Knock through stone wall

[Fred]

I'm toying with the idea of knocking through a wall into the shed at the back of the house, has anyone attempted this or do you have any idea of approximate cost for a professional to do it?

It's the usual 50cm or so thick ground floor old stone wall, and the area I would like out is 2.5mt x 2.5mt

To be honest after seeing how easy our old Barn wall came down one day I'm not to keen to give it a go myself, but I'm still curious if anyone had done it themselves.

Or if you had one done by a professional would you mind giving me an idea of costs involved, I just need the hole knocking through and obviously a support lintel put in and the sides made solid.

Thanks.

Fred.  

[Brian]

It sounds as if the existing state of the wall is a prime consideration here. I'd be inclined to get a professional round to have a look. If it's fairly sound and you already have a suitable piece of timber for a lintel and are prepared to get rid of the stone yourself, it probably wouldn't take a pro more than 1-2 days. I know a builder who'd be good for the project if you decide to follow that route.
Brian

[Fred]

It sounds as if the existing state of the wall is a prime consideration here.  I'd be inclined to get a professional round to have a look.  If it's fairly sound and you already have a suitable piece of timber for a lintel and are prepared to get rid of the stone yourself,  it probably wouldn't take a pro more than 1-2 days.  I know a builder who'd be good for the project if you decide to follow that route.
Brian

Thanks Brian, yes I could get the materials needed and could get rid of the stone no problem. I'll have a word with you when we meet

[curryman86]

Hi Fred
Most of it is commonsense, I've done it in my house, fitting the lintel is the bit you need to get right, I had a young lad who did most of the manual labour which made it a lot easier, I just did the technical part, I also opened up the small hatches to the loft area and fitted 2 large double windows, it's messy but can be done without too much hassle but you will need assistance but if you can afford to get a builder in, go for it.
All the best
Stephen

[Fred]

Hi Fred
Most of it is commonsense,

According to Mrs Fred I don't have a lot of that.  

I've done it in my house, fitting the lintel is the bit you need to get right, I had a young lad who did most of the manual labour which made it a lot easier, I just did the technical part, I also opened up the small hatches to the loft area and fitted 2 large double windows, it's messy but can be done without too much hassle but you will need assistance but if you can afford to get a builder in, go for it.
All the best
Stephen

I don't think it's something I would want to tackle myself, and I doubt I could afford a builder though I'm not sure how much it would cost. I could ask for some Devis I suppose, but I don't know one with a good reputation.

I did find a video somewhere and they made it look reasonably easy, but I've had an old barn wall fall down in the past and I'm sure my insurance would'nt pay up for a DIY pile of rubble in my living room.    

[Admiral]

Fred,

I would always go with the builder option for a couple of reasons:

I'm no good at that sort of DIY;

I'm bone idle;

The job sounds as though it needs a professional eye cast over it.

As you say, your insurance ain't going to pay up because of a botched DIY job.

If you are going to attempt it yourself, then I'd go with curryman - get a youth in to do the hard work.  Just "pay" him in with some fizzy pop and sweeties for his efforts.

From past experience, good builders around here charge between 200€ and 250€ a day.  Not bad if you can source the materials yourself and sit back in peace and watch someone else do the work knowing it's not going to fall down.

There.  That was a lot of help wasn't it?  Not.

[Fred]

Yes it was helpful, I agree the professional is the best way to go. I'm not going to attempt it myself, I can be the youth and move stuff around. So I need someone who will do the job whilst I help, plus I can tidy up and finish off so that should help with the cost.

Just need to find someone reliable who will be happy to work that way and tell me what materials are needed to do the job, I'm not an expert but I would imagine I would only need the help of a professional for a day or two.

[Admiral]

Yes it was helpful, I agree the professional is the best way to go. I'm not going to attempt it myself, I can be the youth and move stuff around. So I need someone who will do the job whilst I help, plus I can tidy up and finish off so that should help with the cost.

Just need to find someone reliable who will be happy to work that way and tell me what materials are needed to do the job, I'm not an expert but I would imagine I would only need the help of a professional for a day or two.

Cripes.......I appear to have accidentally posted a "helpful" reply.  This has to stop.

I will PM you two or three names and numbers of builders who may be happy to take a look and dish out advice, devis etc etc.

Strangely, I find the idea of you acting as the gopher "youth" fetching and carrying somewhat bizarre.  I thought you were an old bloke who prefers to relax in the shade slurpuing vin rouge whilst young folk do the work. 

Ho hum....how wrong can you get.

[Fred]

Cripes.......I appear to have accidentally posted a "helpful" reply.  This has to stop.

See I said all along you had a use.  

I will PM you two or three names and numbers of builders who may be happy to take a look and dish out advice, devis etc etc.

Thank you, I'll have a look.

Strangely, I find the idea of you acting as the gopher "youth" fetching and carrying somewhat bizarre.  I thought you were an old bloke who prefers to relax in the shade slurpuing vin rouge whilst young folk do the work. 

Ho hum....how wrong can you get.

I am that old bloke drinking the odd bucket of Merlot under a tree or wherever I can find solitude, I just fancied the idea of being a youth again for a moment. Besides I can soon lob a few rocks over my neighbours wall, the young don't know what work is. Now in my day ..............................................................