Building regs on new build....help against misogyny

[sammysoo]

Main contractor building new house insists he doesn’t put any insulation between ceiling joists in a ceiling on ground floor of dorms bungalow. Thus I have to buy and pay for fitting of my own insulation ...simple loft ins or acoustic insulation.
I wonder if building regs mean you have to put in something normally , and thus his cost?
I looked up building regs and was confused....would anyone know...

Just fed up with general misogyny of my builder and need some support...........please?

Thank you for that....have been asking my building inspector a lot lately plus it’s complicated about the insulation as I have got my builder to ring BCO about wall insulation already. The issue is I have to order the insulation on Monday if I pay for it. I couldn’t get hold of my bco on Friday so am worrying the timings will collide ... also need a bit of moral support from others in same situation. My builder is not gonna like me telling him he is wrong if he is...about the ceiling insulation....so would like mumsnetters to tell me what happened to them first....before Monday, In case I do have to argue the toss with builder and not got hold of bco in time!

Ps no matter how glamorous grand designs makes building appear. It is Not ...I really regret it. It’s stressful and difficult and I wish I hadn’t.

Building regs dictate what U value must be achieved in new builds and refurbs.

Domestic
Non-domestic
New Build
Existing Buildings
New Build
Existing Buildings
Best Starting Point (Fabric Only)
Extension
Refurbishment
Best Starting Point (Fabric Only)
Extension
Refurbishment
Wall
0.16
0.28
0.30 / 0.55 *
0.22
0.28
0.30 / 0.55 *
Floor
0.11
0.22
0.25
0.18
0.22
0.25
Pitched Roof - Ceiling Level
0.11
0.16
0.16
0.14
0.16
0.16
Pitched Roof - Rafter Level
0.11
0.18
0.18
0.14
0.18
0.18
Flat Roof
0.11
0.18
0.18
0.14
0.18
0.18

• A U-value of 0.55 W/m²·K is used for cavity insulation and 0.30 W/m²·K for internal or external wall insulation.

I suggest you simply ask your builder today how he has calculated the U value for the roof insulation because you need it for BCO on Monday. If he can't give you the U value then you have a problem and you can discuss it with BCO, in my experience they really don't mind supporting home owners during the build process, once your retention period ends you become responsible for any non compliance and BC will take steps to enforce which will cost you money, it's imperative that you get these issues sorted out before practical completion.

Don't fret about this stuff please it will all be worth it in the end, are you project managing this on your own?
Where is the architect, he/she should be able to answer these questions for you. I would really encourage you to find a good quantity surveyor to come and assist you in the final stages of this build, they will be able to produce a snagging list and attach a value to it, if your retention monies don't cover that value you will be able to withhold enough to cover the work within a six month period or whatever is specified in the contract.

Sorry I pasted that in as a table and it seems to have undone the formatting somehow. If you google building regulations for roof insulation you should get a result that shows you the table.

I hope this helps

Brilliant thank you. That is really helpful.
Yes , I am on my own and no project manager. My architect was a building drawin technician type company . I now realise you should really have an architect and a project manager. It’s so so difficult. I know if I have a conversation about u values with the builder he won’t know. I did have a sap calcs report done. So will look at that first and talk to bco.
It’s a mistake to not have a project manager. We have a tight budget so that was something we couldnt afford.
Thank you so much all the same.it is very much appreciated.

Sorry, this is a single storey building? I know you said bungalow but just checking there isn't a floor above the ceiling, in which case thermal insulation would not be required (but acoustic regs might come into play)

OF COURSE you need insulation. The Building Regs require such low U-values nowadays that it is impossible to build without it. If your builder does so then at one of your building inspections by the BCO he will be told to put it in. This should all have been itemised in the builder's Bill of Quantities. Not sure how you managed to get a Building Warrant without construction details - all insulation and wall/roof/floor build-ups should be described and drawn... YOur SAP calcs will at least have a description of build-ups required for each element to achieve the required U-value. Show him those!
Not sure what misogyny has got to do with it

Ok so without overdoing the complexity, it sounds like the debate is whether you need any at all not the exact level.
So the principle of insulation is to have as continuous envelope of insulation all the way round the heated rooms. This shouldn't have any gaps if possible, and should join as much as possible between walls and ceilings etc.
With that in mind, regarding the downstairs ceiling of a two story building, if both areas are heated there's no need for insulation between the floors. However, where the floors are not exactly on top of each other, there needs to be insulation connecting the downstairs wall/eaves to the base of the wall of the upstairs room. Then up the wall to the roof plane and along the plane of the roof etc.
Alternatively it could be a"warm eaves" design where the insulation follows the plane of t roof all the way up and the ceiling doesn't need any.
Think of it like a blanket, you don't want any big gaps but you don't need a blanket between your legs.

Hi...in repl6 to all.

Yes. It’s a dormer bungalow so I am referring to the ceiling insulation. I guess that’s why the builder doesn’t need to insulate ceiling but I did wonder about the sound instead.

Thanks for everyone’s response it has been really helpful.
I will move on with this today.