Thorfun

We have wet ufh downstairs and electric towel rads and electric ufh in the bathrooms. our heating backup is our AC. Not needed it to heat yet at all. BUT…..we use the AC all the time in the summer. We have external blinds to keep the heat of the sun out but it’s nice to be able to look out of the windows so AC is essential. Plus as we use it in the summer it’s run off the solar so is effectively free to run. obviously, @JohnMo’s suggestion of fan coils would work but we decided to keep our systems separate which has advantages in my opinion. Plus a ducted AC system is extremely quiet and unobtrusive. Only thing I’d do differently if I was doing it again is install ducted AC everywhere rather than having wall units downstairs. Give serious consideration to keeping the house cool.

Welcome! Best of luck with it.

You live and you learn.

Curiosity? To see if I can do dot and dab. Also there was a bit in the cupboard that would’ve been a pain to use MF so I thought I’d give it a go.

I did wonder if the adhesive was too wet but if I added any more then I think it would've been too dry. I guess it's a fine line. probably didn't help that I was trying my first attempt around a door in a constricted area up a ladder with cables in the way and needing to bring the plasterboard out 35mm. maybe if it was a flat large wall and simpler I might have had more success. but it's most definitely once bitten twice shy! especially when metal framing is so simple.

Cheers. I found it surprisingly easy to install!

Thanks but I’m never trying that again.

We used Rainclear for our Zinc guttering. Details here

So, it turns out the question I should’ve asked is “Should I REALLY be allowed anywhere near a plastering trowel?” to which the answer is a most definite NO!!! I should’ve learnt from when I first tried plastering that I am rubbish with a trowel. I just made a mess. ended up giving up, scraping it all off and went back to metal frame instead. if I ever ask a question about DIY anything that involves a plastering trowel please tell me to not be so f*****g stupid and to pay a professional.

Sure. And I’ve thought about just mixing up some PVA but I wanted to get it finished tomorrow and if I have to paint it on and let it dry then that won’t happen! I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning.

Interesting how that I’ve had 3 responses and there’s still no real agreement! 😂

No time for that! Want to get it finished this weekend so I can tidy up next weekend for the plasterers the week after. 😉

it seems opinions on the web differ. some say PVA, some say a Plastering Grit, some say just soak the concrete blocks with water and some say don't bother with anything! what's a person to do? they are new blocks (although the walls were built 4yrs ago) so it's not like they've got old plaster or render on them or paint or anything. it's not a large area either with a small area around a door, a short wall (800mm wide) and in a cupboard under the stairs. do I REALLY need to prime?

Warm white for us. I installed CCT strips under the shelves and cabinets to give flexibility but they’re set mostly at warm white. It’s not a professional kitchen and so the requirement for harsh light is negated.

Service cavity with battens for me every time. Would make mechanical fixing of the plasterboard simple. It’s what we did. Can’t imagine avoiding running cables on every external wall. I could guarantee I’d need a plug socket on them.

ICF companies you approach will be able to give references and will, hopefully, have some in progress sites to visit.

@Jammy5 i know it's not what you asked but have you considered a fire suppression system? our architect designed our house without one with large opening windows from every room upstairs and things to protect stairwells to multiple exit routes from the basement etc. in the end it probably cost us more than a fire suppression system would have! in hindsight, if our architect had said we can save £X and hassle by installing fire suppression i'd have probably jumped at it. just wondering that if you installed one of those you wouldn't have to worry so much about the fire rating of some things maybe?

Here’s ours

Just install it! Your SAP won’t go in to such detail. In my opinion you’re very much over thinking it. we installed just as you’re proposing and love it btw.

i've already bought the materials so it's only on the labour. i like my plasterer so i'm reluctant to go hunting for a new one now. i'll just take the hit on the VAT then.

diy plastering? no chance! i'm completely s**t at it. 🤣

do you know if that's official? as i know builders who get a cert as soon as possible to get BCO off their backs and then continue working and finishing off. also means that any landscaping done that was part of the planning probably wouldn't be zero rated which seems unfair as most self-builders will have moved in before doing landscaping etc

Sorry. Not vat reclaim. That’s been done. I’m talking about trades coming in to do work.

We’ve moved in and had BCO sign off but the basement isn’t finished. I’ve boarded a room and need it plastered. Does it still count for zero Vat rating? It’s part of the original planning application and hasn’t been done previously so I would assume it’s still part of the initial build and so is zero rated. But does anyone have official evidence of this? also, at what point is a self-build no longer for zero rating of VAT?

I’ve got a few hours this morning before the in-laws come for lunch to do some building. The best way to start 2026! Happy New Year.