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We're building an extension on to an old cottage, stone footings are about 300-350mm below floor level. I've been talking to a couple of companies that supply these (KORE and Isoquick). They're saying the engineer needs to detail the junction and the engineer is asking for details from them. I've sketched this up as how I think it might work. Isoquick said to just cut their foundation to fit. I've added some cork in at the edge but I'm wondering if that should continue down further so if there's any movement it's not straight onto the rigid insulation, or does that not matter? I'm not quite sure how it would work at the thickenings on the out edge of the slab, should we slope the insulation up?

Thanks Conor, yes that's an idea too. We have laptop, tablet, and phones - always seem to have charging cables trailing about the sitting room. (Not to mention rechargeable tools and stuff - but those are probably a seperate question. Can't see SWMBO giving me tool space in the kitchen.) (Numerous USB powered Smart Hubs which I will put in the network cupboard when it exists) Possibly need a charging drawer or cupboard too TBH. Phones seem to be always out in case they go off.

We had a full landscaping plan, but at time of sign off most hadn't been done, BC had zero interest, just interested in the actual house build was over plan. Being anal. Your agreed plans for planning and building control, is a legal document. You are not allowed to vary from the agreed plans, so actually installing frosted glass where it hasn't been stipulated is a breach of planning. Prior to doing so, you need permission. So a throw away statement from planning means nothing really.

Really depends how you do it and roof overhangs etc. if required and acro drain will just move the water away out of harms way. Just a matter of planning what you need to do and implementing correctly.

You should keep your patio level 150mm below DPC to avoid damp issues. Patio level with internal floor level is asking for trouble.

Thanks Mike. That’s why this site is so helpful. I hadn’t considered doing it that way 👍

We've a charging drawer. Hidden drawer in the island behind a cupboard door, sockets in it for charging. Simple, out of the way but handy.

Possibly. Although I believe they detect whether a phone is present or not and shut off when phone is fully charged. Google AI: "...it continues to consume a small amount of electricity (about 0.2W) to constantly "ping" the surface and detect when a device is placed on it." So pennies a year only on that. Yes perhaps somewhat less efficient while charging but still seems pretty good through 12-15mm quartz etc at 85-90%, and apparently the quartz won't get hot. I wouldn't want to find the quartz was effected long term - e.g. by causing it to fade/change colour leaving a surface shadow. Anyone tried it or done it with a worktop/desktop/furniture top ? Ikea type is cheap as chips but somewhat mixed reviews on their website. I am not very good at plugging my phone in every night I am afraid, and given phone addiction I frequently find myself on low charge. Was thinking maybe one under the island, one under a shelftop in the hallway. Apparently... Common everyday items you can charge wirelessly include: Wearables: Smartwatches and fitness trackers. Audio Devices: Wireless earbuds and their charging cases. Computer Accessories: Select wireless mice and mechanical keyboards. Electric Toothbrushes: This is actually one of the oldest and most common uses of wireless charging! Vehicles: Many modern electric vehicles (EVs) can be charged wirelessly when parked over a special induction pad, and the technology is actively being tested for in-motion highway charging.

@Temp We planned to have a raised patio, ~2feet, before the build started. There are some concrete blocks showing at the moment. To be fair, the building inspector never said he wants a level access at rear. He saw the ground level, which is about 2 feet below bi-folding doors and he said he either wants patio raised or steps to be put in. Due to financial constraints, I plan to have the patio raised but a step below the bi-folding doors. Hopefully, once the VAT money is realised I'll level the patio with internal floor so that the floor looks seamless from inside.

I think coring a hole and installing as per your drawing will be good. I have not seen these before but they look decent.

Bang an outside frosti tap above it and it won’t look like it’s out of place then.

I'd move the IC & add a 45° bend so that the WC makes use of the main channel and connect the SVP run to the branch. But make sure your BCO is happy.

Planning usually says you must plant a hedge. Nothing about maintaining it. If it died for some mysterious reason............

Yes a consideration. Have one in the car which I find really useful and have used for 4 years now though. It is surprising how much difference it makes not having to mess around with trailing wires and sockets and connectors that always seem to become 'dodgy' within a couple of years of use. Worse case would seem to be that it goes obsolete a few years down the line, in which case I can just turn it off and ignore it I suppose.

I guess if you are a Youtube chef or something that spends all your life in the kitchen then something like that might be useful, but I just have a wireless charging stand on my desk and in my van. Between the two my phone stays charged all day - I never bother plugging it in at night. I agree with what others have said that it's just a fancy waste of time, money and effort. Also a waste of electricity as it will be beaming out charge into the stone to dissipate all over the shop and won't be very efficient. Oh and the phone will be flat so you won't be able to see the screen very easily. Nah. I've got one of these. It's the biz. You just sort of throw your phone at it from a distance and it sticks on and charges. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/vaestmaerke-wireless-charging-stand-30618430/

I’m sure . Chat yesterday was the fastest I’ve ever experienced it . Whether it’s the same today or not I’ll find out later .

Is it necessary? My phone is old and with poor battery life, even that only needs charging once a day which I do overnight. How often do you really think you need to charge your phone in the kitchen?

It looks like i will need to provide a ramp/slope from the driveway to the path in front of the house. This will also need to be SUDs compliant i guess. So what is the recognised and preferred method to do so? All of the articles i can find so far describe the build up of a flat and level surface.

Are you sure, you started this topic on the 15th February 2026. That is 110 days, or 2640 hours, or 158400 minutes or 9504000 seconds. Coldplay have been on tour 15 times over the same period.

That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence , I'm in Mid Devon

Unfortunately, he’s got a big ego and apparently knows more than I do. I’ve reached a stage where I cannot lose another bricklayer as I’m already starting to lose the will to live. In his defence, he is well known in the area for high quality work. The bottle gulley was used to avoid having to have a 450mm inspection chamber or an internal rodding point.

Yes a recess would need to be rebated/bored out from the underside of the quartz. Our quartz is 30mm thick. We wouldn't be intending to mark the exact position on the topside as that would obviously ruin the worktop aesthetic. But we would know the measurements for the position from the edges of the quartz (our quartz is not veined, just mottled) and I don't think your phone needs to be positioned with mm accuracy. presumably you would be able to see via the phone whether it is charging.

The image below shows the inspection chamber at the beginning of the run. As the first toilet comes in on the branch and the main leads off to the external SVP which is solely there for the sewage treatment plant, I’m concerned that I’m potentially going to get a blockage as there is no flow coming down the main run. if I remove the inspection chamber, I can then route the pipe into the main channel of the next chamber. This will enable the pipe to be rodded. I am then not sure how I’d then branch off for the external SVP?

Really wouldn't bother, tech will change by the time you get it working. Or you will change your phone it it won't work.

I think the 30mm will be reduced by: This is still going to be a problem unless you: Get a long range charger: This guide will help - https://invisqi.com/blogs/all-about-qi/quartz-countertop-wireless-charging-guide Get the recess so that only about 10-12mm of the quartz remains between the charger and the phone.