Wrekin1

Did you use the standard VP400 or the VP400 Plus LR?

If I turn out to be one of those two clients someone needs to take me out and shoot me!

Thanks, that's a big help. I seem to be in the right ballpark. The intention is these will be "good" but not "dream house" 4 bed, new build TF with a service area between the TF and plasterboard and on a site with easy access.

Food for thought. Thanks for the inputs.

Apologies for pulling this thread a little off topic but do you mind if I as if the figures you quote for a "good 3/4 bed..." and "verses a cheaper spec..." are for the full job including material and labour? Just that it will help me validate (or otherwise) some of my cost estimates.

Thanks. An interesting option. The houses have to have external chimneys, or at least the structure, as requirement of planning to fit with similar other properties in the area so would gas be a better option? I know I have the cost of installing a flue which I wouldn't with the bioethanol, but I'm thinking that giving the future buyers greater flexibility in what they may choose to have installed in the future might not be a bad thing from a selling point, even if their choice is not something we may choose to use. The one consideration is that the chimneys will be on the opposite exterior wall to where the gas lines will come into the houses and what issues/restrictions I should be aware of with running the gas line even if I decided just to run the line and install the flue to give that future flexibility?

All, Thanks for the interesting thread and discussion points. I for one certainly hadn't realized the effects were this bad and had been planning installing wood burners as a selling point in the houses I'm planning to build. Now, as a result of reading the above, I'm seriously wanting to avoid this option. Do you have any recommendations of alternatives? I would be looking for something that would give a realistic 'fire', reasonable and efficient heat output and thus focal point for the room and where the wood or coal effect materials don't look obviously fake. I would prefer floor mounted but would consider wall mounted if there are good energy reasons for doing so. Thanks

I've just had (this morning) exactly the same correspondence with my accountant. My brother and I are in the same situation as you and your husband and are considered developers as we are building 3 houses for sale and apparently, as such, we are responsible for checking that all our contractors are registered for tax appropriately. I'd rather take this conversation offline at the moment but am happy to share some of the feedback and thoughts we have had on this type of situation. PM me if you would like to follow up. Similarly with anyone else who picks up this thread now or in the future.

Sensus hi, Do you have companies you could recommend to me? I have just undertaken an introductory HSE course and I do feel that for my project I need to appoint one. Thanks

Morning everyone, Thanks to all the contributions on this topic and related HSE / PD topics which for myself, as a complete novice, were a good eye opener. After reading the various threads at the end of last year I took the plunge and signed up for an HSE course with a company local to myself but who work nationwide. My project is for 3 houses for resale and will go over the 500 man hours will be notifiable. I will be client and later in the construction phase PC for the project,. I have a strong background in HSE from my career in oil and gas but nothing specific to house building and for myself the introduction course which I took last week over 2 days was excellent, both in terms of the HSE risks but also the various legal obligations. For my part the cost of the training was very reasonable and they have an optional annual fee (again I felt it was very reasonable especially spread over the cost of 3 houses) which I have also signed up for. For that I have a full HSE package including all HSE documentation and they will walk me through my (and other contractors) Phase Plan and all the other elements of HSE as well as providing (at a fair cost) regular site visits should I feel them necessary - I'm sure I will. Having undertaken the course I would very much recommend this or similar to any novice builder especially if they will have a notifiable project though I would recommend the HSE sections for everyone. First aid training next at the end of the month. I would happily recommend the company if it is of interest or permitted (guidance sought here from one of the site admins please). David

Hi, Did you find a good supplier? I'll be looking for one early next year for Shropshire. Thanks

Just tried checking this and it seems they have ceased trading?

Peter, Just as a quick reply to your question on the litres, and in case someone else may be interested in the future, the litre reference came from the table in the link you sent me but also from the HBB Mortar mix chart (Table 2 - What's in a m3 of mortar - p 293 of the 11th edition) where, for example, for his OPC/Lime mix (1:1:6) he gives the following quantities: Sand 1000 l, Cement 175 l, Lime 175 l.... with the equivalent weights of: Sand 1,600 kg, Cement 245kg, Lime 105kg.... thus the 1:1:6 ratio comes from the litres volume rather than the kg weight.

PCC? Excuse my ignorance.

Sorry Peter, I probably wasn't clear. I mean to go to the QS / estimating service after I have all my own estimates (I want to understand what the QS says) but before going out to tender from contractors.