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Showing content with the highest reputation on 08/22/18 in all areas

  1. The flint work .only 150m2 to do in the garden
    5 points
  2. YOU are risking people just walking away from this thread mate. This advice thing is a bit of a two way thing. If you ask for advice then choose to ignore what half a dozen people agree is f***ing dangerous they, including me will just walk away. And don't say "I can't". you've proved YOU CAN if you're prepared to listen.
    3 points
  3. Wall Tiles ....... Have been playing with a bit of tiling round my fire and thought I could do a bit in one of the bathrooms at some point..... so was looking online for any opportunistic tiles that might be available locally...... hay presto ! Got rather more than I need....... 720 brand new still in the boxes British ceramic wall tiles..... all totally free from a loving home. Crazy what one can get if they look. What I’m going to do with the 700 I don’t need is beyond me...... I tracked them down on line, the ones I got were a slightly pink granite effect as shown in second photo.
    2 points
  4. And therein lies the phrase "Assumption is the mother of all F ups" There are a multitude of threads on BH where people have laid bare their experiences. So; Write down what you expect to happen Go over it again and write down anything you have assumed Validate all assumptions with your supplier and be very clear about what is in and out of scope I wish we had done a lot more of that TBH. So many times assumptions have turned out to be false and led to the classic phrase 'not included guv'.
    2 points
  5. I know you all like photos. So here you are...... We now have internal walls in our basement. its all getting very real, the timber frame comes in seven weeks and I’ve not even ordered the windows, or a scaffold, or roof tiles, or rendering, or ASHP, or ventilation kit, or first fix anything! Time to get my finger out!
    2 points
  6. At least they responded and gave an honest answer. Neither is necessarily a given!
    2 points
  7. As I did ask for an opinion on my cable it seems, I accept your point (I thought I didn't ask for advice on it.. maybe I did then). Ok I'll redo it last/ when I take off this pb3. Maybe I can think of adding an outside socket instead, if that is the main job is drilling an angled-down hole through. Surely though any hole will need foam-fill sealing, which is foam next to cable itself-? the only socket it can go from, is this double under pb3 Im yet to extend tho.
    2 points
  8. Reminds me of the story of the little girl helping out the brickies building an extension on her parents' house: she'd been bringing bricks round the side of the house in her toy pram. At the end of the week, as she'd actually been a bit useful, when they got their wage packets they'd clubbed together to give her some pocket money “wages”. Her mother was amused by this and asked if she was going to be working on the site next week. “Yes, if we can get the fucking bricks”. “Umm, maybe not”, says Mum.
    2 points
  9. Sounds good - if funds permit I will ask @Ferdinand if his handyman can borrow his spray kit and get it sprayed all white while it's still empty. Just got £1500 tax back - I knew I was owed it but wasn't sure when I would get it, very timely!
    2 points
  10. 3 weeks in: loving it(her) Mo Mo Mrs Mo, as my son has called her, is doing a great job. Some great features including the alerts to my phone when she gets stuck or falls out of the cutting area. This is the trickest bit of my lawn a 22 deg slope on a corner. Currently once every few days I have to reposition her when she has been unable to back up and has fallen out of the zone - optional extra rough terrain wheels might help but I'm trying to avoid the extra cost atm. My 1100m2 lawn is looking fine with cutting period set to 8am to 4pm and I've just dropped the cutting height from 7/10 to 6/10. Roughly she does about 3 hours work before popping back to her home to have a 40-50minute electric juice snack. We've painted some bits of the lower body green, added some eye lashes and her name, along with some extra mods, to make her less nickable - though the useful GPS location function and security pin code should help. Had to clean the wheels of mud a couple of times - but that was my fault for letting her go to work when the lawn is still missing grass in places and it had rained. Apart from when she tried to mount a roller I left on lawn and she tried to climb over some bricks I'd put down as a 'wall' to prevent her getting to some fresh top soil, we had no major incidents. We zip round the very edge of the lawn using a light electric mower and use the supplied electric strimmer (also awesome) to finish off around the tree bases that she can't reach. (About 40 mins/week). So other than that, lawn cutting is a thing of the past for me ?
    2 points
  11. In 2009 my wife and I moved into a 3 year old developer built house in Kingseat, Newmachar which is 6 miles north of Aberdeen. Kingseat was originally a farming estate, in 1859 Aberdeen District Lunacy Board required a new mental health facility for paupers and acquired the site. The hospital was constructed between 1901 - 1904, the various buildings were laid out in a villa format, with lots of green space including trees, a football pitch and tennis courts. One of the old hospital building - our current rental accommodation is in this building The hospital closed in 1995, due to the historical importance of the buildings the area was designated a conservation area. In 2006 a house builder was granted permission to convert the old buildings into flats and to build new houses in amongst the old buildings. Typical developer house Another typical developer house I have wanted to build a house since I was a teenager (I'm now 36), in June 2016 we finally decided to take the plunge and put our house on the market, with the intention of building a new house. Initially we were looking for a plot near our current house with a more rural location. However when we saw there was a plot of land available in the Kingseat development we decided that this would be a better option because our son (he is now 8 ) had friends in the development. Our house was on the market for a while because of the fall in the oil price, we managed to sell in February 2017 (10% below valuation). We immediately made an offer on the plot, after some negotiation (on price and us agreeing to put in a mutual driveway at the back of the plot to neighbouring property at our expense) our offer was accepted, although the sale didn't complete until October 2017. The plot is a corner plot approximately 950 square metres. The plot previously had planning permission for a 200 square metre house, however this had lapsed. South North East North East North South West South In the meantime we moved out of our house in May 2107 and moved into a rented flat 100 metres away from the plot. In March 2017 we started working with an architect, initially had a topographical survey of the site completed, Followed by a tree survey. All the trees in Kingseat were covered by a tree preservation order and we had 4 trees in the middle of the plot. Luckily all 4 trees were not one of the original species planted at Kingseat which meant we could remove them. Next we starting to design the house, our brief was: Open plan living room, dining room and family room utility room snug master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite 3 other bedrooms, ideally all with ensuites attic trusses for potential future development of 2 further bedrooms/office Attached double garage 2.7 metre ceiling height ground floor and 2.4 metre first floor The house would be traditional on the outside, similar to the other houses on the development. However inside wanted it to be very contemporary light and airy house with white walls, flush white doors and skirtings, cantilevered stairs etc. The following Images are the style we were aiming for. Our first planning application was rejected because the conservation officer thought the orientation of the house was wrong and the exterior was a bit too bland. The architect and I had a meeting with the conservation officer and discussed the changes that she would like to see and what I would be comfortable with. I feel that we left that house with a better house! The interior was almost identical, however we added an extra gable to one end of the house to make it less symmetrical and broke up the building by changing the garage cladding to black timber. The only thing I wasn't pleased about was reducing the roof pitch to reduce the ridge height, so that it's a similar height to the old cottage next door. In December 2017 our second application was accepted. The following is the design: Ground Floor First Floor Future development option for the attic space Architect 3D render of open plan area.
    1 point
  12. Maybe they should - but they don't and if it is not written down it ain't happening. I have been a recipient of this and have never felt 'shamed' by the people on here. (IN fact I blame myself FAR more than I have been blamed or shamed by anyone on here.) Fact remains I didn't get in writing everything I expected. Ergo I didn't get everything I expected. The builder should have made me aware of it but the twat was no more aware than I was until the money started running out. He not only shafted me' he then wanted to exhort more money as he said he had already done work that wasn't quoted for. (He didn't get it) Buyer beware. AND unlike the banks etc, there is no way anyone is ever going to make any money out of 'miss selling' with sole traders or small limited companies
    1 point
  13. I'd have assumed at least the above ground stuff would be taken away, although it's always better when these things are specified up-front. Do you have anything at all in writing - even an email is good enough. It seems very unusual that they'd demolish, then go away while you clear, then come back and scrape/level. On the other hand, if they're saying you're responsible for getting rid of the spoil, then they've just officially stolen from you by taking the metals, windows, and wood etc that by their own argument was your responsibility. Up to you whether you want to push back. Our demo guys were nice enough but there's no way I'd have stood toe to toe with them in an argument.
    1 point
  14. Treated timber such as dimensional 6x2 etc are treated but I WOULD not recomend using these outside without further treatment. The reason I say this is because I get given all the old wood from the builders yard that’s fallen of the back of the stacks or is dirty / damaged. The stuff that’s been lying for a few years definatly does start to rot ! I have primed and painted this timber and it’s been fine but an extra treatment of quality preservative would go along way to extending its life I think. If the wood is not going to get wet then I think it will be fine.
    1 point
  15. No one’s being shamed. We just learn lessons, all of us, not just in building but through life in general. I imagine that builders have a few tales to tell too. Like how they weren’t paid for the job they did, how some clients were a complete PITA picking at everything they did, or told them how to do their job despite knowing jack. If we decide to self manage, this type of issue goes with the territory really. I doubt anyone’s build is free of oh sh1t moments.
    1 point
  16. Loved this from the start.
    1 point
  17. There’s a lot of victim shaming on BH. These c**ks are supposed to know what they’re doing. Self builders, householders and laymen clearly don’t so the onus should be on the c**ks being paid to clearly communicate what is and isn’t covered. JMTPW.
    1 point
  18. 1. A centre punch will struggle to mark a composite sink 2. If it does, it’s likely to crack it..... Better option is to look to see if you can mount the tap behind the sink instead in the worktop and drill that.
    1 point
  19. If the hatches you already have are too large it's not a big job to form an opening to suit the size of the rooms you want them in.
    1 point
  20. We paid £500 for a man, mini digger, mini crusher (and big sledge hammer to break up bigger bits) for 1 days work. We are near the Essex/Suffolk border. He worked solidly all day and created about 30 tonnes of hardcore (which is actually a fairly small pile really). Bit dusty but we are on the edge of a small village so not too problematic. Nowhere near as noisy as I expected, even the neighbours who don't like noise were not bothered (but we are on a main road so people are used to a reasonable amount of traffic noise).
    1 point
  21. Cheers. My stance is that Topping ... like Frontal Lobotomies and Bleeding of Patients ... belongs as an hysterical artefact, and I cannot see why a competent tree surgeon would even have it on his publicity :-o . Shaping, crown lifting, pollarding .. yes. Topping .. noooooooo, except perhaps to remembered as a once a decade technique in extremis. F
    1 point
  22. Not where I live.....well at least my neighbour didn't give a f**k when he got an industrial sized one off his mate and did it.
    1 point
  23. Concrete. See.. . http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/Technicaladviceandsupport/TechnicalGuidance/61/filedownload,37205,en.pdf
    1 point
  24. Your issue will be CIL exemption as most councils need 3 years in the property before you can sell it or you are paying CIL retrospectively even if you got the self build exemption. And I think building 3 houses over ten years to get mortgage free is a great idea ... and living in them will let you work out what to do to make the next one even better ....!
    1 point
  25. There is no general rule for demo contracts and it depends what was agreed. I would normally expect the structure to be demolished and removed from site. Slab and foundations would be an extra. If the concrete is in a pile it may be fairly inexpensive to dispose of. Is the machine still on site? Have you got quotes to complete the work?
    1 point
  26. Not unusual as it is normally listed in the quote. You may be facing a very big bill as that will possibly be classed as mixed waste not inert. Inert can go to quarry reclaim and similar for about £150/20t load, mixed either has to be yard separated or goes to land fill and is about £650/20t load around here. Three questions : - can you get the bricks from it reasonably clean ..? They have a value. - when do you need the site clear..? - do you need a hard standing or driveway..? If you have time and need the stuff onsite for under drives etc, you can hire in a crusher and basically crush the lot. It will crush down quite small but could take a couple of days and is noisy and dusty - best done on a rainy day ..!
    1 point
  27. AIUI you can't reclaim for labour (like scaffolding erection/dismantling) - it has to be zero rated at the time of invoice.
    1 point
  28. Top tip, fill the kettle, water filter up etc BEFORE you disconnect the plumbing! You could......temporarily extend your plumbing and waste pipes and put the sink in "the middle " of the room and work round it. No incentive to get it done though then!
    1 point
  29. A toilet fill valve needs a minimum pressure to work from memory - that could be your issue.
    1 point
  30. Check with the PUR manufacturers. Generally foil faced boards are mechanically fixed whilst those for bonding have a coated glass tissue facing (normally cream/off white in colour). Remember you will also need a VCL on the deck prior to the the insulation boards and you cannot bond to polythene so fully bonded PUR normally goes onto a fully bonded bituminous felt VCL.
    1 point
  31. Trouble is the people on here are NOT going to sit idly by and NOT comment if they see something so in your face wrong! Anyway, the solution goes something like this: As you can see all the pvc sheathed cable is touching is the pvc pipe - no rough edges or chemical reactions! As to what IP rated socket to fit then it's a tad dependant on what circuit protection you have on that ring main circuit which I assume that existing 2G socket is on? If it's RCD protected then something like this, there is a slightly cheaper LAP branded one: https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-13a-1g-switch-socket/35096#product_additional_details_container A single socket linked but you could fit a double one if you wanted. If not then you really need RCD protection so it'll be something like this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-13a-2g-rcd-switched-socket/91095 Your electrician will I'm sure be able to advise you! If you take electricity outside you're into the realms of Part P.
    1 point
  32. Just an £1800 admin fee ?
    1 point
  33. I had two invoices recently which incorrectly charged VAT. One was for scaffolding hire where the hire part should have VAT charged but the labour part for erection and dismantling shouldn't. I discussed this quite carefully with the boss when he priced the site but still it all came through with standard 20%. The other was getting a chap from local builder round with a digger to lift my rafters. In that case there shouldn't have been any VAT at all. In both cases I paid the non-VAT component of the invoice promptly with a note saying what was up. The scaffolder should really have issued me with another invoice splitting out the labour and hire (I gave him a worked example of the sort of arithmetic which could have been used so the result would come out to exactly what he'd originally quoted) in which case I'd have happily paid the VAT on the hire. I haven't heard anything more from either. Shrug. I then got another builder in to supply and fit sarking boards, etc. I reminded him in an email about zero-VAT: “yes, we know“ like I was teaching egg sucking. You can't win.
    1 point
  34. Just use a heavy lump hammer and a 4 inch bolster.
    1 point
  35. It is against the law to charge VAT on a VALID new build that is zero rated. So, a contractor cannot refuse to zero rate supply and labour invoices on a valid new build. They must ZERO rate and cannot charge VAT. I was told by HMRC that it is possible to recover incorrectly charged VAT by taking the contractor to court and claiming the incorrectly applied VAT, as determined by the relevant legislation., . We used this "veiled threat" using words provided by HMRC in their rejection of two invoices with supply and labour content, when they responded to our VAT Claim.. We recovered the VAT, on the supply and labour, without resorting to the court. See Reason 1 on page 2 of the letter we received from HMRC - attached. These are the words we used in letters to contractors who had incorrectly (and illegally) charged VAT, despite being given the valid support documents. So, it is possible to recover illegally charged VAT, though it may not be easy if the contractor plays difficult and this is likely to happen with a smaller contractor., usually because their accountants do not know the legislation and don't want to deal properly with HMRC on their VAT returns. We were lucky, but we were silly to get into this situation and it prudent to sort it out before paying any VAT!! HMRC will always reject a VAT claim with any labour content. HMRC Letter for BH.pdf
    1 point
  36. An empty promise as usual no doubt!
    1 point
  37. Good tip, duly noted and will be added to her safety briefing. She has taken to the cement mixer like a duck to water and calls herself the Mary Berry of mortar mixing.
    1 point
  38. SWMBO thinks I'm a clever boy ref the pallet buster!
    1 point
  39. +1 I nearly got bounced off one going over what seemed like a reasonably small bump at moderate speed. I hadn't strapped in because I was only moving it a short way, but it gave me new respect for what those big bouncy tyres could potentially do.
    1 point
  40. Oh - and it is not coming from Nigeria or anything like that LOL - totally bona fide
    1 point
  41. If you get Super Leytex from Toolstation it’s £31 for 15 litres (white) and goes over new plaster after 4-5 days without a problem. Goes a long way but needs a topcoat on walls as isn’t hard wearing but is fine after 2 coats and unlike other paint it doesn’t need a mist coat or watering down.
    1 point
  42. Feel free. Just think how good it will look after a few glasses of vino ? ?
    1 point
  43. Thanks - that's very kind, I may take you up on that
    1 point
  44. I would be happy to help come and paint if you need a hand with that. Can’t do much else but I should be able to do that. Worth looking for paint offers and buying the paint in preparation as that will be vat reclaimable.
    1 point
  45. Tell ya wot Ferdi, top a tree yourself, and ask a tree surgeon to top the one next to it. Then wait a year or two. Ask me why I make the suggestion. Dare ya! ( I may have the photo somewhere)
    1 point
  46. I could spend 10 weeks just thinking about something!
    1 point
  47. Res bar on the ceilings with two layers of sound block is one of the most cost eftive ways of achieving a high level of soundproofing
    1 point
  48. Just thought I'd share some info here - recently had a quote for a Pylontech based system to be installed - it's actually coming in quite competitive compared to the DIY route. Pylontech batteries are £834 inc 5% vat each, 3 off + inverter, cabling, certs etc for an installed price of approx £3800 - so £3800/6kWh useable = £633 per useable kWh installed. Not quite Tesla PW 2 territory £500/kWh installed, but certainly heading in the right direction.
    1 point
  49. Hi. Firstly, Building control will tell you what goes where, it's not for 'consideration' . If your building a block internal then you'll be tying the leaves together so get an angry man with a BFO petrol cutter to cut back the buttresses ( pillars ) and fly right through with tied and filled cavity walls. Next is the floor. I very much doubt you'll be allowed to full fill with concrete as that won't pass BC either through lack of insulation. On the last one I did, I laid 125mm iirc of EPS directly onto the garage floor over the DPM ( checking it was level first which it was ) and then finished the floor with 2 layers of 18mm P5 floorboards. That felt better than walking on a timber joisted floor, very solid. The internal cavity walls were covered with 65mm insulated plasterboard dot n dabbed over blue grit. You could prob get away with thinner boards on the walls if you cut back the pillars and full fill the cavities. Sounds to me like you need a chat with your BCO first, then come back here, and then get a builder out once you've decided on the method of construction. ?
    1 point
  50. My personal opinion is that there really isn’t any other option I would do trench fill, unless you dislike your bricklayers.
    1 point
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