HPH339: What is the Housebuilder's Bible? - with Mark Brinkley
Nov 27, 2023
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Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, discusses the purpose and content of the book. He explores building a dream house including gas boiler vs heat pump, layout design, and managing overheating. Researching for ideas is explored along with the challenges of finding reliable information. The increasing costs of building, tips for keeping costs down, and advancements in building comfortable houses like the passive house movement are discussed.
The Housebuilder's Bible by Mark Brinkley is a comprehensive guide that covers various topics related to self-build and retrofit projects, including costs, design principles, and the stages of building.
Keeping costs down during a self-build project requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and prioritizing aspects such as comfort, energy efficiency, and ventilation over luxury finishes.
Deep dives
The House Builders Bible offers comprehensive guidance in the self-build and retrofit process
The House Builders Bible, authored by Mark Brinkley, provides valuable insights and guidance for individuals interested in self-build or retrofit projects. The book is continuously updated to ensure its relevance and covers a wide range of topics, including costs, design principles, and the stages of building. Mark reflects on the challenges and regrets of his own house build, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions, such as avoiding fossil fuel use. The book aims to simplify the building process and serves as a comprehensive reference for those seeking to create comfortable, energy-efficient homes.
Navigating the building process requires careful budgeting and realistic expectations
Keeping costs down during a self-build project can be challenging but requires careful planning and realistic expectations. Mark advises individuals to set their sights realistically and be prepared to make compromises. Educating oneself about building costs and seeking professional help, such as hiring a quantity surveyor, can provide a clearer understanding of the budget. It is essential to balance costs, quality, and time constraints, and to prioritize aspects such as comfort, energy efficiency, and ventilation in order to create a truly enjoyable living space.
Gravenhill showcases different approaches to self-building and customization
Gravenhill, a self-build development in the UK, offers insight into various self-build and custom build options. The development consists of grand self-built houses and custom-built homes that resemble developer-built houses. While the self-built properties allow for more personalization, the custom builds provide a less risky option by purchasing from a developer with the ability to customize some finishes. Gravenhill highlights the divide in the self-build market, with wealthier individuals driving the customization aspects, while more affordable self-builds tend to be found in areas with lower land prices.
The House Builders Bible offers guidance for affordable self-building and emphasizes the importance of energy-efficient homes
The House Builders Bible not only provides comprehensive guidance on self-building and retrofitting but also emphasizes the importance of creating energy-efficient and comfortable homes. The book encourages individuals to prioritize factors such as warmth, ventilation, and energy efficiency over luxury finishes. Mark highlights the significance of passive house principles and the advancements made in the last few decades. He also acknowledges the challenges faced when balancing costs and aspirations, emphasizing the need to educate oneself, seek professional help, and make informed decisions throughout the building process.
Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition.