Project finished: MBC timber frame self build, 220m^2 over three floors

[RedRhino]

Dear forum members, 

Our house is complete and we have been resident for three months. I thought to post some pictures and I offer to answer any questions people might have. I don't put ourselves on a pedestal as being any better than other projects, only to say that we have done it. 

Our primary decisions: 

We chose a RIBA architect given the importance of the initial concept

The layout is somewhat novel, having an H footprint with a single storey 'extension' to reduce the mass of the main house for planning purposes and to help project the rear of the house beyond the shade of the ridge line

We chose timber frame (we have built with timber frame, brick and block and ICF in the past) because of speed of construction, and thermal performance
We selected MBC from a shortlist of three TF suppliers, and chose MBC's insulated slab

We are very pleased to have chosen a large solar array (9KW) and Tesla battery. We have used no grid electricity since commissioning. 
We have a Valliant ASHP with UFH but haven't had need to heat the house yet

We have MVHR which works very well with our air tightness of 0.89

We have no fireplace or chimney

We project managed ourselves, and were onsite every day and I did a lot of carpentry / general work alongside the proper trades

Project timing: groundwork prep Dec 24, slab Jan 25, frame erection February, windows March, resident 4th July, finished end of August.

Edited October 2 by RedRhino

[G and J]

Many congratulations

[jack]

That's a tidy-looking house.

 

Great to see MBC in action. We used them over 10 years ago but still have great memories of their work ethic.

 

They were one of the few trades we had onsite where there were minimal problems, and those that did arise were addressed immediately without argument.

[Gone West]

Well done, it's a credit to you.

[Benpointer]

Wow! That's impressive!  Very rapid build start to finish.

 

We'd seriously considered MBC but in the end went for a cheaper option.  Overall, we're happy with our decision but I seriously doubt we've saved that much money overall.