newhome

Problem is, no one would ever get anything signed off if that was the case and the cost of inspections could be astronomical.

I’m not sure that the inspections being carried out by the LA in Scotland is any better TBH. There are still endless issues with new builds here including the previously discussed example below. The things I thought they might be keen to check for my build they didn’t even look at and they got hung up on what I consider to be minor points. https://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/17566731.housebuilder-apologises-after-admitting-responsibility-for-defective-peebles-homes/

Have you claimed the exemption on the entire increase in floor area using the justification that your sister will live in the flat that utilises the increased floor area? If so she really will need to live in the basement space and use it as her primary residence for 3 years. Even so I think the basis on which you have applied for an exemption may be a bit tenuous. It’s surely an extension rather than a self build (so the self build documents / evidence won’t apply) but complicated by the division of the property. I think the only thing to do is to face into this now and ask the LA for advice. Something as specific as this really needs a specific conversation / agreement. Whatever happens get it in writing.

Welcome. Are you sure that you have applied for the right exemption? Grabbing a CIL document from a local authority at random this is what that document notes for a conversion? Is CIL payable on conversion of a residential dwelling or other building into 2 or more flats? CIL will not be charged if there is no increase in floor area and the building has been in continuous lawful use for 6 months out of the 3 years before development is permitted. However, if there is an extension to the building, CIL is charged on the increase in floor area. If the building has not been in continuous lawful use for 6 months out of the last 3 years then CIL will also be charged on the existing floor area.

Free Ideal Home Show Glasgow tickets until 6th May using code MSEFREE https://ihsscotland.seetickets.com/tour/ideal-home-show-scotland

No guru, but we did the pressure test before screeding.

Isn’t this defined in building regs?

Here is mine. It has 2 overhangs for informal seating when needed, and a ‘drawer’ fridge on one side (the middle set of drawers). Other than that the island is used for food prep, eating, and general workspace as the sink and hob are elsewhere. It was the largest island we could get in a single slab without a join.

My UFH pipes aren't in the slab but they are in the screed on top and then Ditra mat and tiles on top and it works fine (think the UFH temp is a bit higher than a passive standard slab but not crazy amounts higher). You have better insulation than here too so not sure why it wouldn't work.

15% off selected sellers at eBay using code PERCENT15 until 2nd May. Minimum spend £25, maximum discount £60. https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Seasonal-Offers/bn_7114104242

Not cynical at all. People are told to get upgrades / renovations done after they get RHI agreed as the payments are greater.

How do you know if the plans will be acceptable then if you start without someone agreeing or approving them?

I prefer the Grand Designs house over the architect’s one, but it is 3 times the price!

Must be different here (Scotland) as you are not supposed to start without getting the building warrant, ie the council has approved the building plans.

Be great to hear what you’ve built @DRPotter

Welcome! We have a VAT sub forum with lots of posts about how to claim and what to claim for. It’s able to be viewed by regular posting members (10 posts or more). HMRC have been tightening up recently and refusing a few claims where people have moved into their property and then finished off so do be aware of the scenarios if that applies to you. Here is some background reading. HMRC appear to have lost at least one case at tribunal so hopefully they may start to assess cases as they did previously again. https://www.taxationweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=54370&sid=eca1972cd041dd1a8f442fc27698bdf4

Indeed! Where have you been? We thought you’d been abducted by aliens! ? ?

I’m surprised that an E graded property passes modern building standards TBH.

This house has just been reduced by a million pounds to less than it cost to build Grand Designs Isle of Wight Rightmove listing

For me hindsight is a wonderful thing unfortunately. I could never have envisaged that my hubby wouldn’t be around to finish the build and then when he got sick he said he would go through everything with me ‘when the time came’. But admitting when that time was didn’t happen as to him I think it was a sign of defeat, and then later he was on so many drugs he couldn’t even log onto his bank account let alone document the build. It’s not too terrible TBH now that the heating is fixed. It’s just really the ST, the electrics in the garage, the MHVR and numerous bits of wiring that I’m not sure about.

Yep, been there done that too! Unfortunately I ended up having to finish mine and there are still bits internally that I’ve no clue about. Moral of the story always involve the other person enough that they know what’s going on or document it all.

Says he was the project architect on his Twitter account. Before he locked down his social media accounts it said he went to Sheffield Uni and then to an architecture school. It was his GF I felt sorry for. Put a lot of the money in, and was no doubt led along by him. I also thought the programme portrayed her as a bit dim when also on social media he had congratulated her on 10 GCSEs with A*s and As and she had ‘done better than him’. Seems like he is proud of his box!

I guess not all suppliers want to be associated with an internet discussion forum. This forum is fairly straight talking I believe, with real world experiences reported by its members, and there are posts praising certain materials, designs, suppliers etc and others where the opposite opinion / experience is true. Most suppliers don't want the balanced, 'real world' view I guess. They want you to believe what's written in their marketing brochures. There is an advert going up (or has gone up) in the Self Build Centre in Swindon as a way of making the forum more visible to prospective self builders. That said our membership is growing pretty quickly now so clearly people are 'finding us'.

I don’t think that’s representative of the results from this (albeit small) poll. Mine is TF but I found it via Google

Looks like there are a few of those at Graven Hill http://www.beattiepassive.com/graven-hill.php