RobinH

Thanks you all for your feedback. It is all very welcome. I was thinking SIPS as they seem to provide a very fast build, good way of creating a vaulted roof without trusses and engineered openings to allow the windows and doors to be ordered in parallel. It's not to say that there are not alternatives but on balance of the many features in comparison it seemed the way forward at this stage (LO planning). Whatever the walk-out basement then I understand and agree that it should have two forms of water proofing. Generally the forms which are on the outside of the structure are better than those on the inside, which is fine as we will be excavating for the walls. I dont think a sump and pumps will be necessary as one end of the basement is at (slightly above) ground level so any sump can drain out to an outside soakaway. As to my initial question... a picture attached of what I mean. I think IceVerge understood and has a good idea with the extra insulation on the outside! Ta. Robin

I’m looking to build a half submerged (basement/ground floor) from masonry or concrete structure of some kind with external insulation and then add a further floor on top and roof of SIPS. Im after any general info about how well this might work but I have a specific question. As the load-bearing element of the basement will be on the inside of the wall, if i mount the sips on top, I’m likely to end up with the outside looking like a tiered wedding cake. Not a good look! How best to avoid 6” wide battens on outside of SIPs? 😂

Hi Everyone, I’m looking to build a new property for my wife and I to live in, in our current garden. Once complete and plot divided, sell the original to clear the mortgage(s). It’s on a slope with planning only likely for single storey so looking to have garage and entrance in an excavated basement. Just at planning stage in Feb ‘23 so loads to do!

I read an article the other day which I believe said that for some circumstances of Self or Custom Build there was no fees for pre-application advice or the actual Planning permission. I thought this amazing and was going to come back to check it out but unfortunately I have lost the link. Searching for it again has drawn a blank, and all LA's appear to charge whether its self build or not. Anyone else come across this? ( I don't mean zero CIL contributions by the way)