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Don't listen to him, nobody uses bulldozers any more! Welcome to THE forum for people like us.

I use architect who issues pcc

That's why I would have ply on both faces, and it can't twist. Ahh. This is news to me... we had best look at the spec and any options. Even if the proposed timber assembly is strong enough, it might distort over time. Perhaps a thin steel plate within the assembly? For tiny issues over the long term, are these doors adjustable?

Hi All, Appreciate any recommendations for PCC / Warranty. We have planning and building control done, getting the financing together now. Thanks.

Hi All, Appreciate any recommendations for self-build insurance. We have planning and building control done, getting the financing together now. Thanks.

AFAIK std SWA is rated for DC as the SWA I've seen includes ratings for DC as well as AC. I think the issue with DC PV is that the short circuit current(Isc)is limited by the panels to a value only slightly higher than normal generating current(Imp). This makes it virtually impossible to cost effectively fit fuses or circuit breakers that will detect the difference between Isc and Imp and trip on Isc but not trip on Imp. As you can't then reasonably protect against short circuit between the 2 conductors, double insulation is specified to reduce the chance of a short circuit between the conductors. That's my understanding but happy to hear other takes on it??

I spent a lot of my time looking at every detail as I had the attitude that if you change anything it costs money, I have also told the boss (wife) that, also went down the KISS route (keep it simple and stupid).

Thanks John, I want to be strict on no changes, to be honest I have more confidence in my contractors than I do my Architect who is questioning everything, trying to change things and complicate everything, unfortunately I need him for getting everything signed off. kind regards, Kevan.

Marvellous. The most important thing when renovating an old bungalow is to immediately bulldoze it.

Welcome!

Maybe. I cannot see a side path, but maybe there is, on the RHS. Can you get down there all the stuff you need? If it is a narrow path then there may be a lot of double-handling; for example pallets of bricks need to be stored at front and barrowed in small loads. Etc. etc x lots. You need an SE to design footings which will 'cut the mustard' with the least possible digging and impact on the pool. @Gus Potter may be along later. What is the green bit next to the proposed ext'n? Is it a hard-standing or the roof of something else? A lot may depend on whether you are having this wholly built by mainstream builders, or you are having significant input yourself. One person's 'fiddly' is another's 'joy of detailing'. And again, in terms of cost reduction, if you are providing say 75% of the labour after footings, and you are good with blocks, then building in block may be the answer. If you are good with wood, then TF... etc. So, is this a 'contractor job' or are you getting your hands dirty? The more detail you can give re 'variables' the more informed an answer we can give. I am visualising v deep footings next to the pool (ooh err!) but I am not a Structural Engineer.

Starting my first major project trying to extend a 60s bungalow in the surrounding Guildford area and make it more of a family home with cottage charm but modern performance! Excited to get stuck into everything in the new year and love the invaluable resource that is this website!

I have had big 5 leaf bifolds 5m. and when opened back they tended to slump. I have also had 3 leaf 3m. and they were better. Lift and slide would be my preference now. More controllable and airtight.

Your proposal for the equivalent term for England? The regs are much the same but the big difference is needing complete submission and sign-off before commencement. A very good thing in such cases, avoiding false starts What we are missing is any drawings; so it's impossible to advise on fire requirements.

Yes, that's fine. It"s what my set up uses. If my panels were on the garage and my inverter in the house, then I woikd need the specialist DC SWA to carry the DC between garage and inverter. My understanding is the issue with carrying DC along standard SWA, it that DC needs double insulated conductors and standard SWA is single insulated.

I used SWA. The energy can go both directions remember...

Re hard to reach smoke alarms. All ours our Aico, hard wired mains powered. I also have the Aico remote control unit that allows you to test the alarms, silence them in the event of sounding, and locate which one has caused them all to sound. That is a wireless connected unit that you can mount anywhere, or use it portable, so no need to get the steps out or do the tea towel dance.

+1 I changed a couple of door handings and although drawings were updated, the electricians worked from an old set of drawings we had sent out for quote purposes, so there was some messing to get light switches in the right place.

Hi Community. I am planning to obtain a planning permission to build a rear extension in my detached home. The complication is that the boundary of the extension will be within 'zone of influence' of a water retaining body i,e a swimming pool. The max depth of the pool is 1.5metres and the extension will be around 2.5metres from the boundary of the extension. I have had builders mention that the works could be complicated on account of 1. deeper foundation required 2. access issues. I also forsee building regulation requirements to be tough. I have attached a (blurry) top view showing the property and have tried to indicate where the extension would be build. What are my options to reduce the complexity of the extension (and as result reduce build cost) ? Is access going to be big issue ? What are the best options to cover the pool to stop debris from coming in ?

That is pretty easy for most builds. One caveat, you and everyone else are working to the same drawing revision. People change stuff, they assume because they know, and the architect knows, everyone does. I had final sign off on all drawings for the build, once our building warrant was approved, no drawings got changed, no details where changed. But that isn't the case very often. So dot you eyes and cross you tees.

Just jumping in here ref the SWA thing. I know zero btw about PV. Just upgraded the house to garage supply from 4 to 16mm² SWA. Gone from overhead to ducted/underground. I sized it for 1% voltage drop with a nod to future PV. The plan is PV panels on the garage, with the inverter & batteries there. Presumably the normal SWA between garage and house will be fine as that will only have AC on it?

Make sense to have something obvious like a DC isolator to kill the PV at ground level outside - I have a DC isolator outside near the front door. Isolator hidden in the fabric of the building or in a loft not easy for anyone. If switching under load kills the inverter who cares.

So as they swing out and along they put a load on the edge in a sort of pulling motion ? is that what you mean.

It's impossible to cover every decision and get them all right. 'Mistakes, we've made a few, but then again... '

Welcome @markg123 to THE forum for people like us.