bassanclan

Thanks for your thoughts. Boiling kitchen tap has been given a big thumbs down by "the boss" The kitchen sink is on an island, with the pipework having to run under the beam and insulated block floor, so not ideal and another reason I thought the recirculating system would be a good idea. I'm planning on using a WBS with back boiler, gas system boiler and any excess solar PV, which is why I thought a thermal store was the way to go.

Just one point, double check if you are in a smoke controlled area. If you are and you want a WBS with back buner you have a choice of... the Dunsley Yorkshire! It is the only stove that meets the DEFRA regulations (if burning logs).

Have you considered using EPS? It's much cheaper and its more waterproof

The kitchen is under Bedroom 1, the downstairs shower is under e/s2

I'm considering the layout for the plumbing system. 5/6 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms, 2 ensuite showers and one downstairs shower. I'm considering a thermal store around 500 litres. I like the idea of the short delay in getting hot water associated with a recirculating hot water system, but I'm concerned that the shower performance could suffer if two people turn on the shower at the same time. The concern of a radial type system would be the delay in getting hot water given that it is approx 8m from the tank to ensuite 1 (and approx 14 to the kitchen sink).

I have looked into this original question a little. Comparing a Rotpunkt kitchen sourced locally £20000 Alno kitchen from Germany E9000 euros! plus delivery which I think will cost around £1000 so coming in under half the price of the Rotpunkt. I'm going tot try and get some more local prices to see if they can get in around the £10-12000 mark

Lite Cast is in Nuneaton, which is 25 miles to Birmingham, so they should be more interested.

I found a company via ebay which seems to import the kitchens from Germany, but I'm getting a few local quotes first to see if it is worth while.

I am a great fan of megabad.de or reuters.de and the like for bathroom fixtures etc. Does anyone know of an equivalent German site for kitchen units, or will the shipping costs prove too excessive?

You will probably find Keylite are much cheaper than the equivalent Velux or Fakro. There is not much to choose between any of them. In my utility room I am fitting a Keylite as the u value doesn't really matter, but a triple glazed velux elsewhere in the house

I bought this as a starting point.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEOCEL-GREAT-STUFF-PRO-GUN-FOAM-FIXER-KIT-5x-Foam-1xPro-Gun-1x500ml-Cleaner-DOW-/141938105845?hash=item210c2b9df5:g:fVwAAOSwZ8ZW7sI2

What about 2x800 doors (with a central glazing bar if required) and 2x400 sidelights. It will be much more comfortable as the chances are you won't want the faff of opening both doors every time you want to go out

All councils are clamping down on tips. Nottinghamshire have introduced a scheme whereby you must register and prove that you are a resident of the county. The good news is that you can then take ANY vehicle! I've had three pickup truck fulls of rubbish to the tip this week, which would not have been permitted pre-registration.

Take a bin liner to the local waste recycling tip every week? My local tips allow 20kg per month, but it depends where you live

Thank goodness that a replacement for ebuild is back. I'm Jay, I'm doing a complete renovation of a 1950s detached house, but also started a 1960s terraced house and a 1960s semi "to keep me busy" I've not yet realised that self-build does not have to be taken at its literal meaning, as a result I know a little bit about a lot and we all know a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous!