SuperJohnG

Thanks @JSHarris I can see i can download it in CAD - but doesn't seem to give me a scale for that download - which i strange because then yo can't really scale it. I could be being stupid...but I deal with mechanical engineering drawings every day and this OS map world and resources seem pretty rubbish.

Thanks @JSHarris and @ProDave I've been on all the sites - but none do 1:10'000 for planning maps. they only go as big as 1:2500. I don't know why either. I want to just get an official one - so that they don't spend three weeks getting to the top of the pile only to be told its still invalid as its not a correct map. This is just to remove a planning condition as well its not even to get planning permission, that was granted ages ago!

My current PP has been in for 3 weeks waiting to get registered, but I've been sent it back invalid as they want a different scale map. They asked for a 1: 2500 in the initial PP request, but now want a 1:10'000 as its rural (even though it has coordinates and very clear) got it from map trunk. However i did try and go get a 1:10'00 scale version from there but they only go as big as 1:2500. does anyone know where to get bigger scale maps done online?

Wow @nod that's an amazing cost ratio. Gives me confidence that my 1200 is definitely achievable. Do you have any links to pictures of the finished house? (I did search your posts but it seems you have search through all of a user posts to find these things). I'd heard tales.of those high interest rates which make me shudder. Although all the bad stuff didn't just happen in the 80's, I bought a flat at the height of the market in recent times in oct 2007. Lovely 3 bed flat in a small town south of Glasgow. Was o/o £105k at the time.. I got it at a deal of £117k at the time..which was actually decent money! It was high end for the town but I should've sold 2 years later and made 20k. Obviously...I didn't. I still.own that bad boy..probably worth maybe 85k the now..sure.it.was.down at 70k at one point..its a sore sore one. Considering I've probably made 50-60k of mortgage payments and still owe 90k odds. You live and learn!

I'm trying to understand and project my cashflow at the moment but only a at the beginning of the process. I'm aware that everyone's builds are different shapes, sizes, standards and contractiong styles from turnkey through to buy everything yourself and build it. But I was wondering how much are peoples typical vat reclaims? Itll will give me an idea of if we are talking 5k or 50k I'll have to outlay until I get it back.... Thanks in advance if you're willing to share. Reclaim amounts and typical projects details might be helpful.

@Thedreamer seems the grant is only available for people North of Dunblane. Bit rubbish really!

@ThedreamerIt's rural so coming from 370m away across a field. Mains water is 400m away and although they have told me there is capacity....I'm awaiting a connection cost. yes it is in Scotland - Any info on the grant, or notable connection thread, as that would be great! I've asked for building water connection so may do that early, on electricity I am assuming we can get ground works and foundations in without any, then time it so the power is done right after the kit is erected on site.

Thanks @Thedreamer . Updated my first post - I do have a pretty comprehensive budget for the development as a whole based on 1200/m^2 @ 200m^2 house. Soreally once I come to design stage, thats when I will tweak to design to suit my specific budget. I have costs for power and water coming from SPE and Scottish water in the next few weeks but I was planning to hold off for those and time it with the kit going up as my costs are in the region of £20k for power and dont know about water yet. but there won't be any (significant) unexpected costs from this aspect. But these are outlays I'd rather avoid till I have to as it uses up all my spare captial as they want paid upfront.

Hi all, I'm currently in the process of finalising buying my plot of land which I will purchase outright with savings. UPDATE: I do have a fairly comprehensive budget together already for the total development costs and also basing on £1200/m^2 for a 200/m^2 house. So I have a pretty accurate understanding of what I will need. I've previously interfaced with Buildstore and went through with an advisor for pre-application advice. Kind of like an agreement in principle over the phone to say how much we can possibly get which seems fine. However I stopped the process at that time as I hadn't finalised a land purchase and didn't want to apply. However my question is - when would you do (or when did you do) the formal application and would you do it with a number of companies?. I would think I should wait until the land transaction is complete - but I see some post saying it can take 5-6 months?. Also can you do the application then get approved but not actually take the money straight away? you just remain approved until the point you require the money? In my timeline, I plan to complete transaction for land within the next 8 weeks, then from there start to progress the design with an architect / AD / Timber frame company. Then I will get everything in place and I would think break ground maybe next summer once I have fully planned the build. So any advice, pitfalls and pearls of wisdom greatly appreciated.

Thanks @Thedreamer Thanks for the heads up. Build store just seemed to talk a good game but when I got into it there were a LOT of fees. We are prepared for the sacrifice but I'm.surenitll be worth it. I've been reading the housebuilders bible...so fully prepared for the cost and time to go up...I've allowed an extra 5 months and if need be an extra 10-20% if need be. Hooefully get a better idea during design and see where we get to.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. Lots to learn and plenty to debate over ..looking forward to the whole process. Maybe once I'm done I'll revisit this thread and update it to with what actually happens...

Thanks @LA3222. Who did you use for your sis supplier out of curiosity?

Thanks @Simplysimon what sort of stage are you at?

@nod That's very impressive. My budget originally started at 950...but I quickly realised in talking to architects and kit suppliers it was fairly unrealistic. There is hope for my 1200 target then!

@Thedreamer I've talked to build store and in principal they are saying I can get the funds. But still to do the full application. I was surprised at how costly that was. Somewhere in the region of 15k just to borrow money for 12 months. Anything to be wary of?

Hi all, I've been reading fro a few weeks on here back and forth and picking up bits of information which have been really helpful, so thanks for that! I'm based in Scotland just south of Glasgow. I've been looking to self build for around 5 years, without knowing if it would ever be a possibility. We have a young family (5 and 7 months) and for around the past two years have been looking for a new home in our local town as well as looking for plots to build. Our (I say ours I mean mine..and my wife has humoured me!) was to get a few acres close to the edge of town and build a hosue and live the dream with space to do whatever I liked. I had written letters to landowners, searched tirelessly on google maps and pestered about everbody I knew if they had heard of anything that wasn't on the radar but to no avail. Last year I found a good plot locally albeit the price was heavily inflated I went through the process of budgeting the costs getting connection prices for services etc. Eventually when I made an offer the landowner didn't want to negotiate and hence it seemed unlikely we would get anywhere so I had to walk away. We have looked at houses but everything we went to look at just didn't suit one way or another and self build has always been my dream but was looking unlikely. However a random facebook post on the local town page by me try to find any land led me to someone through a friend and the gist of it is. I am in the process of purchasing a 3.8 acre plot on the outskirts of town for a very reasonable price which comes with planning permission. Currently I'm in state of sheet excitement and bag of nerves as I patiently wait for the transaction to go through (which won't be a problem). I have a little work to do with removing an AG tie and ensuring services are at a reasonable cost but other than that we are nearly there. I'm a Mechanical engineer..hence my need to understand and plan every meticulous detail (and tell everyone the best way to do things...as a typical engineer..I always know best!) I have a budget and have a fairly complex development costs plan and also build budget so as to ensure I don't become a grand designs victim and will try to avoid an serious pitfalls thanks to all the posts here and research online. I've budgeted 1200/m^2 and a 200m^2 house with 10% contingency for the actual build which i plan to keep to (like everyone!) I'm quite keen on a SIPS build with passive slab foundation as it removes interfaces and steps in the process which albeit has more upfront costs makes sense for me as I work full time. My plan is to do the design with an architect (I've been talking to a few, but currently talking to RJM in Aberdeen as he is Timber/SIPS experienced and comes recommended from SIPS ECO) but haven't selected anyone yet. However I'm open to timber frame and that may well end up being the option we go for once the final costs are known. I'm after a well insulated high performing house but not passivhaus standard. I would like to get a supply and build from a package supplier up to wind and watertight then i will manage the subcontractors for joinery, electrical and plumbing (albeit most of that I will do myself), which will hopefully allow me to reduce costs somewhat. I am very focused on a fabric first approach to get the design right and layout that works for us. My approach is to take our time plan, plan, plan every stage and purchase. Then complete build from breaking ground in 7 months. I have however allowed 12.......but I hope it doesn't take that long. I'm fortunate enough to be able to realise our dream (my wife is now excited also!) at this point in life (37!) if all goes well and very excited about building our forever house. thanks fro reading!