AartWessels

Just because you haven’t placed them yet; having many mains voltage lights outdoors is likely to cause issues at some point. I’ve learned the hard way. Not sure if I’d do it again.

My hope exactly! I can totally imagine electricians preferring to work on the more interesting stuff like cabling the CU, working out the plans, things like that, over doing the rough work. As far as I can find, ventilation, plumbing, heating minus the electrical connection, can all be done by ourselves, right?

Yeah, I know, and exactly not finding a sparky willing to sign off is what will most likely make it an impossible option. Although I’m still hopeful to be able to find one to collaborate with, with will agree on doing the smart stuff himself, and leave the simpler things to me. I don’t mind not putting up the plasterboard until my work is checked. Anyway, we’ll see. Lots of other steps to take first 😊

thanks, that’s very useful input. And would love to have local recommendations for groundworks and screed, that can always come in handy. We haven’t bought a plot as yet, waiting first for the transaction of our house to go through all Belgian bureaucracy. one of the plots we’re looking in to is has indeed been known for some water issues, although seem to have been resolved. Still always open for different perspectives. there’s lots of information on this forum ready to consume, it’s an awesome source for learning. Thanks for your kind words 😊

Having recently relocated to the beautiful Spey-side town of Aberlour from Belgium, we are now looking at building our forever home here in the area. It wouldn't be our first adventure of this kind, we have previously built our own Scotframe house in Belgium. There are as many similarities as there are differences as it seems. In Belgium for example you'd be able to get your own electrics done by yourself, as long as you had a certified engineer sign off your setup when done. So quite common practice to buy a "DIY package" for your building, where a specialised company will prepare all the plans for you, will supply you with the materials and provides lots of guidance as to how you need to do the work. The engineer testing and validating setup doesn't come from them of course, this is something you need to arrange yourself. Companies providing these packages usually can do the same for plumbing, ventilation, and heating. Anyway, long story short, I'm here to learn, and to find out how things are done on this side of the sea 🙂 This is the house we've built in Belgium. Just been sold. What we plan to build here, will be completely different 🙂