Quick update

Two jobs move on site on Monday...both extensions: one a two bedroom extension to a nursing home, the other an extension and alterations to a dwelling.  The same building contractor will be working on both, which is good, in that he does work to a very high standard, gets the job done right first time and on time and is fair when it comes to the final account.

Both contracts are of 12 week duration, which is short, in the greater scale of the overall project: I started working on the nursing home extension back in 2007, when I did a few sketch proposals, however at that stage the project was put on hold until the recent HIQA standards for nursing homes were published last year. 

As for the extension and alterations to the dwelling, it will have taken  one year to complete the entire project from the first meeting with the client until the time of completion on site. 

Work Update

Since Christmas, I've been quiet busy- surprisingly as normally the month of January and February are the quietest.

I've been working on preparing contract documents for a small extension to a nursing home, which is about to start on site shortly.  The contact documents would have been complete ages ago, except the client requested a lift be provided for the existing first floor accommodation. It took 4 design proposals and costed works  before the client finally was satisfied, but we are there now.  We are using the RIAI's Building Contract SF-88 as the Building contract, as this is a simple contact and the scope of works are straight forward. The contact documentation should be going out the the contractor today to be signed. Its the first project we have starting on site since the middle of last year.

We have a second project also moving on site in the comming weeks too. This time an extension to a dwelling, which we tendered in October last year.  The clients too some time to consider their investement in the project after it was tendered, but now its full steam ahead.

Outside of preparing contract documentation, I've spend some time preparing documentation for building insurance claims as a result of burst pipe caused by the recent cold spell, not work usually associated with Architectural Technology Professionals.

I've spent a lot of time working on two major projects, which if either gets the go ahead would mean there would be sufficient work for the next 10-12 months.If both go ahead well then I will be really busy... but I won't be complaining. 

Building Regs-Technical Guidance Documents

The DEHLG seem to be getting their act together in terms of getting Technical Guidance Documents (TGD’s)out for public consultation as Part H relating to Drainage appeared within the last week. How well its written might be another story.As expected gone are the references to SR 6 1991 and in its place the EPA Code of Practice. Many would say about time for SR 6 to be replaced. We have not used SR6 1991 for an number of years now, instead using the FETAC certified Site Assessors to undertake the site suitability testing.

There’s also references and guidance on rainwater harvesting, which is definitely a positive thing, if we are to take sustainability seriously. It seems pointless to be flushing toilets with what is meant to be good quality drinking water, however as some parts of the county found out within the last few years, here included, the quality of the water wasn’t fit for consumption anyway. Personally I’m looking at installing a rain water harvesting unit, as part of works to be undertaken in the future.

Getting back to the DEHLG and public consultation, I understand that they have their hands full after the Part M consultation, with 40 or so submissions. I’m sure the interest was increased due the introduction of the DAC Certs as the document will have a direct bearing on these in the future. How soon we can except to see the amended document well that’s another story, it will be a case of doing as many DAC Certs as quickly as possible under the current Documents I suspect…. Part F relating to ventilation which went for public consultation last year has yet to appear in its final format, so one can draw their own conclusions from that.

Of course Part L is due to be revised next year, to improve standards in thermal performance and reduce further our carbon emissions… the question is will we see the document… my money says yes if we still have a green minister for the environment. I don’t think that there has been too many houses built under the 2008 guidelines, I can see the 2010 guidelines been a complete culture shock to others when they do arrive.