Newbie from South Cambridgeshire

[Gema]

Hi, 

 

last September we found a plot we liked in South Cambridgeshire and started to look into doing our own self build. This is something we had considered doing when we retire, but plots that align with our requirements are not super abundant, so we decided to do it now instead. We are looking to build a Passivhaus two storey dwelling and have it certified. Energy efficiency is important to us and so is having a home at the end that is really comfortable to live in. 

 

A few months later and we have exchanged contracts and are a couple of months into a planning application, awaiting the final outcome any week now. We started the journey with an architect, but two months into the relationship we realized our timeline would be heavily affected by the fact that we were not totally aligned and not fully listened to (despite very lengthy email threads back and forth) and decided to learn how to do the architecting ourselves, and hire any experts we needed to help with things along the way.  But having a third party handling it all for us was... too low touch for our liking. 

 

We'll be managing the build ourselves, as we've decided against having a main contractor. Maybe we'll need a project manager at some point.  

 

We've been reading the forum and learning from you all, hopefully we contribute something back soon! 

[SteamyTea]

Welcome.

Building to Passivhaus standard is a good goal.

But why do you want the certification?

If it is low energy running and minimum embodied CO₂ and energy you are after, there are cheaper ways to achieve this.

[saveasteading]

2 hours ago, Gema said:

we were not totally aligned and not fully listened to 

So you are right to part. But there are lots more out there and can be inspirational, and some are good technically which can avoid problems.

 

2 hours ago, Gema said:

looking to build a Passivhaus two storey dwelling and have it certified

Up to you of course but that last 5% can be very expensive.

Do you want the 'badge' or simply to have an efficient home?

Some of the issues are a matter of opinion anyway.

But I look forward to your input.

[MikeSharp01]

Welcome Gema to THE forum for people like us.

 

We went down the Architect route to get a good design - we are not aesthetically capable but we had a strict set of criteria and I did the passive house training I felt I needed to be able to keep the architects we finally chose on the straight and narrow - we learned together. We only took them on for the design only and once that was complete we have managed the rest. I think, in hindsight, that I went a bit technical, what my other half calls 'full geek mode' on the build as we chose wooden frame with blown cellulose fibre insulation augmented in places with PU sheets. Its worked out well but could have been more simply done. 

 

So its definitely possible to do this with an architect beyond the design phase but to get a standout design, pretty much every house in our road is different to the next one, I felt and still feel the architect route was a good one for us.

[correctalex]

Hi folks! Gema's other half here! Thanks for the warm welcome.

RE PH certification - it's a relatively minor incremental cost given everything else (especially since we are doing all the design work - so it's really just the certifier cost), and we feel it's actually pretty good value for money, given the extremely detailed review and guidance that comes with it.

 

As for the architecting, it's been a steep learning curve, but well worth it. We found trying to iterate over the design with an architect more tedious than helpful, but maybe that's because we are the ultimate control freaks. Let's just say the architect wasn't loving it when we rocked up with full daylight simulations (using Rhino + Ladybug Tools) and resizing & relocating all his windows, for example. Never mind asking for some up-front PHPP modelling and being told to wait, as that'll come during "detailed design". I'm sure there are plenty of good architects out there, but certainly not the one(s) we found.

 

On the [visual] design side is probably where an architect would have been most useful as we aren't normally the creative types. However, we found our mojo and have concocted something we genuinely like (and is simple-ish to build).

[SteamyTea]

A couple of people have built to Passivhaus standard and I think that @Gone West got certified. But then he did move down my way.

 

As @MikeSharp01 says, it is easy to go 'geeky'.

Good engineering practice will get you to 90%, the thermal properties are not that hard. 

Then, as we often hear in here, you only have 90% left to do to finish.

[Dreadnaught]

Welcome!

 

I am self building (solo) relatively nearby in Cambridge city (at first fix). Be in contact if I may be of any help. 

 

Dreadnaught

[JohnMo]

5 hours ago, Gema said:

This is something we had considered doing when we retire... two storey dwelling

No idea how far you are off retirement, we decided to do single storey, with an eye of getting older and limited mobility, making the house fully future proof. All bedrooms have access to decking as does the dining room and all are level thresholds at the doors. 

 

Single storey makes passivhaus more difficult due to form factor.

 

5 hours ago, Gema said:

architect

We went architect, but on the basis I reviewed and approved all drawings. Treated on a proper engineering basis. He came up with a design I never would have, but to the spec I wanted. I decided build method, insulation, airtightness, designed heating and how to achieve everything. He did the leg work of building regs etc. Worked for us.

 

5 hours ago, Gema said:

We'll be managing the build ourselves, as we've decided against having a main contractor.

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, it isn't a part time task. If you are working full time and doing a build management, be prepared for delays and maybe not getting what you want.

 

But good luck and enjoy the journey. I did.

[Gus Potter]

8 hours ago, Gema said:

affected by the fact that we were not totally aligned and not fully listened to

This is common, I despair at times that professionals are so bad at listening. It's good for business to do so, to listen and understand Client requirements, it's a common law of business.. just listen and deliver what the Client is asking for, but always question if you think they are doing the wrong thing, something that is unsafe or will destroy their financial investment. Sometimes you do the best you can, but some Clients self destruct.. is this you?  I try and cover their arse professionally so they don't do something stupid.

 

8 hours ago, Gema said:

We are looking to build a Passivhaus two storey dwelling and have it certified. Energy efficiency is important to us and so is having a home at the end that is really comfortable to live in. 

Now why do you want to do this? Is it some kind of liberal thing that you can boast about to your pals or would you consider getting something close or just the same at a good value? You could lose your shirt here!

 

4 hours ago, correctalex said:

RE PH certification - it's a relatively minor incremental cost given everything else (especially since we are doing all the design work - so it's really just the certifier cost), and we feel it's actually pretty good value for money, given the extremely detailed review and guidance that comes with it.

Ah, Absolute pish as you are resticting your choice of contractors. If you know how to design this kind of stuff.. like I do in the day job why are you here on BH asking about it? So no PH is going top cost you a fair bit more. 

 

Ok you have binned your Architect, you are on a mission.. but you have a massive learning curve to go through if you want to make your project a goer. That said if you put in the work then you will reap a massive cost and self satisfaction benefit. Do you have the time to do this? It can be done but you have to be on site a lot.. so you don't end up paying for something that does not get delivered by the contractor. The building business is not for the faint hearted, there are few rules when you get into a dispute with a builder. This is where you make the savings compared with buying a new house off the shelf. 

 

Can you cope with a stand up arguement with a builder on site? To get to passive house standards you have to pay a builder more for the quality of delivery. 

4 hours ago, correctalex said:

However, we found our mojo and have concocted something we genuinely like (and is simple-ish to build).

That is your starting point. Post some sketches and you'll get load of helps on BH from folk that have done it and worn the tee shirt, that might stop you losing your shirt! 

 

If you have a design you want to go for then that is a great start. 

 

If it's you first self build then my advice is that unless you have loads of money ( by emulating PH build and don't mind losing a bit of it|) then just try and go for a practical, maintainable and a well insulated build that will hold it's value. 

 

The above is a bit of tough love.. but best to hear it now than later?

 

But to finish. You have a desing you like..you have suffered a bit of torture.. well done you both. Think.. if self building was easy then every one would do it. Self building is hard and you should be proud of your achievemnets to date, even if you have made some mistakes, everyone does including me. . I've been there, worn the tee shirt, made mistakes that cost me money. But Build Hub was not around at the time. 

 

All the best on the adventure and your best friend will be the folk on BH!