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He’s not trying to be representative. I know many farmers. All of them have said that he’s done more to highlight some of the challenges farmers face than just about anyone else.

Why not get your architect to design something? I’m not sure a coloured plastic wall is the way forward…

Maybe simple one-off gifts with no expectation of recurrence? I’ve ‘invested’ in a young friend’s company but I’m regarding it as a gift that I don’t expect to be returned. He deserves support. If his company works, great, if not, it was a gift anyway.

OK, I wasn't expecting it to look this good. Amazing what a bit of dappled light can achieve. Keeping the tree alive was absolutely worth it ^^. The bubble window is only on temporarily, it'll come off again for the next coats. Looks alright though.

Perfectly reasonable approach but everyone sees things differently. I would be apprensive of presenting a solution to someone unless they really enthusiastically agreed with it. I know of a situation where someone was gifted a brand new house in a nice estate by a family member in the same village in order to divide up and sell their deceased parents house which was smaller and much less habitable. They just didn't move out and the new house is/was idle. Very true. Whilst a new house in the same location may be the ideal situation but we don't live in an ideal world. Shifting kids around the country isn't ideal, especially if they're doing well in their current school. Perhaps just sucking up the current living arrangement for a few years until school is finished might be the best. You could maybe then get somewhere for their mum. Alternatively give some cash to the kids towards their education, school trips , uniforms etc and take some pressure off their mother. Maybe you could pay something towards university or training if they were keen.

I had the same - it’s bizarre ! Hole in ground and I walk around it on my diy scaffolding maybe 4 metres from the bottom . Build house . Put up timber frame . 4m up from that trying to walk around and I puke my guts . It’s the same distance if I fall ! 4m . I know this . But one is around a hole in the ground other is “ up high “ . Don’t understand what my brain was doing . This is the reason I didn’t put the tiles etc on the roof . I am pussy fodder …

As a counter to this discussion, and from someone in a very not-passivhaus house (but OK insulation!), we have MVHR, and a log burner. The log burner is in a room with a supply vent. I agree with all the above points about it defeating the purposes of an MVHR in a airtight house, but for us the MVHR is more than about heat recovery. It runs on the lowest setting, so is quiet, but it provides good background ventilation to closed habitable rooms, which (at least subjectively) means the air doesn't seem stale in any room (which can't be said for previous houses we've had) and even the completely enclosed tiny wetroom bathroom we've got dries out wonderfully. We also didn't want window trickle vents and lots of bathroom/kitchen extracts, so I'm still happy with the MVHR, even if it costs us money to run. Arguably we could've fitted a positive ventilation system for some of the above benefits but there really isn't that much in it in terms of cost (all was DIY'd, the MVHR unit was a good deal.) Probably further offset by the fact we have free wood to burn! Having said all that, if you're after optimal thermal performance, then lose the WBS.

We bought our plot with outline planning permission, but only for "means of access". Appearance, Landscaping, layout, scale, were all reserved matters. "Means of access", was the contentious one due to location up narrow country lane, albeit in a 30mph zone. Along with detailed plans, traffic monitoring, splays etc for the access, The planning consultant included, various things like tree surveys, and drawing with sample layout and generic. When we bought, we employed architect to design and submit reserved matters.

Just a rough outline of where the house would go. ARM application went to public consultation just like any other but this time with full details.

something like these guys https://www.geobear.co.uk/subsidence-surveys/

They could have been buried beneath the screed. They are sometimes called joints but that’s the wrong term I think in this case as it’s not a joint.

They are just cut flush with the floor. 10mm is a big difference to try and resolve. I agree with @JohnMoget them back to sort this.

We went woodcrete ICF because it's an easy DIY option. Very little support required for the concrete pours. Build 6 rows high, fill with concrete 5.5 blocks high - repeat. Basic tools required. Good U values out the box.

Have they asked for help?

Normal blocks aren't that hard if you take your time. However by the time I had built our house, our block-layer would have completed the great wall of China.

So I thought I'd try out perplexity on [How can I overcome height vertigo] => https://www.perplexity.ai/search/How-can-I-U.DSvr_rSMeWMrdmDagkCg#0 FWIW I'm not at all convinced by this answer, it starts off clarifying the difference between vertigo and acrophobia, but then all but the first treatment seem to be tackling the latter. Answer To overcome height vertigo, you can try several strategies: Understand the difference between vertigo and fear of heights. Vertigo is a physiological response involving the inner ear, while acrophobia is a phobia or fear of heights. If you experience true vertigo, consult an ENT specialist to check for any inner ear issues. Gradually expose yourself to heights. Create a list of situations that trigger your fear, ordered from least to most anxiety-provoking. Start with the easiest scenarios and work your way up, staying in each situation until your anxiety subsides. Practice relaxation techniques. Use mindfulness or breathing exercises before, during, and after exposure to heights to help manage anxiety. Challenge your beliefs about heights. Identify and gradually challenge any irrational thoughts or beliefs that fuel your fear, such as thinking a building might collapse. Reduce safety behaviors. Gradually try to expose yourself to heights without relying on behaviors you think keep you safe, like holding onto rails or shutting your eyes. Focus on your surroundings. When in high places, engage with your environment by noticing details like colors, textures, or counting floors instead of focusing on your anxiety. Use visual strategies. When walking in high places, look a few steps ahead instead of to the sides or in the distance. If you need to look around, stop walking first and hold onto something stable. Build confidence in your equipment. Invest in reliable hiking gear and learn how to use it properly to increase your sense of security. Seek support. Talk to other hikers or people who have overcome similar fears. Their experiences and advice can be valuable. Consider professional help. If self-help methods aren't effective, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with a trained therapist can be highly beneficial in treating acrophobia. Remember, overcoming height vertigo takes time and patience. Start with small, manageable steps and gradually work your way up to more challenging situations.

I'm just some dude on the internet so make your own judgement, but to my mind what you describe sounds more like height vertigo (height induced dizziness) than acrophobia (fear of height) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6734202/#sec1-5title is good for definition & causes, but no so helpful on treatment; it suggests avoiding height, or lying down or crawling past. At very least, this may give you some more search terms to look for (or pump into chatGPT).

They are a Mediterranean thing. They work well in keeping the sun's heat out of a house, because they cool again at night. But not so great at keeping heat inside a house. Also good for rendering. There is a place for them, but in UK the normal materials are likely to be better value.

You may be better with something like this, mitsubishi also do a unit similar. https://www.fastlec.co.uk/vent-axia-hr100r-heat-recovery-unit-top-access?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvvmzBhA2EiwAtHVrbysI1KZhxMFLHDd61I0ydleDArURhiPIGBSQXvY7pyoGALmP2ScJWxoChQ0QAvD_BwE

we were visiting Blackpool last week to visit family and went to many of the local place. Fleetwood was cheap as was Morcombe, Lytham St. Annes, not so much. North is generally much cheaper than the south. Where are the family.

Cherry picker, scaffold, MEWP, all no problem. As soon as I get over 6ft on a ladder I'm no good 😆. Might just be my B&Q special ladder...

I looked into this back in 2018 ish. I didn’t think they had a very good insulation value and you needed to add more. is this still the case.

I’ve bought all sorts of crap over the years, but that one would worry me slightly to the point of putting things on hold for a minute. That needs more investigation.

put a spirit level on it. Haqrd to tell from the photo but the patio door doesnt look to have a lintle. Appears the corner is pushed out/sinking though. Definitely get it inspected by someone with an insurance policy you can claim on.

I thought it was just us that did that kind of thing. Bloody good idea wasn't it. They come back now and again and say things like " You've learned a good deal since we left ", and "How did you cope with three of us, and no grandparents of your own." Light-weights all of them. Lightweights. A mate of mine comes in to visit occasionally and offload on what appears to me to be a very similar issue. At every turn it seems, his efforts are nullified by some external factor. I try to reassure by reminding him that he hasn't given up trying, - and neither will he - and then pointing to the families he knows where, little by little, contact has slipped into silence > christmas and birthdays> facebook follows > the odd comment > deeper silence. And then long breaks. Isolation. I know you well enough to know that you're not going to do that. Open commitment to people - despite what life throws at us is - very hard. And maybe hard enough for now? Don't underestimate your gift of obvious commitment and moral support. And in three or four years ......

That's a big loft access hatch. 1200 x 600mm. First unit I came to will fit with plenty of room for hands etc https://www.titon.com/uk/products/ventilation-systems/heat_recovery_mvhr/hrv-1-25-q-plus/ Are you just ventilating the space shown? As that is a very low flow requirement about 45 to 50m3/h for supply and extract?

What are the 50mm battens on? Do you have counter battens or are they on a solid deck? Have you got a continuous gap from ridge to eaves?

Ask them to quote you the exact wording of the policy that limits the side extension to 3.1 metres. While waiting for an answer have a walk around your area and find any side extension >3.1 metres that has been allowed and see if you can track down it's planning application.

I don't like heights, and wouldn't be brave enough to do the things you have done. I have worked on my two storey house roof, after getting used to it. Have you spoken to your doctor about this, as it may not be a phobia.

We looked at this a couple years ago when eldest bought his first with the then girlfriend. If they need a mortgage and you are supplying part of the deposit you have to sign a legal document relinquishing any rights at all, certifying its a gift not a loan. Only way was for us to buy the house as a BTL personally and rent it to them which defeated the object not to mention tax, even looked at ltd co BTL so my son could be a shareholder but that also is forbidden by the mortgage co.

floor to ceiling spindles ?

I admire your good intentions. But do plan for the many ways this may not work out and check that you’ll still be happy if those turn out to be the case. We have a situation where we helped out with a family situation and it’s back-fired terribly.

Have you tried any of the talking therapies to try and deal with it? It’s almost impossible for any of us to answer if something as you describe will help to be honest. Could you have something mocked up say in a colourful wallpaper temporarily stuck to the wall to see if it helps before committing to something. It could make it worse by drawing your attention to it for example.

OK, basecoat on all but a tiny section of the outside now - and a few awkward bits of reveal. Eleven bags of lime used, nine remaining. That's a lot thirstier than I expected, but the remaining bags should be sufficient to do the straightening coat (1:2.5 lime:sand) and I can always buy some pre-mixed finish coat, since I'd need to get the finer sand for it anyway. Hessian up - and regularly watered - to protect from wind and sun externally, which makes getting pictures a pain, but here's a few I remembered to take. So far it all seems pretty sound. I've had to redo a few small sections, especially in places where the straw is loose - soft bales or bale ends, at the reveals and corners. It's a nightmare to get it to stick when it's like that, and you can easily end up with voids behind the render. Presumably this would be less of a problem if I'd done a stipple coat ^^. Easy to find and fix though - and the rest of the render holds the straw firmly in place while patching. I could have been more diligent about scratching up this coat; sometimes I've forgotten, or thought "I'll do that tomorrow" and by then it's too hard to rework. Not really anticipating any problems as a result, though, it's really rough. Next up is straightening; I've got a darby, but could do with a pool float. Don't really want to pay £60 for one though. I also need a wood float, although the temptation is to just attach a handle to a bit of offcut ^^.

It's tough if you don't have the money upfront - mortgage terms and conditions make all the inventive approaches a breach of contract. Although, uh, one could ask how they might come to find out *cough*. Currently my sister owns a house and I have a charge on it with the land registry; that'll come off when she finishes repayments to me, or as part of a sale. Pretty sure mortgage companies would object mightily to that one. I didn't find much in the way of useful products when I was looking to get her housed - all the products seemed aimed at intergenerational wealth transfer. I *did* interview for a job with this lot a couple of years ago though: https://www.generationhome.com/ . Seemed like it might have helped, but I didn't dig into it much as they wanted employees to spend two days a week in an office in London, bless 'em. edit: Yeah, "Income Booster" and "Deposit Booster" lets your family member have a mortgage while you improve their eligibility without living there. Of course, they charge a premium for it.

Does the father pay maintenance? Will this stop when the children are out of full time education? Will any of the children go on to university to continue their education? Will the family member take on another partner next year, 5 year's, 10 year's? It's your savings and your the only person that will know if your going to need the money later in life. Life and circumstances can change overnight. We helped all our children get on the property ladder with large handouts and kicking them out! we discuss now if it was the most sensible thing to have done with a chunk of our savings now we're getting older.

Children don't stay at school for ever. Ours flew the nest after we gave them as much money as we could (some would say bribed ?) In any case we're horrible parents - insist on clean rooms no loud sex after midnight, no drugs, limited rock and roll . If we found their booze we stole it, usually by accident. Well one bottle just looks like another. It worked. That meant we could live in a smaller house. Is four or five years too long to wait?

Yes they do, I built a “log” garage and no vertical timbers should be fixed to the horizon timbers except one end, door and windows have contraction gaps to allow for this. If you need to fix vertical anything sliding fittings at one end. Mine is 45mm logs and although only a garage and not been through a full winter yet it stays quite warm so I think with a small heater yours will remain quite comfortable.

With a raised floor just be aware of rodents i would want a solid base beneath the insulation either plywood or cement sheet. just not a membrane then insulation, it will make the nicest rodent house going.

Make the stud wall on the floor without fixing the osb. Then lift in place. All you need to start are some braces to keep the wall upright. Then once upright can you brace for square, straight and plumb. My advice is build the whole stud wall structure without the osb, that way it's easy to attach temp bracing and only once all sections are in place can you take the brace off. Start like this: To this: To this: To this: Then osb. All one man job (with 16 year old nephew to help get the glulams from the driveway... 😉 Then use nails for the stud walls.

Six years ago we finished our build at £815 m2 300 m2 This time we’ve gone larger which has helped with the budget which is £1000 m2 which is looking likely that we will be under While we have gone overboard on Insulation and haven’t scrimped on finish quality Weve been sensible and keeping costs down Ws had. Two lots of windows in the vaulted ceiling’s The glass steel and frames where coming in at 10 k So the where cut from our plans We’ve kept Architecht fees low again Barterd with Echo surveys Buying online saves a small fortune Ive Ben buying for the four bathrooms for 12 months All German again In ones or twos The labour is We where the big savings are I do 8 hours on a building site and then four at the build Then 20 hours over the weekend with my wife Worth it at the end

What worked for me Being the self builder, I was on site at all times and doing a big lump of work myself. Used CDM Wizard (Phone app) for all risk assessments, these were stored until house was signed off. One contractor company on site, at any time. They controlled their own work, as they were independent companies, so under my control. They worked to drawings I provided and they quoted for work against these drawings. I did quality checks to ensure work complete satisfactory manner, if not they rectified at their own expense, prior to invoice being paid. My manhours were free, so not deemed as employed on site. That could be me then. But was also the project manager. My engineering background is managing jobs way more complex than house. I read and digested building regs knew as much or more than any contractor we had on site. I was in the review process for all architect drawings, none were complete until I had reviewed and or commented and given a green light. Fell out with the first architect as he didn't like it, so found one that would accept a two way design process and me as the client, as someone that would actively review and comment on drawings, make changes and say no when not happy. I come from a different field, but all relevant experience. You work to drawings, contractors quoted against drawings and specifications, if something is not clear, you ask for clarification - this occurred during quote process and at the work site. If a contractor didn't want to play ball, he didn't get the work. I didn't bother, didn't meet the 500 person day or numbers on site criteria. No point putting head above the parapet to get shot for no reasons.

That's very interesting. Have you assumed you should count your [and SWMBO] time in the 500 days or have you seen specific guidance for that? My understanding was that as self-builders, we are not ‘at work’ in the meaning of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, so our time would not be included in the 500 days.

I have had real vertigo for about 16 years now (after my eyes were operated on). It can be horrible and set off by the most bizarre things. I used to go rock climbing, oddly it was not a problem. But then you are really only looking very locally i.e. next foot placement and handhold, or were to attach the fall protection. Once at the top and rigged up for the other climbers to follow, my vertigo could really kick in. If only they knew I was in a constant state of panic, they would not have let me be on the safety rope. Once I had a full blown vertigo attack on a multi-stage climb. Had to be rescued, much safer than the solo free climb I was about to attempt.

CBT It is not just for snowflakes.

And learning continues for the rest of our lives. School education is not always the best, bright, sensible and motivated children/people will always shine. Now my Mother charged me a third of my gross wage (punished me financially). Was a bargain when I was 17 and earned £40/week, was cheaper to buy a play when I finished my apprenticeship and was earning over £120/week. Same thing happens now as I live alone.