SuperJohnG

I dont know too much about them but the vent is required to provide air for the fire to burn which is normal. You would want to convert it to a room sealed stove then it wouldn't be bringing a chill in. See here for details on room sealed type. https://www.stovesonline.co.uk/external-air-stove.html

Define your budget and part of this will define your route and kit type. If you want a basic timber frame. Forget MBC they just aren't going to be competitive (where you are) its not what they are good at (good at the kit just not the price). Similarly if its basic...forget scotframe, 25% more expensive in my experience, plus you will pay VAT upfront unless you have a main contractor. Of all the 15 or so initial quotes I got fleming homes were one of the cheapest and very comprehensive. Stephen Scott (sales guy) super helpful and very transparent and from my background checks good reports all round on kit quality and erection team. You need to make a fundamental decision on if you want a basic frame delivered or a high performing kit like val u therm (scotframe) or possibky SIPS etc. Think about you want and go from there. Whilst easier buying a full kit (doors and all) you will pay a premium for this.

I just received mortgage offer today from ecology...so far so good. As per above. Build loan are part of buildstore....they are part of the buildstore process that will force you to pay 600 quid for a budget and cash flow...which is ridiculous. Fees for buildstore are at least 1500-2k mich more if you need an advance type mortgage. Ecology...300 quid. Plus 450 for valuations. Super easy so far. Recommended.

I'm.surw supply and fit from Isoquick means..the guy helps you put it together on site quickly as it comes off lorry. But thats all...you still need to do mesh, DPM , ufh etc whichnis the bigger bits. Isoquick is a nice system but IMO not worth the extra cost there.

Hi Matt, Standard current rate for the Ecology self build mortgage is : 4.15%, once you complete this drops in line with your final EPC rating (they call it C-change discount). Up to a maximum of 0.75% reduction. However you would want off that rate after the 2 year period is up to get high street rates (as you are trying to do). Thanks for the renderboard info with high street lenders, that's helpful! Careful not to get confused between SIPS ECO and Ecosips - they are different companies. I found Isoquick to be significantly more expensive than Kore. Hoping to get founds done in 8-10 weeks , then maybe kit up before xmas, but just going with the flow at the moment as only just in with building warrant. SIPS ECO (or more specifically their contractor teams) will be doing install yes.

@mattp22 I am using a company in Fife for my SIPS kit (just about to place order in next 2 weeks. I'm using SIPS eco, worth dropping me a message of who you are using and I can give you the low down on all SIPS suppliers in that area, one in particular should be avoided in my opinion. SIPSECO let their BBA cert expire in 2014, however they are CATG approved, but are currently renewing their BBA cert and this is a condition of my purchase with them. I have a quote from Protek for £3k for my structural warranty. I had the same struggles as you with the build up and followed @LA3222 's build so far in detail. I am doing an insulated passive slab, and its 2-3k extra for the ring beam for the outerblock work skin and hence I have moved away from it for that reason, but also because I felt I didn't want to rely on that wet trade and couldn't really quantify the costs. I seen no major benefit, hence I have opted for renderboard (Knauff aqaupanel) finished in a thin coat render system. Over 75% of my house is finished in render on board with the main annex for the open plan area on exactly the same as you - rainscreen cladding. I'm doing the normal build up of SIPS, Protect UV 5000 facade, then treated batens (painted black or whatever - haven't figured out that part) then Siberian larch cladding with hidden fixings in the RW014 profile from Russswood. Ecology had no issue with my build up, however I did some investigation into high street lenders (but not much) as it was slightly concerning but seemed ok...I've yet to do any real research. on that part. FYI - I'm in East Ayrshire, on the west coast, it rains A LOT! Albeit I am not at the coast. I do have a very large canopy though over my larch cladding so somewhat more protected possibly. @Mr Punter it would be good to hear more detail on this? Picture added to help

I had all our window suppliers quote for doors too. Most reasonable...one of them came back at 4.5k. I find all the aluminium ones just rubbish. Look like they should be on an office building. L Gaulhofer seem to do nice ones ...no idea of price though. Why do you want aluminium out of interest?

I knew this. However I have never met a plumber who has done lead work....ever. I was going to say it doesn't make sense but I suppose in days of old where pipes were lead and hand formed it makes perfect sense...as it was alead working thing rather than a plumber thing.

Agreed. I think it looks mega.

@soapstar Approx 24m2 for me for supply (ex vat). Thats 400x220 slates at 75mm headlamp to cover 335m2.

Have you considered tapco or iko (i think its iko ) or fibre cement which will all give you the flat uniform contemporary look you want?

Thats who priced mine...its worth knowing the cupa piazzara company (who own and produce all the cupa slates ) bought burton roofing an hence should be the best route for pricig unless you go through a roofer who gets a really really good discount.

Cupa heavy 3s are in my opinion the right slate to select....for no other reason than I have spent hours reading about them on this very forum and other places. If you do the research they come out on top for value, aesthetics, guarantee, quality etc. Said research has like many other things on this forum caused..me to spend more. ? At budget stage I chose tiles due to a much cheaper costs to buy and install but I'm in scotland and rural...and I'd know I'd regret it forever so now switching to slates. Change will increase costs roughly 70-100%. Marley tiles fitted were 10k. Cupa heavy 3s 18-20k. 335m2 roof. Grading is the process of sorting thr slates into 3 or 4 piles. So they can be laid with the same thickness and it looks nice (thickest slates at bottom. Working uo to thinnest at ridge) A wrongly graded roof with slates looks terrible.

Also watching with interest. I have a large vaulted open plan area with our kitchen and living room there which has a large glazed gable, its SIPS so was easy to be vaulted. I was planning spotlights which are the white type and blend in well, with pendants over the kitchen island to provide task lighting. I was thinking of running LED strip at the the wall/roof interface then you can uplight the vault to create a nice soft effect. I have also seen lots of good things done with the plaster in LED profiles for a quite modern twist. (Neither are what I woudl do , but you could create some really nice lighting with them.

Granted. Its only been yesterday since I sent request. I'll keep an eye out.

It funny the different sizes different suppliers cam cope with. I have a 4.6m opening and decided I want a two section slider (one pane fixed) Express were able to do it,.but rational can only get up to 4m wide which is a pain as they are a decent price but I feel like 600mm is a lot to lose. Waiting on Nordan coming back and sent something to Gaulhoffer but not heard back @craig who is the Scottish dealer? Is that you guys? Id never heard of norssken until now, thanks @Thorfun

Looks a nice tidy job.

Albeit this is an Ecohaus issue, the associated lead time is from Internorm. In any case....its bloody long.

He was certified under what regulations. Having EN 1090 accreditation only means you can self certify and provides a level of confidence they follow process. I could bet 100 quid the steel this guy buys will be from the same stockist.....and no different. The important point is that is is right correct grade and that the section depth has been calculated correctly. Unfortunately I don't have the experience in structural steel requirements in the construction industry but hope you are not being taken for a run. If it was me....I'd pin down the SE to provide a section depth and material grade - he can calculate this with your approx measurements (even if they are off by 5-10mm) and then I would get a fabricator involved to make it and ask them for advice measuring up on site and sort with them or a surveyor and take a little risk on by yourself. Anyone with a total station should get that bang on in no time.

@Russell griffiths @Ferdinand is bang on, dome shaped lid. I just spatchcocked (sp?!) a chicken tonight a done it on there for quickness. Its a Kamado Joe , one of the best if not the best purchase i have ever made. We cook a lot of dinners on there including our xmas dinner every year. Few pics if your into bbq/smoking meat....

@AliG I'm with you here, I like the idea of more space with three, but not the split. The two main sliders with the four split up top...I THINK I can live with. I did at one point have a fixed picture window where the 3m unit is, but we flipped the layout and then I removed it (should have been on south elevation) however on that North side we have a burn and endless view hence when it's not quite flat calm it will be nice to open that door and BBQ there so needs access. I think I will have that open more than then big 4.6m unit as I have a feeling the wind might blow in that one.

@Russell griffiths thanks. Unfortunately the West Coast of Scotland is the wettest place going...however that is the reason for the very large canopies. its not always particularly cold just wet. Plus slowly as global warming ramps up..our weather has improved steadily and I imagine in 20 years it will be similar to the south of France. ? @the_r_sole possibly a good point/ question. But they are in their now and I want both. There is method to it...I BBQ/ smoke food a lot in my kamado. Id say we use it every week if not twice a week even through the winter hence...in summer all doors open and sit outside. In winter..the bbq is underneath that north elevation canopy and easy access through the smaller slider direct from the kitchen to cook. Voila.....tonights dinner.

@Russell griffiths looks glooks fixed panel and 1 slider? How does it work out in practical terms having just 1 slider. I think that's my worry about not being able to change it.

@Conor ahh I get you now. make sense. I will have the 4 panels at the top and likely might mess with me having only a single split below, but maybe just have to live with it. I did check if I can get it in two panels but think it is costly!

@Conorthanks. I would have said sliders look better when closed as they have less sightlines. is there anything particular that's putting you off?