don't know the event but I am sure I have seen cars that attend. Where is it held and ill keep a look out next year?

 

[sean Buick 76]

Looking really good!!!

 

[Madone_si]

Great work on garage so far and loving the GTR.

 

[Scottishross]

Nice gtr mate

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Looking good.

 

[Fredriz]

Thank you.

We have our fair share of rain unfortunately.

I don't know the event but I am sure I have seen cars that attend. Where is it held and ill keep a look out next year?

the IMM will come back in england in 5 years....the next year, that will be to Lithuania....and in 2016 to Belgium.

some pictures

 

[gtr cook]

Fredriz,

Some really cool Mini's there, good to see them going strong.

 

[gtr cook]

Nothing much to report, i am sure my bank acocunt has a hole in it somewhere!

The building stage has finally been completed. All thats left is to get a door on and get power to the garage. This will be done over the next couple of months, as and when i get paid.

In the mean time i will be painting the rendering to match the house and a few small jobs like drainage etc before we start getting rain.

Garden has been cleared of all the rubbish, its still looking terrible out there but i will sort it out.

I hope to get some half decent pictures up at the weekend- may even try and get a car in there!

 

[bonecrrusher]

Having been around the 'Ring myself - I wish I had done it in a GTR. I rented some weird Renault Clio Cup Sport thing from RSR Nurburg.

Garage is looking good - glad you found another builder.

 

[gtr cook]

Having been around the 'Ring myself - I wish I had done it in a GTR. I rented some weird Renault Clio Cup Sport thing from RSR Nurburg.

Garage is looking good - glad you found another builder.

Thanks Bonecrrusher.

The Clio's are alot of fun, i have one and they are very forgiving on track.

Did you still enjoy it?

 

[gtr cook]

So its been a while, not much has happened to be honest.

The door has been ordered and should be fitted in the next 1-2 weeks depending on delivery and of course Christmas. I couldn't have a roller door due to the gap between the roof and the door opening. I am now having a sectional door, in white to match the house scheme.

Work hasn't stopped completely though. I have roughed in the drainage and made a start on the driveway.

Firstly the drainage. Down pipe, drain gully and pipes leading to the soak away, which is yet to be dug, roughed in. These will need to go deeper and the drain gully cemented in. The pipe running across the front will be connected to rain gully's to draw water away from the garage entrance.



And on to the driveway/entrance.

Skip was delivered early. I had already dug out a small area, where the skip is placed so i won't have to do this later.



Labourer turned up to help with the digging:





Starting to dig out the entrance and gate post hole:





And finally, almost down to correct depth. Path in the centre will need removing, i hope to do this on Monday:





This pile of rubble will be broken into smaller pieces to form the sub grade. I figure i may aswell use it instead of paying to remove it.



Now there's only one thing i need to figure out. I have realised the entire garden seems to sit above the pavement outside. This is good in one way- there will be a slope towards the pavement area, although i was hoping to slope it one way towards the grass. Hopefully i can grade it to slope in two directions.

Hopefully i will make more progress once Christmas is out of the way. Money is the only thing holding things up at the moment.

 

[gavmac]

your photo bucket is not working :-(
some really cool minis

 

[gtr cook]

Sorry, should be fixed now.

 

[bazzateer]

That's a small skip. you'll need a few of those - not cheap!
Round here skips that size were £200 each. I went with a grab lorry which can take 3 skips' worth of **** and cost £350 saving me £250 each load.

 

[Grizz1963]

For some reason only just seen your build.

Very nice car.

Glad you got your roof on in the end.

 

[gtr cook]

That's a small skip. you'll need a few of those - not cheap!
Round here skips that size were £200 each. I went with a grab lorry which can take 3 skips' worth of **** and cost £350 saving me £250 each load.

Its taken the majority of what needs to be removed. I think I may need a 4yrd to finish the job, I may just get another 6yrd, although there's £100 difference between the two. I did look into a grab truck, I ruled it out for some reason, can't remember why now.