flanagaj

Exactly.

Will this suffice given I want to do a lot of the works myself? For example, I was just reading the LABC technical document and they state that metal roofs have to be installed by a registered installer. I've purposely designed the roof with no hips or valleys so I can attend the Catnic course and install it myself. So based on LABC tech spec, I'd most likely be voiding the warranty and would not be able to do said works. It looks like a small print headache finding a policy for a real self build that doesn't require you to subcontract out most of it to the 'experts'

I am at the stage of applying for self-build finance. Land is bought and paid for, but need to finance the build. I am mainly planning on using contractors on an ad hoc labour only basis and intend on doing as many aspects myself, eg footings, drainage, 1st/2nd fix carpentry, plumbing ... As a result, I am not sure what insurance is the best option. We will need insurance to get financing, but it's the associated insurance if for whatever reason we need to sell. Obviously, as I am planning on doing some of the works myself, how will that work as unlike a trader, I cannot reclaim from them in the event of an issue.

Completely agree. Say that you did have a situation that prevented you walking along the landing and down the stairs to escape through the front door.

Am I correct that window width/placement is very important when using vertical cladding? The vast majority of images I have looked at online look like the window width has been designed around the width of the cladding? Is this something that will have been done for the drawings at planning stage or will the technical design move windows slightly and reduce/increase window width so that you end up with a clean look like the image?

It's always good to ask, as you never know whether someone may come up with a creative tweak that turns a property from looking ok, to looking amazing.

Great idea. Never considered to that. Are you talking soil pipe and push fittings?

This is my redesign and I like the simplicity of it.

That's reassuring. The first quote was from Rationel, so hoping the others might come in more aligned to the estimation. Yes, the did quote for DG and not TG as that quoted by Rationel, but I think it's a 30% uplift in price from DG to TG?

I was interested to understand how things turned out after 5 years. You have answered my question and I will consider just installing UFH in the bathrooms upstairs. I assume that without MVHR the temperature gradient between the lower and upper floors would probably be greater?

That’s very interesting.

Your windows are exactly what I am proposing. We are potentially installing MVHR (depends on cost), but I still like a window that can be opened wide if you want to. A large single pane glass window will most likely be a top hung which for safety reasons only opens a 100mm or so.

Thanks for clarifying.

Hence the redesign. I posed the question below to the architect regarding the full panel windows and I got the response in red. I have no idea what that means. The currently designed windows will be a problem for BC, As the bedroom windows will need to be EEW compliant, they'll will currently require opening stays to satisfy the EEW. I'm not a fan of this and instead would prefer windows that have a fixed lower pane and an opening upper part. Just want a window a window that meets BC regs. You have a protected means of escape so not an issue..

So our planning application was approved on the design below. I personally am not sure about the following aspects, and have come up with a redesign below. The main aim was contemporary a) How the windows will satisfy EEW given they are bedroom windows, and how you will be able to open them if you want to during the summer. Just not sure they are practical. b) I am also unsure whether I like the vertical aluminium sill section that is under each window. I am contemplating one of the two options below and I would appreciate feedback. It's a bit of a spot the difference, eg subtle. Main change is a fixed lower pane on the upstairs windows to enable top hung casements.

Estimators online came in at 23k ex vat. I appreciate they spec'd double glazed aluminium and I have no idea who they benchmark their prices from, but it's a significant difference. I am waiting for Norrsken to come back with a quote, but if that too comes back double, then I'll have to look at others. Ideally, didn't want to spend more than 35k plus fitting.

So our first window and door quote came back today and I nearly choked on my coffee. 70k including installation seemed like an awful lot of money. I actually have no idea what is realistic when it comes to windows and doors.

Did you have a CEMP in place as part of your planning conditions?

It does seem like money for old rope for the companies that provide these reports. I am in the wrong industry.

Thanks for that. That is really useful.

I had a sleepless night last night regarding the CEMP. So it appears that my self-build dream has suddenly been turned into a bureaucratic nightmare, where I apparently need to notify the neighbours if there is going to be anything disruptive happening on site. I too don't like dust and always use water suppression on my stone saw, and understand that making a lot of noise on a Sunday is not good for neighbour relations, but at the end of the day I am trying to build a house and you cannot get around noise, dust and the occasional inconvenience when large lorries are trying to deliver materials. Am I too governed by the 0800-1800hrs Mon-Fri / 0800-1300 Sat working hours on site? I have a full time job and during the lighter months, I will need to do stuff outside these hours, otherwise, I'll still be building in 10 years time.

But all the example ones are for huge infrastructure projects. I'm only building a house. I suspect they've requested it because I spent three days breaking up 200m2 of concrete with a pecker, on the previous planning grant, before conditions were signed off. On reflection I could have got my wrists slapped.

We have 25 conditions associated with our planning grant. A number are simply informative, others, such as those below, are ones which potentially involve more cheque book interaction 😥. So I was wondering whether my new friend 'ChatGPT' could create said reports? 1) Scheme of hard and soft landscaping, specifying species, planting sizes, spacing, number of trees/shrubs ... 2) no external lighting shall be installed until details of lighting have been submitted 3) prior to development a Construction Environmental Management Plan needs to be submitted. ChatGpt? 4) prior to development a Biodiversity Enhancement and Mitigation Plan. Is this required for self build? 5) no development shall commence until a tree protection plan has been submitted. This was documented in one of the reports submitted for planning. 6) no development shall commence until a Radon gas risk assessment has been submitted 7) within 3 months of commencing construction a statement needs to be supplied detailing how the new home shall meet a water efficiency standard of 110 litres or less per person per day. Can I say, "I'll beat my wife with a stick when she leaves the tap running"? There are others, but the pre commencement ones are the high priority at the moment. Since getting planning the architects are ignoring me. I do have a habit of upsetting people 😂

I would most definitely agree. They didn't even add in a disability ramp. Who knows what other else they have missed. Hopefully, nothing too serious that prevents us building the house.

I have subsequently found the post below which clarifies the situation. So looks like full height is acceptable, but as you say it will require a restrictor. Not sure how practical that is, especially during the summer when you might want the window wide open.