Q. Purchasing an Eco Pod / Planning Permission.
A. The single level pod (top section only) generally will not require planning permission. However planning is not always straight forward and can vary from site to site. A lot will depend on the purpose of the build and the particular planning jurisdiction you are dealing with. Our advice is to discuss your installation with your relevant planning officer where you will be advised as to what is, if anything required. Request an agreement in principle before applying for planning.
We advise our customers to discuss any structural installation with their local planning authority officer where advice can be given as to whether, or not, an application is necessary. If permission is required then you should look for an agreement in principle where any issues the planning authority may have can be discussed. Our website provides sufficient information for this initial enquiry. Eco Hab can provide this service by making contact with the local planning officer and providing the necessary information required. We can discuss the details, address any concerns and make the application on the customer’s behalf.
We do not charge for a pre-planning application or making a full application (less costs and fees which we will have quoted for) if the purchase goes ahead.
A 5% (refundable less application costs) booking deposit is required before we carry out this work. We advise our clients to make the initial inquiries themselves as this will save time and money.
When proceeding with the purchase of an Eco Pod it is necessary to discuss and finalise your particular requirements before we present the final quotation and delivery time.
A 25% payment is required before the commencement of the build.
N.B. Please note that some changes can be made during the building process, however, if these changes incur production hold ups, or additional costs, these will be passed on to the customer. To avoid any possible misunderstandings it is necessary that requests for changes be presented, in writing, and all possible extra costs are agreed.
A 40% payment is required after the main shell structure is built and insulated.
A 30% payment is required on delivery and final completion. A visit is required by the customer to carry out a pre-delivery inspection. The customer can visit during is manufacture, by appointment, any time during the build.
The Pod will be covered by our insurance during its construction until it is delivered on site. Eco Hab accepts full liability and responsibility for the Pod until it is safely delivered to the site.
Guarantee:
The main structure and cladding is guaranteed for 20 years (expected lifetime is in excess of 75 years). Appliances carry standard manufacturers guarantee.
Q. Access.
A. Good access is required for a HGV and an onboard HIAB crane. The 4m Pod is delivered complete in two half sections a minimum width of 4200m is required. The 6m Pod is delivered in a 40ft. container and is assembled with a mobile crane.
Q. Ordering a Pod.
A. You can place a provisional order by paying 5% refundable booking deposit (in the event planning permission is not granted). If a site survey is required this cost can be deducted from the deposit.
Q. How can you justify the use of polyurethane?
A. Of all commonly used types of insulation polyurethane is by far the best performer, giving the highest U value for a given thickness. It is by far the most common material used in industrial buildings, insulated fridge truck bodies etc. It is closed cell therefore imperious to moisture and will not develop or attract pest infestation. It is also a rigid material giving structural strength. When you consider its energy saving performance over its considerable lifetime this more than justifies is use in an eco build.
Q. Can I have the Pod customised?
A. The Eco Pod can be customised to suit the client’s particular requirements. The only limitation is one’s imagination. We would be pleased to discuss ideas and requirements with you.
Q. Can I link Pods together?
A. Any number of Pods can be linked together using a short curved corridor between each. A good example could be a 6m Pod as a Centre hub (reception etc.) surrounded by 4m to 10 corridors with a 4m pod at the end of each “spoke”.
Q. Is VAT payable on a Pod?
A. The Eco Pod is zero rated. However, VAT is payable on some components i.e. TV/stereo system. Self build/assembly Pods (when available) will rate @ 17.½% but this is reclaimable.
Q. Do you recommend solar panels?
A. Every house should have a solar panel to heat water and under floor heating. They are great value for money with a pay back time of years at today’s energy costs. They are about 80% efficient. PV (Photovoltaic) panels are less efficient (7%/8%) and not the best choice for us.
Q. Do you think we should go Off Grid?
A. If you have access to electricity by all means avail of it for its benefits and it is still great value for what it does best. Alternatively you will need several PV panels, a 1 or 2 kw wind turbine (must have good exposed site) along with a bank of batteries. Going mostly off grid is a good environmental choice.
- A wood burning stove will heat the water and keep the house warm.
- Solar panels are very important and will heat water and under floor heating.
- The 4m Pod will gather 5 litres of rainwater for every mm that falls and the UK average is 1197mm per year. This can be filtered for all uses.
- A dry toilet will reduce the water required by one-third and will eliminate the need for sewage treatment.
- Any used water can be re-filtered and stored for irrigation or fed into a soakage pit.
- Bottled gas (propane) can be used for instant space heating and cooking.
Q. How can you justify using concrete?
A. This is a very common question. I can give many reasons and each would justify the use of concrete, one example would be using concrete instead of importing imported softwood (I am all in favour of using locally produced building material). The nearest gravel pit is usually within 30 miles distance and cement is manufactured generally within another 30 miles.
It is all about embodied energy in a product. If 50% of concrete is replaced with fly ash (a waste product) a considerable reduction in embodied energy is obtained thereby reducing concrete to less than that of imported softwood which has probably travelled half way around the world. (approximately 90% of timber is imported into the U.K.)
The lifespan of concrete and man-made materials will outlast more ecological materials many times over.
Concrete has the ability to store energy/heat absorbed by solar gain during the day and released in the cool of the evening. Concrete will also balance a buildings temperature, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning.
Q. Who pays for the Transportation?
A.
Transport costs depend on different factors such as Eco-Pod size and geographical distance from Manchester. We don’t include this cost in our price.
Q. How much does it cost? (4m Eco-Pod Transportation Price)
A.
As a rough estimate, from Manchester to Birmingham would cost approximately £600, to London (200 miles) £850.
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