MR10

We used Glenalmond contracts, https://glenalmondcontracts.co.uk, they're based in Perth but cover the whole of Scotland. Worth a call to see if they cover your area, could save yourself a lot of money to put towards some other part of the build.

He's pulling your pants down. Get another quote. Have you considered liquid screed like Cemfloor? Mine worked out at ~£28/sqm (65mm thick, 165m2).

Clearing the plot should be fine but you may want to get planning permission for whatever it is you want to build before removing any of the existing structures.

Have you looked at anti-glare/privacy screen filter for your monitor? Example in link below but I'm sure you can get them cheaper on Amazon or ebay. https://www.thebarcodewarehouse.co.uk/shop/StarTech/display-privacy-filters/2269-PRIVACY-SCREEN/?ppc_keyword=&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PM:+HMP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6299398270&hsa_cam=19546710924&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8diwBhAbEiwA7i_sJYiW23F14IIB4zTb6DgCi0vczoWWAudSwA_l0kNI03KI4AJxC7s0EBoCtnQQAvD_BwE

+1 to this

If you're worried about getting planning permission, first speak to or get your Architect to consider working with Aurora Planning https://auroraplanning.co.uk when putting in your planning application. One of the consultants was head of Aberdeen city planning dept. for 10 years before leaving to set up Aurora planning.

Mine was in the design u value calculation, see image below. I just took the figure next to the %DER<TER and included it in my energy statement.

I use www.archive.ph to get past paywalls. Copy the link of the restricted article and paste into the search bar in archive.ph. If archive.ph is taking time to open try turning off your wifi and use mobile data only (assuming you're using your phone).

Looks to me like your improvement is better (65%) than the minimum 40% required. Just submit the report/figures as provided and move on to other things.

I think a lot of the pricing is way out and by the time you tote up costings for the excluded items, you could easily add another £150k + VAT. This could easily turn out to be a money pit because once you start you just have to follow through and I suspect the builder may hit you with a premium for any unexpected surprises and any 'extras' such as fitting standard height (2.4m) insulated plasterboards ! You should get more quotes and a QS on board. Also, echoing what others have said, you may want to consider a demolish and rebuild.

For me it was roughly 3 weeks from application to receiving the grant approval and I made a claim once the ASHP etc. were installed which was 7 months after the grant approval. Funds paid out within a week of putting in the claim. Timing is key as you don't want to apply too early and have the clock run out and then have to reapply.

Extract from the Home Energy Scotland website (https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/funding/grants-loans/detail/) You cannot start work on any installations until you’ve received the funding offer in writing. If you receive a funding offer this financial year you have up to nine months to carry the work out and claim your funding.

Can you install your UFH manifold in a more central location to optimise the loops and routings?

Does the layout work for your family? Will you want to put in a downstairs loo, maybe an en-suite or two? New kitchen, full re-wire, etc.? Costs could easily spiral once you start. Definitely need a bit more homework on this one.

I'm assuming 'worked with before' was on a much smaller scale and detailing than required for this proposed build. Thread carefully.

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/news/heat-pump-monthly-subscriptions

I take it this was by post and not via the new online submission route?

@Peterc Does this include groundworks? It seems pretty cheap. Again, I'll urge you to do due diligence, their filings in companies house shows they're a 'dormant' company. Verbal offers are also meaningless especially when they're not quoting based on the current plans or specifying what level of insulation, finish etc. There's also the matter of the 'fine print', where you could be hit with hidden costs and variations. I would take any verbal offer with a pinch of salt. Speak to timber frame (assuming that's what you're after) companies who have in-house design teams that can tweak the design and get the necessary approvals, that way, you'll get a proper idea of costing and you can adjust prior to the design being finalised. Scotframe, Fleming homes, Claymore, MBC are a few you can speak to, others are available. It might be a simple job to get a variation to the plan but planning could take weeks or months to approve. It would be a good idea to outline the specifications you're looking for (air tightness, insulation levels/u-values, glazing, MVHR etc.,) and then take it from there. That way, you get what you want (or close to) not what they give to you. I don't think there's much (if any) experience of ACJ here else I would like to think you would have had a response on that by now.

@Peterc I would suggest taking a peek at their accounts/filings in companies house first. Still interested in knowing what the 'very good offer' is but only if you feel comfortable sharing.

Hello and welcome. ACL or ACJ group? I have no experience of either. Have you purchased the plot? Do you have planning/warrant in place? Can you expand more on the 'very good offer'? There's a 'Due diligence' post somewhere, worth a read if you can find it.

Let's not forget about NOx...

Have there been changes to the initial planning drawings which now require some additional design input (?) and you would like to get proper quotes (not estimates off a planning dwg) but you need construction dwgs/building warrant dwgs to get it which you don't have. Flemming might do this for ' free' (no such thing), scotframe will charge for this (which may include SE input and the like) and MBC just wants the final thing? You may want to consider getting someone else (architect, architectural technologist, SE) who can do this, then you can present the same 'construction' drawings to all three parties. You'll need to spend money to get it done.

@puntloos Any chance you could embrace the 'loud'? Could you paint the ceiling a dark colour (black, navy) just to see if it absorbs the 'noise' or if it gives it a luxury look instead? And if you do like it then it's only the cost of paint you have to worry about.

Do you have personal experience with this system you would like to share or is this a plug? ED. It looks like it was a Plug - web link removed.

Have you considered external blinds to keep the heat out during the day?