WWilts

That would get most people to attend. Great idea. Pay week by week in arrears?

Very illuminating points, thanks

Insulation of entire envelope, presumably. Currently quite a lot of glass facing north. Is that foolish?

Design completed, planning approved, now getting ready to appoint people for build. Independent architect available, with capable architect assistant, did drawings etc, ready to supervise. Gut feeling is trust this architect & their trusted builders/master contractors, hope for the best. Just don't want to be over-naive, so open to any tips on how to get the best out of people without going bankrupt

What are pros and cons for underfloor vs no underfloor? More elaborate heat exchange systems? Likely need to move from area in a few years so don't want to go over the top with luxury/costs.

Many thanks, excellent pointers

Thanks, useful points. Actually leaning towards just trust. But taking a look at other approaches in case useful.

When engaging a builder & an architect How would you incentivise them to get reasonable quality without piling on fees/labour costs/material costs? Pay by hour with cap on fee plus share in reduced costs (compared to target ceiling)? Trust? Other?

Mains sewer manhole on road approx 50m distant from likely pump location of new build. Receives 4" drain from single property (our house). Our house has manhole approx 30m distant from likely pump location.

What kind of contract might work well for builder? Cost plus? Hourly? Fixed price? other?

Lids (ground levels). Yes, invert of existing might well be far lower. Existing has drain connecting to mains sewer.

Thanks, will bear in mind the caveats

Thanks, that's great

Thanks. Can the architect (& assistant) do that part of it too? Some of the traditional QS work? (unless QS hourly charge less than architect quoted £50/hr)

Thanks. Time they should take to build a stage? Just seeking clarification. Great idea to talk to current clients of builder, will put that on the todo list

Thanks. Builder finishing off another job, we are told. QS essential?

Planned manhole is about 1.6m below existing manhole (on raised patio). Distance about 30m, 20m of which is garden. Anyone faced this challenge? What solution(s) would you consider?

Architect designed house and now has detailed drawings & specs suitable for builder(s) to quote. CML architect certificate available in due course. One builder identified by architect, ready to quote. One of the architect's trusted builders. So far architect has delivered reasonably well, not over expensive, and knows that economy of build is of the essence. What would you do, go with this builder? Ask for others as comparison? Do something else? And what approach would you use for the contract (if any) with the builder? How would you pay the architect? By the hour? Fixed fee? Fixed percentage? other. Architect has a capable architect assistant, so would bill at £50/hr Context: 200sqm two floors, traditional materials (stone/brick) new build in back garden, so we live on site. But might be called away owing to family illness from time to time hence not taking on project management. Might try sourcing some materials from time to time to help keep price down, but cannot be certain of own constant availability. Many thanks

If you know of a good builder within reasonable distance of W Wilts, please feel free to recommend, perhaps including a point or more in their favour (and against if helpful). 200 sqm 2 floors. Traditional materials and methods. Thanks

"We" as in self builders or providers of services? Pardon ignorance

from website: Protek’s retrospective warranty is for house builders, property investors, receivers and individuals requiring a retrospective structural warranty insurance solution for a residential or mixed use property that was completed at some point in the last 10 years, but without the benefit of a 10 year warranty. The retrospective warranty provides comprehensive structural warranty insurance cover.

Many thanks all. Very enlightening. On that basis will go with the architect & CML cert.

Self build, might need to sell in a few years. Specific choice re warranty or certificate. A chartered surveyor friend (not a potential provider at all) advised us to get an NHBC registered builder & NHBC 10 y warranty. Our architect said he can do a CML certificate instead for less money (£1k + VAT) and roughly the same practical effect. Inclined to use one of the architect's recommended builder as master contractor. Architect says they are good and not expensive. What would you do and why?

Thank you! Will order Self Build Simplified. & read the forum.

Trepidation. 200 sqm, 2 floors. Wiltshire. Grateful others have done this before. Any tips on what preliminary reading is advisable?