Andeh

Not sure I agree that throwing out a perfectly functioning gas boiler to install a brand new ASHP, whose manufacture & transport probably has several years of carbon emissions locked up inside, is better overall. You'd be better off simply installing more insulation (internal, external, upgraded windows, doors etc?) and tackling climate change that way I think. Replace the gas boiler only when repairing it is no longer viable.

Thanks all! Its true... The lure was laughed off quickly as I came to my sense & the lure of gin & tonic got the better of me! Being houses is still bloody hard work! Only 4(ish) months to go....

I need fortification.... Hit the 50% completed mark last week -on paper, reality feels like 30%. Time, money, stress... gin.... All fluidic. Drove past a Persimmon estate, and thought....."hmmm, now that's tempting.....!" Tell me it's worth it!!!!

I'd leave it as is IMO, unless your forever home & you are passionate for technology & sustainability. I'd re-assess in a few years.

Did it all go smoothly?

With the greatest of respect though -and please correct me if I'm wrong-but I believe you are undertaking some of the work yourself? Thus giving you a greater saving on psqm cost. Most self-builders will be in the same boat as me, not able to do any work Inc project management so will need to assume full builder fees.

Our of curiosity, who paid for the PIR & adjustments due to the bat's feet miss?

Just on the topic, does the blog not allow uploaded images by IMGUR ie [IMG] and [/IMG] etc? i wrote it all up using those, and realised when I create the blog it doesnt display the photo - just the text.

Test

I think you'd be very lucky there! We are building a mid-high ish spec bungalow, 250sqm and when we got quotes last August we received 5 detailed quotes all for around £2500 - 3000psqm. That's for ASHP, MVHR, lots of big aluminium windows, big posh slidding doors, upgraded insulation etc etc. Turn key build though not inc usual fees & paperwork. We managed to get that down to around £2100 when our favourite builder (but also one of the more expensive ones) had a commercial cancellation that overlapped perfectly with our needs, so got a good deal off him, if we fitted to his time framen (which itself caused plenty of headaches) . Edit: we also assumed around 15-20% extra for single story vs 2 story.

Thanks very much, I'll reach out to them shortly!

Interesting topic! I settled on 125mm cavities with knauf 32, should have gone up a thickness or two! Making up for it with extra floor & roof insulation (bungalow, so lots there)

Change to large sliding doors, then allow them to sit in a recess below tile flooring level? Build up floor over default level. Would create a nice flush finished floor still!

We are at around £2250psqm for a "turn key" brick & block project with a builder, large 275sqm bungalow, with all the usual ashp, mvhr, UFH, large over hangs, mono pitch, extra insulation, lots of aluminium windows & large sliding doors etc. Budget kitchen though & nothing for driveways or landscaping.

Also very keen to know!!

Hi all, I've been using this site to great effect for several months now, including using it to help drive decisions like ASHP, MVHR and extra insulation...but I'd like to start posting up our build to seek advice & pointers, as well as show a new project to everyone. How am I best to do this? Many thanks,

Looks very smart!!

Thanks very much all! Yes, have a build zone warranty from day 1...any experience with them in this scenario? LTV is very good, only borrowing about 30% of value.

Very interesting thread! I quite like OPs original design (but then I also like my big black SUV on big Alloys).... On the other hand the property design posted above looks half finished & as if someone ran out of time so just stopped. Taste is always an interesting one!

We are going through our finances and have a problem 'timing gap' between builders likely last payment & mortgage coming through. We are borrowing money through family to cover the last couple of months of build, before we take out a normal mortgage & repay them all.....all to avoid a self build, high interest, mortgage. However, there is a risk of builder needing final repayment before the mortgage clears which give sus the extra funds to pay this cost & repay everyone. At what point of our 'self build' would we be able to start the mortgage rolling. Is it feasible to get a standard mortgage pulled together during the last month or two of build...giving us time to receive the money & pay builder within 2 weeks? ie...Does a mortgage need the kitchen & a single working bathroom before we can start the ball rolling, or does the mortgage need any other triggers to allow us to start the process? Emailed our mortgage advisor, but she will take a few days to reply to me...just want to see if I can get any comfort beforehand. Thanks very much

Makes you wonder what would happen if someone managed to break in? How would the property owner rectify, resolve etc...how would he find out?

I quite like it! ?

As above in notching, though electricians & plumbers willfully carry it out in a very regularly basis. Sister the joists if you have already done it, & suggest screwing a metal plate over the pipe to avoid screws being driven into the joust overlap. Providing you arnt loading the floor up excessively you should be fine... Its just bad practise.

That's really poor, apologies i can't offer a solution, but that's not acceptable by a long shot! Good luck!

I get the emotional desire to do more, but you'd never recoup that outlay in actual cost savings, even 20 years of living there! Insulation is a law of diminishing returns.... Your U values already put you into the top 1% of housing stock I'd bet. They are very good as is. Be very very sure there isn't a more tangible use for that money, one that reflects actual material benefit to you....solar panels? Mature tree planting? Quiet & covered seating area in the garden etc etc?