crispy_wafer

Having a discussion with a builder about our cavity wall insulation, he's recommending isover 32, and I'm looking a dritherm 32 as that appears to be a well used, and recommended cavity batt on this forum. I've looked briefly at the spec's and to my untrained eye they look identical. Only the price of the Isover stuff seems to be that much greater, so I'm thinking I must be missing something. I'm using insulationshop.co as my reference but other retailers have similar price difference. If I can save a few pounds here and there then I'm all for it. What say the buildhub experts?

Sounds like an idea worth exploring, thanks.

I will do this for the other phases of the build next year, however time has caught up with me on this phase so like many, am spinning many plates, and responsibilities at this moment.

Just after a sanity check if possible please. I've had a quote through for groundworks, and work to DPC, pretty much supply and fix, however this quote contains VAT on the materials being used. We (Myself and builder) both know that labour and materials should be zero rated on new build, however with him being a small outfit he's not in a position to zero rate the VAT. I don't have accounts in place yet, to purchase materials for this stage of the job so, what my builder is suggesting is. He's VAT registered, but I don't think he necessarily has the capital in place to swallow the VAT until his accounts submission. He purchases the materials for the job on his trade accounts. He then invoices me from his company for the materials. I then use this invoice on my VAT reclaim at end of project. Sounds OK to me, but I'm a novice in these matters.

We're planning on 100mm PIR insulation and I've heard about degradation and stability of this, so yes that's a good point I'm not sure it'd be a wise move to leave parts exposed. Also just After I'd posted, I thought about scaffolding costs, either long term hire, or erect/dismantle and then for them to have to come back to erect/dismantle, incurring ongoing costs, or double puts me off a bit. The more I think, the walls and roof ought to follow quite closely.

So, I've had an estimate back from a builder who I think I can work with, it's competitive so that's a plus, and nicely broken down to in three stages for shell construction as that's what I asked for. Our situation is that we live in a bungalow on site, to be demolished after new build completion. We have a rental property that's just gone on the market. We have savings. And I'm trying to do this project without borrowing, or if we have to borrow, then it's going to be short term. So facts and figures... Were looking at a 200m2 chalet style build, brick block on filled foundations, block beam floor, One floor to gable glazed section, one dormer, one dormer cum balcony, and a velux. Steels to help with the structure, ... He's priced in just shy of £30,000 for groundworks/Foundations/Blocks,Bricks up to DPC/Block and Beam floor ready for insulation and screed + £57000 for brick and blockwork, internal blockwork, floor joists and boards, insulation, ties, lintels as per drawings + £30000 for the roof structure and tiled in Balcony, Velux, and Windows/Doors are left for structure to be watertight. Got to arrange a factory visit with a local glazing firm to see what they can do for me. There's bound to be extra's here and there too Once watertight, we'll reassess with the builder and either let him proceed or we'll take over and organise trades/DIY as appropriate. We have just over half that in savings, so my quandry is, get the team in sort the foundations, get up to dpc, lay the floor, and STOP, whilst we sort out the £££'s to continue - Can I leave it like this, will any of the material degrade if left like this??? get him to continue upto first floor level, if money allows then STOP. Realistically, there'll be a lead time for him to come back, then we might be into late autumn/winter can I leave the building structure in this state over these seasons, I don't envisage any of the floor joists will be onsite at this point, I'd not be leaving timber open to the elements? TLDR I'm keen to get cracking, finance at this point dictates I can only get so far, money in pipeline but don't know when. Get started or not??? Builder seems happy to work with me, in stages, doesn't mind me purchasing materials, or if he does it then he'll pass over the invoice breakdowns etc etc, I've explained money situation, honesty being the best policy and all that.. What say's Buildhub?

Thanks @nod

Just doing a big of research and costings for floor insulation. These 'ere upstands, what's the crack with these. would/did you buy them ready made width and height, or would you just take some 25/50mm insulated boards and cut/trim it to the height required then stick it in place. Something is telling me that cut boards would be more cost effective and i'm looking for reassurance that its ok to do this (not frowned on). Or is there a better way?

Question is, at this stage, and knowing what you know now, you would do it all again ?

I saw that mentioned in a thread earlier and made a note of it, I know others are doing it, but living in half a shell, how does that stand with the paperwork side of things, sign off, insurance. I could quite easily make the downstairs two bed. Would make that path easier to achieve I guess.

We are looking approx. 200 sq metres. There will definitely be an element of taking some time, looking after costs to this project I've got it into my head to get the builder to get as far as he can on budget, then crack on myself. I guess working out a detailed order of events once the structure is up will help in this respect, hopefully then I can be looking/planning one or two steps ahead. Was your builder content at just doing the shell? The few I've spoken to so far, immediately talk about turnkey, have had to reign them in a little. One wasn't interested in just doing the shell, but they were a big local firm so I can understand it from their business model. Thing is, there's a high chance of me calling them or their subbies back in as and when my skills are lacking or when funds allow.

Hi, Thought I'd introduce myself as I've been lurking for a few days reading loads of good threads making notes of good idea as I go. Started this journey with just a pipe dream many years ago, Mrs Crispy and I are now at a stage where we have designed what we want, planning permission approved, drawings submitted to building regs. At that point I hadn't really outlined any particular list of must have's in regards to spec, a few days reading later the list is now growing. We have the land with an old bungalow onsite that we are living in, the new dwelling will be built then everything other structure will be removed. The new place will be a Chalet style dormer, brick and block structure with a bit of structural steel, all coming to a smidge under 200sq m. My big issue's now are how to keep costs under control, I've already had some estimates from a big local co, and full turnkey finish ranged between 225 and 280 dependent on spec. I nearly fell out of my chair when the reality hit home. I'm thinking am I being too ambitious - not sure. We always thought that we'd never be in a position to go turnkey, so doing stuff ourselves was always going to be on the cards, We've got 150 to get as far as we can, there is a bit more but I like getting bang for my buck, and I've then got to plan and rebuild outside structures as Planners insisted I take everything down, to incorporate the floor area into the new build, on top of that I've had PD rights zapped too. Is it feasible to get to a watertight stage then take over yourself, managing it, DIY'ing, financing on the fly doing what you can and calling in the trades as and when needed. I know there's going to be jobs I can do and stuff I cannot, a bit of savvy buying here and there to snag bargains. Anyways enough of my ramblings, thanks for being a great source of information.