Dunc

So I needed to replace the flush valve in a toliet cistern. No problem think I: I'll just isolate it at the conveniently located service valve and job'll be done in 10 minutes. Except the service valve (which probably hasn't been used in 5+ years) wouldn't fully turn so I ended up having to switch the water off at the mains feed, rather defeating the point of the service valve (which I've also now replaced, obviously!). Just wondering with a radial manifold system which seems popular here, there are some beautiful examples of the Hep2O system with isolators on the manifold. Are these valves any more reliable than standard service valves in the long term? Do any/all isolator valves need regular maintenance/use. Should I be going round once a year and operating every valve in the house - do "normal" people do that?

Well if it can be both a particle and a wave, surely it can also be a football, no? 😁

It is really important to have calm and reasoned debate, and it's gerat to hear a climate sceptic view presenten in such an un-Trumpian way. But I think it's very easy to cherry pick publications and their content to suit ones own view. Heres the conclusion from a similar oscillation study: "Forecasting through projection of pre-industrial temperature oscillatory patterns beyond 1880 AD by applying spectral analysis to generate input to train ANNs show that current atmospheric temperatures can be largely explained on basis of continuation of natural oscillations. This is the case irrespective of whether the hockey stick or MWP_LIA cycles are operative. This process could give rise to temperatures higher that past 1000 years without major contribution from anthropogenic influences." [Ref: doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20211003.14] Which I interpret as saying that CO2 has little effect BUT the same oscillations referred to in the video WILL cause a further increase in temperature, not the decrease suggested in the video.

I'm dithering between getting a house desing via an architect, or going with a TF company who will do design&supply. I'm nervous about going with desing&supply basically around cost: if we get a design done with TF company A, expecting to use them for supply&erect, how do I then check that their cost for the supply portion is going to be reasonable? While of course I can set a maximum budget for them, presumably they'll simply aim to charge that amount. However, asking them to pause after the design stage to allow getting a quote from TF Company B seems, well, rude. If I go via an architect for design, what input and when in the process would be best from a TF company to ensure efficiency in buildability (e.g. what are their standard panel sizes, joist spans...). I'm guessing that without an intial design most TF companies won't be interested in a conversation?

We've been having conversations with architects very recently. All the architects I've spoken to are perfectly happy with working with me to get through the design stages then leave it to me to sort a timberframe company, ground workers, follow on trades, materials etc. so are definitely not locked in to the idea of managing a turnkey service. Those I've spoken to work to the RIBA stages so you only committ to each stage sequentially. (https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/riba-plan-of-work) So for us (without a detailed design in mind) we would first commission and pay for a design through to planning permission. Then we could choose to part ways, or commission through to building warrant. Then we could choose to part ways, or commission through tendering out to builders ...etc etc. The quotes I have are provided broken down in to these stages. They are also avaialable on an hourly rate (seems to be around £100/hr) for support and advice as needed. The architects do seem to expect to deal with arranging engineers as required for each stage (e.g. site investigations, topo survey, SE) but the engineering fees are paid directly to the engineers as far as I can tell. The quotes I have are all eyewateringly expensive (~£50K to get through to building warrant approval) except for one guy who is an Architectural Technician and seems much more reasonable (~£18K), but offers much less in the way of "initial ideas". I'd suggest if you have a very good idea of what you want, looking for a Technician rather than RIBA Architect may be significanlty cheaper.

So we're talking to a few designers (Architects & Technicians) for our self build in Scotland (likely ~150m2, 1.5 storey, longhouse style, likely timber frame). I am not too surprised to find that architectural fees vary a fair bit from one Technician who will do just a single initial design then refine, to one PH Architect who proposes multiple sketeches and using virtual reality during the process...probably 15K difference in total project fees. BUT these designers are suggesting a huge range in their expectation of cost-to-build: One (non-passive certified) suggested a main contractor build would be in the region £2000/m2 for "better than building regs" heading to £2500/m2 working to "passive levels". A certified passive Architect reckoned minimum £3000-3500/m2 for a main contractor passive build (likely including ASHP/UFH). Another passive certified practice, specializing in self builders, was "very comfortable" to think that £1500-1800/m2 for a fully "functional passive house" (e.g. aiming for no need for ASHP/UFH, rather just using 3kW heater on the MVHR) would be perfectly do-able on a self-managed build and up to £2000-2500/m2 tops for a main contractor. I'm at a complete loss who to trust and what to do to interrogate these numbers in more detail. £3500/m2 is out of budget...obviously one could be tempted towards someone indicating lower likely build costs (even though their fees are higher) but getting caught out half way through would be disasterous. Prior to any kind of design it's not even possible to splash money on a QS...any suggestions please?

For future reference/linking I'm guessing it's this one? Which looks incredibly valuable! Thanks to the original author!

Is this what you're thinking of @Jenki? https://www.highland.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/22985/self-build_guide.pdf My initial conversations with a local designer suggest that a lot of the PiP can be "boilerplate" text and is open to "reasonable" negotiation. For examle our PIP says gable ends and white render....but the houses on either side of our plot both have hipped roofs. The one opposite is timber clad, one is bare stone. He's fairly confident that some changes will be acceptable.

I've not noticed any noise during the 4 site visits we've made. The nearest farm is just obsucred by a hill opposite, but a good mile or more away so presumably provides some sound insulation. Perhaps if the wind direction changes or speed increases...I hadn't thought of that, but it's too late now! 😆 Will look in to JML, thanks. I was looking at HH, but based on your posts, they're now lower down the list.

Stratherrick, to the southeast of Loch Ness, squeezed in between all the wind farms! Can't currenlty see any turbines, but I suspect that will change as more are added.

Hello Wonderful Forum! My wife and I have just had an offer accepted a plot for a self build in Inverness-shire. First time self builders. Gulp! I've already spent more time than might be considered healthy browsing through the vast quantities of information here and am simultaneously terrified by it and loving it....I suspect once we start paying bills it may tilt more towards the terrifying 😁. Ideally we'd like to build something to Passive standards, perhaps timber frame, warmcell (or other non-petrochemical insulation), and timber clad. Traditional long-house style appeals...hoping to contract TF company to wind & watertight then project manage the rest myself. Currently looking for an architect and trying to get our heads around budget. Any recommendations for professionals and trades in the Inverness area will be very welcome. Dunc.