Kevan Marshall

Where abouts are you based?

Thank you Conor, I shall speak to the SIP’s company after the holidays, maybe have to install a double panel or something to accommodate, the meter box shall back onto a storage cupboard, NIE said I could build a block built box that was attached to house but dimensions were nearly 1.8mtrs tall x 1.2mtrs wide

Just had a phone call from NIE asking me a questions about power consumption I would need, the guy said if I wanted a larger supply I would need to upgrade the transformer on the pole which is 150mtrs away, he said that could end up being tens of thousands, he said that maximum supply of existing pole outside property is 18.4kw/80a, price for standard connection may be between 2k and 5k, if cable is more than 33mtrs long that’s another 2k to put joint in it (do cables only come in 33mtr lengths), he also said allow 10mtrs for the pole side so only 23mtrs from pole to meter box, I explained I may use a welder occasionally and I shall probably end up selling my large welding machine and buying a smaller inverter type but he was still a little concerned even though I can draw 8kw maximum from a modern 250amp multi process welding machine, everything else I shall have shall be an electric range cooker, general sockets and lighting and a hot tub if my wife gets her own way, I’ll wait for the official quote to come through…

Thanks Nick, I’ll get in touch with NIE tomorrow and explain what I’ll be using, I went in heavy with what I needed on the online forms to future proof incase I install EV charging and a heat pump but I cannot see that happening, I can also install a gas range cooker if need be…

I shall request if 100a is available, I know they try and only give an 80a supply on standard connections, if I need to I’ll sell my two big old welders and get a smaller machine that can run off 32amps, I’ll see what price the give me for upgrading as it may future proof things…

Just had NIE respond to my application for new electricity connection, to supply power from existing pole outside the plot they can give me 18kva 80a connection, I shall only use range electric cooker in the house, normal sockets, normal led lighting, in my garage normal led lighting, 13a sockets but require more power for my welder, my welder could potentially run off a 63a supply but I may sell it for a smaller welding machine (32a supply) rather than upgrade which would require running a new supply from 4 poles away, how many amps supply do most people go for in their new builds?

Thank you Gus, For me it is turning into an obsession, I also work abroad six months of the year but I am basically my own boss so I have lots of time to research things for when I come home every 5 weeks!

I have set some clear expectations at what I require from my mate, I was actually surprised when I shown him the quote and he was very positive about all the small details from TF manufacturer, my mate usually puts up conventional block built houses (common in NI), as my job I’m heavily involved in metalwork and engineering and although different from building a house has given me a good insight into what is required, every supplier I have spoken to realises that I have done a lot of research and part of the process is being on BH

Thank you Gus, All good advice, I have spent 9 months researching this whilst waiting on planning and I have to tell my architect how the SIP’s/TF contractor shall do things, My friend who is doing all the civils is an experienced builder who has been dealing with building control for many years so I am confident that everything shall go smoothly, my plans are set in stone and only issue I have had was the Architect changing things to how he wanted, I designed the house at the start and told him if anything needed tweaked a little for the better to do it, unfortunately he completely changed door positions, started adding fitted wardrobes etc, in rooms that we planned to put our own furniture in, it taken six drafts to get things right and they ended up near enough to my original layout, I shall speak to my TF supplier to as about windows as they assure me they have never had any issues, TF company shall send foundation drawing details for my builder and I shall ensure all soil pipes are in a good location, I am waiting for two more quotes coming in then hopefully I can start progressing with sorting out prices for windows, MVHR, electrics, plumbing, etc kind regards, kevan

As soon as I get detailed drawings from TF company I’ll ask Window suppliers what their turn around shall be, if they install the walls it may take the TF company one week to install the roof, etc so that might help me for time

As soon as I get detailed drawings from TF company I’ll ask Window suppliers what their turn around shall be, if they install the walls it may take the TF company one week to install the roof, etc so that might help me for time

Hi John, I shall ask the TF company what they can guarantee and ask for proof from previous builds

Well beyond that getting upto passive house standards

Unfortunately NIE require meter boxes to be outside on side of house or dedicated and approved box

Yes and you can not even phone anyone for advice nowadays or request a site visit to discuss anything