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Self build – tools for the job
Embarking on a self build is not for the faint hearted – come on, we’ve all seen the TV programmes!
Some stoics go forward thinking that they personally will escape the ups and downs of building their own home; others remain blissfully ignorant along the way.
To minimise some of the hiccups, it’s worth checking this list before you start. More than anything else, they may help to save you money – money that can be used for a well earned rest at the end of the project.
- Shelter: Self build projects generally take more than 4-6 months to complete and you will need some sort of place to keep paper work, make the tea and keep dry during bad bouts of weather. Even if you are living on site during the build, it’s a generous soul who allows muddy workmen to traipse through their house, use the loo and the mess up the kitchen. Try looking for a dilapidated caravan or an old mobile home – they can be easily hooked up to electrics and phones and make perfect ‘site offices’. At the end of the project they can be sold on, recouping a large part of any money spent.
- Toilet Facilities: Acquire a dedicated loo/Porta-loo for any workmen that come to site and preferably make the project manager (if you employ one) responsible for emptying/cleaning and general maintenance. This is a job you really do not want to get involved in!
- A phone: Mobile contracts these days allow you to make cheap calls so a landline may not be entirely necessary.
- A computer with:
v Microsoft Word: Save all correspondence, official or otherwise.
v Microsoft Project: Setting out each aspect of the project and the associated time frame each element should take helps you keep to your schedule and ultimately, your budget.
v Excel: Record such things as item, company, website address, any quote, the date and the name of the person who gave you this quote, date item ordered, date received, date paid, method of payment (you may have number of credit cards/accounts on the go at the same time and will need to cross reference this information from any bank statements), ‘invoice received’ date. An Excel spreadsheet dedicated to VAT; http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/hmrc/forms/viewform.jsp?formId=3645 Record information such as item description (for every building product including every nut and bolt you used in your project. At the end of the day, it all adds up and you’ll be grateful to make a one-off reclaim that helps to clear some of your debt), Invoice date, Invoice number, Amount, VAT, Total, Notes etc. You can’t make a claim for VAT unless you have your own name and address recorded on your invoices so make sure this information is included in the invoice detail. Whatever you do, try and keep on top of your invoices and paperwork. In the midst of your self build when you are tired, it’s easy to overlook vital bits of paperwork that may end up in the washing machine. You can potentially lose out on money owed to you by the VAT man as a result.
v Outlook: Record all contact details for every company or individual with whom you are dealing – from research, tender and appointed contractor. Make written records of any conversations – its always tricky remembering certain facts some weeks further down the line.
- Storage facilities. There are a variety of options when it comes to storage of tools and or household items. Storage containers generally do not control temperature or humidity and damage such as mildew can occur if certain items are stored for long periods of time. If you anticipate using a storage container, again, it may be worth buying one to resell rather than hiring one. Whatever, your decision, consider particularly how you can keep this area secure.
- Tools: Hiring vs. Buying. If you have not done a self build project before, you may not realise just how many times you might need to hire a particular tool. Good quality items like drills and cutters need to be bought along with a versatile Paslode nail gun and cement mixer. These can be bought second hand and sold off again at the end of your project.
Good mental attitude: As a friend of mine said – “See it as a roller coaster; strap your self in tight and enjoy the ride!”
About the Author
To know more about self build please log on to http://www.wholebuild.co.uk/
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