JohnW

I'm hoping the collective wisdom of this forum can help me make a key decision. I have used an architect (let's call him "Architect 1") for the concept design and to take that design through to planning stage. Architect 1 is based approximately 35 miles from my site. What I am considering now is to engage a local architect (let's call him "Architect 2"), based less than 1 mile from site, to take the approved planning drawings and produce the detailed drawing required for Building Control and tender submission and ultimately through to completion of the build. I welcome your thoughts and advice.

Thanks @Alphonsox those are very impressive U-value & air permeability figures. Thanks for the information.

@Alphonsox I read in another thread that you have built/are building along similar lines to myself, namely ASHP, UFH etc... I noticed that you mentioned you did not install any heat upstairs (brave move), can I ask what U-value your walls, floors & roof are, what construction method you used and what air-tightness you achieved? Also, how is the, no heating upstairs, working out in practice?

@vfrdave, cheers, thanks.

No worries @Alphonsox, thanks for looking. I'll maybe ask @recoveringacademic if he has a copy handy. Thanks

Thanks @JamieM, yes hopefully 4.8m bi-fold doors opening out to a view of Slieve Donard.(see attached photo)

Thanks @vfrdave, you're only a few miles from where we live at the minute, Annsborough area. Good luck with your build. Cheers @Declan52, it's a great place to live., we're very lucky to have got a site there.

Hi All, Let me begin by saying a big Thank you to all the contributors in this forum (and the old eBuild) for the wealth of information & invaluable advice provided. I have spent the last 4-5 months reading a lot of the threads and have found they can go 2 ways; they either confirm my thoughts or convince me that I need to do more research on each given topic. I have no previous experience of building and as a first (and hopefully last) time self-builder (I use that term loosely as I will most likely be using a main contractor), I am finding the whole process absolutely mind-boggling and fascinating. We received planning permission in August 2016, but have since changed those plans to the extent that we had to re-apply at the start of December 2016. We are hoping to receive planning permission within the next 2 weeks. If granted, we will be building a 196.5sqM, 2 storey detached house in Newcastle, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. At this stage the build is likely to include the following; (this may change following input from this forum) Block built cavity wall (external 100mm block, 200mm cavity, internal 100mm) Full fill cavity insulation with grey beads & glue Air Source Heat Pump Zoned UFH throughout MVHR Aiming for maximum U-values of 0.15 for Walls & Roof Triple glazed windows Sealed small wood burning stove LED lights throughout I look forward to participating and hopefully contributing in the coming months. JohnW