NickK

Hi, I have read on a few sites that to achieve the best possible efficiency, it is best to keep the intake and exhaust duct length below 1.5m. Depending on the location of the unit, it may not always be possible so I was just curious...how much impact it would really have, if the length was over this 1.5m recommendation. Thank you

Thank you Simon. That’s neat for anyone embracing DIY approach. Pay premium I suppose but less room for error.

Hi. I only recently joined BuildHub and looking around hence very late comment :-). Can I just confirm that top of gable came pre-cut or did you have to adjust on site? Thanks

But they were just crazy on their budget for the level of design they wanted. By the way, did anyone recognise what system they used?

I know in grand scheme of things it won’t be huge amount but I like a good bargain and every little will help I guess.

To be honest, I would probably get professionals to assist me on ICF - get the first line completely level and then check my ‘’lego’’ skills and bracing before they do the pour. I would probably leave erection of SIP to the contractor just for speed of it all. I’d do the taping the joints and fitting membrane etc.

Personally I love dormers. If done right obviously but I also always hear how difficult they are to insulate and seal especially if passive house standard is to be achieved. Is that really true with SIP dormers, though?

After lots of reading about all available construction methods, I certainly have my finalists. ICF v SIP Just putting it out there which would you go for a why?

Thank you all for warm welcome. I think house design will inevitably depend on the cost of land I’ll get hands on. I’m hoping to get somewhere sub £200k for land, but ideally around £150k just to save pennies on the stamp duty. I’d definitely have a go at most trades but no plumbing. Not sure why but I just can’t stand it. Carpentry, plastering, flooring, tiling, decorating anytime but just no plumbing please. Getting stuck in would hopefully get me between £1200-£1500 per square meter all in (excluding land obviously).

Good afternoon, Building my own house has been a dream of mine for about a year now so still very early on and sad to say it will be at least another 3 years before I can even consider buying a plot and get the ball rolling. My wife reckons it will never happen but I won’t give up so easily. I don’t plan on creating any ground breaking design but simple home where kitchen is truly the heart of the home, 3 bedrooms on the top floors with reasonably sized guest bed room on the ground floor, which would then convert to the master bedroom once I’ll get tired of walking up and down the stairs. I love Scottish longhouses so hopefully planning department will be kind once it comes to it. Passive House standard would be great to achieve but budget is unlikely to stretch to it so as close as possible is the aim to soften the blow on expenses in the future. I am based in sunny Dorset where cost of land will be tricky. Personally, I’d be happy to relocate to Cumbria or Scottish Borders but my wife’s family are all here down here so probably a no go. Hopefully I’ll be able to get lots of useful info here and get equipped for when the build does happen. Let’s watch the space.