NSS

Totally agree. I reckon most of us will recognise that we've been guilty of being 'optimistic' when projecting build costs. It's almost inevitable as we all want the best we can get, and convince ourselves that it's possible for less than is realistic. If anyone were to ask me what's the best advice I have for anyone considering a self-build, I'd say work out as accurately as you can what you expect it to cost - and then add at least 30%. If you can still afford it then go for it. If not, then scale back your plans or wait until you can afford it.

Circled by Diesel wagons no doubt ?

We have Internorm (3G aluclad in 7016). Imho the product quality is excellent, which is why we chose them, but you'll get mixed reviews on the UK installers. We're very happy with ours and although some people have had a bad experience with Ecohaus Internorm we've found them very responsive and accommodating (ours was not a straightforward install due to the inclusion of SageGlass).

We used Scandal Hus and had them build to our bespoke design rather than one of their 'standard' kits. They'll do pretty much anything from manufacture and erect the frame to a full turnkey solution. Not the cheapest but we were very pleased with their service.

Will do

Many thanks @Ed Davies, now I get it and, as you suggest, the fixed IP address does indeed sit in the 192.168 set. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they come up with. Cheers ?

Took a bit longer than expected but Efergy Pro is now available - see https://efergy.com/efergypro/ Will be calling them to confirm a few points and all being well ordering it shortly.

Many thanks @Ed Davies, I'd like to say I understood all of that but I'd be lying. Not sure where this fits into the puzzle but SG assigned a fixed IP address to the controller to enable the app to access it (albeit only when we're at home).

Odd thing is, if I (remotely) change a setting, for example put a zone into tint, the app view updates as if it has accepted the change, but doesn't action it. Tonight, when logged on to the Wi-Fi at our local pub, i did this. On returning home the zone was not tinted and upon opening the app it then updated the status to the actual (ie untinted) state. Whereas, if I open the app when I have no internet signal, the app doesn't allow me to log in, never mind change the status.

Indeed, nice problem to have I guess, but it just seem odd that it will connect via Wi-Fi but not via the internet. In practical terms, are we losing anything? Potentially yes. For example, we have no blinds or curtains at the SG windows but tinting them does provide a degree of obscurity when viewing from outside that is a security benefit. On a cloudy day, we could still tint the glass (from afar) if we wanted to, or on a cold but sunny winter's day we could clear the glass to allow some extra solar gain, even if we were away for the whole day (or longer).

We've recently downloaded the SageGlass App, which allows us to override any or all of the 4 zones of our installation, but only when we're at home. Now I confess that I'm not the most tech savvy of people (understatement), but I find it difficult to comprehend why it doesn't allow us to control the SageGlass from anywhere that we have internet access. The control panel is connected directly to our wireless hub (hard-wired Ethernet cable), much the same as our CCTV, alarm system, SolarEdge, etc, and whilst I can view the status of the glass remotely, I cannot change it. SG tell me this is correct, but have not offered an explanation as to why, so I wondered whether any of you boffins can suggest a reason (or indeed a work-around)? NB. SG say they are looking to add remote access via the app when the next generation controller is launched but no indication as yet as to whether it will be possible to upgrade current controllers.

I bought a brand new Paslode first fix gun and sold it two years later for only about £100 less than I paid for it. Not sure there's the same demand (and hence such good resale prices) for other nailers.

Depends whether or not you had a curry the night before ?

I'd be more concerned with the etiquette of what you can smell when the door is closed ?

Could we perhaps at least let a fellow self builder settle into the community for a while before chastising them for misuse of the 'eco' word? ?. Welcome @Chedbuild, and hang onto that enthusiasm ?

But that suggests you do circa 27,000 mile per year whereas the average these days is circa 10,000.

I'd be chuffed if mine was that close to being smooth, and it was laid by so called professionals!

Will follow this with interest as I would like to smooth our garage floor too and have been looking at similar options. Reckon we'd need up to 8mm depth and probably an average of 5mm over the approx 33m2 floor area.

Welcome Tim, and apologies if some of the previous responses appear a little dismissive or disparaging. Sounds like your property has served you well but you recognise that technologies have moved on in the intervening 11 years and there may be ways in which you can update your home to take advantage of these - whilst at the same time sharing your decade-plus experiences. As you'll have noticed, people here tend to prefer the 'low-energy' descriptive rather 'eco' but please don't let such hang-ups discourage you from getting involved here. None of us have all the answers and you'll undoubtedly have some that others don't.

Not sure a plumber is the right trade for dealing with UHF problems ?

Our EPC states an annual space heating demand of 3,415 kWh and water heating demand of 2,290 kWh. Floor area of 168m2. These figures were submitted for our RHI application. Are you sure the £84/year you quote wasn't actually a quarterly figure?

Can't tell you how much less it would have cost to have our ASHP installed if we'd not gone the RHI route as we didn't get a non-MCS quote (and I was never going to attempt to install it myself). However, I can safely say it would have been a fraction of the 7 years @ £465 per annum we'll receive on our 96 EPC rated 165m2 home.

Don't do it! If there's one sure way to ensure it ends up looking like a dog's breakfast, it's to design by committee ?

Downloaded W3W some weeks ago and it proved useful while on holiday when meeting up with friends in unfamiliar places. Where are you? We're at 'saying.ecologic.rewriting'

If that doesn't work, search for... Carrer d'Olot, 53, 17251 Calonge, Girona, Spain On Google maps