Jack757

That's interesting from what I have been reading etc, cost of UFH was considerable more to install upstairs over rads... Still got the thick fluffy carpet issue though too!!!

Nothing has been mentioned about airtightness or insulation yet. Presumably as only at first drawings and he wasn't going to put a plant area in, that this emerged about the ufh/rads. Is it worth getting a contractor under my belt around stage 4 for the construction drawings rather than let the architect go all the way through to the spec/schedule stage 5? From what I understand by their stages the SAP calculations etc won't be carried out til near stage 4 anyway?

Thanks, not interested in cooling though

We haven't gone into this fully yet as only just started with design. No cooling, Rads under window as frees up other walls that will be utilised with furniture. Children may or may not be in there other than to sleep, they have a playroom/study planned downstairs. No secondary heating, don't like wood burners etc. We obviously haven't gone fully into the solar side yet, planning back roof to have as many panels as possible/affordable due to sun all day. Simple system, not worried about zoning etc so much, most ground floor is open plan.

We have just started designing our new build with our chosen Architect at stage 1. On meeting we obviously went through all what we wanted, the look etc before he starting drawing ideas. However, one thing was mentioned when I asked for a plant room that I intended to have ASHP, MVHR, Solar and UFH downstairs and rads upstairs, we are going block and brick. He almost jumped on me at the idea of upstairs rads and that I should be having zoned UFH throughout and rads upstairs will not work properly and where did I even hear this could work? My theory is that hopefully the upstairs rooms won't need as much heating, the majority of all the bedroom floor is covered with bed/furniture, the kids want thick carpet and the extra expense. I understand the rads need to be bigger than standard and was hoping to position them all under the large windows in each room with a heated towel rail to each bathroom. Anyone any experience? Is the Architect right? Would my way not work or should I just go with it for now until further down the line when I have the SAP calculation done and discuss then? Bit peeved I was wrote off straight away as you will do it my way!

Thanks all, great advice.... To be continued.....(with another architect!)

Thank you, that's interesting. The bungalow has had it and needs knocking down!

Thank you for all the info... google seems to be a minefield of info, I just get more confused lol... This is a bungalow and detached garage that will need demolishing and hopefully a 4 bed house put pretty much on the existing footprint. Only bottom part of garden green belt. We've spoken to 3 architects so far (only 1 been to site, who I actually really liked) and they all seem to be saying different as to what we can and cant do. Only this one architect with his long distance planning consultant is saying we should build a chalet or another bungalow due to local planning policy when nearly all the other bungalows in the road have been demolished and built into huge 2/3 floor houses, bearing in mind we do not want anything to this scale, however next door is still a chalet, but next to them is a huge 450sqm 3 floor house! Don't know who to follow or who to take notice of to be honest!

More than that. No other architects mention needing one and no real restraints or problems to justify her extra costs to be honest. The quote was just for the planning policy statement, demolition statement, liaison with architect and LPA and responding to any queries from LPA. Just seems like throwing money away to be honest for something that another architect would include as a matter of course.

Thank you, that makes sense. Wasn't sure why it has been factored in to an architects/planning consultants quote along with planning statement!

As above to my response. No mention of asbestos at moment but then we haven't got that far.

No one at the moment. We are in the process of getting architect quotes, this is all new territory for us. One specific Architects wants us to use a planning consultant, which part of her huge fee is a demolition statement. This hasn't been mentioned anywhere else up to now and that's why I am curious when it comes into play. We will be employing a builder once the time comes to demolish the existing bungalow before starting the self build. We will not need a party wall agreement as neighbours are further than the 6M away.

Just quick question... we are at the start of our journey and not so consistent information and details being given to us by different Architects. Getting so confusing.... Who is it down to for providing the demolition survey. The architect, the builder/contractor or a planning consultant? Thanks.

Shouldn't be an issue regarding approval. All bungalows have been demolished and rebuilt. No grand design over sized mansion just a normal family home. The only difference is the additional local framework and criteria but looking at this and previous planning applications seems pretty straight forward. Had lots of recommendations for this architect just something doesn't feel quite right!

Thank you. There response to why the external consultant was initiated was that she could advise on any planning policy pitfalls and cost a robust planning statement to accompany an application? Isn't this normally part of the architects job? Her fees look in the thousands!!