seano

Hi all I the attached drawing, is it possible to reorgaise the wall buildup/insultaion in order to move the door/pocket, out one layer?

Hi there I wonder of anyone can solve this puzzle? We are quite advanced in a purchase and almost ready to exchange. The purchase consists of a cottage (under one title) and across the highway, a 2 acre field and barn (under another title). The yard around the barn is classed as different from the field. The barn was built 11 years ago and was given consent for use by the family for stabling and agricultural storage. The owner then used it as a worksop for his business doing various country services etc. The barn now has consent to be converted to residential. The vendors want to sell under one contract for both titles to avoid an obvious CGT bull on the barn. I'm ok with this if we can submit a mixed use SDLT return. But this seems not to be straightforward as: a. the original consent for the barn was for personal use, not commercial - does the 10 year change of use rule apply? b. if it now has consent for residential does that make it a residential plot even though work hasn't started? c if it is agricultural land, not physically attached to the cottage, can it be considered garden/grounds? Head scratching here - so any help greatly appreciated.

That makes sense. With regard to EPC, is to possible to compete the envelope, including insulation to regs, then get an EPC rating?

Hi all I just received a quote for ASHP in the portal barn conversion we are planning. The contractor says we don't qualify for the £5k grant as we are a new build. But if we are a new build, surely we would then qualify for VAT relief? The conversion cannot be a new build for one Gov scheme and not for other. Am I missing something?

Me again. If we kept the UFH, would the floor finish (floorboards or porcelain tile, go ove the top of the build up you have illustrated or replace the top layer?

Out of interest, what do you think of these calcs from Superfoil? Do you think this could work? We haven't yet decided on floor finish - could be stone, porcelain tile or wood. February 2023 - Sean O'Halloran - Solid Floor - 2x SFUF and 75mm PIR - 0.13.PDF

I'm surprised too but once I mentioned conversion they got blinkered and that was that. TBH the person I spoke to wasn't the sharpest and just flat out refused it. I asked why they wouldn't continue as a agri building work started and just got a blank. Top tips though - I'll check out https://www.frontierinsurance.co.uk first.

We're buying an agri stable/tractor shed and workshop with PP for conversion to resi. The building is currently insured by NFU. When I spoke to them about covering us as new owners they turned it down. I'm finding this complicated and wonder of anyone has advise on how to insure the building in 3 phases: As it is -basic agri building > then a building having work done > then a residential building. Any pointers welcomed. Thanks

Got it. This one is only 10 years old so fingers crossed is in better shape than most. The SE seems to think so anyway.

That's a great tool you're using there.

What's the reason for this Hugh?

What do you mean by compromises Ian?

Yep, that all makes sense. I'm talking with the SE that did the calcs for planning, arriving at the view the the existing structure is capable of conversion top resi without much of a problem/

Mmm, much food for thought here. We haven’t exchanged on it yet. PP will definitely not allow a new build as its in AONB and was apparently a tough process to get consent for a dwelling. Im wondering what would be left to retain if the slab came out and the column pads need underpinning etc. Beginning to feel like too much effort/cost for little reward. But out of interest, what might it cost to break out and replace 2600sq ft slab?

I'm new here and loving the knowledge of users. Were looking at converting a portal barn that already has PP. It has an offset ridge and so one roof slope cones down quite low at the eaves. We want to retain the existing concrete slab and insulate over it but want to find the thinnest material build up that will still meet regs for U values. So our bottom layer is 100-150 slab and top will be 65mm screed with UF heating. What can we put between these two? Thanks