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In defence of the builder, none were perfect, but this one was much worse than all the others. My mate is really, really happy with the work that's being done. I just bite my lip when he shows me around, same as I've taken to doing with just about every other recent extension I've been shown around by various friends over the last couple of years. This is also a rare case of me raising insulation for discussion. I've learned that people don't know and quite literally don't care, and indeed, get defensive if you try and discuss improving insulation and airtightness. The attitude seems to be that it's fine if you want to build an "eco-house" like we did, but that all that stuff isn't relevant for an ordinary build. All anyone seems to care about is how big the kitchen is and how wide a set of bifolds they can get away with.

Well if you really want cheap http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Voltage-Tester-Pen-90-1000V-AC-Non-Contact-Electric-Volt-Detector-Sensor-UK-/131754093686?hash=item1ead27ec76:g:bTwAAOSwmmxW6Wph

It is unlikely any of the wires in the loft will be for anything other than lighting (some bungalows excepted). Check size by measuring carefully and comparing with wires near the consumer unit most difficult is to distinguish between three core used for smoke alarms, two way switching and double switches and ring main cable thickness will tell yo rather than width. very big fat cabled can be for shower.

Tou need a voit stick or voltage detector pen. Something like this http://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-1ac-ii-voltage-detector-pen/85949 Turn on circuits one at a time and use the pen to see which are live, and them label them with a marker pen. Note for lighting circuits, turn all the lights on when testing as some lighting cables will appear dead when the lights are turned off. This, imho is the only use for these devices, they should never be used to prove a circuit is dead before working on it.

I think so as a first time self builder, with no experience of dealing with contractors and builders. Obviously some of the stuff will be out of date with regards health and Safety but I tink the rest should be fine. Cant you borrow it from the library first to have a look?

In the 7 years I've had a whirlpool bath there hasn't been a single time I've needed to get to the motor - the use they get is negligible as they are never run for more than 15-20 minutes. Mine has probably been run for less than 100 hours in its lifetime ..!

Bassanclan - AFAIK there isnt a megabad equivalent for kitchens. German manufacturers ship kitchens direct to the country of sale, so unless a German dealer can arrange shipping (highly unlikely) direct to the UK, its a non starter. Transport is handled through specialist furniture transporters so bulk palletised transport wont get you anywhere. Moreover assembled kitchen furniture is volume transport so you are unlikely to get a favourable transport price. Finally, the price differential between UK and German on kitchens is very small, almost only reflecting the transport cost so you are better off buying locally. Nick - Sorry mate but I have to disagree with your approach. Its highly unethical to 'use' anyone. How do you feel when you spend many hours of your time putting together advise and quotes for customers in good faith only to find you have been used. Many kitchen retailers including us have smartened up to this and now no longer 'give' their work away. Most of the good independents run honest businesses and provide good advise and design. Abuse the goodwill and its quickly lost as I am sure you appreciate. Unfortunately it is the sheds who are masters of smoke and mirror that has brought the whole industry down by taken a sales driven approach to kitchens and made idiots believe that there is 50-70% discounts to be had. Do you really believe that they employ 'designers' or a bunch of cheeky salespeople who throw boxes on walls and deceive customers? So thinking that you could go to a shed and pick someones brain for design is highly dubious. There isnt much to pick unfortunately. A good designer will always work for an independent and a good independent will be stupid to let a good good designer go.

Having the ability to take a deep breath and not punch some idiot square in the nose is not taught in any book but it will come in handy in every build.