MR10

Air tightness tester: you don't want a house that is too airtight, it'll get stuffy and if the MVHR unit breaks down you won't be able to breathe, that's why trickle vents are better and way cheaper than MVHR. Me: (deep breath, count to 5, censor self) If the MVHR breaks down I'll just open a window. True story !

Assuming it's an allowable item you can contact the seller/supplier and ask for a VAT invoice. A lot of good info on this site relating to VAT, have a rummage through.

Probably needed as not much common sense went into the current government appointing a common sense tsar...

It's not you, it's them. I've come to the conclusion that the 'average' workmanship is what is now considered great, fantastic or exceptional, and they get rave reviews. It also appears to be an affliction that only affects the British workers who have worked on our build. Make of that what you will but that's my experience.

No you can't. Have a look through https://www.gov.uk/guidance/goods-and-services-you-can-claim-for-under-the-vat-diy-scheme

I didn't catch a name, only the location 'Tallin, Estonia'. It could be this https://roofit.solar/solar-roof/solar-roof-panels/

Read somewhere that Mogden Works discharged 20.6 billion litres of raw sewage between 2019 and May this year. It must be possible to work out roughly how much kJ can be harnessed and potentially put back in homes. Would this be considered 'renewable' I wonder?

I found this article both interesting and fascinating https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/how-the-dutch-went-down-the-toilet-looking-for-heat-sewage

@75darren how is this relevant to self builders who are the client/customers? Not sure you have the right audience.

We placed our order directly as the risk of handing money over to a third party/erector wasn't worth it. Quite happy to wait for the VAT but some folk may have cash flow issues and may want to consider all available options even if it means the erector charges say 5% extra for this .

I have no complaints, they've been fantastic so far and on hand to answer any queries. Price wise they were ok, they reflected the drop in timber cost on our final quotation. They don't erect (though that might have changed), and if you ask they'll give you a very short list of trusted erectors. Bear in mind that with Scotframe if you order direct you'll need to wait a bit to claim the VAT back, alternatively you can get your builder to place the order and it's zero VAT to you upfront as it'll be on a supply and erect basis. If I were to build again I wouldn't hesitate to use them based on my experience. But shop around, you won't know what it may cost until you get quotes from the TF suppliers, then you can scrutinise what's included or not and decide what's best value for your money.

@Amateur bob forgot to mention, if you have pre-commencement planning conditions, now is the time to crack on with those and get them discharged.

I've always got through to them on the phone no bother, spoke to them last week too, luck of the draw I suppose.

Velux varios, need a 150mm upstand though.

You don't need to apply for the grant too long in advance, just be mindful that once the grant and/or loan is offered you'll have 9 months to have the systems installed and to claim the funds. It's probably better giving them a call at some point as they're quite helpful. There's no telling how long these grants will be available for, so I would say get all you can while you can (fill your boots). You get £7.5k grant for ashp (or £9k if rural), so free money. £5k loan for solar with £1.25k of that as grant, same for batteries (more free money up to £2.5k). The loan is interest free and repayment term could be up to 10 years. If you're emailing TF companies for quotes, probably call first, discuss your needs, get a point of contact you can follow up with so you don't fall through the cracks. Regarding scaffolding, ours was up before the kit arrived so it can be done both ways. We paid a small deposit when we placed the kit order with a large chunk only paid 3 weeks prior to kit arriving on site, so teeth grinding over the financial exposure was limited. Even got to go see the kit been made prior to delivery. I've attached a chart from the TF supplier we used showing payment schedule etc. as an example. Can't help with self build lending queries I'm afraid. Scotframe Customer Journey Map - Scotland.pdf

Well done on getting planning. This is where the hard work begins. We got budget quotes from timber frame, windows, solar, ashp, and roofing suppliers at this stage using planning drawings just to get an idea of costs and to get on their books. We then narrowed down who we wanted to use and followed up with the warrant drawings later on. For groundworks though you'll need to send detailed drawings and even then, there will be unknowns until they start to dig so allow a healthy contingency for this when the time comes just in case. In the meantime you can visit various timber frame suppliers/installers if that's your preference. There's also the option to stick build on site. If you plan on using ashp, solar, you may want to look at Home Energy Scotland for grants and interest free loans. You can never start too early with getting services in. For example, we paid for SSEN connection in April after months of communications prior and the earliest they can connect us is in November. If you want to build better than the minimum regs this is the time to let your SE/warrant guy know else you'll just get the bare minimum e.g., insulation, air tightness etc. Don't let the tail wag the dog, remember, this is your house and you're the one going to live in it, so make sure you study the details of the warrant pack before submission and ask questions as needed. Look out for bargains especially this time of year for sanitary ware and the like. I believe you can clear the site in preparation and for services but you can't start foundation works until warrant is approved. Make sure you send the notice for commencing development to planning before you start, it's usually a form attached to your full planning permission document. Read up on VAT reclaim for self builds, so you don't get charged VAT on supply and fit and you can claim back on allowable materials bought by yourself at the end of the build.

You'll need to check with a mortgage provider/broker what the requirements are for moving from a self build mortgage to a standard mortgage. My guess is a completion certificate may be one of those requirements. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable in mortgage matters can confirm.

If you have a planning condition to connect to the public water supply, you'll need confirmation from SW that this has been done in order to discharge the condition. If SW does not approve of a branched connection from a neighbouring line then you'll never get this condition discharged until you do it the right way which is with SW engagement. Do it right once and you save yourself a massive headache and being tripped up by 'paperwork' (or lack of) when it comes to obtaining completion.

One of our planning conditions is for connection to the public water supply. Assuming you have a similar planning condition, how do you plan to discharge it without some form of confirmation from Scottish water?

Can you explain why it's not needed for liquid screed? I'm just trying to understand a bit more as we have just had our screed poured (cemfloor) and with every penny a prisoner I don't want to spend money on Ditra if it's not needed.

With costs, bear in mind that the foundations could end up costing way more that estimated for. Have a look at areas now where you can save money while still retaining the bits that wow you, and see what you can personally diy as that'll save on some labour costs down the line. Above all, be realistic with the costs, it's getting highlighted by several members based on experience and we all mean well.

I just remembered seeing a birch ply staircase done by angus and mack, could be an alternative material to consider. https://www.angusandmack.com/projects/staircase-custom-door-fitted-interior-the-arbor-house

Or you're just paying for labour with materials supplied by you.

Yes, leaving it exposed. Yours is looking good. Thanks for the tip, will get it done before plasterboarding

What are you using to seal as I'll have to do the same soon with our glulam beam but not sure what to use.