Your Guide To Self Building with HANSE HAUS

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Your Guide To Self Building with HANSE HAUS
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The right home for
everyone
Dear Homebuilder,
Having your own home is a lifetime’s dream that, with the right
construction partner, can be realised quickly and easily – in keeping
with your own ideas and your own style.
Plan your house with us so that it is one of a kind. Flexible
architectural planning combined with the highest standards
of artisanship and loving attention to detail provide you with
reassurance that your dreams can be realised perfectly, so that
you can be inspired and let your creative juices flow. Whether it is
a house for a young family, an adapted home for the elderly with
a lift, an exclusive villa or an eco-friendly Passivhaus, we plan and
build to an exceptionally high standard and finish. When it comes to
energy saving too, our homes are perfectly equipped for the future,
and go far beyond UK building regulations in terms of insulation.
This means that heating starts to become a minor matter as the
less heat energy you lose, the less heat energy you require.
Providing inspiration for your new home.
Building across
the UK
Index
6-7Bespoke design
8-9
Low energy homes/
Passivhaus
10-11Pre-build specification
12Creating an airtight
envelope
13External features
14-15Environmental/Home
technology
16-17Outstanding Interiors
18-19Your Home from
Start to Finish
20Case Study: Nottingham
21Case Study: Tewkesbury
22-23Case Study: Essex
24-25Case Study: Somerset
Passivhaus
Marco Hammer
Managing Director
Wilfried Bolz
Managing Director
26-27Case Study: Hertfordshire
28-29Before getting started
30Accessible homes
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Tradition
Experience
Innovation
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Offering construction
experience and
security since 1929
Over 80 years of home construction experience
When master carpenter Hermann Wandke founded the HANSE HAUS
company in Lübeck-Travemünde, Northern Germany in 1929, he
could surely not have suspected that his small carpenters‘ workshop
would one day grow into one of the top names in the prefabricated
house industry. HANSE HAUS can today look back on over 80 years
of experience in the construction industry and more than 30,000
completed houses. With 360 permanent employees – some from their
families‘ third generation of HANSE HAUS workers – and around 30
apprentices, the company has unrivalled knowhow in prefabricated
house construction.
The Schörghuber Group
Putting faith in a reliable construction partner
When choosing a construction partner, it pays to play it safe. HANSE
HAUS is a subsidiary of the Schörghuber Group, which operates
successfully in the hotel industry as well as the fields of aircraft
leasing, beverages, property and construction, both in Germany
and internationally. Many of the family-run group’s building projects,
including the Arabella Park in Munich and the current redevelopment
of Berlin’s Zoobogen, have had a major influence on the urban
development of several German cities.
Sustainability and energy efficiency – even on a large scale
One of the largest projects for the Schörghuber Group’s property and
construction arm is the m.pire in Munich.
This imposing landmark on the north of the city is unmissable and
unforgettable thanks to its unique combination of light, glitter and
transparency. At the same time, it constitutes a modern emblem
of sustainability and energy efficiency that the German Society for
Sustainable Construction certified in advance with its Gold Seal of
Approval.
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Bespoke design,
whatever the size,
whatever your needs
We build houses OUR CUSTOMERS want and so we never build the same house twice. At
HANSE HAUS we realise that all of our customers are different people with different ideas of
how they want to live. There are commonly a multitude of questions that will arise as soon as
one begins to imagine building their own home;
What kind of house do I really want to live in?
How should the house be designed to suit my family now and in the future?
Will my dream home be received well by the local planning department?
Will my budget match my ideas?
We always aim to deliver the house YOU really want and are able to help you at every stage
of the process. We will happily take your ideas and transform them into the highest technical
design. The following designs are meant as EXAMPLES only. They are able to outline some
variations in styles, living space and design features. 2 storey 4 bedroom house
Approximate floor area – 116m2
2 storey 3 bedroom house
Approximate floor area – 152m2
2½ storey 5 bedroom house
Approximate floor area – 362m2
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HANSE HAUS: Where every home is high efficiency
UK Building Regulations are there to protect us and ensure that any new home is built to a required
standard. The Government has set a route map for the continued improvement of sustainable design and
construction of new homes.
There is a requirement that by 2020 all new build homes must be near to Zero Carbon standard.
A house from HANSE HAUS is typically three times as energy efficient as the current UK minimum
requirement.
To achieve this, HANSE HAUS pays particular attention to the building envelope of your home, delivering
external walls, floor build-ups, roofs and windows with superior thermal u-values than would be used
in typical UK construction practices. HANSE HAUS are also experts in the construction of exceptionally
airtight homes. This is a specialist process developed over the 80 years HANSE HAUS has been creating
low energy homes.
For more information, please contact your local agent and allow them to advise you on the latest
requirements, as definitions are changed regularly.
How they compare
House energy consumption in KW/m2 per annum
HANSE HAUS
Passivhaus
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Typical
HANSE HAUS Build*
70
Current UK
min. requirement
220
50
100
150
200
*As determined by German energy performance assessment standards
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HANSE HAUS 70kw build*
With the right construction partner, building your ultimate dream home can quickly and easily become a reality.
With our specialist in-house design and construction teams, we are able to turn your ideas, your unique style
and your budget into home which you will love.
Each new home is produced in our state of the art factory in Germany and, through this specialist process,
we are able to build properties which enjoy exceptional air tightness and therefore benefit from extremely low
levels of energy loss. Our standard 70kw build far exceeds UK regulations for insulation and energy efficiency
and many designs can be modified to ultra-low energy Passivhaus standards.
Whether your dream home is large, modern and contemporary or more small country cottage, we can build
it for you. And with integrated environmentally friendly and energy saving technologies in every home as well
as the high levels of air tightness and insulation, those exorbitant energy bills will be a thing of the past. So let
your imagination be our guide and let us to make your dream home a reality.
*As determined by German energy performance assessment standards
HANSE HAUS 15kw Passivhaus
HANSE HAUS Passivhaus The Future of Energy Saving
In a Passivhaus, there are a multitude of technical construction details which have to be taken into
consideration and have to inter-connect. Particular attention is paid to the airtight construction of the building
envelope - the shell - to ensure that no heat can leak out through joints or gaps.
Thermal bridges and any areas around the building where heat can be lost, are reduced to a minimum. In a
HANSE HAUS Passiv Haus, the entire construction process and the individual structural elements, such as
the walls, windows and roof are verified by the Passivhaus-Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. This Passiv Haus
certification provides official confirmation that the building is built to the correct specification.
For more detailed information on Passivhaus,
please ask your agent for our brochure or visit
www.passivhouseinternational.org
HANSE HAUS
are proud to be a
Certified Passivhaus
builder
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HANSE HAUS Visitors and Sample Centre, Oberleichtersbach, Germany
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Pre-build specification enables fixed contract sum
Customised service packages
Market Leading brands
By choosing the requested services, our customers can select between two different service packages
‘STARTER’ and ‘TURNKEY’. It’s up to you to decide what should be done by HANSE HAUS and what you
would like to achieve in personal contribution. The summary below and the following building specification for
HANSE-houses above concrete slab show which services are already included in the different packages.
To ensure that we can bring you the best quality fittings for your new home, we have developed
partnerships with many of the best-known building product manufacturers.
This symbol shows the services provided for a ‘STARTER’ house. It is the best for customers wishing to
have a full ‘do-it-yourself’ involvement.
n This symbol shows the services provided for a ‘TURNKEY’ house.
Summary of service
Service packages
Starter
Turnkey
SIP external walls (in storeys) with sound and thermal insulation surfaced on both sides with OSB boards
SIP internal walls with sound and thermal insulation
Accessible ceiling
Front entrance door, windows and french windows installed
Roofing, roof drainage
Facade in a selected colour
Comprehensive HANSE HAUS service
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Electrical installation
On site plumbing
Fresh air ventilation system with heat recovery
Screed
Preliminary plumbing installation
Stairs to the top floor
Plasterboards mounted on walls and ceiling
Roof with sound and thermal insulation
Vertical walls in a converted top floor roof space
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Paint work
Internal doors
Flooring
Sanitary ware in bathroom / shower room / downstairs cloakroom
Tiling in bathroom / shower room / downstairs cloakroom
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How we create an energy
saving airtight envelope
Uncontrolled air leakage is one of the
major factors causing heat losses and
high energy consumption in dwellings.
In the past buildings were ‘leaky’, and
much of the required ventilation was
provided by the high level of air leakage
and uncontrollable window trickle vents.
Modern building regulations however
require buildings to be far more airtight.
This legislative requirement for new
buildings has arisen as a result to conserve
fuel and power. The building regulation
requirement throughout the UK is that
the air infiltration rate should not exceed
10 m3 per hour per m2 at a pressure of
50 Pa. With Hanse Haus, air tightness is
a priority from the start of the production
line to the completion of the build. Our
recently finished Passivhaus in West
Somerset achieved an air infiltration rate
of 0.45m3 per hour per m2 at a pressure
of 50Pa – well in excess of Government
requirements.
SIP external wall (width 31 cm):
External Wall Section
Saddleback Roof Detail
1 2 mm Float synthetic render in a range of
different colours
2 3 mm Reinforcement plaster and fibreglass
mesh
3 150 mm Thermal insulation for efficient
protection against heat loss
4 8 mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board) glued to
the timber-frame structure
5 125 mm Timber-frame structure with mineral
wool infill in the cavities to provide thermal
and sound insulation. The OSB panels are hot
glued to the whole timber-frame structure
under high pressure. This provides maximum
stability and prevents any sagging or slippage
of the internal insulation. The innovative
service conduits integrated in the structural
posts will carry electric cabling, etc.
6 8 mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board) glued to
the timber-frame structure (Panelling on both
sides with OSB is also included in the shellonly house (STARTER-Package)
7 0.2 mm Vapour control barrier for air and wind
tightness
8 12.5 mm Plasterboard which provides good
sound insulation and, through high moisture
and heat retention potential, a pleasant and
well-balanced living environment
9 High insulated windows with a thermal
efficient triple glazing (Ug=0,7 W/m2K)1
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as far as technically feasible
The outstanding advantages of a HANSE
HAUS wall:
Floor Cassette Detail
Pent Roof Detail
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• U valve: in the inner wall cavity 0.11 W/m2K
• Fire resistance to F30B level tested by
the Materials Testing Institute at Stuttgart
University
• Compliance with DIN 4109 (German norms)
standard for noise insulation
What external features are available?
Roofing Options
Window Options
Timber Options
Exterior Finishes
HANSE HAUS offer various roofing options
HANSE HAUS fit triple glazed windows as standard.
They can be supplied in several finishes
HANSE HAUS can supply several exterior timber
finishes
HANSE HAUS have a number of exterior finishes
which can be used for your home
Tile
White PVC
Red Cedar
Render
Slate
Aluminium
Douglas Fir
Stone
Zinc
Wood
Untreated Larch
Brick
Comprehensive details of standard & upgrade options are listed on the HANSE HAUS Building Specification version 03/2011
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What makes up your Low Energy Home?
Heating & Environmental Technology
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Air Source Heat Pump
Ground Source Heat Pump
How it works
Even cold air is full of energy and air source
heat pumps use the freely available heat in
the ambient air to provide efficient heating
and hot water at air temperatures as low
as -25 °C. Because the source of heat – the
air – is abundantly available all around us,
air source heat pumps have the advantage
of low installation costs and minimal space
requirements, making them ideal for new
build applications.
Suitable for either indoor or outdoor
installation, air source heat pumps can be
used for heating, cooling and to produce
domestic hot water and with the relatively
mild winter temperatures in the UK, can
achieve seasonal co-efficient of performance
comparable with ground source, meaning
excellent levels of performance can be
achieved throughout the year.
How it works
The earth stores an enormous amount of
solar energy from both solar radiation and
rainfall, ground source heat pumps extract this
freely available energy to provide low cost,
low carbon, high efficiency heating and hot
water. To extract the energy ground source
heat pumps use collectors, filled with a mix
of water and antifreeze, buried in the earth,
either horizontally or, if available land area is
limited, vertically. Although more costly to
install than an air source heat pump, with the
constant temperatures below the surface of
the earth throughout the year, ground source
heat pumps deliver high levels of efficiency all
year round irrespective of seasonal variations
in air temperature.
Gas/Oil Condensing
Heating System
How it works
Modern condensing boilers simultaneously
generate warmth for heating and for hot-water
provision through the combustion of gas or oil.
By using the heat that remains in exhaust gas,
the energy content of the fuel is used almost
in its entirety, making gas-fired condensing
technology especially efficient as well as very
convenient.
These boilers can be wall or floor mounted
and an appropriately sized model will
be installed depending on the heating
requirement of the individual property.
Heat Recovery Unit
How it works
With air tighter new buildings, whole house
heat recovery ventilation is the most effective
ventilation strategy on the market.
Heat recovery continuously extracts humid
air from wet areas such as kitchens and
bathrooms and using a heat exchanger,
transfers the heat to filtered incoming outside
air which is redistributed to the living areas
and bedrooms.
Heat exchangers are up to 93% efficient
which significantly help reduce heating
bills, plus the effects of condensation are
dramatically reduced.
Home Technology
Rainwater Harvesting
Solar Water Heating
PV (Photovoltaics)
Integrated Technology
Rainwater Harvesting works by taking the
rain from your roof gutters, filtering out leaves
and debris and storing the water in an above
ground or underground tank. This water can
then be used for non-potable applications such
as vehicle washing, irrigation, toilet flushing
and washing machines.
Solar water heating systems use solar panels,
called collectors, fitted to your roof. These
collect heat from the sun and use it to warm
water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.
There are two types of solar water heating
panels, they are evacuated tubes (like in the
picture above) and flat plate collectors. Flat
plates collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles
or integrated into the roof.
An air source heat pump heater can be used
as a back up to heat the water further to
reach the temperature set by the cylinders
thermostat when the solar water heating
system does not reach that temperature.
Solar PV panels require only daylight, not
necessarily sunlight to operate, and they are
therefore capable of generating electricity
even on cloudy days. Solar PVs will work
equally well in urban or rural locations and can
be installed on the roof of most homes that
can support the equipment. They can easily be
connected to a building’s electricity supply and
any unrequired energy can be sold back to the
national grid.
When in use, Solar PVs do not generate
greenhouse gases or cause pollution. Each
kilowatt-peak (kWp) of electricity produced can
save approximately 455 kilograms of carbon
dioxide emissions compared with electricity
generated from fossil fuels.
The UK Government is currently offering
attractive incentives for those creating their
own ‘green electricity’ .
To find out more please visit http://www.
fitariffs.co.uk/
Hanse Haus are able to design and install
leading edge control, media and security
systems which can be tailored to your
individual requirements.
We offer a wide range of Home Technology
solutions from
• Complete home automation systems
• Multi-room audio video systems
• Home cinema systems
• Cutting edge home security technology
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Outstanding
Interiors
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Your Home: from concept to handover
• No obligation site visit by a knowledgeable
HANSE HAUS sales partner
• Project discussion with sales partner
• Client may wish to visit the state-of-the-art
HANSE HAUS factory in Germany to view several on-site showhomes and the
factory in operation. For details please speak to your sales partner
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• Planning Application placed with local
planning department
• Once Planning Consent is received, draft
engineering drawings of the new home are
prepared by HANSE HAUS
This timeline is for guideline purposes only and is not legally binding
• Client visits Sampling Centre in Germany
to discuss and select desired materials and
finishes
• HANSE HAUS prepares detailed
construction drawings and structural load calculations
• Client oversees design of foundations, floor
slab and site drainage
• Building regulations package sent by local
Building Control office
• Client oversees construction of
foundations, floor slab, site drainage and
other on-site pre-delivery activities
• House materials are ordered by
HANSE HAUS and delivered to the
German factory
• Logistical preparations are made for
house delivery
• Major house elements are built in
HANSE HAUS factory in Germany
• House is delivered to site in the UK and
on-site construction of the new home
commences
• Walls, floors and roofs are craned into
position in a matter of days
• Interior finishes, interior technology,
fixtures and fittings completed by
specialist HANSE HAUS construction team
• All exterior and interior work completed
• Building Regulations certification is
signed off and Completion certificate is
received from the council
• Clients take possession of their new home
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What are your overall thoughts on building with HANSE HAUS?
We found out, through experience, that HANSE HAUS follow through with what they promise.
The actual build was faultless and they worked incredibly efficiently to build us a quality house.
The after sales service has also been fantastic.’
Has your new home met your expectations?
‘It’s definitely met our expectations. We love the house and the overall finish is excellent. We
took a few months to learn how to ‘drive’ the heating system and now that it’s summer time, it
does get hot inside when the sun is shining in. We need to learn a bit further about how to keep
it cool. In the winter months, even through the very coldest spell, it was beautifully warm inside.
It’s early days still, but we can already see that it costs about a third of our previous house to run
which is fantastic.
COMPLETE START TO FINISH BUILD TIME – 10 weeks
Case study – Nottingham
HANSE HAUS customers in Nottingham did some designs for a conventional build but after putting it out to tender they
found the costs were way too high and that it was outside of the remit for most traditional builders to build an energy
efficient house. It became clear to them that to achieve energy efficiency, the two most important factors were to build a
house that was airtight and well insulated so they set about the search for companies that offered this. ‘HANSE HAUS
stood out in terms of investment they’ve made in machinery at their plant. We also visited a couple of houses that they’d
already built in the UK. We found that HANSE HAUS had the edge in every aspect of technology and we felt their highly
efficient manufacturing process would achieve the house that we wanted.’
The Build
At 6.30am on the first morning, two lorries arrived from Germany, with our house on board. The construction crew
worked incredibly hard and were very nice people. Even having started so early in the morning, they were still working at
8.30pm that night and we actually had to ask them to stop out of consideration for the neighbours! From then on, they
worked from 7 ‘til 7 each day. We were on-site virtually all the time just to watch and take photos. The whole build was
seamless and in less than 8 weeks the house was completed.
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Case study – Tewkesbury
Has your new home met your expectations?
Yes, it has. The house is really lovely and warm (and not drafty) even through the cold winter
months. We did light our wood burning stove just once when we first moved in but it quickly
became too hot and we found ourselves opening the windows. It’s really unlikely that we’ll need
to use the underfloor heating on the ground and first floors at all. The basement is naturally a
bit cooler, so it might be needed from time to time down there. We do sometimes turn the
ventilation system off as we like to open the windows for fresh air. However, when it’s on,
which it is most of the time, the whole house has a really lovely quality of fresh, clean air.
Given your experience, can you offer any tips to other self builders?
One of the things I would advise someone else to consider is that you need to allow space for
all the machinery that is required to run the house. I would advise anyone to build a designated
plant room into your design, either into a basement or a small utility room for example.
COMPLETE START TO FINISH BUILD TIME – 10 weeks
For HANSE HAUS customers in Tewkesbury, the motivation to build their own house came
primarily from living in older houses, including a listed building for more than 30 years. ‘They
were lovely to look at but had little effective draught proofing and were difficult to insulate
properly. Coming originally from countries with cold climates, we knew what it was like to live in
a well-insulated draught-free house, feeling warm, even when it was –20C outside. We’d already
met the main HANSE HAUS sales agent in the UK and instantly took to his hands-on, can-do
attitude. Once our house was delivered, the HANSE HAUS construction crew were fantastic.
They took great pride in everything they did. They would start at 8 in the morning and finish at
6pm, or 1pm on Saturdays. They were so keen to get on with the job, they had asked if they
could work until 10pm as the evenings were becoming lighter!
So, what are your overall thoughts on building with HANSE HAUS?
They have given an exemplary service. We feel that, as customers, our best interests have been
at heart to the highest level and we’d happily go with HANSE HAUS if we were to self build
again.
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Case study – Braintree, Essex
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HANSE HAUS customers in Braintree, Essex found a plot of land
which was being sold off by the neighbouring house and then began
researching how best to go about their build. ‘After researching many
different companies, we decided on HANSE HAUS, who offered us
the security of building on time and on budget. Given our previous
experience, we knew that the efficiency with which HANSE HAUS
operate was to be of huge advantage and after visiting the German
factory, we knew that the quality of build would be uncompromised.
Although 3 of our children have left home, they still spend a fair bit
of time here, along with their partners and friends so we wanted to
build a large family home where everyone could have their own space.
Knowing exactly what we wanted, we designed the house ourselves
and submitted plans to the local council. As is usual with planning,
there had to be some compromise, and in our case, it was with the
exterior appearance of the house needing to fit in with the surrounding
buildings. I had to submit my drawings several times before we
got it exactly right, and ultimately I would have liked to build a more
contemporary house but certainly internally, the house has a very
modern feel to it and has, in many ways, exceeded all expectations.’
What are your overall thoughts on building with
HANSE HAUS?
‘HANSE HAUS have been incredibly efficient from start to finish. Firstly,
and given our previous experience, the benefit of knowing exactly what
the build was going to cost before we even started, was invaluable.
Secondly, HANSE HAUS opened our eyes to a different, and more
effective way of building – they work at the edge of design and use
all the latest technologies. They also have an extraordinary level of
commitment to the job and find a way to overcome any issues which
might arise as well as accommodating changes wherever possible.
Thirdly, we felt like we were being looked after, as a valued customer,
throughout the entire process. Even when the house was snagged,
HANSE HAUS picked up on things that we couldn’t even see, and went
that extra mile to meet their own high expectations.’
Has your new home met your expectations?
‘It certainly has, it’s a fantastic house to live in and everything about
it, is good quality. Despite the size of the house, we’ve also noticed a
vast reduction in energy costs. With all 4 teenagers, and sometimes
their partners and friends in the house, we were concerned about the
running costs but we needn’t have been. In addition, with the rainwater
harvesting system, we’re also paying less for our water. This is
obviously a bonus for us, but is also good news in terms of the possible
re-sale value of the house in the long term.’
COMPLETE START TO FINISH BUILD TIME – 8 weeks
‘HANSE HAUS picked up on things that we couldn’t even see, and
went that extra mile to meet their own high expectation’
‘We signed the initial contract with HANSE HAUS in July and after
another trip to Germany to choose everything from the bathroom
suites to the ceramic floor tiles, we came home to start work, with
the ground workers, on the foundations and the concrete pad. We did
come up against some unexpected problems during the dig out, but
the experienced ground workers who were recommended by HANSE
HAUS, did a fantastic job of redirecting errant pipework while meeting
the differing standards of both UK and German regulations.’
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Case study – Certified Passiv Haus, West Quantoxhead Somerset
The property owners found out about HANSE HAUS in March 2009 at
The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show. After consideration
they settled on building a HANSE HAUS Passivhaus, which was to
be the first certified built in the UK. The property owners commented
that- ‘HANSE HAUS stood out for a number of reasons. We particularly
liked the idea that, unlike many other companies, we would be dealing
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directly with the manufacturer. Having visited the factory and sample
centre in Germany in June 2009, the quality of the HANSE HAUS
product was evident. It wasn’t just this though; we were also placing
our trust, and investing in, the people we were dealing with. Their cando attitude shone through.’ ‘Although energy efficiency and associated
low running costs hadn’t been a primary objective when first setting
out to build our own house, it became more apparent that these factors
did make long-term economic sense. In the end, the fact that we’ve
built the house we wanted, which is also a Passivhaus is the icing on
the cake.’
What are your overall thoughts on building with HANSE HAUS?
‘The quality and speed of build is excellent. Also, when the house was
being constructed, we watched the crew work with great precision
and efficiency, even clearing and tidying as they went. The quality
of workmanship was paramount. All in all, it’s been a really good
experience and we would do it all over again’.
on my doormat any more, puts a smile on my face. We had oil-fuelled
heating and hot water in our old house which cost a small fortune.
Those costs would likely have doubled after the cold winter we’ve
just had, and the increase in fuel costs. Our new house feels so much
warmer in comparison and that’s without having any heat on at all!’
Given your experience, can you offer any tips to other self
builders?
Has your new home met your expectations?
‘The house has definitely met our expectations. From paper to the
finished version, we have the house that we wanted. We love the big
windows which make it a really light, airy house and it’s position means
that the sun pours in to every room at some point throughout the day.
In the design process, there were some things that we weren’t in
control of such as the staircase, although we’re really pleased with it.
Like everything, it’s manufactured to a very high quality. The same goes
for the windows and external doors, which are really solid and robust
as well as being triple-glazed. The house is quite exposed and we used
to hear the wind whistling through our old house but it’s so quiet now.
Although energy efficiency wasn’t our main concern when we first set
out to build our own house, the fact that I don’t have a gas bill landing
‘It’s essential to be fully involved in the design process of a house and pay
attention to the details. When we went to Germany for sampling of fixtures
and fittings, we’d made a decision on where we wanted everything to be
placed but over time, you get to reflect on things like the position of the
lighting, for example. Some things have worked out wonderfully well for us
but for other things, like the lighting, we had to make a few minor tweaks,
as well as a few compromises. I’d also say that, especially if you’re self
building whilst also working full time, the Turnkey Service is what you need.
We run our own business so although we were very involved with the
design and the fixtures and fittings for the house, our involvement with the
actual build was minimal’.
COMPLETE START TO FINISH BUILD TIME – 8 weeks
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After struggling to find a home to match their needs, HANSE HAUS
customers from Elstree began to look into the possibilities of self
building. ‘We started looking for a 4-bed property with a garage, and
a kitchen big enough to eat in. We also wanted to be within walking
distance of the station and thought we’d find somewhere that needed
a coat of paint but not much else. That wasn’t the case! There was
just nothing like that available on the market so we started to think
about the alternatives.’
The couple started researching for a suitable build partner and found
HANSE HAUS along with other manufacturers on the internet. ‘We
then went to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC
and also Ecobuild at Excel where we talked to the various building
companies. We showed the sales representatives our own concept
design and this is when HANSE HAUS first stood out. Where others
took one look at the vaulted ceilings and multi-levelled roof structure
and said they couldn’t do it, HANSE HAUS had a can-do approach and
invited us to Germany to discuss it further with one of their architects. Their attitude was refreshing and inspiring from the outset and no other
manufacturer offered what they did both in terms of the package and
costs. The HANSE architect in Germany was able to ‘tidy up’ our design
and also suggest improvements here and there.’
Once the plot had been purchased, planning granted and the existing
dilapidated 1950s home on it demolished, HANSE approved ground
workers started to lay new foundations & drains. ‘A pre-manufactured
house can be finished up to 9 months quicker than a traditional build
and we had no concerns over budget as HANSE HAUS offered a fixed
cost contract, which didn’t even vary with the fluctuating exchange
rate. We were able to build a modern, functional, highly energy
efficient yet very comfortable home, which is suitable for family life in
the 21st Century. Now that we’re living in it, our new home really has
exceeded our expectations.’
Case study – Elstree, Hertfordshire
26
Has your new home met your expectations?
‘Yes, the house has certainly met our expectations. We feel a real
sense of calm and tranquility here. It’s really quiet and even though
there are train lines nearby, we can’t hear them at all. This house is
quite a selfish house in that, we designed it especially for us. It works
for our lifestyle and felt like our home as soon as it went up.‘
Given your experience, can you offer any tips to other
self builders?
‘It’s really important that you know what you’re signing up for from
the outset. If you’re hoping that when you move into your new home,
you’ll walk in and get your TV to work at the press of a button, be
aware that, even with a turnkey service, this isn’t always the case. We had many issues with all the utilities companies (not just BT),
which meant days of hanging around waiting for them to arrive with the
right team of workers and the right equipment to make the necessary
connections. This of course all amounts to extra time and cost. We would also recommend a ‘condition survey’ on neighbours’ houses,
especially when you’re building a basement as this can prevent any
argument further down the line about potential damage to foundations/
building.’
Coupled with the insulated shell, and the solar panels, the house is
very economical to run. There is absolutely no wastage here. In fact,
we’re our own little power station. Our project manager was excellent. Despite the problems with the plumbing and electrical work, he did
everything he possibly could to assist the process and never once said
it wasn’t his responsibility. HANSE HAUS have been a very dedicated
company and are determined to leave us with a high standard product. At times this has even meant flying an engineer over from Germany at
the drop of a hat, to fit a simple part.
All in all, it’s been a really good experience. We would recommend
HANSE HAUS and would build with them again ourselves. We placed
our confidence in them from the start, and would do that again.’
COMPLETE START TO FINISH BUILD TIME – 20 weeks
(including basement)
So, what are your overall thoughts on building with
HANSE HAUS?
‘From the start, HANSE HAUS stood out in saying that they can build
almost anything in terms of design and they followed through on this. They have a can-do attitude, which is very appealing. They also offer
a great range of fixtures and fittings – even the standard spec is top
quality. We found that the staff at their sample centre gave excellent
guidance and were very clear and honest about what was needed
and what wasn’t – they didn’t try to sell us anything we didn’t need or
want. HANSE HAUS really know what they’re doing when it comes
to building energy efficient homes. Although our house doesn’t
meet passive standards, (mainly because we wanted so many doors
and extra windows) it does have passivhaus features, including the
entrance lobby which acts as an airlock, and the heat pump. 27
Before getting started –
what other costs should be
considered?
Building your own house is for most, a once in a lifetime event. Hardly surprising then that the
majority of people have little or no directly relevant experience on which to draw to help them
make the right decisions or take the right steps at the right time.
The first time around most people will see the granting of planning permission as being the point
at which their involvement switches to finances and choosing the finishes, fixtures and fittings
whilst the rest of the work is taken on by the builder.
Funding
Funding a self build project can be a daunting and occasionally very complex task. HANSE HAUS partner Mary Riley Solutions have a wealth of experience within the Self Build arena and are able to expertly advise
and guide clients through the process, coordinating the professional and financial service providers from A - Z
of their build project.
Foundations
All sites will need a specialist soil investigation to determine the type of foundation needed. In most cases,
your new HANSE HAUS will be built on traditional trench fill foundations.
An independent structural engineer will need to verify all the information to Building Regulations.
Whilst that is fine for the construction of the house itself, the reality is that there are a whole
series of other activities on which the house construction is dependent. These need to be
undertaken at the right time and in many cases, the right sequence.
One can get a reasonable idea of how much time and consideration these activities might take
based on how much of the overall project cost they account for.
Typical cost breakdown for a turn-key project
HANSE HAUS recommend P & P Groundworks Ltd
Please visit them at www.pandpgroundworks.co.uk
Basements
A properly designed and constructed basement can be an immensely beneficial addition to your home and
can add large areas of internal floor area without altering the footprint of your house. HANSE HAUS are proud
to have a long standing partnership with the market leading basement manufacturer Glatthaar Fertigkeller. All
Glatthaar basements are manufactured off-site in their fully automated computer controlled production facility
and constructed in the UK in days rather than weeks.
www.glatthaar.co.uk
28
Building Control Process –
How does it work?
Feasibility, Planning and Pre-Tender Stages
• Qualified Building Control Surveyors can provide early advice on projects including Fire Safety, Energy,
Access and other Building Regulations issues.
• They are able to assist clients through reducing potential for abortive and potentially expensive design
work and delays in the process.
• They are able to contribute to value engineering early in the design stage.
• They can be complemented by in-house fully qualified and highly experienced SAP, SBEM, BREEAM and
Code assessors where required. This includes Thermal Modelling to assist with effective enhancement
of designs.
Initial Notice Stage
• An Initial Notice is submitted at least 7 working days prior to commencement of work on site.
Detailed Design Stage
• A dedicated Surveyor can provide consistent and knowledgeable interpretation of the Building
Regulations and other legislation.
• Structural design advice and checking by in-house Engineers.
• A checking and approval process geared to the provision of design drawings and information. No
restricted time limits or rejections.
• Continued co-ordination with BBS Environmental assessors.
• Wide-ranging and detailed experience in fire strategy and fire engineering solutions.
• Our Surveyors act as integral members of the Design Team, accessible and able to provide support
throughout the design process.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of all building types and uses.
• Facility for Type Approvals for residential units – houses, apartments, common parts and specifications.
• Consultation with Fire Authority and Sewer Authority where required.
HANSE HAUS Health & Safety
In the UK and Channel Islands, the work undertaken by HANSE HAUS GmbH is in accordance with
all current Health & Safety legislation as set out in the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, in
particular The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 & The Health and Safety
at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 and the Code of Practice for the Organisation and
Management of Health and Safety in Construction.
All site operatives have undergone training in General Site Safety Awareness and hold a
European Safety Pass issued by Health & Safety Europe.
All construction sites have the necessary site Health & Safety documentation, together with
Method Statement & Risk Assessments, Health & Safety Europe monitor the site activities on a
regular basis and are always on site for the first day of any house erection.
Construction Stage
• Smooth and effective flow between design and construction stages.
• Inspection fully geared to the construction programme.
• Accessible qualified Inspection Surveyors who will respond to your inspection requests and provide
practical support and advice throughout.
• Final Certificate (equivalent to Completion Certificate issued by Local Authorities) issued on satisfactory
completion of project.
29
Accessible homes
Quality of life without barriers
When planning and realizing an accessible living design, the focus falls not only on creating a
welcoming living environment but also on tailoring the home to the day-to-day requirements of
those with a disability. The accessible ‘Belvita’ showhome was planned in collaboration with two
disabilities consultants who are both wheelchair users themselves. The result of this collective
planning process is an attractively designed bungalow that offers a high quality of life by meeting
the needs of those with or without disabilities in every living situation.
Customised solutions for happy, carefree living
The daily lives of the disabled can be made easier through a wide range of detailed HANSE
HAUS solutions. Not only does the accessibility design tick boxes in terms of living comfort for
the disabled but it also allows those of advancing years to continue living in their own homes as
they enter later life.
Our recommendations during the planning of an accessible home include:
Arranging all living spaces, bedrooms and a bathroom on one level, or alternatively installing a
wheelchair-adapted lift, as can be viewed in our “Vivario” showhome in Mannheim, Germany or
the “Cubico” showhome in Suhr, Switzerland.
· Space for manoeuvre with wheelchair turning areas of a diameter of 140 cm
· Doors and hallways with a minimum width of 100 cm
· External doors without a threshold
· A floor-level, wheelchair-accessible shower with shower seat
· Wheelchair-accessible washbasin and handles on all sanitaryware
· Wheelchair access to the house from the garage/carport
· Durable floorings with low rolling resistance, such as laminate floors or tiles
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Meeting Notes Checklist
Plot suitability
House design
Proposed budget/quotes
Timetables
Planning permission
Sampling in Germany
Building Regulations
Discuss other costs
Site visits – During Construction & on completion
Finance & Contracts
Notes
31
HANSE HAUS, an expert
construction partner for
your custom designed
home
Your partner agent
Parent Company:
HANSE HAUS GmbH
Ludwig-Weber-Straße 18
D-97789 Oberleichtersbach
UK Contact:
Telephone: 0845 658 9780 (local call rate)
[email protected]
www.hanse-haus.co.uk
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Choosing the right construction partner means you avoid compromising
on quality, service and reliability. We are a financially secure, dynamic
company and have a long tradition in construction. We offer you:
n A high quality build with fixtures and fittings from leading
manufacturers.
n Leading edge thermal insulation systems and energy saving home
automation.
n Guaranteed fixed price
n Strong focus on delivering excellent customer service.
n Our experience of over 80 years and a track record of over 30,000
completed houses.
n A guide for customers from concept to handover.