MR10

They borrowed a lot of money and I hope they're not forced to sell in a year or two to pay off their debts as I don't think they'll be able to sell that many sweets. They wanted the best concrete finish for the areas on display and the areas covered up, expensive kitchen, didn't consider doing bits themselves. Affordability aside though, the finished house was very lovely.

We used a jigsaw and these blades (see link), very little dust. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-2608635187-softmaterial-Black/dp/B000R5LTGC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3UOWRG66FCCCZ&keywords=bosch+t313aw&qid=1695975098&sprefix=%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-1

For those who can still bear to watch these things... New episode aired on Wednesday 27th Sept. Available on catch up/on demand. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/on-demand/70446-005

If the issue is damp, a little bit of googling suggests you need a damp survey done by a damp inspector or a rot and damp specialist.

This is worth a read as well

Sorry, I don't know anything about Nuspan but are you sure it's a cost saving alternative to insulated raft if you have to install strip foundations beforehand? Or is this a suspended prefab floor system? Have you worked out the cost for strip foundation + Nuspan versus insulated raft for your total floor area?

Carbon dioxide is denser than air so probably best not to have the detector at ceiling height.

Try Ecowin in Fife, https://ecowin.co.uk/

I don't disagree and dependence on Middle Eastern oil is not desired either but there's still the misconception that oil extracted from UK fields will be sequestered for UK use. Operators will hedge/sell to the highest bidder as they exist to line their shareholders pockets.

The UK does not get preferential rates/price on oil and gas once extracted. It all goes to the open market so 'Putin's oil' will still make its way here. Oil and gas operators in the UK are mostly foreign owned, there is no UK national oil company in joint ventures or the like with these operators. So in terms of energy security, make of that what you will.

Skimmed through the article, my initial take - is this another way maybe of getting home owners to improve insulation, glazing etc. to get an EPC C or better rating prior to selling? There are possibly other ways of achieving a C rating without installing a heat pump; solar thermal, solar PV. I'm sure there have been discussions on other threads on how house valuations should be linked to better insulated houses and public awareness or lack of it. Maybe this will start the conversation.

Try line search before u dig (lsbud.co.uk)

No, those figures are a bit steep, get another quote.

Interest rate on savings isn't great. You may want to reconsider toughing it out in a caravan until the build is complete instead of spending £12k/yr on rent and then some on council tax etc. Look at it this way, you'll have £12k more per year to get your build closer to completion by not renting if that makes sense.

This may be of interest to some. This is part of our quote for a new connection in Feb Description of reinforcement charges Install 1 substation £6,386.78 Reinforcement contribution -£3,832.07 (Our Cost Apportionment Contribution, as set out in our Terms and Conditions) Total reinforcement charges £2,554.71 Description of non-contestable charges Upgrade to 50kVA split phase transformer. Dismantle LV Pole 1A and LV Span. Erect a LV Stay. POC - LV Pole Termination POC and Network Assessment, Design Approval (where relevant) £185.00 Final connection £1,051.00 Inspection & Monitoring £2.00 Total non-contestable charges £1,238.00 ..................................................... and just received this when we asked for a revised quote in April Description of reinforcement charges Install 1 substation £7,850.46 Reinforcement contribution -£7,850.46 (Our Cost Apportionment Contribution, as set out in our Terms and Conditions) Total reinforcement charges £0.00 Description of non-contestable charges Upgrade to 50kVA split phase transformer. Erect a LV Stay POC 1ph line connection only. Dismantle LV Pole 1A and LV Span POC and Network Assessment, Design Approval (where relevant) £185.00 Final connection £1,418.36 Inspection & Monitoring £2.00 Total non-contestable charges £1,605.36 Note prices went up in April but we've saved a bit just by waiting for the April changes.

1. No 2. No - I think 16kW ASHP is way oversized for a passive(ish) house 3. Answered above 4. It's your house, tell the supplier to exclude FF UFH. Get other quotes from other suppliers/installers.

Definitely want one now.

+1 for ignore and mark his email as spam so anymore emails go straight to junk, life is too short...

We're similar, checked with Scottish Water (couldn't find their stop valve) and since it's not a new connection to the site there are no fees to pay and no inspection required. You should consider keeping them out of the loop as it's not a new connection and the replacement infrastructure is within your property, keeps things simple in my opinion.

Just skimmed through their accounts and the last time they were in profit was for the company year end Oct. 2015. A lot of self builders are not aware they can view filed company accounts as part of 'financial health' checks. Not foolproof of course but in this case it probably would have raised red flags for some of the victims. Basic checks and 'how to' really need to be highlighted in self build & renovation shows, self build magazines etc.

Seen a few mentions of Ptarmigan homes here in the past. https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/life-savings-lost-after-collapse-of-highland-housebuilder-313233/

A friend of mine got a quote of £8500 for insulating 101m2.

We had a query regarding a hydrant, see link below. It was taking forever for BC to get a response so our architect sent a copy of the water map which showed a hydrant around 150m from the build location. SFRS responded by email that it was ok and this was forwarded to BC with the warrant approved a week later. Your architect should be able to tell you what it is they are checking or querying. https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2022-domestic/2-fire/2-13-fire-rescue-service-water-supply/

Is it possible to donate it to a charity that helps those in fuel poverty instead of repaying it? Will do more good in my opinion.

Ecowin suppy zylefenster doors with u values < 1.0. Nordan probably do them as well.