flanagaj

Yep. Try and discharge directly with LPA and avoid the joke admin fee.

We have finally decided to go with the Velfac V200E window system. Good U values and also came in quite a bit cheaper than Norrsken and Rationale. I am looking at the installation detail for an exterior clad property with timber reveals and I am not convinced about it. The foam compression strip, I think is probably fine, but silicone against exterior timber does not sound like the best option. We are going with thermowood, so I am not sure whether that by it's nature will not absorb water and expand like regular timber will.

You guys keep giving me sleepless nights over CIL as I keep thinking I have missed something, or someone is trying to pull a fast one to catch me out. I raised the payment of CIL and received the response below. "Although the developments approved under both planning permissions 23/00259/FUL and the more recent 24/02890/FUL (each for a single dwelling) are technically CIL liable, single dwellings benefit from a £nil CIL charge at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)). Therefore, in accordance with Regulation 67(1A)(b) of the CIL Regulations, a Commencement Notice is not required, and no further action (including the submission of any forms) is necessary in relation to these approvals and CIL, either before construction begins or after completion and occupation. You may wish to discuss with your planning consultant the reason why a self-build exemption was indicated when completing CIL Form 1. I can confirm, however, that no relief is required where no CIL is payable."

Ok, thanks. Good question regarding the insulation. The technical architect has spec'd the PIR between the rafters. I didn't question that.

So our pre-commencement conditions have finally been discharged by planning. We still have a few above slab conditions to get discharged, but these are not an immediate priority. Our drawings have not been submitted to BC yet (in progress), but I was wondering whether I could now notify BC that we are commencing development. I would like to clear the site ready to pull the footings and also get the TP and drainage field installed. These are items, that do not form part of the structural warranty, but I am still unsure whether I receive a "go ahead document from planning", or whether I just make BC aware?

I am currently trying to weigh up whether to buy trusses or to cut the roof myself. It's a very straightforward dual pitch roof with 4.2m rafter length, 7m span and a low 1.2m ridge height from plate. Although cutting the roof will be easy, I do wonder what the actual cost difference is likely to be between the materials for cutting it myself and buying in trusses. I like trusses for the simple reason, that fitting PIR insulation between the rafters is nice and simple as the ceiling joist is joined to the rafter with a plate so no need to notch out like you do when fitting PIR into a cut roof rafter.

I assumed (could be wrong) that if the temperature feed to the fan coils was at a much lower temperature than the dew point temperature, then you will get a much higher degree of active cooling than if you ran the feed temperature above the dew point, like you need to for UFH cooling?

But why does adding a mixer make it complicated? My understanding is that it's simply a case of taking the returned warm water from the fan coil circuit to raise the temperature of the water used to feed the UFH. That aside, I think just getting them to fit the ASHP and then I can do the associated cooling parts is probably the best solution here.

I just had a conversation with an ASHP installer and he told me that they would not install a system that was used for cooling via UFH / fan coils as it would result in condensation. I tried to explain that you can actually run two different loops at different temperatures, so your UFH was above dew point and the feed for the fan coils was below dew point and you just insulate the pipework and have condensate drains. That is correct isn't it?

This is the bit that looks tricky. If I can't figure it out, then I will probably resort to just using the clamps and rails

I am always talking to myself as it is, so no worries on that front.

You have to think outside the box

I having been looking at the GSE technical drawings in relation to fitting them with a standing seam roof and I think I might have an idea for how it could work. They currently show it as follows But I am thinking, that if you were to raise the standing seam roof up to the level of the part marked 'connection covering'. Which is achievable as the standing seam will sit on battens + OSB, whilst the GSE will sit on just horizontal battens attached to the rafters, then you already have a height differential. If you did this, then you could in theory bin the connection covering and simply run the standing seam panel under the solar panel bracket and then have a 90 degree fold down. This would then make the panels look more sat into the roof. I just need to see how it would work with the flashing by the ridge. Running the panels down to the gutter line would also look quite neat as well.

I could run it over the surface for the static, but not for the house. The existing tank has been drained and has now not been used for over 12 months, so if I do just simply decommission it, then I am sure that by now, the soil should have reached a level which should not pose a health risk. Is does also indicate that the risk, as @Nickfromwales stated is from petrochemicals.

Thanks for your comment. Yes, they are taking the proverbial ****. Estimators online gave me a labour quote or around 20K for all masonry works up to plate. The £9600 is an insult and the guy knew that I had worked in construction when I was younger. No idea what he was thinking.

So my most recent quote of 60k for below DPC and then up to plate is a bit steep 😂

I am having a real dilemma regarding getting our site configured for a static caravan. There is a 1000 gallon septic tank already on site, but unfortunately, when I pulled the trench for the new water main I pulled through the drainage field pipe. The pipe was not perforated soil pipe like you use nowadays, but the flexible drainage pipe with slots all over it. The reason it's causing a headache, is for the following reason a) it would be much easier if we could simply connect the caravan to the existing septic tank. This would save me having to install the new plant and drainage field now and run 34m pipe from the caravan to the new tank. It would also enable us to get living on site quickly and without having to renew our rental tenancy. b) The main concern is that the new water main pipe is running under the existing drainage field and I am now thinking whether I should have installed barrier pipe instead of MDPE. Or whether I don't need to worry as you won't get contamination through the pipe unless it's oil based products that are in the soil.

I have a load of chunky rubble, from a huge concrete slab that was broken up. I suspect that you want to use hardcore or something like 20mm gravel that won't settle over time?

I too need to decommission one on our plot shortly. All the literature states "You need an expert" Yawn. I have had the tank emptied, but I am now wondering whether I should have also had it jetted, or whether it's a case of just cracking on.

I must admit, I do like "Vertical distribution". Not heard that term before.

This is what we too have now concluded.

Just received another quote from a building contractor and not only is it 30k more than the last, but it includes 9k for a Foreman. When I used to labour as a youngster for a two brickies, the only time I remember there being a Foreman on site was when we working on large projects, eg schools or hospitals. (Rant alert) - All I want, is a 2 * 1 gang who can build the shell up to plate and do a good job. Here is the prelims Basically that 60k to build a 200m2 house with attached single storey double garage.

If anyone is still interested, I reached out to GSE and the sent me the PDF files below. I found them helpful. IR-ZJD-MeO v2.pdf CAL-XXX-1x10 Ply_Zinc Po_1000.pdf

I have been researching standing seam at great length and have looked at Catnic and others, but I received a quote from Our Successful Projects | Roofing Supply Store UK | Pagurek today and I must say it beats the others very nicely. I have no affiliation to them, but they have some good resources in relation to installation and it's a click fit system too.

That is my experience as well now. Given they are basically coming in at the same price, I just need to decide whether I want to go for aluminium or timber ali-clad. I like the better U values of al-clad, but I think I prefer the aluminium for the thinner sight lines.