Visti

Hi All! We're trying to be forward looking and are factoring in mezzanines in our three principle bedrooms as the TF structural engineering and loads are being calculated. This is something we wont initially build but may do 5-10 years down the line as the young-uns grow up so as to get their rooms a bit more space when they're older. Whilst this had always been on the cards and discussed with our architect multiple times, it became clear that this hadn't been factored in. Thankfully we caught it with the engineers in time! However, what seems to have been omitted is the impact these may have on the Building Regulations. Out architect hasn't the experience in mezzanines and therefore isn't sure of the implications. Particularly the difference in these being used as living space (i.e. beds) vs. only storage. We've a lot of pressure to get going, and these won't be implemented for at least a good 5-10 years, so we're going ahead with out considering the BRegs implications yet... but it'd be good to understand them! Anyone have experience in this?

+1 on the humor! I do agree with you that there's nothing quite like going at it with your own hands (with a little help from the power tools!). It's a shame that the UK has lost the attitude still held by the germanic and nordic states in their balanced view towards the physical+technical trades vs desk jobs. Apprenticeships and collage courses should be seen as an viable alternative route to Uni, rather than a 'backup'

We're looking to self-char some of our timber cladding (about 130m2) and are limited to a propane + gas torch approach. I am 100% certain that there are HSE implications involved, particular in the storage of the containers and during hot works. Anyone have any experience in this area?

Not quite. The Golden Brick cost is ontop of the plot cost (which is £270k). Until the foundation design is completed and engineering calcs done on it, they wont cost the Golden Brick. Our quantity surveyor estimates ~£25k for the beam and block foundation, but we're expecting double based on the £/m2 figures other builders have been quoted. Yes and yes, but there is clause in the reservation fine print that alludes to this, but we certainly never foresaw we'd take a year to get here, and have yet to even set food on the plot! I'd get it if we weren't doing a thing and not keeping them informed, but we've been fairly open and transparent on progress so they know we're close and not dallying around. We could possibly have been faster, but the number of extra stakeholders in this project has certainly had it's toll I believe above and beyond a 'normal' project.

If it comes down to a renegotiated price, we'll certainly be doing our research in this regard! It's complicated, and I don't think it makes much sense either. I just wish we'd pushed harder with a passive slab than having to muck about with this horrid mess of what should be such a fundamentally simple beam and block design The foundation will be done in two parts: Everything below the red boundary is to be included in the Golden Brick (as they don't include anything other than the structural foundation) Everything above the red boundary to FFL is not included in the Golden Brick and must be done by a contractor we hire (EPS, concrete floor) Everything above FFL is the Timber Frame, which we've hired MBC to do. There will be come internal load beading walls, which have to translate down through the concrete floor and EPS via foamglass or equivalent. Without those loads, which are being calculated by MBC on a 6 week lead time, we can't get the engineering done on the middle portion, which in turn is delaying the Golden Brick. That's a good point, and one which I'd been told were dependent but now that I think about it, I don't see why we can't proceed with the beam and block... surely we can design the mid-section appropriately to compensate for the loads as and when they're calculated?

Just a short rant from me. Need to vent! If you aren't already familiar, we're one of the builders at this new and leading custom build project in the UK called Graven Hill. We reserved in March last year and as yet haven't been able to set foot on that piece of land... largely due to the (in)famous Golden Brick. It's been a long process; lots of hoops and lots of compromises that we wouldn't otherwise had to do with a normal build. Then again, I suspect there's a lot of pitfalls we've likely avoided due to the same. Swings and roundabouts. We are at the stage where engineering calcs are being done by MBC for the TF loads, so that we can get the foundation designed and the Golden Brick costed and contracts exchanged. it's been a massive chicken and egg scenario between the TF and foundation which has cost us months of time, but that's what it is. Today we received a formal letter from Graven Hill informing us that our plot price could be re-evaluated if we don't close before the end of the month. That is three and a half weeks notice. To get all of the above done... If they adjust according to the market then our project is as good as dead. We've absorbed ~£30k already on a plot price that was more than expected. Another ~£40k in labour and material cost increases alone in the last year. And we suspect the Golden brick will be double the quantity surveyors estimate due to it not being self built. Thats another ~£25-30k. An increase of nearly £100k (+50%) against our original budget before we even own the plot. We've accounted for it and can just about manage that if we do about ~£40k in DIY (a lot!!) in just two years. We're assured by our architect that this is more an attempt to light a fire under us and get this done. But hell, it's rubbed me the wrong way today. I'm sure it'll be alright, but it's just another of those unexpected bumps in the long self-built road...

my 2 cents: Honda Accord estate (2.2 version) is excellent value if you're considering used cars. The latest incarnation isn't out in the UK for some bizzar reason, but there's a reason i've had three of these over the last 10 years as they barely feel the miles. I believe mine (7th gen) has a 1850mm boot space, but the seats fold completely flat. Not sure about the 8th and 9th gen ones though.

The person you spoke to... they did work there, didn't they??

Be aware that there is a distinct difference in a power-floated finish and a polished finish. A polished surface needs a specialist as @Alex C points out and will cost you significantly more but gives you the shiny smooth finish. A power-floated finish is far cheaper and can generally be done by most main contractors. It isn't perfectly smooth (it'll have divets) but it'll be a decent matt finish if spec'd right (i.e. a good composition is used and the main contractor is aware that it's to be the finished surface). Edges will need some remedial work, there may be hairline cracks if it dries too quickly and marks from the power-floating machine may be visible. We've gone for the power-floated both for cost and because we quite like the idea of a bit of texture / matt-ness. Ultimately it comes down to personal taste and budget. Below are some examples our architects showed us of a power-floated finish. The close up looks 'shocking' but is in reality not much to worry about. I know of some other members on here who have filled in any cracks and divets with contrasting resin which we potentially plan to do as well!

I donno, Tesla's 13.5kW unit for £5.6k is a massive improvement compared to anything previously on the market. I think it is just about viable!

That throws a massive spanner into our power model for Heating, DHW and Electricity! A good one mind! Hot digity does that Night Owl plan make it very tempting to ditch gas entirely. Only concern is the longevity of such a plan.

p.s. Here is a link to their latest news letter which explains the Golden Brick plots in a bit more detail. It also covers the Tailored Terraces too.

We're always happy to read, and then you'll struggle with the deluge of input!

Done. Hopefully the findings will be useful! p.s. If you want the inside track on Graven Hill and the community there, feel free to reach out to me.

We dismissed PV initially as a 4kWp system cost about £6k, but now we're looking at installing twice that potentially!

@JSHarris already covered this, I was slow on the ball! I used the online PVGIS tool (recommended to me via the forum) to calculate the potential PV performance for our build in our lite version of a PHPP to review whether it was financially viable. Slope and Azmuth you can calculate from your plans, and the kWp of the system is dependent on how many panels you can fit on the roof, i.e. the roof area, and the kW performance of each panel. Plug in your location, and that gives an estimated kWh/day.

There is very much a Design Code which outlines the different themes within the development. This is backed up by a Local Development Order to enforce various elements such as ridge heights, build zones, limits on caravans etc... Both are distilled down into what is called a Plot Passport for each plot. This one 1982-P-P-C-xxx-0156-16.pdf is an example. You can see page 2 lists all the 'rules' of the build, including Performance and Sustainability requirements. When it comes to planning permission, we have to adhere to all of these rules point by point. It did however make it clearer what the criterion were for getting a successful planning ruling first time around through! The foundation isn't dictated by Graven Hill oddly enough. It is actually the warranty provider Premier Guarantee who are doing so. Their warranty is provided with the Golden Brick package as standard and they have some stringent limitations on what they'll accept. Hay bale construction? Just nope... You can chose to purchase your own warranty provider, but that'll be out of your own pocket. We challenged the fact we couldn't go with a passive slab several times across many months and have some lengthy essays from Premier on why it was simply a no go. There was the option to look elsewhere for a warranty provider in an attempt to get a passive slab, but ultimately we chose to take a path of less resistance so as not to lose more time on it. To be fair on GH, it is 100% clear in the Plot Passport (page 3, paragraph 9 and 10) that it is a strong recommendation by GH, not mandatory. The affordable housing isn't custom build unfortunatly, only the Golden Brick plots are. The rest vary in the amount of input you can have. Some like the Tailored Homes let you arrange the interior layout and the facade, others like the affordable housing will be sold as with any other new build (you can see these already going up in the photo below, behind the black pipework where our plot is situated). To be fair though, there is a decent range of plot sizes to pick from so that you can build what you can afford! Some, such as the apartments, are nearly done as you can see in the far distance here:

I thought the Sunamp units were charged via electricity only?

Here's a good map showing the different type of plots for the first phase of Graven Hill

We only met them at a trade show, so nothing so much as a quote yet, but the prices they told us were very favourable compared to other makes out there! We'll be approaching them for sure.

There's a lot of affordable housing being built. I can upload some maps later when I get home showing the layout and provisioning of them. That is true too @ProDave, but that is more for the council than the builders. We have to pay stamp duty on the golden brick, so the lack of VAT doesn't help us much.

On everything but the foundation yes; I'm hoping to setup some tool and welfare sharing groups to save on costs. There are numerous types of plots at GH, but the closest to a true self build are the Golden Brick plots. That is to say you design the home, but they will build you the foundation based on your specifications, then you do the rest. When you reserve, you agree to a number of conditions, the principle one being a suspended foundation due to the clay heave on site. The reason for them undertaking the foundation for you is two fold I've been told. First is to ensure no builder compromises a neighbours foundation, and to spread out the risk amongst everyone (it is an MoD site!). It isn't ideal, but is clearly stipulated up front and it doesn't have to just be beam & block. I know some are using a Tetris system.

Welcome to the forum! I'm one of the the GH builders (that's my post that @JSHarris linked too at the end) and I'm a massive supporter of the whole scheme. Mainly for the fact it gives me an opportunity to build in an area where otherwise I'd never have a chance. It also has an added benefit for us of putting together a community of like minded neighbours. Short term everyone is in the same boat, so you won't have neighbours complaining but rather they'd be joining in! Plus long term I think the area will be much more interesting with the diversity of houses and people than anywhere else!

I've quoted recently for 48m2 worth of windows and the prices range from £356 to £485 per m2. You can see a chart of them below: PM if you want the breakdowns in excel! Edit: X axis is the area averaged U value of the whole window (glass and frame combined)

http://www.selfbuild.uk.com/ are a broker for Zurich. Doubt you can buy the insurance directly from them Don't we all love middle men Good catch on small print @Triassic & @HerbJ!