Pros list

Well the benefits of living in a Passivhaus is hard to describe. To me the bungalow is my little piece of heaven. That said I was trapped in a flat in the middle of Great Yarmouth, unable to get out buy myself. The things I love:

Being able to cross the threshold myself, I still struggle with the door handles but to get out myself it's liberating.

I have room to use Alice indoors, it would have been nice to have storage for her but its a big hall so.....

Peace and quiet, now that is the best ever. If you have ever lived in a flat especially middle you will understand, life is dictated by others when you wake when you sleep, what you watch on TV

My own front door, no sharing with anyone else, having to time going out of your door so you don't get caught by the neighbour who talks endlessly for 3 hours. Or having to listen to drug deals passing hands, thats really not nice.

A garden - not only can I get over the threshold, I can sit in my own garden, what a luxury.

Having somewhere to park and enough room to get out of vehicle in wet weather to keep dry.

Financially it must be costing less, I havent been able to read meters yet to sort but we dont have gas now and we must be using less electric, this will be interesting although we have used a tumble dryer more as no radiators to dry clothes on.

For me personally the best is Mr Tigs he is adorable, my lovely neighbours cat who has fostered me, mainly because she has a very boisterous puppy, does she mind, of course she does as hardly ever sees him but equally she loves him dearly also so is pleased he is happy and healthy, he has put on weight his coat shines and has no bald patches. As the saying goes 'Cats have staff Dogs have owners' springs to mind, he rules the house completely, but my Dr is made up with the blood pressure drop!

Snagging list

Every new build has a snagging list it is part of the process so here is mine:
(So far the cons, pros to follow)

1.  Keys the missing set, where are they now, who has them and when can I expect them to be  returned? Poses all sorts of potential problems, from Insurance to human rights, it really has been too long now. Not knowing if someone has been in your house when you are out or even if you are there is not a very nice thought.

This one is with the council as the builders say they have returned the keys to them, its now been over 4 months.

 2. Wires above doors and in hall, bare wires are left curled around, what are they for and when are they going to be finished off, some sort of explanation would be good.

Awaiting a response

 3. Lounge area not really ideal size wise as Fridge Freezer stands prominent in lounge area, bad design fault, plus when in a wheelchair I can’t reach the fridge anyway, far too tall, am going to have to fit one under the work surfaces to be able to reach –  this con to advise only, for future reference

 Confirmed yes I will be redesigning my kitchen so more friendly.

 4.Shed electric supply, when are we getting? Was asked for and we agreed to pay towards costs, freezer will have to go into shed. Fridge freezer lovely idea but not practical as I can’t reach fridge and no room for both. Already agreed the fridge freezer is impinging on living area by OT and social services recommend under counter fridge so I can access if needed. Also needed as Tarmac gets hot then sticks to wheels, need storage outside for chair and scooter, when someone comes indoors they generally can take off their shoes and put slippers on, I can’t do that with chair wheels and the tar sticks to wheels and it is spread through the house, I can’t keep an indoor and outdoor wheelchair as the storage area for my wheelchair indoors has been used with the heating system, so cant use my indoor chair and keep the outdoor one in a secure dry place. Nowhere secure outside to leave as electric at front of house, chair will get wet, damp and probably stolen (wheelchair standard homes part M of building advises of need for storage with power point for charging)

Awaiting a quote.
Nope given up decided to use an out door extension lead, good job Amazon is quicker.

 6.Water Butt keeps overflowing? Causing flooding under bungalow, plus area near shed fills with water doesn’t drain away effectively. Also water from car park still drains back to us again accumulating at back of car port. Drainage is very ineffectual overall.

Repair to water butt 3 times I have arranged to have done myself now, yep completed this one myself. Much better.

 7. Cooker Hood is not connected to the internal MHRV why? Legislation clearly states it should be, all the other sites within this build  are connected except  Martham 8b and 8C why?  Why isn’t ours and why doesn’t the heat extractor MHRV unit take smell of bonfires out letting it penetrate through the filters, we have been told that it couldn’t i.e. smells coming in and out,  is the seal broken or not working? And if not doing anything, do I need to report to Building Inspector? 

Legislation states:

‘Q3. I have a cooker hood fitted in the kitchen of my new home. Does this satisfy the guidance on extract ventilation given in Approved Document F (2006)?

Yes, if the hood extracts the air to outside the building and provides at least the minimum intermittent or continuous extract rate (as appropriate) given in Table 1.1a of Approved Document F (2006).

No, if the hood only filters the air and recirculates it back into the kitchen. This is because the purpose of extract ventilation is to remove polluted air at source and draw fresh air into the building to replace it. A recirculating cooker hood only removes certain pollutants, and does not draw fresh air into the building, so does not provide extract ventilation.’

Now I am assured by Beattie Passive that the design of our Bungalow is different to the other builds and ours unlike the other Bungalows will take the Kitchen condensation out via the MVHR. Seems somewhat bizarre that ours has to be different. This one I will follow up to make sure what I print is correct so will seek independent advice to be sure, more to follow.

 8.Tree in garden the dead one when it is going to be removed.

The council have passed this one  to lady who deals with trees and hedges, I haven't heard anything yet.

   10. Privacy, the Car park, when is it going to be done? I am getting blocked in now, if I need to go to Hospital or Work and can't get out it is really difficult.

    It will be after Christmas now, will be interesting when I get new vehicle, much larger than one I have now. 

11. It has been chilly lately what happens if it gets too cold? The temperature will drop further yet in the winter, have the council got a backup plan? The bathroom I am finding very chilli, especially in mornings? Worried if we are getting colder snaps, due to health condition I feel cold more and my joints seize up, we were assured it would be warm, I have tried leaving towel rail in bathroom on but makes no impact. If we manage to warm up the lounge, the rest of the bungalow is still cold we were told it would be a constant temperature throughout with maybe a degree or two different in bedrooms.

This one I am waiting till I have had a fair stab at cold weather to make a decision on if it needs to be included in the list. Time will tell

 12 Metal grill in car park, not fit for purpose, catches my tyres on wheelchair both my carers have tripped on it where it lays uneven, the grill is very cheap and tinny, something more hardwearing is needed

Builders turned over the warped bits so they can dent other way, love the logics.

 13.Electricity fuse box, not labelled up, I need to know which switches operate which areas, also electricians have asked as is should be. Our outside lights come on at the drop of a hat and are so bright wakes you up in middle of the night I would like the option to switch them off, I assume I am paying the bill for them when on.

OK i have had a list of which switch connects to which power supply. It seems the outdoor lights dont go off unless I take power out of bedroom and hall - not very helpful really so will have to tackle lights another way, blue tack on the sensor sounds good to me.

 15.Top coat of paint needs doing on metal supports in car port needs doing.

Yep coming back after Christmas to paint all those areas left with undercoat.

16. Fence behind us, who is responsible for it? One of the panels is loose and likely to be taken down in high wind (which will probably take the dead tree out then cause all sorts of problems) what do we do?

It is the responsibility of our neighbours apparently. since the residents were so opposed to the bungalows being built I will erect my own fence this side to make sure we have privacy rather than provoke an argument. 

So far the cons, pros to follow.

I'll huff and I'll puff and blow your house down!

Gosh the wind is strong here overnight worse slightly but still windy. We have a dead tree in the garden, which should have been taken out prior to houses being built but was forgotten. I am hoping the wind is not strong enough to pull it onto either my bungalow or the neighbours, dead it may be but bet it would still cause us some damage.

We still have no actual heating turned on which is good although it has to be said it was chilly yesterday and it has felt cold a few times. I have moved an oil filled radiator into the bathroom which I turn on prior to a bath and it doesn't take long to warm up but without it my joints would seize. I need to have a certain warmth to maintain some mobility, I have also noticed I have a cough returning at night, my asthma is affected by temperature and when cold it provokes it. That said its not as cold as some places I have lived, just chilly maybe. I have noticed that it is dipping down on Christmas day, however I am at my Mums so may not notice yet.

I am still working on Pros and Cons list which I will share however it has to be said that one of the pros is my neighbours who are attached to me, they are lovely, it makes such a change to have neighbours like this and we have become firm friends. Just as well since their cat seems to almost live on top of my wardrobes, coming down for a fuss and food periodically but what can I say I adore him.

For a ha'porth of Tar!

Well as pleased as I am with the inside of my Bungalow there is no getting away from the fact that the build has been let down by the outside. As my Dad says 'for a ha'porth of Tar'  It has been finished for cost effective quickness that doesn't last. Two of the five Bungalows have been built too low down, in efforts to keep them at level access someone forgot about drainage, which is typically poor in Martham. Water runs down as sure as the sun sets so when we get a heavy downpour it runs back from the car park towards the two bungalows. Obviously over time it will wear down.

A cheap bendy metal has been used as a grate in front of the bungalows to try and stop it running towards us. It doesn't work and is certainly not disabled friendly. It catches wheelchair tyres and feet of my carers alike, I have insurance for my carers. The car park is a sore point with everyone, the residents who were in prior to us being built and used to park on it, the community centre vehicles, as its not finished they have no room for turning, residents for parking, the list goes on. The assumption is that I will be able to reverse out of my drive and turn my van around, it is a big van, has to be to accommodate Alice and all my bits needed for daily living. There is a parking space outside my fence which I am using now to reverse into, well shunt in and out and this seems to work, when a car is parked there chances are I will snag it, yes I already have the sign to say parking is at your own risk etc etc. but we shall see.

The Tar that has been used on the car park goes up to my door where the neighbours have nice paved stone, we have none just the tar that gets cold in winter and separates forming holes much like those in the roads, in summer and the sun, the tar melts and unlike taking shoes off to walk around the house in I find bits of tar stuck around the house after sticking to Alices wheels, most frustrating.

The interesting bit is about to start as we are going into a colder snap!

No more water features.....

Yep I am reluctant to put this in print, but you have to have both good and bad. The builders have returned to fix the guttering and it is much better. I would still like some heavy rain to test but am not in a hurry for that.

Overall it has to be said that I am really pleased with the inside of my Passive Home, we haven't had a really cold snap yet and I wont make a firm commitment either way until I have lived here for 12 months. I can say hand on heart I am not missing my radiators (with the exception of drying my smalls, or large;s) the combined tumble dryer is not as effective as my condenser so I have moved this into the hall cupboard the theory is that by having it indoors will also make the most of the heat it produces ploughing that back into the heating.

2nd half
Yep we have had a cooler snap, not by any means as cold as we should be this time of year however we are still a comfy 21 degrees throughout. Its not balmy in here as in over hot but very comfy the addition of the fake fire has done wonders, the glow just makes everything seem warmer, this is used without the heating element, well apart from first thing perhaps when the cat looks like he is cold from his quick nip outside. So far so good, will be very interested in the heating bills of course I am using the tumble dryer more.

Water torture

Well thats what it feels like, our guttering that stretches between the two bungalows, well its not long enough to meet each end successfully. We have had some really bad bouts of rain which have helped identify the faults in the guttering. So far the builders have been 3 times to fix it, first it was repaired by pulling from one end to meet in the middle, the second time it was Masticked and we were assured no water would get through. Yep its a bit like a parent saying 'my little angel wont eat that' to the aunt serving up vegetables only to find he/she does, or 'no my dog never takes treats' to see them devour the unidentifiable gift from a passing stranger. Yep you've guessed by now, the guttering leaks, three visits x two men x 1hours work and still not figured out that if something is too short well its too short, no amount of tugging from side to side or trying to bung up just will not work....if its not long enough its not long enough!

Unfortunately it doesn't show up as visually accurate on the photos as I had hoped so haven't posted yet, however if in daylight I can get a good one I will! I am hoping the next time the PG tip monkeys come round they bring a full teapot with the teabags instead of just the water to fill the kettle!

Snagging Lists

Well it is early days and there are as with every build going to be some snagging issues. I will start to compile a list, starting with Keys and once first draft is complete will share.

The house is lovely, admittedly lounge that fraction bit too small because of the only space for a fridge freezer it sticks out from kitchen area and pushes sofa forward, there are limited options in placing a sofa. The peace is wonderful, I have amongst other thinks a syndrome which heightens my senses (all but common sense that is!) which means sound, I don't like listening to music, it can sometimes hurt physically, this Bungalow is lovely and quiet, Smells are the same, perfume and aftershave are my biggest nightmares, a simple sniff of the wrong scent and starts a migraine, the others probably you don't need to know about. I have found the first few weeks a bit like a Holiday rental, you know where you think and feel like you are having a two week stint somewhere and expect to go home again, very strange. Its not the fact of moving as I have done that around eight times in my life, perhaps never on the scale of moving into a new build and taking us over a year from knowing to getting in. However living in a Passivhaus is a completely different experience.

At this point we have a new addition to the family 'Tigs' an adorable ginger tom cat, he actually lives next door but has decided to adopt us as well, probably as a back up plan.

The most beautiful boy in the world - to me!

Who's been living in my house?

Moved in and although the little (large)box with tea, coffee, biscuits, water and assorted alcoholic refreshments has never been misplaced it is time to go shopping for some basics. Upon return its a little like Goldilocks and the Builders (I mean Bears) who has been in my house? Yes I have keys and we are like fort knox, no external holes, gaps or spaces so just how has someone got into our bungalow and whilst in fixing the dodgy sink? very unnerving now we are beginning to doubt ourselves even though we do know beyond any doubt......surely even in rented accommodation you shouldn't have someone walking around with your keys. OMG what if I had been in bed or in the bath, walking through the house with night shirt on, that is a scary thought and not just for me!

Catching up with new neighbours who are moving in, we are all happy when Eva mentions we have a break in who seems to have repaired a problem rather than taking anything. Well here in lies a tale, yes they also have had visitors, no porridge or bed but a set of keys left in middle of floor, now without a post box just how did the culprit get keys left inside the house. Well we know know its not just us but we have had a visitor. Must phone GYBC Monday morning and see what is going on.....

Chaos for a while..... well welcome to my world!

OK we are in, and I have to say we are definitely overcrowded, most of our stuff and boxes have been crammed into Eva's room for unpacking at a later date, it is piled high.

Of course anything practical we may want like medication is over the far side, 23 boxes over and 6 down. Now I  understand, the importance my parents were placing on the labeling. In fairness I started in very good form, religiously labeling everything, maybe in too much detail, then I started just adding an extra item or two without writing it down this progressed to boxes not being labelled and there you have it somehow I stopped completely. Well I was sure we were not taking too much 'stuff' maybe someone forgot to build a room and I just haven't found it yet because that is exactly what I did. Did I mention that we don't have an attic, thus number one on my 'cons' list. However 'pros' list is out weighing, peace and quiet, triple glazing helps, no neighbours above or below and those next door seem to be nice and not actually very close. Another 'pro' is we don't need radiators apparently in a Passivhaus, its a complicated process if you aren't technically minded or used to it. The lack of radiators gives more space = more wardrobes = more clothes, shoes, handbags and other sparkly girly things, oh my stuff is growing again, well mentally.

The basics (for now) are, and this is very basic, my Passivhaus is a timber framed, triple glazed, sealed unit, it has extra thick walls and something called an MVHR unit which is responsible for taking cold smelly air out and keeping warm clean air in. It is environmentally friendly and cheaper to run allegedly (this we will see as the blog progresses)  we are energy and water efficient. One of the many sites which I personally find informative taking only 90 seconds to absorb is:

http://vimeo.com/74294955
I just wish I could have put it so well, so simplistic, well done.

Over estimating floor space!

Well plans always look good on paper don't they, the time I have taken to draw my floor plans and put furniture into spaces, leaving room for Alice my 'trustee steed' to get through (my wheelchair is affectionately named Alice)  I have had my bed and wardrobes on every conceivable place as with all the other rooms and furniture. The first thing I am noticing is that the plans don't actually reflect the measurements, I am assuming this is normal. For example my bedroom says 4544mm so I thought it meant 4 meters and 54 centimeters 4 millimeters:

No my bedroom is 4420, which converts to 4 meters and forty two centimeters. Unfortunately this means I can only have a run of four meter wardrobes not four and a half meters. Not enough space for clothes I hear you say? actually as with most new builds these days there is no storage space included no little cupboards, or airing cupboard holding vast vats of towels and bedlinen, those places that are referred to commonly in Norfolk as 'out of the way' how many times do you hear someone say 'I will put that out of the way'

Well this pattern follows through the whole bungalow so now my carefully calculated plans are shot to pieces. And what does that mean? well I brought too much 'stuff' with me but know I have even less space to store it so we are way overcrowded. Let the culling begin!

Oh my Goodness! I am impressed.....

True to his word Steve and gang (of four, and two vans) arrived promptly, leaving Mum and Dad in charge that end, we went to new Bungalow to prepare for arrival. The plan was to leave me so all hands were on deck the other end. No more than 10 minutes after arriving Mum calls and says - don't come back, they are really quick and by time you get here they will have loaded up. Staggered, I am a hoarder, especially clothes, shoes, bags and shiny things oh and of course books, a good couple of hundred that I mean to read, and yes I am underestimating I suspect. Plus all of the normal stuff and Partners stuff also a hoarder. Steve reckons we had as much in our two bed as a four bed usually does (we have to cut down)

Yep van arrives and within two and a half hours Steve,Elmo and crew have gone completed job and we are ensconced in new bungalow at last, more photos:

I will find the rest and add them next, I really wanted to add Man and a Van pictures because they were brilliant, quick and well prepared. If you search' Man and a van Lingwood' you will find him I really cant recommend enough.

22nd August, some four months behind schedule however finally moving in!

Well this is really hard to believe, its finally happening, we are moving, I have the keys in my hand,well most of them.

After all the false starts the removal companies are fed up with me changing dates, so they have just been ignoring me on last two occasions I think and now they say they are fully booked and the soonest they can move me is mid September, I really want to go earlier (like now) so am in process of looking to see who is available.

Hours of searching and I can find nothing, that is to say what I need on a sensible budget along with what I am looking for,ie more than a man and a van but not the full blown removal companies who are fully booked.  I am in throws of losing hope so I phone my Mum, it always helps me feel better in an emergency, its a bit like put the kettle on and everything will be alright.

Mum who is taking every step of moving trauma herself along the journey with me, and is so desperate to get me moved she is very likely to try and carry the furniture by hand over to new property single handed! My flat being so damp and musty and certainly not practical for a powerchair, Mum worries, being two steps away from calling out the armed forces to move me as it is obviously a national disarstar  herself to lend a hand she has found someone she thinks looks ok, by my Mums standards they must be pretty good she is through when checking people out (very) 

Just spoken to them and 'Steve' is coming round now to give a quote, talk about quick. Brilliant found the person, he was lovely although I still had reservations he said he could deliver so.....

 

As promised plans to new house: Moving date postponed again mid July, I suspect September though......

Well have now been told its likely to be mid July, I am on Holiday until then so wont be able to move when I am not here! I really don't fancy moving straight after my Holiday it feels dreadful. Everyones stress levels are rising I worry about my Partner and Parents in turn they worry about me. Final call, no its not going to be ready, spoke to the builders on site and they say no way. I am guessing they are the most accurate source of knowledge at the moment.

Now looking likely to be end of May or is it June!

Well it only takes 15 days to put together a Passive House, however it does not include the plumbing, electrics and groundworks etc. However once we get in it will be worth the wait! It has been a long process or so it feels....

Yep time for some more pictures, first and third are pictures of both mine and neighbours properties and middle is the plan. The Car park is still a long way off so now worried about removal company, deadlines are tight, and they need to know. I can understand as they are running a business however its impossible to say if they will be ready to go as we have already had two deadlines come and go. Hmm my gut feeling is to postpone again.....

Well we are warming up to moving in, a little later than expected but none the less moving in so I am told!

Its fair to say the build of my new Bungalow has taken over my life, my partners life and my very protective parents lives for the last 18 months. All have witnessed first hand the desperation, denial and despair of current accommodation. The frustration and pain of having to rely on a power chair to pass over the current two step thresholds which is both horrid & completely impossible without someone picking up and putting down heavy metal ramps to support me, these are not easy to handle or maneuver and still cause pain to both wheelchair occupant and person placing in position.

Ok not ready yet, looks likely to be end of May now:

Well I suppose it gives us more time to pack! I expect it will be much more organised than before as we have had all this extra time. I must say I am not surprised as the Car Park still isn't ready yet and in the plans it stipulates that car park is to be marked out prior to first tenants moving in.
I think I should share some pictures at this point:

As you can see, it is certainly not ready to move into yet but builders can work fast and usually have no problems getting houses up quickly so am not worrying. I will share my plans with you in my next post so you can have an idea of what it should look like.