12 responses

  1. Mike Teahan
    June 13, 2012

    I like the line “You will need to be working closely alongside your architect (with DEAP experience (ahem)) ”
    If you look at the current publication of construct Ireland you will see that there are over 3,500 published BER’s for new houses and only 1,000+ are Part L compliant… What’s going on here eh..!!

    Its a joke really, you get 2 points on your license for being on the phone or you get threatened with prosecution if you don’t pay your TV license but build a €300,000.00 house anyway you like without any consequence…

    Reply

    • markstephensarchitect
      June 13, 2012

      You’re right, complete joke ! Shit will hit fan when solicitors/banks turn on the architects (& others) who have certified compliance when the BER is non-compliant.

      Reply

  2. Dermot Kearns
    September 6, 2012

    Hi Mark
    Who is going to inspect the building to ensure compliance? I had conversations with two selfbuilders, one today and one yesterday who quite clearly stated they will not be in complient with the new building regulations and dont care either ways as no one will inspect what type or levels of insulation has bee applied to the building envenlope. Inspection can only be carried out correctly during construction and it cannot be checked properly after the building is closed up and decorated.

    Reply

    • markstephensarchitect
      September 6, 2012

      Hi Dermot

      This doesn’t surprise me one bit; the bank will need a cert to release money and the certifying architect/engineer is pushed into sign-off to get paid – Professionals need to get much tougher in keeping a complete check on Building Regs & money at every stage of project and refuse to sign-off when things are looking bad.

      Mark

      Reply

      • Dermot Kearns
        September 7, 2012

        Hi Mark
        I agree with your comments I believe the rules should be laid down at the very start of each project. There should be a fee included to cover unannounced inspections. I am working on a project at the moment where the architect has said the client will not pay him to carryout inspections I believe this is crazy. The project is 4500 sq foot home.The client must be made aware of the serious problems that arise from poor quality application of building materials and the incorrect levels of insulation materials. I have two clear statments I make iF YOU DONT INSPECT THE INSULATION – Don’t expect the best results. Pay cheap – Pay twice

        Reply

  3. Kenny G
    April 1, 2015

    Mark, I have learned a lot from your site. For that : Muchos Gracias!
    Ok….. My brother has house that fits the bill with a lot of what you have talked about in past 2/3 years.
    Completed 2013 to 2008 Regs. He has had had INCREDIBLE draughts in the house.( this is important with what comes next).

    -Architect signed off house as Compliant( design only basis)
    -BER guy xml files shows Part L Non Compliance
    -Surveyor and Engineer we got in both agree house is Non Compliant.
    – developer of site submitted / signed off on Thermal Bridging Details in General Guidance Documents to the BER guy who in turn used .8 factor towards BER calculation.

    Problem is , the Thermal Bridging Details ticked off on Guidance Doc were NOT actually what was built on site with a far inferior and v different form of wall construction than ticked. These thermal bridging details were not inspected or ever recorded by an outside Architect/Engineer .
    Examples : no air tightness tape at junctions, regular plasterboard was used rather than the ticked insulated plasterboard etc……

    In light of the unbeleivable draughts/ cold air infiltration inside the (porous) envelope , my brother is kicking up a storm. What does seem to be v grey area is if signed off thermal bridging guidance docs are not followed through on site , if there is any legal recourse. Brother is mortgaged and his bank manager red faced as they feel they have got wool pulled over eyes.

    based on your experience and your prophecy in 2012 original blog posting that stuff like this is coming down the line to Solicitors/ Banks – who is ultimately responsible and at fault if anyone? I thought the guidance doc was just that ie a guide and builder free to change but if then used as part of BER , that doesn’t sound right ie
    ” we will use the doc to get a nice BER score to sell the house but we won’t build to this as its too much hassle/ expensive”

    Your thoughts Mark?

    VanMarke or thomas for De Ronde!!

    Kenny G

    Reply

    • Mark Stephens
      April 2, 2015

      Hi Kenny

      Many thanks & Tricky, BER guy is relying on details from architect so he gets out

      Architect is Design only so didn’t inspect what the contractor built, he could get out

      Only way is through court.

      This is why SI9 came about to have full finger pointing paperwork

      Mark

      Disclaimer:
      All advice online is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support – in and of itself – should legal action be taken. Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.

      Reply

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