Was not sure how to start this one, so sorry for strange title.

I have read this forum for years and finally joined a few months ago, said a few comments, but realised never said much about me or my current project.

Getting to be middle aged, married to a lovely wife with two wonderful (mostly) youngish children, live in mid Cornwall near to south coast, part time self employed builder/electrician/dad/husband/house husband. Doing most work myself, but some friends and subbies too.

Been wanting to build own house for years, but never quite managed it, bought an old dated bungalow in the (great) village where we live, planned to turn it into house, but long story short decided on plan B as was costing too much and my poor (variable, mental) health.

Plan B - do a normal loft conversion and convert half the (6x7m) garage/workshop. Current bungalow footprint 8x12m, will end up with large L shaped open plan lounge, kitchen, diner, porch, garage, utility, 4 double bedrooms (one small ensuite), small bathroom, d/s shower room, may do ST preheat in future, might do UFH d/s only.

As green as possible for a modest budget, but will minimise thermal bridges, get in as much insulation as possible, maximise air tightness, lots of reused/left over bits, pretty much fundamentals only, part EWI.

Currently: have planning (for both plan A and B), got BCO, penetrating and rising damp sorted out, structural - crack stiching ,etc mostly done, part rewired, chimney out, re-roofed, new ridge + vent system, old boiler out, new boiler part done (mains gas combi - Worcester Bosch), new wider hall (and smaller lounge) ready for stairs to go in soon. And this week (while little people are staying with my M&D) I am about 1/4 way through putting the new joists (C24 75x200, 400cs if your interested).

Be nice to me (please).

Thanks to everyone for all their posts over the years for the help, advice, inspiration, wisdom, opinion and piss taking, especially Fostertom, Steamy, DSHarris, Tony, Keith, Paul in Mont..., Joiner, Nick Parsons, Damon, CWaters, Biopin, Viking.

ps Amazing how much less time I have on here now I am actually doing more building

Hi Joiner, I meant to say more...... BUILDING!

Nik
Can come around for a laugh if you want, could bring Joiner if he comes down

Raining here today, but first sunny day soon (though got relatives down this weekend )
Whisper your number to me.

Update:

1/4 joists in, kids back at school (so I do more work), all moss off old roof, Scandinavian windows (Vrogun) ordered (5 weeks lead), another skip full, labourer starting tomorrow (now today) (to help with joists).

Posted By: fostertomWhy Vrogum

Probably the 5 weeks lead time has a lot to do with it.

First visit of BCO yesterday and all is well

dormers built, all velux's in, roof all on (well almost), windows in, heating in most of house, boiler all done, mostly rewired (even done a few tests on it to - all good), busy spending my days cutting celotex and fitting between/beneath rafters. Still need to board the floor and build some stud walls (at least that's all a piece of pis*), then board the whole lot out (not so easy - lots of tricky cuts)