Redoctober

@Thedreamer We got ours from a company advertising on Etsy.com - about £30 if I recall correctly.

They feed into another similar looking box just to the outside of the meter box, which the shed power and lights also run from. For completeness her is the overall picture !

@PeterW and @ProDave - yes sorry guys, you can always rely on me to confuse things - The photo above was taken PRIOR to the electrician doing his fixes. The photo below shows the finished article together with whatever the fuse box that is required having been fitted. Thanks.

Presumably, this is what I have here.?

@Bored Shopper - I can't help regarding the facts but our meter box is a good distance from our CU - In fact it is in the outside carport [ well protected] and the CU is in the utility - the distance between the two is at least 9 metres. The cable runs from the meter box underground, into the house underground and then pops up in the utility room. A no point was this an issue for any tradesman or BCO - I would question the Solar Panel guys and ask on what authority do they say that is the case. Good luck.

I'm not saying I am anti MVHR, as the system obviously has benefits above and beyond the "inconveniences" of life mentioned above. We didn't install one in our house for reasons that have been stated elsewhere within this forum but in relation to this thread I would just like to add the following for balance. Prior to installing a system, you have to weigh up the capital investment against any benefits. Then there is the ongoing maintenance and replacement of filters. Also you have to ask yourself whether or not you can live with having the inlet / outlets ducts being constantly visible. There you go, that's my twopence worth and no, we are not having to dust everyday, empty the house of spiders/flies, have to put up with smells and prop internal doors open as a result of having windows open. Oh, nearly forgot, I don't believe the world is flat either!! ?

Hi @Pord67 - sorry I'm a bit late catching this thread but what a great place you have in the making - such an unusual build method. That said, it looks to be an effective method. I know you are probably busy with everything but is there any chance you could document your experiences in some sort of a blog ? I believe, it would be a very valuable and useful resource for the forum. Top job though, and good luck with it.?

Hi @Sarah A we are one of those also in the Borders. Take a look at my blog if you have time to sit with a cup of tea.? You may find some bits useful especially when it comes to securing the plot. We undertook our build through 2018 so some of the prices etc mentioned may be a bit dated. Anyway, look forward to reading about your adventure as it unfolds. Our postcode if it helps is TD12 4........ The kettle will always be on should you feel a visit would be worthwhile.

Hi @Reiver we are in the Eastern side of the Borders and the stone concerned is either from Perthshire or Cumbria as the make up of the wall is a combination of Perthshire stone, Cumbrian stone and Borders Buff. @Russell griffiths funny, I did actually now the lawns today, all 600 as metres of it.??. Thanks for your thoughts anyway, much appreciated?

Hi all. Within my external wall, I have one particular stone that is showing signs of erosion - see images. Is this something to be concerned about or do I have too much time on my hands????

Hi @AliG we used the following - found them to be reliable, reasonably priced and quick with their report / findings. http://www.meteorsoilsurveys.co.uk/

Hi @Balraj Appadu I don't know your circumstances in as much as will you be working full time whilst the build is underway? What is the build budget? How complex is the build itself? All these matters will have an impact upon your decision. The route you are taking seems very similar to the one we took and I managed the project myself, without any prior experiences. That said, I was able to be on site most days etc. You have the main elements covered - all it seems you need to do is co-ordinate the add on trades. This is something you should be able to do yourself. Hiring a PM can be expensive and generally, on a "standard" self build, unnecessary in my opinion. Take a look at my blog as this might help you in understanding what is needed to be done etc.

A Sounds like a plan but it seems the answer is a fairly easy one in as much as what is your preference? As for its application, a quick search on the internet should provide the answers. A quick search using - internal concrete floor paint has thrown up many options. Here are two such results - https://www.promain.co.uk/blog/paint-seal-concrete-floors/ and https://www.watco.co.uk/help-advice/application-guides/concrete-floor-paint-application-guide Good luck.

Hi @Boris we too have a similar set up leading from our kitchen area into the utility room. See photos below as to how we overcame it. Doesn't look out of place and if anything, i feel it adds a bit of character. Two shots from the kitchen side showing the deep recess and then one from the other side, in the utility room showing it to be flush so to speak. I hope this helps.

Hi - a little late to this thread but for my two pennies worth, we stuck ours in the car port / garage whatever you wish to call it. See image and or my blog for details. SP Energy supplied up to 50 metres of cable all within the connection costs they charged, which was about £900 job done. We used best part of that 50 metre run to take the cable from the pole into the carport. This was all done ahead of the TF being erected and allowed the Trades to tap into the power supply as and when. The meter is held within a proper approved box and we have had no trouble with it since. It keeps it out of the way and accessible .

For what it is worth, coming from a complete novice but would one of these not be suitable? https://www.drainagesuperstore.co.uk/browse/underground-drainage/flexible-couplings.html

Lovely looking plot and a interesting project. I shall look forward to seeing this one unfold. Thanks also for sharing the info regarding the Ag Tie and having it removed. I'm sure this will be of benefit to some who may find themselves being restricted by such measures. Good luck.

Fair comments but the life I lead isn't like that sadly. I'm not in a position whereby I can dismiss the cost of any such item and I'm sure I am not alone. God forbid if I purchased everything I fancied / that was better for me etc without any regard to the costs / value, I'd be living under the hedge rather than admiring it from my comfy armchair!!?

We have oak beams internally and although they have been treated with Osmo when installed two years ago, I haven't touched them since. Not that they need doing but is there a general rule regarding treating them again every so often, or do I just leave them? Thoughts welcome.

I'm a bit late to this thread but I just want to say how interesting it is and to thank @DavidHughes for his view / findings on an MVHR system. I know a lot of members on here are converts and I can understand why that would be but for those members who are debating whether or not to install one, the arguments being out forward by David are valid..After all, it is my understanding that he isn't questioning the benefits of such a sysyem, he is just pointing out that they may not represent good value etc. As I have previously stated, I haven't installed one because on balance i could / didn't believe it represented good value and I took my lead from a well established House building Company who also shared the same view. Therefore we should thank David for putting such an argument forward to allow others to become more informed etc??

Hi @Mike_scotland Looks good. One observation though - why the need for two doors going into the attached garage? Unless there is a specific reason, wouldn't it be better just to have the one door from the utility going into there?

Well that is a question! There is plenty of discussion in previous threads regarding the installation of such a device, suffice to say that it is considered to be best practice, IF ones budget can stretch that far. There is also a lot of folk who would advocate the DIY approach, but when you consider the importance of such a device within the general running of the house, I would argue that it should only be installed by a competent DIYer. A bit like UFH I suppose. Our budget didn't stretch that far and even if it did, I would have to say that I'm in the camp that feels that our house, which is well insulated and fairly airtight, didn't need it. I know and appreciate the advantages but it just wasn't for us. That said, we are more than happy with life without one and don't appear to have suffered as a result of not having one. Good luck with your research into this particular matter and perhaps the "search " facility on this forum could help.

Exactly - it’s all in the details. Tread very carefully ?

Looks good to me, although I would question why you need a wall leading into the boot room from the rear vestibule. Why not just have it "open plan" so to speak. Therefore saving some ££££'s in the process.

Hello and welcome to the forum. Whereabouts in Scotland are you intending to build? There are a few of us on this forum already established within the beautiful Scottish landscapes. @newhome has beaten me to it but to re-iterate, and I too assume you are going for a Timber Frame? If so, then the cost of getting to after tight stage doesn't normally include the foundations / slab. Yes the utilities and treatment plant are extra as well as the drainage system. If you are going through a TF supplier, then please ensure you read the package details carefully as there are often hidden extras / or things you would expect to be included, which aren't. Ask the questions / seek advice via this forum as we have all been through that process and have good advice / guidance to offer. Good luck.