Mally

Thanks, that makes perfect sense. I've sent the enquiry away.

Thanks so much for your input.

Do you mean solar panels ? Meaning I could upload more energy to the network ?

Thanks for such a swift response, That sounds like my plan. However as they use the figures in their design, I may be getting a quote for more than I need. Also, they require the EAN as part of the application for a connection.

Hi, I was applying for a quote for a new electricity connection to a plot I am in the process of buying on a windy part of Skye. My plan is to build: A 4 bedroom house: single or 1.5 storey Using a timber frame kit Insulated to a high specification With at least average quality glazing With two en-suites Measuring 170m2 approx I got to the page asking for information about the ASHP. I thought it would be easy to choose a model, add the model number, and usage stats into the SSEN application form. All things are not as they seem though. I telephoned SSEN and learnt that they actually take the figures quite seriously and I need an ENA. They told me to call a supplier and ask for one. That sounds like it will introduce a degree of commitment I was not expecting at this stage. There was me thinking it would be ages before I needed to think about heating, I'm still thinking over which timber frame kit to buy. And of course if the cost of supply for the electricity is connection is beyond budget, I may have to source another plot. Can anyone offer me some advice on how to get an ENA, for a house that simply exists in my head at present. Thanks in advance Chris

I love this. It’s stood the test of time. http://millerbathrooms.co.uk/1.0.1.0/14/2/?group=prod_prod_grp-s1%2F167

@Sensus You have a fantastic insight. Can you elaborate how the rules may apply to a motorhome which may be parked on a hardstanding and driven off site regularly.

@HerbJ Does your reference to DIN Standards refer to "Deutsches Institut für Normung" - "German institute for standardisation"?

@ProDave great advice. Where would I pick up a digger ?

My toilet seats were like that in my three bathroom home near Glasgow. They really, really annoyed me. It just looked like poor quality. I blamed the builders, they really deserved a reward for evasiveness and imagination. Turns out this ones down to the sanitary ware producers. I’d be very disappointed if I had to put up with that poor attention to detail in my life ever again.

I’ve had to create an Android app for my masters. I used eclipse. Eclipse is a free professional interactive development environment. It has full debug capability and an android emulator. That means you can run your code and it launches a phone app on your computer screen For testing and interacting with. you can download eclipse here: https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/release/oxygen/1a/eclipse-ide-java-developers. developers tend to use github to (https://github.com/) store and share projects. From here you can download source code. It may be that you can find something close to your needs and modify it to your specification.

I've been really taken by Scotframe, Ray Waite spent ages with us, he was really informative and had great insight. I did feel a sting though when I saw the VAT, realising I would have to carry that liability through the entire build.

I love this idea.

Good job. Best hope my other half does not spot this "solid oak kitchen with Silestone surfaces and all the fitted appliances", otherwise, the words "when" and "kitchen" may haunt me for a year or three.

Yeah, that must feel very satisfying.

Thats very appealing, it doesn't seem overly right to line someone else's pockets too deeply, when most of the creativity is supplied by the client.

I can believe that.

In the grand scheme of it 20k doesn't sound too much, considering the end result. Did it feel like a leap of faith at the outset ? I was thinking of a kit frame. Did you use the stick method, because of your location, or did you prefer it ? You have made it all look very doable, a real masterclass, I believe. I love your roof tiles and the larch cladding.

I have a list of a few plots, but they all seem to have been lying around for years. There seems to be a lot of fine views through trees which have a high probability of being on neighbouring land.

The view from those three Velux windows are stunning.

Less midges, thats got to be a great tip. And of course less rain, we could all do with that. I've just seen the link to your blog, More inspiration

Hi @Thedreamer, Thanks so much for the tips. I've read Barry Sutcliffe's Self Build Simplified, I thought it was really informative. I was also really lucky to catch this years Self Build and Renovating show in Edinburgh. I see Matt Brinkleys book has a new edition out, It looks great. Do you enjoy living on Skye ? Has the croft been in your family for generations ? Your Home looks amazing, Did you face additional costs because of your remote location ? I've being meandering through the local planning portal for Argyle and Bute, fishing for information on plots. I'm really looking forward to reading your blog.

Hi @ProDave, Thanks for the link, I very much appreciate it. I'm based in Glasgow right now, Im originally from the East Coast of Scotland. I have always loved the West Coast of Scotland and the Highlands. I came very close to buying my dream home recently, it fell through, though. I found it pretty tough traveling 400 mile round trips to view houses, I cant imagine doing 1,000. You wouldn't want to do that too often. All the houses I looked at needed good hard earned cash to update and none even grabbed my heart. Then some one I know suggested Self Building and here I am.

Hi, I'm so excited to say hello, as I am just about to embark upon the self build journey. I'm totally green, I've read the theory and now need to learn the reality of it all. My idea of a plot location is Argyle and Bute and the North West Coast of Scotland. I've not approached any owners yet, I'm considering what is available. Currently, my thoughts are a 1.5 floor timber frame with either air source or ground source heating. At this stage I'm wondering if I need a Project Manager? I have read and have been told that: They may be able to help me negotiate the price of a plot. They may be able to advise me to steer clear of a plot. They would have a ballpark idea on the cost of bringing in services. Many thanks for reading my first post. If you have any tips, books, or helpful guidance, I'd be very grateful. Chris