Mrbehr

Yeah there is scope for a crane. But it has to be a pretty big one with around 90m reach so likely prohibitively expensive.

Thanks all for the helpful responses. The build has turned into a bit of a nightmare after the access we had negotiated through the neighbouring flats finished. We were delayed during covid and we lost the window of easier access. Now trying to make an alternative plan. With ICF I don't think it would make sense batch mix or pour without a pump. I had hope a line pump could be viable and using elevated scaffolding to hold the line above to pouring level. However, I am aware this can be problematic pumping the concrete up to height. Its a fairly large build with a lot of concrete so maybe the only options would be to explore the spider boom option. Or go with a labour intensive method like Stick built, but it's been difficult finding contractors who are keen to hump everything into the site. Some SIPS companies are happy enough to bring in slightly smaller SIPS to the site, and use a tele-handler to erect, but still not without its complications. @Nick Laslett, thanks so much for finding those Spider booms, I had been looking all over and hadn't found anything similar. They could potentially be the a viable option provided I could get one up to Scotland for a reasonable price. I have options to pump concrete from the street through the lane and potentially through from the flats WNW of our house's location, I will explore with those providers and see if they can help.

Hello All, I am wondering if anyone would be able to offer some support. We had a quote from an ICF provider and he seemed keen to take on the project. However, it now seems he doesn't want to continue due to fact our site has limited access and we won't be able to get a boom pump in. The winding access lane is big enough to get a JCB / Big transit in but thats about it. We have loading bays and space to pump concrete from the main road using a line pump to the site but no way I can see to get a boom pump close enough to lift the line to pour the ICF walls. The longest section to pump would be around 90m from the road and the second floor walls are 7.3m high. So I was assuming we would have been able to pump it in with a traditional pump and supporting the weight of the pipe with scaffolding during the pour. I have heard of people using a line pump and supporting with scaffolding. Has anyone done this and can vouch for feasibility? Or has anyone got any better solutions. Picture of the site attached with the green line showing the standard access route. Many thanks for any responses.

Hi All, thanks for the kind welcome. We are building in the area of Craiglockhart. The plots is about half an acre so regarding the GSHP we do have space in the garden for a horizontal loop. We can just about squeeze the 800m of pipework in the garden. The capital costs are high for the GSHP but I do like the fact it is low maintenance and should be relatively reliable. It is efficient with UFH and we have are fortunate to have a plant room or an integrated double garage to house the unit, so noise of the compressor is less of a factor. The costs are significant as you are all aware, although you can get a £10000 interest free loan and the Renewable Heat Incentive does pay back the majority of the investment over the 7 years. I was a bit more concerned with the ASHP in the UK given the variability of the UK air temperature and wondered how well they work in practice. If members of the forum have good experience in Scotland with an ASHP let me know and I will spend some more time considering that. I have seen some online horror stories with the ASHP and it would be great to hear some more positive feedback. I am not too stubborn to be convinced to go another route. Certainly a GAS boiler would be cheaper (we do have GAS access to the site)

Hi All, I have full planning for a plot in Edinburgh. We are building a 5 bedroom detached house, with SIPS, GSHP, UFH and MVHR. I am hoping to start in the next few months pending the building work and some serious tendering. Thanks to all of you for a awesome reference and community.