Matt60

Hi, This is giving me a real headache, the kitchen was easy, sent the MAG design to DIY kitchens - done. The bathrooms are proving more difficult... The "design" service I have received from MKM builders merchant has been laughable and the one from Graham Plumbers Merchant is non-existent. I've come up with my own basic layout designs and just need a recommendation of a good place to buy all the brand name components. My plumber has recommended Plumb Centre (Wollesley) but they do not have much choice. The same plumber also warned me about online companies as he's experienced a lot of damaged items and delays - makes sense. I'd like Ideal Standard AquaBlade toilets, ceramic sinks and Mira Flight shower trays. I'd also like a decent choice of vanity units for the sink and loo's to back on to. Lots seem a gloss finish, who wants gloss finish in their bathroom, I'm guessing not those with children and who work full-time... Any recommendations would be gratefully received. Thanks, Matt.

Thanks for the replies, I had to make a decision on this quite quickly as the window firm need to know for the reveal thickness etc. I've gone with the Cedral Click Classic in black. Fortunately, I've used my carpenter for years and he is very careful and fussy - I will give him the heads-up re the scratches. Thanks again, Matt.

Thanks gents, has anyone used Clado product that is made from recycled wood/plastic? It looks really good.

I have been told that as ASHP's are far more popular (because most people don't have the space for GSHP's) than GSHP's, that all the advances in technology and development will and are going in to ASHP. Also, because of that popularity, getting an engineer to service and repair a ASHP is much easier too. I don't know if that is true but it is logical and I think probably quite likely. For reference, I am getting a Mitsubishi ASHP and Cylinder and every inch of plumbing in the entire house including the UFH, all with quality connections and control system by a very well respected firm for £28k. Now que all the people who say I could do it myself for £2k with a big hammer and an adjustable spanner... ?

Hi, I will order my cladding soon and the two names being mentioned are Cembrit and Cedral. There is conflicting information, I have been told that Cedral does not require repainting and that Cembrit does but have found some site that say Cembrit doesn't need painting. Cedral is 2mm thicker but both boards look to be pretty much the same to me. My question is, has anyone got experience of these products and what are your thoughts on either or both? Thanks in advance. Matt.

They should just require you planning permission number and what authority it relates to.

This is what I have found, plumber, windows and roof all 0% rated but everything that has come from a builders merchant has VAT added including Velux's which are just supply rather than the normal windows that are supply and fit. I do find it's worth asking the supplier on things that you're not sure on. For instance, muck-away is not VAT reclaimable (the HMRC guidance specifically mentions this) but my muck-away firm were happy to do it which saved me £500. I appreciate the firm may get caught but I can live with this having paid him £2k to take away good top soil only for him to sell it to someone else...where there's muck, there's money as they say... What I have done to help with the VAT claim is to make an excel spreadsheet that is the same format as the HMRC form and then add each invoice to it as they come in. I also print the invoices out and them put them in the same chronological order. It means come claim time I can more or less just put my name and address on the claim form, print the spread sheet and post with the receipts (having made copies of everything just in case) via Special Delivery. It should be a 20 minute job once the house is completed.

Thanks for the replies to this, I thought I had already replied but obviously not. Incidentally, in the true fashion of building, my bricklayer wanted all this decided and the materials to execute by the 10th of August but today on the 4th of September he hasn't started that bit yet... Thanks again, Matt.

I have bought a Parkray Aspect 7 LPG gas stove from my friend who deals really only in wood burners and as such is unable to advise me on chimney and flue specifications. He bought the stove at a show on a whim because he was so impressed with it. I have called my Gas Safe registered plumber and he has advised me to contact the manufacturer but I cannot afford to wait for potentially no reply or no info. Simply, I need to know how big to make the internal chimney diameter (my chimney breast is being built right now) to suit this stove and what type of liner it needs to have. I really need this information as soon as possible as my bricklayer has already started the chimney breast, wants to continue, but can’t until I supply him the info requested above. I see that the Aspect 7 has a 127mm diameter flue (or 5”) so should I make the clay liner 6”? or 8”? I would be really grateful for any help you can give me so I can set my bricklayer building it again, I have attached the brochure and installation instructions for the fire. Thanks in advance for any wisdom on this. As a side note; I chose this over a wood burner because I can't be arsed to source wood, load the thing or clean it out. I know this is not quite as nice as a wood burner but the convenience for me far outweighs any negatives. It also makes it easy to have a gas hob and therefore I will save some money there verses an induction hob. FINAL_Hunter_Gas_Brochure_2019.pdf HUNTER_STOVES_6KW_GAS_INSTRUCTIONS_JIN06KWGAS_REV_E_05072019.pdf

Thanks for all the replies on this, that is much clearer and actually more straight forward than I was expecting. There's some good advice here that I have already acted upon such as asking for the quotation to acknowledge that I am zero rated. Thanks again.

I've had a look through other VAT threads, and the VAT reclaim form, but cannot really make myself certain with regards to the answer to my question; If I have a quote from a plumber and or an electrician to do a full install on my new build and their quotes are + VAT. Presumably, I need a breakdown so I can claim VAT back on the materials element and tell them I should not charge me VAT on the labour element. Is that correct? That appears to be what the form says although it does not give this combined service/labour type example. One of the quotes I've received mentions prices being + VAT unless there is a a valid VAT exemption certificate in place. I'm assuming that is something different to simply being a self-builder? Many thanks, Matt.

Thanks, was that will all the other plumbing in the house, rads, towel rails, underfloor heating + user interface etc? Thanks again, sounds like you can make a fair comparison.

Hello, Attached is the latest quote I have had for a full plumbing, heating & hot water quote for my new build which is a 250m2 detached house with underfloor heating to the whole ground floor, including the double garage. This firm come very highly recommended by a friend of mine who is a director of a very large building firm. The attached quote is for everything, supply and install all pipe work, underfloor heating, rads upstairs, towel rails, ASHP, HW tank, user interface, manifold, thermostats - basically everything. The quote is £4.5k cheaper than the last one and uses better components but (as you will notice) it's still a decent wedge and so I'm interested to hear from people who know if this is a fair price. I am aware that if I split it down I could reduce the cost, but I like the idea and convenience (and come back) of one firm being responsible for the lot and I'm happy to pay for that provided the price is fair. This like the last quote, this one didn't specify a buffer tank which I see are frequently recommended on here, should I ask them to price for one? I will ask for a Magnaclean and an extra tap outside to the front but that's obviously neither here nor there really. JFYI - My intention is to mate this to a PV system which has batteries but that diverts to the emersion prior to charging them. This part of the build has given me the biggest headache from the start, I'm just trying to get a great system that's fairly priced. I hope this is it, I notice from a quick Google that to buy the ASHP and cylinder alone with nothing else & no controls etc is £10k. So really, I guess the question is, is all the other stuff they are supplying and fitting worth another £17k? Thanks in advance, Matt. Plumbing & Heating Quote.pdf

Hmm, condensation, I read that as long as it isn't below 12 degrees it won't happen but I think that might have been regarding the hard floors. The radiators will almost certainly condensate, I might just look to plan for a future separate air-conditioning unit or two.

Thanks, by coincidence I ordered all my thermally broken lintels today. ?