Hello,
we are planning to build a small house. A townhouse with 130m² (1400 sq ft) of living space. According to the builder, DIY work is possible. I’m quite skilled with my hands—I trained as a mechatronics technician, then worked for two years as a fitter for harbor mobile cranes, followed by further training as a technician specializing in mechatronics. Now I work as a developer in plant engineering. So when it comes to mechanics and electrical engineering, I’m well-versed and not afraid of rough work. I thought that flooring and painting would be easily manageable. The EWL Instakit should also make the electrical installation doable. Now I’m considering installing the underfloor heating myself as well. My question is, how feasible is this really? Many of you have completed a lot of DIY work. How much time, excluding planning, did you spend on:
- electrical installation
- underfloor heating
- flooring (laying parquet and tiles)
- painting
My challenge is that we’re both working full time and have a small child.
Looking forward to your answers.
Regards,
Andi
we are planning to build a small house. A townhouse with 130m² (1400 sq ft) of living space. According to the builder, DIY work is possible. I’m quite skilled with my hands—I trained as a mechatronics technician, then worked for two years as a fitter for harbor mobile cranes, followed by further training as a technician specializing in mechatronics. Now I work as a developer in plant engineering. So when it comes to mechanics and electrical engineering, I’m well-versed and not afraid of rough work. I thought that flooring and painting would be easily manageable. The EWL Instakit should also make the electrical installation doable. Now I’m considering installing the underfloor heating myself as well. My question is, how feasible is this really? Many of you have completed a lot of DIY work. How much time, excluding planning, did you spend on:
- electrical installation
- underfloor heating
- flooring (laying parquet and tiles)
- painting
My challenge is that we’re both working full time and have a small child.
Looking forward to your answers.
Regards,
Andi
N
NorbertKoch29 Jan 2012 19:12Hello,
I suggest you carry out as many minor tasks as possible yourself and let the main work be done by the contracting companies. Warranty coverage!
Chasing/grinding channels; resealing
Sealing ceiling openings (concreting)
Try asking your tradespeople if it would be possible for you to assist and receive payment for your hours – this way, the contractor always assumes the warranty responsibility.
Regards
I suggest you carry out as many minor tasks as possible yourself and let the main work be done by the contracting companies. Warranty coverage!
Chasing/grinding channels; resealing
Sealing ceiling openings (concreting)
Try asking your tradespeople if it would be possible for you to assist and receive payment for your hours – this way, the contractor always assumes the warranty responsibility.
Regards
B
Bauexperte31 Jan 2012 13:38Hello Andi,
That’s commendable, but it’s not the only question you should be asking yourself...
... exactly.
Based on experience, professional tradespeople usually need a solid 3–4 months for interior finishing work, depending on the size of the house. You only have evenings and weekends available for your own work (own labor, OL); however skilled you may be. Also, quite a few families struggle under this double burden!
If you want to do electrical work as OL, in the end you will need a licensed electrician or master craftsman to approve your work, and the main contractor will have to integrate your OL into the construction schedule. In other words, in my opinion, there won’t be any guarantee on the construction timeframe. Consider insulation, drywall, painting, and flooring including tiling—this could also include interior doors and sanitary fixtures as own labor—and calculate the wall and ceiling areas beforehand. Even for a two-story townhouse or villa, that adds up considerably, and you will spend a significant number of evenings and weekends away from your young family.
Own labor is generally problem-free and avoids warranty disputes only if it is done after the general contractor or builder has left the construction site 😉
Best regards
Teslafan schrieb:
I'm a really skilled craftsman ...
That’s commendable, but it’s not the only question you should be asking yourself...
Teslafan schrieb:
The problem is both of us work full-time and we have a small boy.
... exactly.
Based on experience, professional tradespeople usually need a solid 3–4 months for interior finishing work, depending on the size of the house. You only have evenings and weekends available for your own work (own labor, OL); however skilled you may be. Also, quite a few families struggle under this double burden!
If you want to do electrical work as OL, in the end you will need a licensed electrician or master craftsman to approve your work, and the main contractor will have to integrate your OL into the construction schedule. In other words, in my opinion, there won’t be any guarantee on the construction timeframe. Consider insulation, drywall, painting, and flooring including tiling—this could also include interior doors and sanitary fixtures as own labor—and calculate the wall and ceiling areas beforehand. Even for a two-story townhouse or villa, that adds up considerably, and you will spend a significant number of evenings and weekends away from your young family.
Own labor is generally problem-free and avoids warranty disputes only if it is done after the general contractor or builder has left the construction site 😉
Best regards
Hello,
Have the entire system (heating, domestic hot water, ventilation) accurately calculated beforehand. Then the underfloor heating should be feasible.
When doing work yourself, the actual time required is generally significantly underestimated. It is advisable to plan with multipliers depending on the trade and existing knowledge ranging from 2.5 to 4.
Best regards
Teslafan schrieb:
...Now I am considering installing the underfloor heating myself.
Have the entire system (heating, domestic hot water, ventilation) accurately calculated beforehand. Then the underfloor heating should be feasible.
When doing work yourself, the actual time required is generally significantly underestimated. It is advisable to plan with multipliers depending on the trade and existing knowledge ranging from 2.5 to 4.
Best regards
P
perlenmann31 Jan 2012 16:07The Sense and Nonsense of Electrical Installation (EL):
My neighbors buried their rainwater pipes themselves.
He spent at least 3 days working with a shovel. My excavator arrived and finished the job in 30 minutes.
Who really saved money there?
Since I also have a family and a job, I limited my electrical installation to just painting and pulling the satellite cables through existing conduit. As well as managing everything related to the garden later on. So, anything that doesn’t delay my construction progress. Because delays also cost money (provisioning interest).
My neighbors buried their rainwater pipes themselves.
He spent at least 3 days working with a shovel. My excavator arrived and finished the job in 30 minutes.
Who really saved money there?
Since I also have a family and a job, I limited my electrical installation to just painting and pulling the satellite cables through existing conduit. As well as managing everything related to the garden later on. So, anything that doesn’t delay my construction progress. Because delays also cost money (provisioning interest).
N
NorbertKoch31 Jan 2012 19:02Hello
@perlenmann: I completely agree with you. It really doesn’t make sense to do self-performed work if it takes two or three times as long for you.
Best regards
@perlenmann: I completely agree with you. It really doesn’t make sense to do self-performed work if it takes two or three times as long for you.
Best regards
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