SarahHutch

Hello, Please could anybody recommend a solicitor who is happy to do conveyancing for a self build mortgage. I have contacted a large number of local and national firms and non of them do self build mortgages any more. Many Thanks.

Your slab looks great. Thank you for sharing. What system did you use for your insulated raft? Many Thanks

Hi @markharro I was just wondering if you have installed this yet. And if so how it is looking/performing. I am also interested in using this approach if at all possible. Many Thanks

Thank you all for the welcoming comments and advice. I am designing the project myself and depending on its outcome will see if it can be used for marketing in the future....... We are keen the construction is as low impact as possible, hence the interest in natural materials passivehaus principals. However the sites orientation and a few design quirks mean that trying to get it passivehaus certified may prove complicated and costly. I will be on site everyday so intend to monitor quality closely. With regards to the insulated raft foundation, this was suggested by our structural engineer as the best solution to achieve a high level of insulation with very minimal thermal bridging.

Hello, We are looking for a groundworker to install an insulated raft foundation in Hampshire. If anyone has any recommendations we would love to hear from them. Many Thanks.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a demolition contractor in Winchester. We are looking to dismantle our existing bungalow, retaining as much of the material (roof timbers etc.) on site for reuse as possible. Many Thanks

Hello, I am Sarah an architect turned self builder in Hampshire. Having worked for the last 15 years designing new large scale new housing developments in London, I am now turning my hand to building our family home on the site of an old bungalow. We have been living in the bungalow since 2022 and have a planning consent for a renovation project. However after much consideration we have decided to go for a knock down and rebuild, to ensure that we can complete the project to high performance specification, whilst reclaiming the VAT. We have submitted a new planning application and are awaiting the outcome of that. We are seeking to build a two storey house, from timber frame (from Kithurst Homes) with a insulated raft foundation (Kore/Greenraft or similar). The house will be rendered in lime render with a clay tile roof. We are keen to use natural building materials wherever possible, and whilst we are not seeking passivehaus certification we are following passivehaus principals wherever possible. Ie. high levels of insulation and airtightness, MVHR, PVs etc. We would love to hear from fellow southern self builders, as whilst we are familiar with the design process, we have limited contacts with local builders etc. so any recommendations would be greatly received. I intent to project manage the build myself and am happy to get involved with some DIY, but currently have limited skills in that department!