mjc55

Ours is about to cost £5840. Road closure and cross over about 6m into garden. This is in North Dorset. Electric connection was over £8k quoted (and paid for). They are now using same trench as water and is now just under £2k!

it was part of the planning permission.

As long as the electrics are done by a suitably qualified person they don't require BR.

The method of construction isn’t up for debate here, the point of constructing it in this way (as I said in the first post) is to use the same construction materials and methods as the main house. I understand that to be exempt it shouldn’t contain sleeping accommodation - it doesn't, it's overall purpose is office/storage. We may (or may not!) sleep in it for a bit. Schedule 2/ class 6 of the BR states To my eye that means it doesn’t require BR approval.

Yes, I expect that and have no issue with it. We are going to be living there and want all the normal services.

This is my view to be honest. I know there is a chance that we could have some issues with the LA living there but am prepared to deal with that should it come up.

https://ecobrix.co.uk/

Understand that but we have lived for long periods (2 months) in our mobile home, which is significantly smaller. We are not naieve enough to think that it won't be an "interesting" experience though.

I mean ecobrix.

We are building a "Pod" on our site which eventually will become a home office and store. It is around 22 sq. m. internally and more than a metre from the boundary. Now we will be living in this whilst we build the main house and I would estimate that this will be 6 months or more of habitation. For my part I don't think it requires building regs approval but would like to hear others views on this. I have just received structural drawing from the SE and he has questioned the BR lack. Not that he thinks that it definitely needs it but that he is unsure. The reasons for doing this are twofold really I guess. It will save us rental costs while we build the house and we are using all the same techniques and materials (flat/green roof, single storey, Ecobrick construction) on the Pod as we will the house. This will allow us to a) test the ecobrick construction and b) reduce rental costs as we will be living on site. Any thoughts welcome.

Our kids have kids! I will let them worry about it.

Interesting, did they say why EPDM was unsuitable? We are going for a green roof and currently thinking EPDM underneath.

Fortunately do not require a mortgage. There is no plan to sell in the next ten years. i know plans can change but am prepared to cross that bridge in the unlikely event that it comes to pass. As far as a qualified professional overseeing it, I was an Architectural Technologist (or at least obtained an AT degree although never got round to becoming chartered)

This might be a daft question but I will ask anyway. We are about to commence a self-build. We will be doing the majority of the work ourselves apart from (possibly some groundworks (i.e. dig footings), flat roof covering (to get a guarantee), window installation (to get a guarantee & size/weight of some of the doors - 6.5m sliders) & electrics. Each of these would come with there own guarantees/warranty, any other build issues would be down to me as I would be doing it. So what would I gain from a warranty? Any issues a warranty provider would presumably come after me anyway as the "builder" so no point in insuring?

Hmmm. The gaps between the insulation leave a lot to be desired!

Yes, we will be the same re the silicone. Timber clad so we can do it.

Depends what you mean by fitting but on our quote Windows & Doors 35565 Sills & Trims 937 Installation 5850 Silicone 933 Survey 250 Access etc 1920 Delivery 720 So £10610 on a £35.3k window cost! Went for another look at windows yesterday and we are leaning towards Norsken but I maybe need to question the "extras". I know they aren't exactly extra but it does seem excessive.

I am just in conversation with Southern Electric about our supply, I want to make some changes to the route (slated for install in July as it is coming across a lane) I will ask him about this. It is shocking (no pun intended!) if it is more expensive as this has never been mentioned.

Didn't know this (3 phase costs highlighted above). Just to clarify, are you saying ongoing electricity costs (unit cost & standing charge) will be higher for us as it will be a 3 phase connection, or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

Yes, our CIL department was very helpful when we asked to do a bit of plot clearing. No objections and quick to respond.

Probably need a bit more info on this. How far is this from where the soil pipe exits the house? Have to ask why the pipe is higher than the inspection chamber and is that concrete outside the IC (and also inside the IC)? Why was the IC installed before the drain run?

I found when dealing with the CIL department in Dorset that they were very helpful and happy to answer questions regarding what site clearance etc. we were allowed to do before planning was obtained. Obviously YMMV but I am sure that a phone call will clear up any confusion. Be sure to ask for anything that they say to be confirmed in writing though so you may keep for your records.

Not really! The cost per window varies a lot depending on size, opening etc. e.g. a 3.15 sq. m. non opening window comes out at £404 per sq. m. whereas a 0.52 sq.m. opening window (i.e. very small) is £1264 sq.m. The cost is the cost tbh I am more interested in what sort of discount may be available and getting others experience of this is the reason for my post.

Looking at window suppliers and currently have quotes from Norrsken, Internorm & Rationel. All have mentioned discounting final price but I was wondering about others experience of this and what sort of discount they got in the end. Just in the process of trying to work out totals (separating out install, VAT etc) but total costs at the mo in the region of £50k (ex VAT). Thanks in advance

Helps to get the terminology right! (pet hate of mine, so many people call sand & cement mix "cement", sorry 🙄) Cement is the stuff you mix with sand to get mortar (and sand and stone to get concrete) If it is plastic bagged it shouldn't be too wet? It sounds like you are putting too much water in the mix (assuming you mean that it is running out of the joints when you say bleeding) Ratio of sand to cement does depend on what you are using it for, why have you chosen 1:4 (cement/sand ratio)?