Handling and storage

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Delivery

The transport and delivery of WikiHouse blocks can usually be arranged directly with your manufacturer to make sure they arrive at the site at the appropriate stage of the build. You may choose to organise delivery in stages based on transport capacity and site storage space. The best timing for the initial delivery is after all foundation work, including chassis rails, are properly installed.

Covered lorries with a soft shell are recommended to protect blocks from the weather and excess moisture during transportation, while making to possible to load and unload from the side and roof. A typical lorry can carry between 30-40m2 internal floor area's worth of blocks.

For small scale builds, such as garden studios and household extensions, WikiHouse blocks can usually be delivered by Luton van (or similar) and manually unloaded.

For medium to large scale builds, If the site topography allows, it's worthwhile using a Moffet, or forklift lorry, for the delivery of blocks to ensure swift unloading at the site.

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Unloading and handling

Most Skylark blocks can be carried by between 1-4 people, with very little need for mechanical lifting and rarely any need for a crane. A standard WALL-M block weighs around 40kg when insulated, and standard FLOOR-M beam weighs about 100kg.

For small garden buildings, blocks can be easily carried down the side access of existing properties, or even through the doorways of a house, without much disruption. However for medium or large buildings it is helpful to have a HIAB or forklift available to assist with the unloading of blocks during delivery. It will usually take around 3 hours to unload all blocks from the lorry and you can arrange with the delivery driver or manufacturing team to assist with this.

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Blocks storage

It is important to set aside suitable storage space for the unloading of WikiHouse blocks on site. As a general rule you will need to allow at least the equivalent footprint of the building adjacent to the foundations.

A dry, accessible storage area will be required for components arriving on site. Where there are no existing structures, a canopy or covering can be used to shield from weather. Parts must be kept off the ground and away from excessive moisture or direct sun for extended periods of time.

Please do

Use it

Most WikiHouse files and information are licensed under a Creative Commons–Sharealike licence, so you are free to use, distribute or modify them, including commercially.

Check it

All WikiHouse information is shared 'as is', without warranties or guarantees of any kind. You are responsible for checking it and using it in a safe and responsible way, for example, getting it checked by a structural engineer.

Comply with regulations

You are responsible for making sure your project complies with all relevant local regulations, including planning, building codes and health & safety legislation. If in doubt, seek professional advice.

Re-share your improvements

If you make any improvements to the system, you must publish your files under the same type of open licence. However, you do not need to publish the plans and specifications for individual projects unless you wish to.

Please do not

Call yourself WikiHouse

Do not call your company, organisation or any marketed product or service 'WikiHouse'. However, you may use the term WikiHouse to talk about the system, and you may describe your project, product, service or organisation as, for example, "using WikiHouse", "based on WikiHouse", "contributing to WikiHouse", or similar.

Remove notices

Do not remove any licence notices from files if you are re-sharing them.

Claim to be endorsed

Do not give the impression that you are endorsed by, or affiliated with WikiHouse or Open Systems Lab (unless you are, by written agreement), and do not claim to represent the WikiHouse project or community as a whole.