Suffolk_J

As always frustrating that the scheme is seemingly dictated by MCS registered installers that then just hike the price so the scheme isn't really benefiting the end user. Is there any way around this? Are the companies that just design and commission and everything else can be done by a suitably qualified local plumber/electrician?

In a word... Ongoing! The biggest challenge is seemingly getting someone that can supply a single pane that is 2100 by 600. Most seem to want to split this over 2 panes so our enquiries are still ongoing. I'll let you know where we end up!

Thanks all. Will give all of these a try ?

Afternoon all, Looking into ordering our windows. We plan on installing ourselves so want supply only. Aim is for triple glazed aluminium or timber alu clad. Anyone have any experience with this or recommendations? Obviously quality is important but balanced against a tight budget. Supply will be to Suffolk. Thanks in advance J.

Hi, Apologies that this is probably a very basic question, at least I hope it is. Please see my rough drainage plan ahead of beam and block attached, would appreciate any suggestions/feedback. I think I may be able to lose one of the inspection chambers with either a sweeping bend or by coming out further to allow a straight run. My main query is that the two soil pipes entering the inspection chambers in line will exit the build at the same height, I need the fall between the 2 inspection chambers to be around 130mm to maintain 1:40. Is the correct/best way to do this to increase the drop just prior to entering the inspection chamber using a 45 degree angle? I'm trying to visualise this and just want to think ahead before putting soil pipe in place under b&b. Thanks!

Morning all, I couldn't see any post relating to the change from current RHI grant so thought I'd post the link below in case it was news to anyone! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.homebuilding.co.uk/amp/advice/clean-heat-grant

Evening all, So I have a build that will require 1.1m trench with minimum of 600mm concrete fill. So I'm now looking at the most cost effective way of building back up to block & beam level. Build is a timber frame which will have vertical timber cladding as a skin. So onto the question, if I'm building up to block and beam level all the weight would be on the internal skin, any outer skin as far as I can tell would be purely cosmetic to meet the cladding 150mm above ground level. Is there any reason I couldn't just have single skin with standard vents for the air gap under block and beam and just have the cladding floating? Just feels like a lot of expense if it is purely cosmetic when all insulation would be above this cavity anyway. Happy to be told I'm wrong, I'd just like to understand why!

Thank you both, I think I'm comfortable enough that we can make this work without having to incur fees for changing the timber frame design. My key concern was if I'd missed something that would present a problem with no solution, as long as there is a viable and practical solution I can work through the detail. Cheers.

Afternoon all, I've been reviewing our prelim drawings for our timber frame build, one area I'm looking at is how the pitched roof will meet the flat roof. Build is essentially a bungalow with mezzanine used for bedroom/dressing/bathroom. Plan is for warm deck with EDPM and extensive living roof but will the pitched roof effectively meeting the flat roof (attached) cause an issue? Can't visualise how it will work and initially thought there would be a drop down and the pitched roof would have independent guttering. I'd rather look ahead and change this now than deal with a bigger headache... if it is one! Many Thanks.

Afternoon all, I've been reviewing our prelim drawings for our timber frame build, one area I'm looking at is how the pitched roof will meet the flat roof. Build is essentially a bungalow with mezzanine used for bedroom/dressing/bathroom. Plan is for warm deck with EDPM and extensive living roof but will the pitched roof effectively meeting the flat roof (attached) cause an issue? Can't visualise how it will work and initially thought there would be a drop down and the pitched roof would have independent guttering. I'd rather look ahead and change this now than deal with a bigger headache... if it is one! Many Thanks.

Thanks Craig, so essentially they are likely a reseller of windows imported from Lithuania and manufactured by Doleta? When you say questionable do you mean inconsistent or priced too low/high? Cheers!

Anyone have any experience with these as a supplier? From a pricing perspective they look extremely competitive, especially if you are looking at supply only and local delivery/collection. Site appears very professional aside from some questionable spelling/language use. Looking to be flexible in our approach to deliver on a budget and was using these as a benchmark for local supply & fit options. https://windowsarchitects.co.uk/

To make things more complicated I think the rules are different for Scotland, Wales & England!

I found the below extract from energysavingtrust.org. Who can apply for RHI? owner-occupiers, self-builders, private landlords and registered providers of Social Housing who have installed an eligible technology can apply for RHI support (provided they meet eligibility criteria). single domestic dwellings are covered. RHI support is not usually available to new build properties (other than self-build projects). Does seem to indicate that if you are a self build then you are eligible? Having looked at solar I found it wasn't worth the additional cost of using an approved installer as the grant wasn't worth the extra cost involved. But if the link in my initial post is correct and full cost is covered then it seems a no brainer, just seems too good to be true and I'm not one to be naive with these things! I'll try calling tomorrow to get the bottom line and will update, happy to hear any other insights in the meantime!

Planning the Air Source Heat Pump element of our self build so that we are as organised as possible. I was aware of the RHI which I was planning on utilising whilst carrying out as much work myself as possible (probably consists of laying the underfloor heating pipe.) Whilst on my journey of web browsing I found the site below, too good to be true or is it the case that the RHI payment would potentially outstrip the installation cost making a better financial approach to pay and claim back directly? https://www.housewrapped.co.uk/green-homes-air-source-heat-pump

Also apologies after re-reading my initial post I worded it wrong and probably created the wrong impression!

Thanks @epsilonGreedy to be fair we did seek guidance and I think the changes were beyond NMA's. Once we found that out we took the opportunity to be a bit more ambitious with the footprint etc. Can you provide any guidance in the building regs element once full panning has been approved? Cheers.

@epsilonGreedy The circumstances were that each plot was making amendments so had to be moved to separate applications as they couldn't all be tied to the first application that encompassed all 3 plots. I'd struggle to understand how each plot could amend the initial application independently? Happy to be told otherwise but probably too late now regardless ?

Hi all, Hoping to get a guide based on your knowledge and experience. We have approved planning but have submitted an amendment, this had to take the form of a new application (the initial application was a joint one for 3 plots) despite it being a fairly moderate adaptation. We hope and expect this will be smooth and are allowing 6-8 weeks. Build will be timber frame with supplier providing structural drawings and details which I will submit to building regs. For obvious reasons I want to wait for planning approval before paying the fee for the designs they produce. Based on experience how long would you expect the process of getting building reg approval to take? Is this the best route or given the controlled nature of the build can you notify, start work and then get subsequent approval? Don't want to take any unnecessary risk but also don't want to get to the point of staring at the site with nothing happening! Sorry if this seems an obvious question but want to clarify how I'm intepretating things. Cheers.

@Adsibob @ToughButterCup 2 great points and you are both right! There are certainly some ridiculous elements of planning in context but out of context they are loopholes for people to exploit which have a detrimental affect on others. We've decided to proceed excluding the home office and will revisit as a PD, not worth the headache at this stage and I'm sure the house will swallow all our money quite comfortably as it is ?

Thanks everyone, interesting point in not going out to too many providers. You'd think people would want to demonstrate why they are the best choice rather than giving up if there was more competition! I'll certainly bear it in mind when looking for quotes though.

Thanks @Faz another one to add to my list for quotes! With my objective being watertight basic skin with at least the capability of achieving high u-value performance (I don't mind installing insulation myself) this is the list I have so far. Any additions or feedback very welcome! Potton (may not fit the brief but they are doing the neighbouring plot) Fleming Flight Timber Scotframe Taylor Lane SMS Frame Technologies Lakeland Harmony I know preference and location will come into it as well as budget and varying specs, main objective at the minute is building a good prospective list to get quotes from. Thanks to you all for your contributions so far ?

Thanks @Thorfun Your project looks interesting and definitely bolder than mine! Like you say principles are similar, my intention was to look at getting quotes from at least 4 national operators and 3 more localised suppliers. I was looking for some recommendations based on my criteria, Flight Timber are definitely one to add to the list based on your experience. Thanks for the advice ?

Thanks @nod, I've heard mixed things on that. A lot of people have said that when you take into additional labour cost, higher likelihood of disruption etc that there isn't too much to choose between TF and blockwork.

No, sorry if I didn't make that clear, it has to be a reapplication in order to separate the individual amendments on each plot, I couldn't amend the initial application as the builds on each plot were identical.