Berkshire_selfbuild

What is all this ‘parge’ I hear of?

Thanks all for the super useful info. I’ll find out if my main contractor has a plasterer who is reliable to do wet plaster. Otherwise will go down dot and dab route but make sure it’s done properly and sealed around the edges etc.

Hi all. We’re at first fix stage of our self build (cheeky pic added) and need to make a decision of going traditional wet plaster or dot and dab plasterboard. My build is thermalite blocks inside, 100mm pir plus 50mm air gap, and then my facing bricks. I have MVHR going in and hoping for reasonably high levels of airtightness as possible. I have only ever lived in properties with traditional wet plaster and am used to solid feeling walls and being able to hang up TVs etc without issues, and generally the feeling of solidness and quality which I’m worried dot and dab won’t give me. Any wise words of wisdom out there to sway me one way or another? It’s a home for life so want to make sure I make the right decision.

Thanks! Ha, I’m in Wokingham, Berkshire. As you say, surely this is such a minor element that maybe I should just do what I want and worst case drill a hole.

Yes that is an option, however if I can do without that and have a ring door bell instead that would be my preference.

Hi All, My front door on my new self build will be solid with glass side panel on either side which will be obscured. I’ve been told by window surveyor that I have to have a spy hole unless I have clear glass. I raised the question with them if a ring door bell can mitigate the need for a spy hole however they are not sure. Can anyone provide any clarification? Thanks 😎

Hi. Sorry to hear of your ordeal. I had a similar nightmare towards end of last year, double the CIL figure that you are faced with, but after I put my argument forward to the local CIL dept they decided to drop it due to a technicality in them not sending me any correspondence directly. I got lucky. I had written e-mails to my local MP who had drafted a letter ready to send to the LA had it not been resolved. I would suggest, as the others have mentioned, to get in touch with your local MP etc. I have my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks all for the comments and the education. I have some questions to run by my designer/supplier/installer, however I now have some confidence that they are trying to right by me by not over specifying the unit and using data that is realistic. All these figures and calculations etc go right over my head, so I’m glad to have you bright people to run these things through with. Thank you 😀

Far and few between. I would say maybe only 2 days like that over the past year.

I noticed this too. I Will query this as we are definitely having 130mm insulation above the beam and block floor.

Thank for the comments. I’ll query the points raised and also find out the exact model. I’m addition, the installer mentioned following - “If we were to apply the true efficiency at best case scenario we would be looking for a unit around the 3.7kw output range (the 3.5kw arotherm is the same as the 5kw just restricted via software). We would be proposing a 5kw Vaillant Arotherm Plus with adequate water volume to make the oversizing factor irrelevant to any oversizing negatives”.

Hi All, I have recently received my heat loss calculations from my local ASHP/UFH installer. It’s for my new build which is currently under construction. I’m not really going above a beyond building regs when it comes to insulation/glazing etc however will have MVHR. Heat loss shows 5kw heat loss and they are proposing a 5kw Vaillant Arotherm plus. Property is 387sqm of which 39sqm is the garage and this element has not been used for the heat loss calcs as is not heated. Please see details attached, I would appreciate any comments and whether the proposed heat loss with proposed ASHP looks about right? Thanks!

Thanks all for your advice. I’m taking away with confidence that I should be fine without the need to get LPA involved. As mentioned, the items can be installed up against far wall and still allow parking of 2 cars, especially as the LPA have not specified sizing of cars etc - could easily fit many smarts cars in there! Cheers.

Hi all. My self build is progressing well - at 2nd lift wall plate stage. It occurred to me that I have a planning condition to ensure the garage is used as per plans for 2 cars, along side 2 further parking spaces on the drive. I wanted to use part of the garage as a ‘plant area’ to house water cylinder, water softener, Solar PV Batteries etc, which would mean that the garage would only have space for 1 car. I do however have space for at least 4-5 cars on the driveway comfortably (ignoring the grass areas). I have shown red highlight for areas on plans for parking as it currently stands. Below is the planning condition. Should I email the LPA for permission to reduce parking in garage? Or could that open up a can of worms? Would BC use their own judgement do final sign off knowing that there is plentiful parking on the driveway? Thanks! 😀 ‘…the garage accommodation on the site identified on the approved plans shall be kept available for the parking of vehicles ancillary to the residential use of the site at all times. It shall not be used for any business nor as habitable space. Reason: To ensure that adequate parking space is available on the site, so as to reduce the likelihood of roadside parking…’

Thanks so much for this. I think I’ve been fixated for a while on having the same number of bathrooms as bedrooms but I need to let go and make best use of the space and situation by keeping it simple and having something similar to what you have mentioned. Thanks!