CalvinHobbes

We had a meeting with architect too and I asked was there anyway we could save money. The plans were for a zinc roof which came down partially at sides. I explained we were thinking of trocal, he said instead go for coated metal and we could paint the sides the same colour but keep the ends metal. I guess that means in the future we could get solar panels if it was metal?

Thanks, deffo that's good advice. Block and block.

So pleased, I think we have a guy who will do groundwork and help us manage the build with a good reputation. He appreciates our need to save money and said we could save a lot by making sure it's airtight ourselves. Presumably that means with the parge coat I read here? So when and how do we do that? Will they build both walls at once? If do you just do outsides?

Yikes, thanks for the heads up.

Just getting quotes for each stage, groundwork, superstructure , roof, windows, plaster package, electrics, plumbing etc and hoping it's ok. Changing from zinc probably to trocal and aluclad to upvc. Needs must.

Yes £2 a month it gives me 3gb which seems to be enough but I have 100 extra gb on the my sky app so I can put more in if needed. The busier the site the more data presumably will use and its only passing cars for the next 3 weeks.

So went to see a self build on Sunday, they had 2 labradors and had opted to put in a hot tap outside to wash them. Plumber who installed it said he didn't know why more people didn't do it? Thoughts?

Right, worried now about using a Polish Supplier. Our quotes for rationel came in at nearly 40k which is way too much. Waiting for a few others. I asked qs could I increase the u value and to 1.2 or 1.3 if really stuck, would it be OK since it means huge savings? He said yes but to get in touch with whoever did our saps and see what it would do. He didn't make out it would be a biggie. He thinks its ok if we use the trocal too if we have to.

Very good. Good on ye. We hope to restart in next few weeks. QS sat us down tonight and explained why we needed the foundation drawings from the engineer. You probably know this but it means you can keep an eye so that the digger driver uses the exact right bucket and don't get lazy re changing it. Otherwise you pay for more concrete than you need which is £85 or whatever per cubic which means cost uncertainty (at which point he actually shuddered). He also said about getting the surveyor to come back twice and mark up exactly where the outside blocks go. (Sorry my terminology isn't great).

Rather pleased with this. I just put a cheap sky sim in (£2) and its great. I had to recharge during the very cold but now its running great.

And explained in our climate it works better than air source, which is better suited to warmer climes. Is this true? I thought GT was more expensive to run too. Internal temp was 20.

Thanks, I think NI has some sort of different status re EU and negotiations appear to be firming up some sort of special status.

We need quite a few. I have read comments in other threads about getting the fabricators to fit. No all seem to anyway. I appreciate they need to be certified and the brickies need to build to plan and the measurements for the beams need triple checked as well.

What size of shipping container Conor?

We are in NI and getting a quote from Fenbro in Poland for our windows and doors. This is what I was told.. Is the purchase for an individual need? Or is this a business purchase (VAT 0%)? This is new build so we are exempt from VAT in the UK. I hope it applies with you too. Unfortunately something like this doesn't apply here, we have to pay VAT regardless of whether this is new building or replacement. (with fitting it's 13.5%) Presumably if we order direct and use their fitters we can reclaim the 13.5% from HMRC?

Just waiting on the quote from Fenbro. Here are the reviews, they sound positive. https://www.facebook.com/fenbropl/reviews/ Regarding service, we have the window doctor here and they say they will send the parts. Keeping an open mind but I agree warranty and service is important.

Thanks, yes QS has done that one. Just waiting for it.

Cheers, thats great. I have emailed https://fenbro.com/product/ideal-8000/#product-specifications but will also check out your one. Cheers and good luck. Also saw https://www.aikondistribution.com/blog/windows-from-poland-why-it-is-worth-importing-windows-and-doors-from-poland-69

On my never ending quest to lower costs and with some crazy window quotes that conform to the architects 0.80W/m2K standard, someone suggested I should look to Poland. Since we are in NI I am hoping it should be deliverable. Has anyone any recommendations for Poland?

I see it on ebay! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394296114540?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749386&toolid=20006&customid=GB_12576_394296114540.143192034695~1870896597768-g_Cj0KCQiA54KfBhCKARIsAJzSrdqSVzST1EN7NNThriyhR-NyhkeFlYLHkLkH3F0Sz-xSeeKBcZOo6I0aAo9dEALw_wcB

Ah good ideas thanks. We are doing 2 houses so it makes sense to have own it. Floors should be grand but will check. Cheers

Obviously will do it the right way but thinking about costs.

Looked again and yup 'the development shall be carried out in accordance with the stamped approved drawings'. Fair enough, the planners were decent to grant us permission and not looking to cheese them off.

Nothing regarding materials other than it notes the materials are high quality on the design.

Same issue here, I thought it was because we are in the back of beyond. Hadn't checked Catnic, not given up yet just a bit frustrated.