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ProDave

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Everything posted by ProDave

  1. ProDave
    I had a go in my BIL's 13 ton Komatsu on our trip down under a few years back.
  2. ProDave
    It's a regional thing. when I was in the South, Timber Frame had a bad name, because some mass builders built some shockingly bad TF houses. Then I moved to Scotland. TF is the normal construction method up here, they have been doing it for decades and know how to do it. Everything fits properly, and nothing rots. Granted over the years insulation has improved. I have encountered older TF houses with a 4" frame and no insulation. It wa about 15 years ago that they moved up to 6" frames being normal to fit more insulation in.
  3. ProDave
    Fun, and satisfying isn't it.
  4. ProDave
    I set out to build the best house I could for the money I had available (and yes not having unlimited funds probably forced a compromise) I did try to get a quote from MBC for their twin wall system, but that never happened. I documented my search for a builder at the time on the other place. I also looked at Touchwood (too expensive) and Beatie Passive (too big up front costs for the design). So I ended up with the best I could find which was a local designer and a different local builder to build it. One of my "design briefs" was I did not want a cavity and rendered blockwork skin. That is just an expensive rain shield adding virtually nothing to the insulation. That's when I was offered the wood fibre and render option which seemed to tick all the boxes. Yes I would have preferred that wood fibre and render finish on a twin stud frame, but that just wasn't to be I am afraid.
  5. ProDave
    Interesting. Our present house has a constructional hearth (it didn't need it) and one of my design "features" was I didn't want a raised hearth, so the finished, tiled surface of the hearth is dead flush with the surrounding wooden floor. BC never raised any issue with that.
  6. ProDave
    Is that you in your own digger?
  7. ProDave
    Look for a portakabin type building. I connected the electric to one that would have suited you perfectly, insulated and lined, windows, electrics, and a small kitchenette across one end.
  8. ProDave
    Thermal mixer bath filler? I've seen them in hotels so they exist. BUT the flow rate from them was disappointingly slow.
  9. ProDave
    Several points. You should be able to get 3KW of panels and the inverter for about £2000 then you need the in roof kit. that will yield about 2250KWh per year. IF (and it's a big if) you can use all that yourself, then you will save roughly £330 per year on electricity, so loking ab about a 10 year payback. It all depends on your lifestyle.If you are in during the day and can use what you generate (washing machine etc in the peak daytime) then it might be worthwhile. I am thinking along these lines, but split E/S/W to get a lower, but more consistent and probably more "self usable" generation throughout the day. And I will be considering battery storage to ensure I self use as much as possible.
  10. ProDave
    As I understand it, if the stove manufacturer states it only needs a 12mm hearth, that is all you need to provide. I see plenty installed on just a slab of stone sitting on the wooden floor.
  11. ProDave
    I'm surprised the limestone is as far north as Assynt, the limestone borehole I was referring to is still in Ross-Shire, not even quite in Sutherland. Been to Smoo cave. Of course Fingals cave on Staffa is worth a look (and the boat trip to get to it) did that last year while on Mull. Back to the topic. Just about everything has to be tested and certified for rental, but I have never actually heard of anyone asking for a certificate for UVC's in rental properties. Keep quiet or I am sure someone will introduce one.
  12. ProDave
    Interesting. This part of Scotland is not exactly well known for it's caving, but where there is limestone.... Just curious to know the entry points to the caves (not that I am intending to go exploring)
  13. ProDave
    The brown tinge in Scottish water is almost certainly peat. Our water comes from Loch Glass, about 6 miles away. when we first moved here when it was windy, our water would turn slightly brown. It was described to me as the water outake from the loch was quite low, and in windy weather, the waves stirred up the silt. About 5 years ago they built an upgraded treatment works and no more brown water. No chlorine or other stuff either. It is very common for isolated houses wiith private water supplies still to have often VERY brown water. As Crofter says, there's a limestone band all across the top of Scotland. A small isolated group of 5 houses 10 miles from us share a common borehole into that limestone aquifer. I have replaced one of their immersion heaters every 5 years. and when I do so, I spoon a good bucket full of limestone out of the bottom of the HW tank.
  14. ProDave
    That won't cut the mustard with SWMBO, it has to be a proper 3G unit with the stained glass bit in the middle.
  15. ProDave
    There's only one glazing company up here that can do it (and even then I have not looked into any detail with them) but I am not necessarilly happy with their product (largely because we had two 2G panes replaced by them ant their performance is abysmal) I would have to be a lot more clear about our requirements if we used them again. Other than that I can only find "artists" who want to make a bespoke unit at a bespoke price.
  16. ProDave
    15% timber stud does not mean 15% of the frame has NO insulation. If you really wanted to be pedantic, you would look up the λ value for timber and insert that instead for that 15% of the wall.
  17. ProDave
    But some of us are cash poor, time rich, so I will hapilly spend a couple of hours to save £10
  18. ProDave
    I'll ask one. Our landing window, wants a stained glass pane. So my question is do you know anyone who can make a tripple glazed unit, ordinary glass outside, stained panel in the middle, and toughened glass on the inside, with a reasonable U value? Willing to take a stock design rather than bespoke.
  19. ProDave
    Someone on here has some offcuts going begging. Perhaps you can make a mosaic.
  20. ProDave
    We do most of our shopping a Tesco. the clubcard points earned pay for our joint personal RAC membership with recovery. Last year, the vouchers left over after that annual purchase on a 4 for one offer bought a new laptop pc. We had to pay the £12 shortfall because we didn't have quite enough points. so an (almost) free lappy and RAC membership just for doing our shopping.
  21. ProDave
    For my money, if I was in that situation, I would pay for a structural warranty. If it's the ticket you need to avoid the CIL then it suddenly becomes much better value. At least this thread has outlined the hoops you need to jump through and the pitfalls that could make your claim invalid.
  22. ProDave
    Play nicely gentlemen please.
  23. ProDave
    A VAT registered contractor should zero rate parts AND labour for a new build. you certainly won't be able to re claim VAT on labour, you will be told to go back to the contractor and re claim it from them as it should not have been charged.
  24. ProDave
    I paid a builder to build my shell and all the work he charged me was zero rated as it was a new build. If I had paid him to do the whole lot, it would have been charged VAT free and I would have nothing to reclaim the VAT on.
  25. ProDave
    I like the thinking. Leave the reel (part used) of lead free kicking about. But in all honesty do you even expect the BC inspector to ask?
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