deancatherine09

It depends on your build method. We had Timber Frame - all payable before it even arrived on site so it was a bit touch and go at times - but we had a fair buffer to start with! A traditional build would be a lot easier.

Exactly that. They will release up to the 65% of the value they deem it at the time. Ours was 80% but worked the same, say value is £500k, they would release up to £400k and so on. You can have them out as many times as you want to do a valuation to release more funds but obviously they charge a valuation fee each time.

We've got a Mammotion Luba 2 AWD. On its third season now - still great. We had an issue with the charging contacts last year, and sent it for repair under warranty, which was a really slick process. Can 100% recommend Our lawn is about 0.3 acre, not 100% level which is why we needed a rough terrain version to cope.

We did, and it was fine - but we went from a less expensive build to a more expensive, and so the end value went up and naturally the bank were happy. I'm not sure how it would work if you plan to apply for permission for a smaller / more affordable house? We were with Ecology Building Society who were flexible

We are really pleased with our MBC house. The installation team did run over and it took almost 7 weeks in the end but it was quite a complex build.

So here's what we did; 1) We specified a separate return duct so all the outside lights and plug sockets go out of the building under the slab, then get routed behind the exterior cladding in the service cavity. 2) We have a specific duct in for the data and CCTV camera wires 3) We have two outside taps, one is teed off before the water pipe enters the house but the other one we ended up drilling through the house from the kitchen as it made sense given the location. We did all the airtightness taping etc and insulated the pipe. You don't want to mix data and power cables in the same duct so map out what you want coming in and out, and go from there. MBC didn't charge us extra for the additional conduits we wanted but we did supply the pipe.

Oh thank goodness & hope they do the same in England - hate the things. Around here pretty much every house has one and the air in the winter is sometimes like smog 🤢 so much for 'fresh air' in the countryside We've luckily got MVHR which will filter out the pollutants from WB smoke in our house.

We've got non softened water piping to our kitchen sink, tap in outside BBQ area & fridge supply. Didn't bother with the other bathroom sinks as I never normally drink water from a bathroom tap!

Go to the NSBRC if you can and play around with the exhibits there, most (if not all) suppliers mentioned on this thread have displays there. We were 100% set on a set of sliders until we tried some of them at the NSBRC. Same with windows, lots of the 3g ones have very thick frames. ETA Nordan windows are awful - they have them in the Scotframe exhibition house in NSBRC. They are a significant cut below the other manufacturers IMO.

The size of the windows was the biggest surprise for us too! Progress is looking good! Love the window seat idea

That's very poor Ours are all clipped at 600mm centres and fully insulated.

We've got Velfac - have been very happy with the windows and doors but they've only been in 1 year. We chose them as they have the thinnest frames and also offered the bi-parting slide door (which suited our requirements perfectly). However, performance of the approved installer with regards to manufacturing and fitting the cills has been a different story.....

That's positive!

It really isn't clear. After posting here I went on the BuildHub guide and on there it seems to suggest otherwise. I think, to be on the safe side, I will buy everything pre completion cert. For us its things like patio materials, tiles etc - things that are not needed to be finished for Building Control completion but would be allowable on the VAT reclaim.

Can you still claim for things bought after the official completion cert is issued?