Alexphd1

+1 for grid connection. We where 12k for our connection (2x builds) with ourselves digging a 200m trench. We run in a water connection aswel at the same time. Getting a digger /driver in for a couple of days ain't a major in the grand scheme of things.

Approx £60 from antares for a 12 port. Antares are trade only.

I always thought the LSZH cable was ok to run alongside EPS?

I am not 100% sure on what you are looking for but I have bought a lot of stuff from roofing-tools.com for our standing seam roof and found them really helpful.

We sprayed one set of barrels a few months ago and spraying again tomorrow, will report back.

I actually like the variation in cedar colours and random lengths. We received many samples inc many mentioned above and ended up chosen a supplier through travis perkins. They where one of the cheaper ones which was a unexpected bonus.

I am doing open cell spray (icynene type) insulation DIY. Big learning curve though.

I am surprised by the comments with bounce on block and beam, I always thought it would have been a solid feeling floor (we don't use block and beam up here) .

Hi and welcome, We needed a bat and badger survey due to our lovely neighbours objection but luckly in the end it was pretty painless as they weren't any! Will be good for the forum to get your professional input in the future?

Unfortunately that's not our photo but that's the idea.

Hi and welcome. Very nice design, my house is very similar layout inc basement. Although I have yet to start my build, we are almost finished my parents on the adjacent plot which is insulated raft, icf walls, roof trusses built onsite all done DIY.

Picked up large quantity of schneider screwless black nickel sockets/switches etc in a auction so I guess we are putting in schneider black nickel?

Hold fire. Dewalt ain't firing in nails fully home today...think (hoping) needs a clean, never cleaned before.

Sounds like a 1st fix nailer you are looking for. My local tool shop (think old fashioned sweety shop but with tools??) is a big makita stockist, they only sell and rent paslode and dewalt(only dewalt power tool they stock) they also do air nailers but didnt pay much attention to them...... if you already had dewalt batteries then no brainer I picked up a new bare dewalt for £190 plus vat. Paslode are more expensive but hold value very well. Another point I save almost £10 per box on not buying gas.... I reckon I have went through 30 plus boxes so far. A few guys on here speak highly of the Hitachi. Worth a look.

We have 2x 500l thermal stores in the house heated by 20kw log gasification boiler in garage and solar thermal . PV/ashp to be added. Log and thermal seem to work pretty well. All done DIY. I am slightly concerned about hooking up the ashp to 1x 500l thermal store for ashp efficiency. We are installing a bioethanol fire in the house for the caveman instinct of light a fire to be warm.

Never been there but used to work out of ullapool in the winter (fishing) unfortunately I am in Aberdeenshire, bit far for a road trip. I used ICF scotland any questions just ask.

For the small cost of a frost stat and pipe stat then its probably not worth the hassle not to fit one, but when it's very cold outside the boiler will be firing anyway. Don't think I would bother with building a insulated box around it but would have the pipes heavy insulated and any pumps/motorised valves/filters etc in the house.

Where in the country are you located, there are a few icf self builders on here.

Looks a competitive quote. There was a good ICF thread on icf wall m2 cost. Remember to look at the whole package inc support from supplier, bracing, Speak to previous customers etc I did came across a ICF build where the self builder was going on what the rep advised before the structural engineer done the sums.... was a bit of a mess in the end!

@TempI severely underestimated concrete before working with it but still surprised with that figure! Have a look at the basement expert website for DIY timber shuttering.

Hi Sandy, Currently building a ICF house so can't comment on how it is to live in but TBH I don't know if it will be any different to any other similar spec'd ( u-value, air tightness, sound proofing etc) house. No you don't need a mvhr system you can build the house to standard building regs ie draughty and no need for a mvhr system.

Would concrete block layed on the side be easier to use for one side of the shuttering than durisol?

Does any of your joiners have experience in shuttering? We have a guy who is helping us one day a week just now who specialise in shuttering, could be handy for next project with a curved concrete staircase. I don't think the one sided ICF will give you the effect you are looking for, it's more plyboard than planks so a relatively smooth finish. I think diy EPS EWI is a pretty cost effective form of insulation, you get the insulation exactly where you want (on the outside of the building) and pretty good for no thermal breaks.

Why not just pour a concrete wall and add EWI ?

My raft was DIY so was just material cost so hard to say. A quick calc you would need approx 600m of pipe approx £400 maybe less if you shop around.