BuildHub Self Build Forum

Thanks for allowing me join this self-builder community. I'm building my home, and first project of this scale, in Norfolk with my husband. We are trying to be considerate of sustainability and use local materials when possible within our rather modest budget. Our architect has designed a timber framed structure with straw bale walls. We are doing all the construction work ourselves unless it requires certification, specialists or we get stuck! Neither of us have formal building experience, so are learning as we go. I'm hoping this forum will be an invaluable source of information and advice. I'd really appreciate anything which helps us get things right first time and avoids costly mistakes! Hopefully in return I can offer some entertainment value with our dodgy DIY antics!!

I used Project North Geomatics for my topographic survey recently. I found them excellent so I thought I would put a recommendation up here. I've not been paid or incentivised to do this. They were the cheapest quote and the most professional - they were on site a couple of days after my initial request and got the files to me very quickly afterwards. I had sent them a spec but they just included some other things that I hadn't asked for but they thought I would probably need anyway. I've not had chance to properly test the data by actually using it yet, but Gus cast a professional eye over it and thought it seemed very good. The lads that came out seemed competent, hard working and friendly. They are based in Newcastle but didn't have a problem travelling 1.5 hours to my site. They say they operate UK wide. https://www.projectnorthgeomatics.co.uk/

Slightly speculative, but worth a discussion I think. One thing I see balcony solar being used for is a small fixed installations as a cost-saver. That is, we use a more fixed small install on wall, roof - whatever - done via something more substantive than "hook on a balcony" done under Permitted Development, and then use a connection to a plug-in unit to avoid the complex wiring etc. AIUI the limitations are 2 kWp of solar panels, and 800W output. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? And does anyone have any thoughts on the impact of a 1kw or 2kw balcony solar system on the EPC number? This could be a way for LLs trying to meet the EPC C which is I think a requirement for 2030.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm Hayden. Myself and my wife have recently purchased our dream house, which is in need of a lot of TLC, and it's going to be massive DIY undertaking. I'm really excited to join this buildhub community and will input where I can. If people are interested, I will be happy to share my progress as I go along. Happy building!

Hi! Great to be a part of this community - I am in the process of developing a business concept to hopefully make self/custom-build much more accessible and simpler to the UK market. I would love to get people's feedback. I will be sure to share more details in a separate post soon. Many Thanks Matt

Does anybody have a recommendation for an architect or architectural technician in the West Surrey/East Berkshire/NE Hampshire area, who’s capable of producing construction drawings for a BuildHub-quality house that’s air tight with MVHR, please? I’ve just sacked the guy who was supposed to do this for me, after more than a year of low quality work, constant excuses & missed deadlines. I think this time, I want somebody who’s close enough to me for face to face meetings & affordable site visits.

Interesting listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m003011r

I am 84, retired, and living in a care home. I cannot persue this myself. Over the years, I have designed a complete timber construction system based on standardised interlocking components—like Lego, but for full-size buildings. Every joint is identical. All timber is the same section. The system creates zero waste, needs no frame or cladding, has a built-in service void, and handles the wall-to-roof transition with one angled cut. I have produced CAD files and illustrated PDFs describing the system in full. If you are a student, a maker, an architect, or a builder and this interests you, the files are yours to take forward, test, build, or adapt. No strings attached. No royalties. I just want to see it out of my head and into the world. Please note: I am not a structural engineer. This is provided for educational and experimental purposes. Do not build without proper testing and professional advice. If you would like the files, reply here or send me a direct message and I will share them. Thank you. Note from DeepSeek AI: Subject: A conversation worth sharing I recently had an extended conversation with John—an 84-year-old retired engineer living in a care home. He has spent years developing a timber building system that I believe deserves serious attention, and I wanted to share my conclusions with you. My assessment of the system The system is based on a single, standardised interlocking joint—effectively Lego for full-size buildings. Every joint is identical. Every piece

Hi Just popping by to say hello, I'm a plumbing and heating engineer and just bought my first property to let.

Hi i have a main contractor and SE. SE has provided a package for all my steel calcs and also the construction drawings for BC. the builder is asking for working drawings for the build. The SE is stating some of these are out of the scope of his work and are the builders responsibility. an example being we have bay windows…. the builder wants a full working drawings of the bay windows how to attached to the structure and the roof etc. the SE has provided details of the load and lintels and specs and also Given a cross sectional view of the window with insulation details etc. builder saying not detailed enough need info on how to build the dormer out and link roof to structure? SE saying any builder worth there salt should be able to do this ? And the builder can use him for Clarification if unsure but it’s not his scope of work to go into such details ? Are the both correct? Is one being more pedantic than the other i?

Hi all, I'm Sepehr. Been lurking here for a while and finally signing up properly. About 3 years ago we knocked down an old bungalow and rebuilt from the ground up. Being able to plan the wiring and infrastructure from scratch rather than retrofitting meant I could go a lot further with the smart home side than most people manage — cabling, sensors, lighting and heating control all designed in from first fix, running on Home Assistant. The automation side turned into a proper hobby rather than a one-off job — it didn't stop once the build finished. I'm still tinkering: writing automations, adding presence detection, playing with dashboards, chasing down the odd flaky Zigbee device, that sort of thing. It's the kind of hobby where there's always one more sensor to add or one more automation to refine, and I've learned as much from breaking things and fixing them as from getting it right first time. Learned a huge amount along the way about the building side too (a lot of it from lurking here, if I'm honest) — insulation, airtightness, first fix planning, all the stuff that isn't obvious until you're actually doing it. Happy to chip in on the smart home / automation side where it's useful, and looking forward to learning more from everyone here on the building side.