thefoxesmaltings

So basically a waste of time to use a service like this in the current market?

Came across this in a well known self build magazine. Wondered if anyone has used the service before? Seems like an alternative to using a QS, and potentially an interesting proposition to help compare against quotes from builders/timber frame companies etc. Not sure how accurate it would be though. https://selfbuild.estimating-service.co.uk/

I see you're also in Lincolnshire - have you got an recommendation for the electrician?

Got the following schedule of works to be carried out to connect up our temporary building supply so that we can start using power on site: Install 1 x 2-way distribution board in the meter cupboard completed with 1 x RCD & 2 x MCV's & connect it to the pre-installed energy suppliers isolator. Install 1 x circuit from the distribution board to 2 x double 13A IP rated socket outlets. Install 1 x circuit from the distribution board to 1 x 16A caravan hook-up point complete with 1 x isolator switch. Install an 'Earth Rod' next to the meter box to separate the earth from the distributors supply converting the earthing arrangement to a TT system. Test + inspect the new installation & supply 1 x domestic electrical installation certificate. Quoted £589 inclusive of all labour & parts. No VAT. Is that a reasonable price for everything?

They said once the meter was all connected etc, then I could select my tarrif and switch onto a better tarrif.

Standard fixed price tarrif for the immediate connection.

Western Power gave me a connection offer and a plan which I signed, but it wasn't loads of paperwork - this is all the info I have. Okay, so even though I am speaking with Octopus to install the meter, it will be Western Power carrying out the job. - This meter install is done after the electrician has put a CU for the site sockets and meter tails - is that correct?

When you say DNO connection pack - are you referring to Western Power (who I thought is the DNO) or Octopus? As neither sent me a connection pack! The rest of the steps make sense - will get the electrician on site before Octopus connect up the meter.

Western Power have just finished our three phase connection for a temporary building supply. Our plan is to just run this into the main house and the meter will remain here (we'll build a fancy brick enclosure around the meterbox), to save having to pay Western Power again to move it into the house. Next up, is for Octopus to come and put a meter on the supply. Will they also put in a Consumer Unit, or is this the electricians responsibility? For temporary building supply requirements, once the meter is in place by Octopus, I assume the electrician will be able to place some outdoor sockets and a commando socket (to connect up a touring caravan) next to the meter box? I also have been told that the site power sockets and caravan commando socket need to be fed from a TT earth (local earth rod) - Who's responsibility is this, the electrician? Just trying to figure out the correct order of things and if I need to tell Octopus to do anything special when they come to put a meter on the supply.

22 companies have provided budget estimations from the planning drawings. Naturally some are way out and so we will not be proceeding to ask them to fully quote based on the technical drawings. It should go without saying that we are not buying on price only.

Either way, for an accurate fixed quote, I am going to have to pay a TF company or an architect to produce BR & technical drawings. Each TF company I approached has given budget costings for the planning drawings, but they need technical drawings to fully cost and engineer the frame. The TF systems are pretty generic, yes (hence why my architect can produce the TF technical drawings), but there are still nuances between each company. I've contacted 22 companies, and all came back with different TF systems and structural engineering approaches. All of the tweaking has been done through my architect (whom I trust) and the design will be set in stone when it lands in the inbox of the TF companies. I'm not looking for the TF company designer to tweak or change the design. If the TF company can assist with value engineering, that's fine. As such, I don't really care about getting lots of access to their "in-house designers". I just need the TF company to spec the design up in their TF system. We're going to be very strict and not make any changes during construction, once the frame has been finalised/manufactured.

Correct. Each TF company will charge for producing a set of drawings, and these are specialised to their systems. By my architect producing the technical drawings and building regs (based on a timber frame design), I am able to put thise out to tender to each TF company and they will be able to provide an accurate price for the frame. Once I've settled on a given TF company, they will then translate the technical drawings into their own system via their in house frame designer/structural engineer etc.

Thats helpful, thanks.

Fair enough, I guess that approach makes sense, too. Would you mind sharing the spreadsheet which has the most 'complete' list of items included? Even if you take out the actual numbers/quotes, that would be helpful to see.

I am in the process of getting our technical drawings completed by my architect - these will then be sent out to timber frame companies to tender for. I will be project managing and sourcing trades myself. Appreciate that each timber frame company is slightly unique, and some may consider elements as 'standard' whereas others may consider elements as 'extra'. Therefore, I'm looking for a 'belt and braces' tender document or spreadsheet which I can send out to all the timber frame companies (for them to fill out against), so that we can accurately compare quotes like-for-like between the TF companies to make sure all elements are included and quoted for, thus avoiding surprise additional costs as much as possible during the build. I was hoping that with the vast amount of significantly more experienced individuals on here, that someone would have produced a thorough document/spreadsheet which they used to successfully tender against TF companies. If so, would it be out of the question to share it with me? Much appreciated.

Ah, I didn't know you should split the phases up on the temp building supply. That sort of makes sense to have one for the builders, one for caravan etc. We've got Octopus supplying the meter based on the MPAN number already, but just wondering who is going to supply the 3 pin sockets and/or the commando socket. - Seems like it's an electricians job based off the above comments. I don't think the caravan has it's own CU as it's a touring caravan and will just plug in via 240V coupler?

Three phase supply will be for the final house, and we'll swing this connection into the property when built. That's why we specified 3 phase for the temp building supply.

Westen Power are due to be installing the 3 phase temporary building supply later this month. Firsty, will they install standard 3 pin plug sockets into the meter box, for the builders to plug any tools etc into? Or is this something I have to specify/a job for electrician. Secondly, we will be connecting a tourer caravan up to the temporary building supply via 240V power supply via (what is I assume) a standard caravan coupler. Again, is this a job for an electrician to install the site socket onto the temp building supply, or, if there are already 3 pin plug sockets there, could we get away with using one of the below style adapters. Apologies in advance for novice questions. First time self builder & first time soon-to-be caravan owner!

We have a very old septic tank on site which is empty and already above ground. Does this need to be disposed of in a particular way or can I just smash it up and chuck the pieces in a general skip?

Found on the Watersafe website as an Anglian Water 'approved contractor'.

Not a concrete driveway. Just a standard field. Okay, seems like the best option is for me to do the groundworks/dig the trench under the hedge and then get the plumber to lay the pipework/make the connection.

Apologies, was that in response to the £550 temp supply quote?

Makes sense. I will ask regarding the standpipe, but would assume so.

Plumber has just come back to me and quoted £550 for it "for an excavation on the verge for the new connection and another the other side of the hedge which will be about 4m of service pipe will be £550" Apologies if this is a novice question, but why would he need to excavate on both sides? Surely Anglian water are doing one side which is the roadside?

That's what we're trying to do - get a temporary building supply set up. Anglian water want us to get this set up on our land first before they make the water connection. Does that sound right and how much should we expect to pay for that?