AppleDown

From my recent research that seems fair enough - getting similar supply and install quotes in SE. Have you asked DNO if you can have that capacity yet?

"In the UK, the majority of homes are expected to opt for an air source heat pump, which costs on average just more than £12,500 to buy and install, according to industry accreditors at MCS." - proof that the MCS mafia are inflating prices by including the BUS grant on top of the job.

I think it’s public knowledge that the private BC Buildzone were using have gone t*ts up.

Just seen the latest Skill Builder video where they attach the panel directly to the battens and then add some fitted flashing: Has anyone used that or know what system it is? Looks a complete pain if you need to switch out panels or access behind it though. My plan is still to use GSE trays, but happy to be swayed...

I'd be very wary of the budget option - but definitely ask if you can go and see any of their completed or current work. They should be happy to do so. Try and get some quotes from reputable bi-fold producers and see if they match up with what is being specced - easiest way to see if they're over/under by a considerable amount.

Did you give them a list of specifics to quote against?

TBF those are big boy pumps and tanks. As usual though it's just the BUS 'added tax' being included. Everyone seems to do it now.

Someone more knowledgeable will be along soon, but I believe it's based on a cost cap of £2,000 for fibre connection? So if it'll cost more than £2,000 to install, you can go for the next speed/connection down from that.

Really interesting! I didn't realise they did non-catalogue designs - it would be great to see yours. I had excluded them from my initial list, but sounds like it might be worth reaching out to them. How does BC work with something so speedy?

Well done! Out of interest what tape did you end up using?

Also get that DNO estimate in ASAP - I had the shock of my life when it came back at £70k the other day. Granted it was for three-phase, but better to be safe than sorry!

That quote is with us doing the trench work 🙃

Yeah that’s correct - from the main road and then down the lane. We don’t particularly need it - we were looking at as much solar as possible, but from what I can see it may be an issue with a higher capacity generated and not have 3-phase…

Just had my quote through from SSE - £70k to get 3-phase to us. Clearly not going to pay anything near that. Anyone got any tips on how to get that reduced, or is it so prohibitively high that there’s no point going down that road…?

Also remember you'll need a good substrate to adhere the render to. Can't just go straight on the timber frame board.

Could you PM who you used please - sounds a good price!

Fair enough - always appreciated your thoughts. We ummed and ahhd over a few options, but wanted to reference the existing building on site somewhere (the monopitch) and incorporate the modern dormer too. I think it’ll come together (hopefully!)

Not a fan?

I had the same reaction, but wanted to gauge if I was way out. The timber frame guys we are leaning towards have said they’ll do them for just under £3k - and with them doing the structural calcs and design, most of the work is done by them anyway.

I think the main question here is - what is your maximum actual budget, and then you build to that. It’s all well and good looking at the outside facade and finish, but that’s the least of your concerns.

C80 quoted me £230 last month.

Was that just one quote - and with any soil investigation? Also as much as I appreciate my architect, his understanding of costs were wide of the mark. Luckily I was looking at that from the very first design meeting we had with him (and this forum brings up a lot of good points and info on what to look out for).

I think you need to change the way you're looking at it. You're building a two-story house, on top of an existing house - which you're part-demoing, extending and strengthening as well. It's a lot more complicated than flattening and rebuilding. I seem to remember your previous posts about piling being the issue in not rebuilding - did you get any other quotes or investigations into that?

TBF from all the other threads and posts, you had a lot of people telling you that it was a big job and the other option was demolition and rebuild. It's a very big house now, and builders will see how elaborate it is and quote accordingly.

£9k for welfare facilities? Are they going to build you a mini-hotel and spa for them? Edit: going through the long list: obviously we don't have all the info here, but £34k for 'floor construction'? My fixed price foundations and floor build up over a 180m2 area is coming in at just over £18k. It might be a 'I don't want to do this' quote, or a 'you obviously have money' quote. £72K for pitch roof? My entire timber frame build is coming in at £85k.