Selfbuildsarah

Thanks Nick. You have both reassured (MBC) and alarmed me! (Norrsken) Have PM’d you

I will go back to the door supplier and hope they can do that. Yes, insulated slab. Thanks for your reassuring comment re MBC! It all feels a bit of a muddle at the moment because we haven’t followed the usual route starting with an architect.

MBC have asked us where we want waste pipe runs etc and MVHR ducts (we have someone lined up to do this but of course he needs plans too!) As you said, if they can come up with a basic drawing to get started with the architect we can move things forward. To add another complication we have a balcony to consider!

Thank you. We have found one to do our building control once we have plans. We don’t have any detailed drawings from Potton (that was our next move before we found out that they were pulling out). MBC are currently converting our original Potton design drawing. Trouble is, it’s all a bit chicken and egg. MBC are asking for threshold details. Architect wants plans from MBC.

Our door and timber frame companies are now asking for details on thresholds for our build. We are struggling with this as we have no build knowledge. Using this forum and AI hasn’t clarified things. Would appreciate some guidance please. Information needed from the door company: Finished Floor Level: for each opening that extends down to floor level, a dimension or datum indicating the top of the final floor covering is required. External wall finish: details required includes dimensions of any additional build-up such as cladding, render, insulation, etc. External reveal depth: including the external wall finish. This is needed to calculate your sill depth If you are planning to build upstands, screed or carry out other similar works, please take into consideration the height of your door thresholds and/or sill with your required threshold finish. N.B. In addition to the threshold, doors can have a 25mm high box section sill that also needs to be installed below Finished Floor Level. Carrying out works without calculating any requirements to bury door thresholds and/or sills may prevent the opportunity of achieving a flush threshold, and further building work may be required.” Our timber frame company (MBC) want to know what recesses we need in the foundation They are working on construction drawings at the moment. (Insulated slab with ufh) Is there a sensible, logical thought process for all this? Do we really need to be thinking about what floor coverings we are having at this stage when we haven’t even got construction drawings? One of our problems is we haven’t had an architect on board. We had a Potton design and we’re ready to proceed just as they withdrew from the market. Apologies for long post!

I got the impression it was part of the Norrsken installation. Have I got that wrong. I liked the look of Compraband. Was there a reason to avoid?

Forgot to say. Having just watched a YouTube video I think I understand now. Such a huge chunk of the budget so I hope we will be pleased with the result. Thanks for your interest in my post!

Thank you Nick. 19 windows and 5 doors from Norrsken. We are hands off. Timber frame, part render, part timber cladding. Quote from Norrsken “We normally quote for external fine silicone, assuming foam + rough silicone install. The only reason its’ optional is that it is done after install and some customer choose their builder to do this later and also not all other suppliers include this in their quote hence we like to specify this price. External fine silicone is not required when using compriband tape so if you had a discussion with your architect then you can let us know during order process as this is one of the points my colleagues will discuss with you and they are the same price. I attach a document that might help you or your architect. Newbuild timberframe should be absolutely fine for compriband.”

Timber cladding on some walls, render on others. Why would the silicone be an optional extra?

We are juggling window quotes at the moment. What fun! Can someone please explain the taping, silicone stuff to me? The company we favour has silicone as an optional extra. Do we need this? We will not be hands on but I would like to understand the process. Thank you

Thank you

We are planning to be triple glazed throughout our new build using good quality windows. I would like a stable door at the back of the house onto the garden but they only make a double glazed version (no idea why). The door will be off the small utility room. How much might it affect the thermal efficiency?

Can I see your walkout balconies please! Any recommendations for installers? Thanks all

Seen many pie charts in Buildit magazines and the like, showing the cost percentages of building timber frame, plumbing, electrics, kitchen, flooring etc but has anyone compiled their own after the event? It would be very interesting to see examples of actual percentages. Don’t be shy. Own up. I know you’re out there!

We are hoping to have an etched glass, single slider to separate the kitchen from dining room and a double slider from dining room into the hall of our planned new build. These would be left open a fair bit of the time giving an open-plan look/feel. Might there be an issue with fire regs? Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this please? Thank you

Do you know what this finish is called. Struggling to find info. Might give orange a miss though!

Visited Scandia Hus recently and saw a very fine resin bound driveway at one of their show homes. Has anyone used similar or has an opinion on this. We don’t really like the coarser textures we’ve seen but this was perfect.

Hi Alan, they have just revised this as the developers have said they are now phasing the build. In what way this affects things I’m not sure but CIL officer has said we also need to do a Form 6 now. We are away on hols at the moment. Will update when we get home. Like you, will send one anyway. Can’t be too careful.

Interestingly we have been told we do not need to complete a Form 6 commencement notice as we are considered part of the whole site.

Sorted! Planners require Form 2 Assumption of Liability form from the developer covering their units and also one from us covering our self build. Form 7 Self Build Exemption Part 1 from us going in at the same time.

What sort of planning obligations and conditions are you thinking of? The whole site has gone through planning as one.

Thanks DevilDamo, just read about Transfer of Liability following your post. Now my head’s spinning. Def must speak to CIL officer asap. We must not get this wrong. Thanks again.

The planning application is for 120 houses plus one self build. What I’m asking is, do we have to submit a Form 1 prior to submitting a Form 7 because it’s not our application, it’s the developers?

Kelvin, they were trying to be helpful and save us time, hassle and money. We always knew we were going to have to wait until they were well into the build as our plot is adjoining a piece of land not included in the sale at the bottom of the development.