Building Your Home

[markkellaway]

Remember that you have to pay GST on the land as well if you build your own.

Probably already thought of this but just in case. :angel

Mark. :P

[Jo and Andy]

Woz is right, something different about straw and mud house, warm cosy, sound proofed, I saw one built on Grand designs and then looked on the web, they look great. I'm with you Woz, not sure if the bank manager would be.

Here's a thought though as it is much sunnier over there and we should be looking at saving the planet, are there many solar panel heating systems that can save you money on heating etc.

Don't worry I am not a hippy, (not that there is anything wrong with them, mostly). But solar panels work across europe as a suppliment to heating costs why not save our resources.

[Moorf]

Now that's funny Jo, because you'd think there'd be solar panels all over the place here wouldn't you.. but I don't think I've seen a single one!! :eek

Good thought too.. will add to checklist for house...

Now you know what's going to happen.. I'm going to walk outside tomorrow and EVERY house will have a solar panel that I hadn't noticed

[markkellaway]

Some friends of ours, who live in Blenheim, went to see some Pool suppliers in Christchurch. They were suggesting solar panels to provide heat and power for the Pool, so they must be available.

Mark. :P

[kiwidebs]

Solar panels definately exist - I remember friends of my parents installing some years ago.

This is another interesting thread. Hubbie and I have discussed building our own place on occasion. I like the idea of central heating and great insulation (saw the straw houses on Grand Designs too and loved the idea!!). I've become spoilt living here in the UK and can't see me going back to the old days of getting dressed under the bed covers cos it was too cold to get up to dress (I was 9 and I lived in Blenheim at the time! We only ever heated two rooms of the house, the lounge had an open fire and we had a kerosene heater that wheeled between the bathroom and kitchen depending on the greater need!!).
Have been looking thru all the websites and have decided that this definately will require more thorough investigation once we reach NZ!!

Debs

[Bubbles]

Another fairly local company/builder for you to look at.

Peter Ray Homes Ltd
213 Blenheim Road
PO Box 8184
Riccarton
Christchurch
New Zealand

http://www.peterrayhomes.co.nz/contact.html

Might be a bit modern for your taste Moorf if you're looking at the " Heritage " style.

John

[Bubbles]

Also, a quite usefull site concerning the solar energy question.



http://www.able-solar.co.nz/
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Straw houses, won't you ever learn. What about the Big Bad Wolf ? :eek

[Nicola]

Straw houses, won't you ever learn. What about the Big Bad Wolf ? :eek

What they have those in NZ to, we were hoping to leave them all behind in the UK.

Nic

[Timbo]

Does anyone know of a builder specialising in Hobbit holes?

[leslie]

cambridge school had solar pool. nice but chilly in winter