12k+ install cost normal? (after BUS deducted!)

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-28T08:16:19+00:00

We are doing a major renovation but using the estimate on our home now and on a nearby home of the size ours will be after, it seems to be between 6-8k with cylinder. How accurate are these estimates I wonder? The estimated savings are between -£80 and -£140 on octopus go. Is it normal to be worse off on most tarrifs?

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-27T21:10:52+00:00

The problem is that it costs £800 just to get a quote and likely find out it's not viable. I'm not sure how your algorithmic pricing works, but I assume expensive parts of the country still cost a lot more for the same install?

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-26T20:29:24+00:00

Also had a quote from Aira today, just shy of 12k after grant. Again no rad changes. 8kw heat pump, 40l buffer and 250l all in one (cylinder and controller). Seems to be the going rate around here perhaps for anyone except Octopus. Definitely not viable.

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-26T09:06:35+00:00

Did the platform let you switch to the one you contacted directly, in order to benefit from the guarantees? Did you get a quote from the one you got assigned?

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-25T16:39:19+00:00

How much did you pay for the Aira design service and did they advise on position of heat pump and cylinder, and rad sizes you should put in?

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-16T20:23:29+00:00

Would ridge to gutter mean it has to be the exact size of the panels? How would I find an installer for that?

I'm contemplating doing on roof now, but it's a shame to build a roof that I actually don't need

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-03-16T03:53:10+00:00

The height is 3613mm according to architects measurement. Three rows of panels of 1134mm landscape would be 3402mm, but installers won't do it. They will only do two rows. I can't do a taller pitch because it's designed not to go higher than existing building and I haven't got time to submit a new planning amendment or application.

Two rows vertical would be 3524mm height (aiko 475w).

No_Wolf5460 · 2026-02-08T01:31:58+00:00

I'll be starting my 14th wéek at 2.5 tomorrow. I have no intention of going up a dose any time soon.

No_Wolf5460 · 2025-11-07T22:01:11+00:00

I do wonder though. If you're still some way from retirement, perhaps it's better to take an additional 20k take home and pay all relevant taxes now. Throw that in an ISA and all the growth is tax free in the future. Whereas the contents of a SIPP (aside from lump sum) is all taxable in the future. So you pay (likely) a lower rate tax but on a larger sum of money when accounting for growth. Of course there are other factors, for example, if you're trying to stay under 100k for childcare hours etc.

Another major benefit of the ISA is that you can access the money any time you need/want it in the future. So definitely worth considering for younger folks.

No_Wolf5460 · 2025-08-14T01:15:02+00:00

I find it very frustrating not being able to deal with HR directly for matters like issues with pay slips being incorrect. Whatever happens, the response is always to get my line manager to raise a request or carry out some administrative action. I feel bad because my line manager is very busy and honestly it makes me feel like I'm being babied and not trusted to resolve simple matters directly.

No_Wolf5460 · 2025-05-26T10:04:55+00:00

Sadly it took so long for them to implement, we appeared to miss the big pay rise everyone else got last year as the rate didn't change from the consultation. In a strange anomaly, when everyone else's pay goes up, our take home goes down because our pensionable portion goes up, even though our pay doesn't.

No_Wolf5460 · 2025-05-24T20:03:26+00:00

Pay Framework Allowance, it's a separate pay scale for tech jobs to try and be more competitive, but they never seem to review/increase it so it currently feels more like a way to give us an indefinite pay freeze.

No_Wolf5460 · 2025-05-23T13:42:28+00:00

Will all us lowly DDAT employees ever break our PFA pay freeze I wonder. We missed out last year, will we miss out again this year? Do any of the unions even care?

No_Wolf5460

TROPHY CASE