Building a new house - any view on these points?
Discussion
Nearly finalising the building of our new house and about to start sorting out some of the parts the builder is not doing. Has anyone got any tips on the following:
1. Soakwells. I have found an installer who will install 600 x 600 UPVC Soakwells, 1 per downpipe with each soakwell under a downpipe. They will then install a shoe to connect the downpipe to the piping underground and into the soakwell.
I have been told (by the builder) that 2 big soakwells at the front of the house would be advisable but this guy said its not advisable due to one area containing all the wet season water, and a smaller one on each downpipe would be more effective.
Any idea if these seem good or bad?
2. Brick paving. Had a guy quote $16 sqm laying, with materials on top. Is this reasonable?
3. Painting: Anyone know any good painters, and how much it costs per hour/per room here?
4. Any other tips to ensure that i dont get the 'fresh off the boat' treatment?
1. Soakwells. I have found an installer who will install 600 x 600 UPVC Soakwells, 1 per downpipe with each soakwell under a downpipe. They will then install a shoe to connect the downpipe to the piping underground and into the soakwell.
I have been told (by the builder) that 2 big soakwells at the front of the house would be advisable but this guy said its not advisable due to one area containing all the wet season water, and a smaller one on each downpipe would be more effective.
Any idea if these seem good or bad?
2. Brick paving. Had a guy quote $16 sqm laying, with materials on top. Is this reasonable?
3. Painting: Anyone know any good painters, and how much it costs per hour/per room here?
4. Any other tips to ensure that i dont get the 'fresh off the boat' treatment?
deviant said:
I have got no idea on the other points but
Just what I was thinking...........Fiddlemesticks said:
3. Painting: Anyone know any good painters, and how much it costs per hour/per room here?
Shirley this can be done with a few PH'ers, a BBQ and a couple of crates of beer?
With regards to the soakwells, I would go for two smaller ones.!! Your guy is correct, that putting all the water into one area is not a good idea. My brother in law has just installed his own, and got the concrete ring type, where you lay it on the ground, dig out the sand from inside it, and as you dig, it will drop into position on it's own. Then simply put some hardcore inside it (broken bricks and the like), then put the lid on. Underground pipework is simple too.
Painting, we can help. PH is your friend.
Brick paving, you need to find out what he will be doing for that price. Is that just to lay the blocks? is he compacting the sand beneath, or providing a hardcore base?
Edited by toomuchbeer on Tuesday 14th October 01:39
Cheers for the responses.
Painting wise, fabulous idea, but i feel rather cheeky! Once we get the keys (c.2 weeks before xmas) theres a real rush on to get the painting done prior to carpets so it will be a midweek job. Therefore it may no be PH possible but i will certainly bear in mind. I can supply pies also....
Also, how are good are you lot at edging....
Soakwells, thanks for the info. We're actually looking at 10 downpipes, and a 600x600 under each one. The guy has offered concrete or UPVC but i'm not sure which. He's quote $1450 for all 10 and installed, guaranteed and pipework etc.
If i want 2 big concrete ones at the front of the house its $2700.
Still better than $3880 that the robbing b
d of a builder quoted...
Brick Paving wise, yes $16 sqm is just for laying. materials on top, but i believe the laying includes the prepped groundwork. Think i best check though....
Painting wise, fabulous idea, but i feel rather cheeky! Once we get the keys (c.2 weeks before xmas) theres a real rush on to get the painting done prior to carpets so it will be a midweek job. Therefore it may no be PH possible but i will certainly bear in mind. I can supply pies also....
Also, how are good are you lot at edging....
Soakwells, thanks for the info. We're actually looking at 10 downpipes, and a 600x600 under each one. The guy has offered concrete or UPVC but i'm not sure which. He's quote $1450 for all 10 and installed, guaranteed and pipework etc.
If i want 2 big concrete ones at the front of the house its $2700.
Still better than $3880 that the robbing b
d of a builder quoted...Brick Paving wise, yes $16 sqm is just for laying. materials on top, but i believe the laying includes the prepped groundwork. Think i best check though....
Edited by Fiddlemesticks on Tuesday 14th October 03:21
Fiddlemesticks said:
Cheers for the responses.
Painting wise, fabulous idea, but i feel rather cheeky! Once we get the keys (c.2 weeks before xmas) theres a real rush on to get the painting done prior to carpets so it will be a midweek job. Therefore it may no be PH possible but i will certainly bear in mind. I can supply pies also....
Also, how are good are you lot at edging....
Soakwells, thanks for the info. We're actually looking at 10 downpipes, and a 600x600 under each one. The guy has offered concrete or UPVC but i'm not sure which. He's quote $1450 for all 10 and installed, guaranteed and pipework etc.
If i want 2 big concrete ones at the front of the house its $2700.
Still better than $3880 that the robbing bd of a builder quoted...
Brick Paving wise, yes $16 sqm is just for laying. materials on top, but i believe the laying includes the prepped groundwork. Think i best check though....
$1450 for 10 is a good deal, plus it's bloody hard work, so will save you time and a very sore back. Brother in Law only did two, and took most of one day. Idea behind the concrete ones, is that they will take loading from the top better than the plastic ones, so if ya planning on one under the drive, or paved area's to the front or rear I would go with concrete, with plastic to other light useage area's.Painting wise, fabulous idea, but i feel rather cheeky! Once we get the keys (c.2 weeks before xmas) theres a real rush on to get the painting done prior to carpets so it will be a midweek job. Therefore it may no be PH possible but i will certainly bear in mind. I can supply pies also....
Also, how are good are you lot at edging....
Soakwells, thanks for the info. We're actually looking at 10 downpipes, and a 600x600 under each one. The guy has offered concrete or UPVC but i'm not sure which. He's quote $1450 for all 10 and installed, guaranteed and pipework etc.
If i want 2 big concrete ones at the front of the house its $2700.
Still better than $3880 that the robbing b
d of a builder quoted...Brick Paving wise, yes $16 sqm is just for laying. materials on top, but i believe the laying includes the prepped groundwork. Think i best check though....
Edited by Fiddlemesticks on Tuesday 14th October 03:21
Paint wise, offer stands if you need me, just shout. Edging is fine too. All depends if ya want it straight or not
In our last house, we ran out of time before the carpets came, so we painted all the area's touching the carpet (skirtings) then did the walls after.Cheers for that Ian.
I think i might go concrete for the soakwells. The guy quoted $100 more concrete so sounds ok. He reckoned the UPVC diverts the water away better. not sure but Concrete sounds fine.
Thank you on the painting. I think given the distance you would travel more than a beer may be required (pie too!)
Cheers for the tips. A lot are common sense but its great to remember them. I think your do a bit at the bottom is a great idea. Can definitely handle that.
Its a bloody joy this building malarkey.
I think i might go concrete for the soakwells. The guy quoted $100 more concrete so sounds ok. He reckoned the UPVC diverts the water away better. not sure but Concrete sounds fine.
Thank you on the painting. I think given the distance you would travel more than a beer may be required (pie too!)
Cheers for the tips. A lot are common sense but its great to remember them. I think your do a bit at the bottom is a great idea. Can definitely handle that.
Its a bloody joy this building malarkey.
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