Self build questions

Screw32

Hi. We are to meet with our architect in few weeks to start plans for our house we are hoping to build on a site. We are hoping for 2 storey georgian type house but may only get planning for 1 and half storey. But our arch will know as he very familiar with the area and Co. Co. Plans. I don't know much if any about building and I know the arch will know most if not all the questions I have but I would like to have some knowledge when doing the plans. For example houses now have to be air tight so how to your circulate air to prevent mould etc? What are the options? Heating I was thinking of solar panels and oil rads with back boiler from stove. Not sure about under floor heating. Windows we are thinking pvc sash but there very expensive and read also sash windows aren't great. Is there another option than sash. Any help welcome. We will probably be getting contractor but would like to know about options for all these things and anything I would need to know.house size would be roughly 2700 to 3000 sqft. What would cost be.

sydthebeat

Screw32 wrote: »

For example houses now have to be air tight so how to your circulate air to prevent mould etc? What are the options?

You design the construction to prevent mould.
'air tightness' doesnt mean you live in a plastic bag, it means you dont live in a drafty house. The house still must have building regulation compliant ventilation either by natural or mechanical means (mechanical being teh more energy efficient)

Screw32 wrote: »

Heating I was thinking of solar panels and oil rads with back boiler from stove. Not sure about under floor heating. .

you must get a preliminary DEAP assessment carried out before you start to find out if your preferred specification complies with regulations, and if not, what spec would. UFH works better with lower temperature heat sources such as Heat Pumps, than oil boilers.

Screw32 wrote: »

Windows we are thinking pvc sash but there very expensive and read also sash windows aren't great. Is there another option than sash.

sash pvc is friction based and will need maintenance over time. you wont get the better U Values in sash windows, regardess of the materials.
youve many options including casement and 'tilt and turn'. Get your required u value figured out first, and then see whats available in that value.

Screw32 wrote: »

options for all these things and anything I would need to know.house size would be roughly 2700 to 3000 sqft. What would cost be.

budget min €300k

Screw32

sydthebeat wrote: »

You design the construction to prevent mould.
'air tightness' doesnt mean you live in a plastic bag, it means you dont live in a drafty house. The house still must have building regulation compliant ventilation either by natural or mechanical means (mechanical being teh more energy efficient)



you must get a preliminary DEAP assessment carried out before you start to find out if your preferred specification complies with regulations, and if not, what spec would. UFH works better with lower temperature heat sources such as Heat Pumps, than oil boilers.



sash pvc is friction based and will need maintenance over time. you wont get the better U Values in sash windows, regardess of the materials.
youve many options including casement and 'tilt and turn'. Get your required u value figured out first, and then see whats available in that value.



budget min €300k

Thanks for that. Very helpful information. As said just want to understand a bit before we talk to arch. This will help. Thanks again. I presume the arch will do every thing when it comes to u values etc or do we get someone separate for that?

893bet

How many people will live in the house?

Dudda

Screw32 wrote: »

We are hoping for 2 storey georgian type house ..... Windows we are thinking pvc sash but there very expensive and read also sash windows aren't great. Is there another option than sash. Any help welcome. ...

Why build a new house to look like an old Georgian house? Why not have it modern with open plan living and bright large glazing that makes the most of the natural light and space. Georgian sash windows are the size they are as the width of the windows was the best technology could provide at a reasonable cost at the time. That’s hundreds of years ago and now we can easily build larger brighter houses which are far more efficient. A good architect will show far more interest in a modern new house than someone looking at replicating a Georgian house. You’ll be spending a lot of money on this so think hard about what type of style of house you want to live in.

Screw32

893bet wrote: »

How many people will live in the house?

Hi 2 adults and 3 kids

893bet

Screw32 wrote: »

Hi 2 adults and 3 kids

I would consider reducing size by 500 sq feet +

2000-2300 is still a big house!

Think about it...

That 500 sqft will cost an extra 70-100k to build. You are borrowing I assume so that will cost perhaps 120k-160k to pay back over the life time of loan period with interest. Then you have to heat it....maintain it....clean it....

When the kids are gone (with house prices through the roof I think the next generation are going to struggle badly to get out of home) the house will be huge for you and your wife!

A good architect will make a 2000sq house more useable than a poorly designed 3000sq!

Just a consideration.

Screw32

893bet wrote: »

I would consider reducing size by 500 sq feet +

2000-2300 is still a big house!

Think about it...

That 500 sqft will cost an extra 70-100k to build. You are borrowing I assume so that will cost perhaps 120k-160k to pay back over the life time of loan period with interest. Then you have to heat it....maintain it....clean it....

When the kids are gone (with house prices through the roof I think the next generation are going to struggle badly to get out of home) the house will be huge for you and your wife!

A good architect will make a 2000sq house more useable than a poorly designed 3000sq!

Just a consideration.

yes I totally agree I just gave that size as max I suppose. I had a friend who recommended I should look at getting contractor to build house upto roof and then self build the rest. But a lot told me too stay clear of self build if possible as it is a lot of work amd hassle.

Screw32

Dudda wrote: »

Why build a new house to look like an old Georgian house? Why not have it modern with open plan living and bright large glazing that makes the most of the natural light and space. Georgian sash windows are the size they are as the width of the windows was the best technology could provide at a reasonable cost at the time. That’s hundreds of years ago and now we can easily build larger brighter houses which are far more efficient. A good architect will show far more interest in a modern new house than someone looking at replicating a Georgian house. You’ll be spending a lot of money on this so think hard about what type of style of house you want to live in.

Sash if we do them would only be at front of house the back we are hoping for the sliding door effect for light. Kinda dermot brannon style.