New build heat & power in the renewables age – one-stop-shop or separate contractors?

[Raine]

Things were so much easier back in the old days of gas boilers and wet rads.  The sparks did the electrics, the plumbers did the heating, and there was a tiny bit of task overlap to wire in the boiler.

 

These days, you could employ separate specialists for solar, roofers (for installing in-roof PV), ASHP, UFH, MVHR, batteries and EV chargers.  As well as sparks and plumbers!  Not to mention the overlap with main contractor works (I’m planning a single main contractor for superstructure up to watertight shell). The system needs to be designed holistically, and I don’t have the patience this time round to study and do it all myself, so I want someone else to do that.

 

I also have an added factor that I’m also doing major structural changes and refurb to the existing 1930s house on the site, and am considering adding an ASHP with upgraded wet rads.  I’ll want the same contractors doing both houses.

 

I don’t have limitless funds so I need to be mindful of keeping costs in check.

 

What do people tend to do for heat & power these days?  One-stop-shop or separate contractors?  If separate, which contractor would do the overall design? If one-stop-shop, is there anyone you’d specifically recommend (or avoid)?

 

[JohnMo]

Depending really on if you want to grant harvest or not. I haven't bothered.

 

One plumber should be able to do ASHP x2 and UFH and radiator upgrades. Just be sure you aren't being sold a pup, when only need a 6kW or less heat pump and they want to sell you a 12kW one.

 

PV and battery should become contractor. ASHP and plumbing another.