www.dandtcreate.com

As General Builder based in Kent we do a lot of work in and around the Edenbridge area. Recently a friend of mine asked if I was interested in sponsoring a local school's department website. The Design and Technology department at The Weald of Kent Grammar School, where my friend works, was looking for a cash injection to support a learning resource website for its students. As I always loved the Carpentry and Joinery side of this subject I was only to keen to help and I write this entry just to support them a little more. Check out their 'under construction' site here: http://www.dandtcreate.com/

Are you in the Edenbridge, Kent area, do you have a project you feel that we could support you with? Then why not drop us a line and see if we can help. Check out our contacts page at dcmandpartners.co.uk

Wind and Rain Batters Kent

I have been meaning to write another porch adventure article but work has been crazy due to adverse weather hitting Kent. As a General Builder in Kent with 30+ years experience I generate a long client list - in fact they are more like friends that I do work for. Well, when the weather hit last Saturday morning the phone calls started. Every job that I was called to was to 'repair' a job carried out previously by someone else and not to a suitable standard. This leads me to write this article.


Ok, before I continue let me say this, I will fully admit that my business will never be the cheapest General Builder around but, most importantly, with http://www.dcmandpartners.co.uk/ you can be sure you will get the job done correctly first time of asking. My clients agree to a fair price for an exceptional building job - unlike the jobs I had to visit last weekend.


With http://www.dcmandpartners.co.uk/ you get a guaranteed professional job from professionals with many years experience. Personally, I was trained by the best in the days when builders were respected for professionalism and integrity -we did a perfect job, enjoyed happy banter with our customers and enjoyed a well earned relax at the end of the working week. But now it seems that some Builders are just interested in quick jobs, poor materials and poor craftsmanship to boot. So why do people use these Builders? Cost is obviously the key. I say again if you want a cheap job avoid my business as we simply will not scrimp on materials or cut corners to get a job done cheaper - if you want that then there are plenty of other builders who will quote less - but if you want a job that will last, will not break the bank financially and will make you happy then give us a call.

Jobs repaired last weekend:

• Collapsed guttering - it was previously put up with a few nails and self taping screws???!!!!!
• Roofing: Replaced felt at front of house and a few tiles due to water ingress in front bedroom- the roofer who completed this job first time placed the felt 1" short and didn't place tiles correctly- was the rain going to run down the good tiles and then jump over the badly fitted ones?

I have just deleted the next section as some of the jobs that I had to do were quite shocking and I do not think I can bring myself to even write them due to how frustrated I feel for my clients, my friends! Ok, rant over.

The old saying is if you 'pay cheap pay twice' - give us a call first before you think that you are saving yourself money!

All the best Dennis.

Porch Adventure, Stage 3

Has been a busy time in the General Building trade lately - even through this recession a good local General Builder has a full job book. But today I have a little time to carry on with Porch Adventure.

Now that the roof plates are on, a trip to the local timber merchants in Edenbridge, Kent is needed to collect some timber. Roofs can come in different shapes and sizes from Gable end lean to hipped roofs, our expert Carpentry and Joinery skills come in handy here. Today's roof is a hipped roof so we need timber for rafters, hips and some ceiling joists.

First we set out the position of the rafters and ceiling joists and mark the plates accordingly. Make up the rafter depending on the pitch of the roof, cut out the birdsmouth at the bottom and the angled cut to the top. Cut three of these, fit two of them to the back wall and one to the centre of the front. Cut and fit the ceiling joists from side to side. Measure and cut the two hip rafters and fit into place. Fit the remaining jack rafters so that your structure is complete and ready for the next stage.

The local builders merchants of Edenbridge, Kent will be able to supply all the necessary materials for this project or why not call or contact us -we will do all of this work and running around for you.
DCMandpartners - General Builder - Edenbridge - Kent

New Kitchen Just Completed

Today I have uploaded some new photos to my website - it shows a new kitchen that DCMandpartners have recently installed in Edenbridge, Kent. As experienced Kitchen Fitters it is always a personal favourite time of mine when the vision of the client becomes a reality. Through consultation I feel that we have devised and fitted a superb kitchen - why not take a look around the images.

Black glass tiles with a red insert - a wonderful combination.

My Porch Adventure (continued!)

To start the ball rolling the decision has to be made on the shape, size and design of the project and this is where the design skills and experience of dcmandpartners come in very handy.
If the porch is more than a certain size the local authority building control will have to be involved as they will need to grant planning permission for the project.

The next stage for the project is to mark out the area with profiles and levels, checking all measurements including diagonals. This is to make sure that the porch we are constructing is square and the correct size before the groundworks begin.

The excavation or groundworks is next on the agenda. The type of soil will indicate the depth and width of footing required. The access also plays a part as it will need to be decided if a small digger can be used or if the excavation will need to be done by hand.
The earth will then be moved from the construction site by skip or grab lorry.

Once the footings have been excavated then the concrete (a mixture of sand, gravel, cement and water) is poured to the desired level and left to set.

My Porch Adventure

Can a porch be classed as an extension?

Many people say no but my personal view is yes. I have recently started a porch in Edenbridge, Kent for a long time client.

Finally Blogging

It has been a wish of mine for a long time now to actually start blogging. As a General Builder with 30+ years experience it has always been in my mind to share some of that experience - what better way is there than blogging? I am hoping to be able to write what would be in essence a working diary of particular jobs that I am working on - a history of a job from start to finish - plus also be able to answer questions such as 'how to build a porch' to 'groundworks...what does it involve?'

I really hope that others will comment and share their experiences to as I know that even after all these years I am still learning things in the building trade.

Over the next few weeks I shall place my teaching head on and see if me, and the community I hope to build, can comment, discuss and probably even moan about all things to do with building.