Jilly

Wow, nothing but encouragement to offer here! My builder has gone AWOL too, and I'm seriously considering pushing myself too.

I'm just working through this too and have created a table itemising what we will install, after checking compliance. Might add a link to the data sheet too for completeness. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/504207/BR_PDF_AD_G_2015_with_2016_amendments.pdf

Their plumber recommended 100mm spacing, also we would like a small later (30m2) and another the same later (if we are allowed!), is it worth putting a bigger manifold in now? Thank you!

The building is 6 x 10m externally so a bit less than that.

The problem is the QS is a trainee employed by the builder to generate quotes (makes sense cos we all know how builders hate quoting) but it's like Chinese whispers as she isn't a plumber and the plumber wants to sell more and so we go round in a circle. I'd intended to employ subbies myself but have got stuck with this and I guess they want to shield how much profit they are making.

The UFH hasn't been installed yet, the builder is trying to spec every last teeny item (its driving me mad!)

Hello, On your very wise advice, I have asked for a Willis heater for my UFH to be used until I can afford ASHP/Solar etc. My builder's quantity surveyor is trying to price for the quote and says the only ones she can find need to be connected to cold water storage and have a main hot water cylinder. Is this correct? We are very tight on space, and have no room for a cold water tank. Also I was going to have an immersion heater but would a twin coil be better as future proof? It's a PITA not speaking to a plumber and going through the builder's QS. Please can you recommend makes as she wants exact spec for pricing? The first plumber gave eyewatering quotes for everything I can't afford ?

Hi, I'm still struggling on! I need cheap electric options for my small stable conversion for the time being. I have space for an immersion heater so could use E7 but is it worth having a twin coil or even thermal store for the future? The builder's plumber won't/can't do a Willis heater and has advised a Heatrae Sadia electric boiler (not specified which). I would like solar thermal and an ASHP in the future, but it may be some time and I need to keep costs under control and move in quickly, but without stuffing up for the future, am I overthinking as usual?

Don't panic, the time pressure they have put you under distorts your clarity of thought. Making a mood board helps if you can get samples. Have breaks to let your unconscious consider things, as it can send you crazy to overthink with your conscious mind. I understand what you mean about a large area of (wood) floor and a wall of wood being 'too much', a bit like wearing a leather jacket, or trousers is ok, but not both together. However if they complement or even contrast, rather than match, it can work. Texture is important, so for example an all white room can look clinical and stark, but looks good if there are loads of differences in textures, eg rough walls, fluffy blankets or whatever. Wood is tactile so bear that in mind. Another 'rule' I find helpful is to have no more than 3 colours in a room. I count wood of all types as one of the colours, it's soothing and really helps with coherence. The room above 'works' because the of the browns in the woods/brick, the black of the TV and the whitish walls. You may chose to break up the visual expanse of floor with rugs and the walls with pictures, so try to imagine pleasing vignettes of what you will see from various vantage points. Not sure that exactly answers your question, but I hope it helps.

Apologies, I meant the architect's technician. That is who will do your Building Control drawings. From what I've noticed on here, the same could hold true of the builder, its much easier to chose someone experienced in your build method rather than both you and the builder learning as you go along. My builder is experienced in block and timber frame, for example, but I don't think he's done ICF.

Make sure you use a technician who is very experienced in the method you wish to use. I stupidly chose someone I like, but who had to go scuttling to Google to research the answers to my queries on the clock...

Yup, and learn to check everything, as the builder annoyingly put 25mm in mine instead of the specified 32mm. Also try to have no joins, they put them in mine and tried to hide them I know its not the end of the world, but as Gus says, the pipe is only a few pounds more and comes in 50m lengths.

Bad luck. I had a planning condition that we can't do any work at weekends, luckily no one's complained about the odd bit we've had to do.

Can it be done with the other services? I just got a refund from UK power because they shared the dig and road closure with the water people.

Take advice on this, as I've seen conversions which are like Trigger's Broom, and my understanding is that it must not ever come down all at once, so support up and replace, is OK, reusing what you can. I would say don't ask the planners tho', ask a consultant. Also get an architect experienced in this area as not all are familiar.

Oops, hoped I wasn't unkind. Seriously, I expect so, but you can ask you Building Control officer, they seem to have flexibility, so a good relationship with them is helpful.

I'd say so...

If you only do one bathroom, make sure it's the accessible one.

My partner says I have started to catastrophise over this build, so it has changed me, I used to be very confident and have accomplished much in a previous life, but I may have commenced from a difficult emotional starting point, and that was the cause, so it's not a fair comparison. Looking at your list there, it could be you are inclined the same way. I won't lie, worrying about those things you have described has given me bad sleepless nights, but I have learned to distinguish between severe anxiety and just normal, understandable worry. When I read about Toughbuttercup's problems I realised mine were minor in comparison. I think you need a lot of resilience to do this, because the financial uncertainties can be frightening, so make sure your mental health is good and that your coping mechanisms are robust. If you can slum it, you will have less financial pressure to live on site in a static. You know yourself, so play to your strengths and minimise your weaknesses. The people who seem to relish this the most seem to be incurable optimists with a very strong vision plus excellent core competencies to either earn well or do the graft themselves.

Not sure if I'm reading this correctly, and am not familiar with Scottish Councils, but if you have a habitable dwelling on the land, but it seems likely they will let you do something with the building, even if it isn't what you fully intended, so it's always worth purchasing adjoining land, no matter what the designation, in my view. Maybe a planning consultant could help? I bought some 'amenity land' from the council adjacent to our old house and was always careful not to put any garden structures etc on it, but planting was fair game in my view and no one objected. For the record, the agricultural land is worth less than when it is designated 'garden curtailage', so your purchase may depend on your attitude to risk and CGT implications to both you and the landowner.

It depends also if this is your dream home or just a project?

Are you going to try a self build? You should have some good contacts in the trade, hopefully.

I've had a bit of action since I mentioned selling the broken down dumper ?

It was just a case of writing down what had happened and sending a letter off. It was ok

Welcome! I've just been wondering if I could learn to use a digger. My driveway will be quite large and I need a SuDS solution, which I think will be a pond aka big hole.