Optimum size for new home

[Vortex2]

Calculate how much cash you have, and work backwards.

Do NOT do a 'Grand Designs' and plan a house with basement, 4-car garage, disco, games room, turrets etc .. only to run out of money half way through.

Also assume that you will spend 50%-100% more than your initial estimate.

You will also need CASH, as financing a self build is very hard and takes ages to set up.

A self-build is not for the faint hearted.

[Vortex2]

Re Passive Houses

They were originally a boutque idea. Only the rich with perfect south facing aspects built them.

However the standards have had to change as the houses have got smaller and are often not south facing- and can even be in shadow.

You can now have eco houses which still need external energy supplies - but much less than a normal house.

[clv101]

We only went about 20% over our initial budget but know people who have gone much further over. Also know people who have taken a self build mortgage. It was straightforward but they were only looking for around 30% of total value - interest rate higher than a conventional mortgage too.

[Vortex2]

but know people who have gone much further over.

.. shuffling of feet, embarassed whistling ...

[kenneal - lagger]

If you are looking to finance an eco house I would recommend the Ecology Building Society, who specialise in this sort of build. If you own the site outright or mostly own it they will give you 50% upfront and the rest at Damp Proof Course level so there is no need for a bridging loan. They charge a half per cent over normal until the build is finished and then it drops to normal level of interest. They are very approachable and know what they and you are talking about when it comes to eco building.

I do have a connection with them as a former borrower, now all paid off, and now a saver so I know what I am talking about when recommending them and I make no apologies for this.

Re Passive houses. They generally do require a main aspect within 20 degrees of south.

RE Passivhauses. They can be and are built to any orientation although a southern aspect is better so bear this in mind when selecting your site. And a Passivhaus does, for part of the year, require an external heat input although it should be at or less than 15W/m2 / deg C. Passivhaus, the German creation, is a bit of a misnomer as they are more hybrid houses usually requiring a mechanical ventilation and heating system to function.