Barn Girl Appoints a Builder for Barn Conversion

STOP PRESS.....STOP PRESS......STOP PRESS.....STOP PRESS......STOP PRESS.....STOP PRESS......

Well, I've done it. I've appointed a builder for my barn conversion.

After the shock of the preliminary tender results, something had to be done. I met with Archie (Architect), and went through my original plans and full building spec, to see what I could feasible trim and omit. Ugh.

Apart from my definite keepers - solar slate tiles, Air Source Heat Pump, glass sliding doors and oak cladding, I was pretty brave and scythed my way through my gorgeous full spec. But, with one request, that all my original ideas could be incorporated at a later date.

So, my double set of floating, cantilevered stairs, will be replaced for the time being, with a modest, single direction, softwood staircase, but with all the metal plates made ready for the day I can bring the floating, oak stairs to life. Same with the fireplace and Aga; same for my mood lighting and fancy controls, they will have to wait too.

By the way, if you're interested in renewable energy or the Green Deal, I found the Energy Saving Trust website and their staff contacts very helpful. It's minefield but worth looking at the pay back and return on investment, feed-in tariffs and all the things you need to have in place to qualify.

Barn Girl's barn conversion is due to start any day!

Love
Barn Girl

BarnGirl's Barn conversion - the builders' tenders are in!

My architect, Archie, has just called to say he's received the  'preliminary tender results' for the construction work on my barn conversion. He gave me the estimated cost of the build from each of 4 contractors. I remained calm while on the phone. I am incredulous; the lowest estimate is almost £200,000 more than my worst, best guess! 

Archie's going to email me the breakdown and recommendations for omissions to bring the price down to something remotely possible.

I am in shock! Perhaps I should go and live in a hut on a Caribbean Island and forget the whole thing. Hmm.

I'll be back with an update once I've seen the figures and been for a run to clear my mind.

Love from what now?
BarnGirl

BarnGirl's diary of a Barn Conversion - from cattle shed to house

 Let the madness begin.....

It's the 24th July 2013. Today's the day the tenders are due from the building contractors. It seems a reasonable day to officially start 'BarnGirl', my blog, following the conversion of a barn, from a dilapidated cattle shed with a tin roof, in to contemporary home.

I have never, EVER done anything like this before; the closest I've come to building, is erecting a trade show stand and painting the walls. Need I say more.  I'd love you to join me on my adventure, the highs and hopefully not too many lows, for the next 40 - 50 weeks.

I'll upload photographs and videos as the build progresses.  To whet your appetite, here are a few BEFORE pics of my home to be. 

 

When will I be able to move in? I don't know. Will I be able to afford it? I don't know. Will I manage to stay calm when things go pear shaped? (As SO many people say it can). I hope so.

BarnGirl (http://thebarngirl.blogspot.co.uk/) will be a running commentary from today, until I move in, and may be beyond, if you're still with me.  It's a diary for me, but also for you, - those of you contemplating building your own home or converting a barn into a residence, in the hope that it might help you with your project, by way of 'OMG, do NOT do this or that, it was a disaster' or 'Yep, I like the sound of that. Looks like a great choice'.

Please feel free to chip in and ask questions; I'll do my best to answer, as we go through this together. I'd love your feedback or ideas too. Drop me a line in the comment box at the end of my blog.

Where relevant, I will incorporate the back-story to the barn - the 2 years to secure planning permission, why the first application failed, the benefits of a good planner, choosing an architect, drafting the plans, etc.  I'll also include links to recommended suppliers and contractors.

If I go quiet for a few days, it's because nothing of particular interest has happened or I'm in a darkened room meditating my way out of a rapid change in blood pressure due to an unforeseen drama!

I'll sign off for today, as I wait, with anticipation, for the call from my architect regarding the tenders….Here come the terms!

Love

BarnGirl
xx