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I've been meaning to post a follow-up and I'm always disappointed when threads are left hanging! (What happened to that guy whos new build looked to be falling apart?) Anyway, the worktop suppliers were really good about everything - seemed to be genuinely concerned about trying to make us happy but also remaining sensible about the options which is all fair enough. On the two main points: - Colour - We've reached the conclusion that there's no fault on the part of the supplier here... It's just a combination of our room/lighting and the fact that the worktop isn't quite as white as we expected/hoped and, more to the point, never was - the samples have got pretty much the same tone to them but we'd never put one in the corner to view it (it had always been out on the well-lit island) and even if we had I don't think we would've spotted an issue. We have reminded ourselves that despite looking high and low for other options whilst this one was out of stock we never did find one that we loved and so this one probably is the best we're going to get and there isn't the 'perfect' one out there (that we're aware of at least - don't tell me if you see it!)... And we've got used to it, or are not so concerned about it - indeed I'd go as far as saying we're growing to like it now that we're looking at the kitchen as a whole rather than focusing on the latest thing to have gone 'wrong'! - Island bow - The supplier asked for some photos and then arranged for someone to visit in person (300 mile round trip!). The guy that arrived was actually great - who knew worktop problem rectification could be such fun. A bloke from Buxton with a strong northern accent but with Italian roots he was quite a character. It took a couple of weeks for the visit to happen and by that time I swear the bow had lessened as I'm sure I wouldn't have kicked up a fuss if it was how it was a couple of weeks later. He said he wasn't surprised given that the resin in a quartz worktop does lessen its rigidity, and he also didn't attempt to deny that it should've be installed/left like that in the first place. Rather than berate the installers we just discussed what best to do and the pros and cons of each option, including replacement. We ended up removing the sealant, spinning the worktop so as to reorientate the pattern to what we thought was a slightly better aesthetic (might as well whilst we could) and then found that the worktop actually fitted much better. Perhaps my units weren't quite as flat as I thought, but even so there was a measurable bow albeit not one you could feel or spot by eye anymore particularly now that it had flattened. He tapped in some shims - his thinnest ones - and I was content (pleased in fact) with the outcome. He siliconed up, we had another cup of tea and a chat about life and the matter was concluded. So, all's well that ends well - and another reminder to me not to assume it's the end of the world when things don't quite go to plan.

It seems to me that architects and planners have been sold that green roofs are great. They don't pay for or build or maintain them. In my opinion, sedums have their places...some city centres, but mostly peat bogs.

buy a powder puffer and the wasp powder -shove the nozzle in a gap 0ne or 2 good puffs and they will die in a day -where the powder lands -any bug that walks in it from ants to wasp are dead

Just a quick update/plug (sorry). Curved units arrived, all installed.

There WILL be foundations... of sorts... but as the cottage is converted from an old 19th century (or earlier) stone built barn with 2ft thick walls., they'll not be anything more technical than large boulders packed into a trench. How deep or wide.... I wouldn't like to guess, but as the entire barn is still stood good and straight with no sagging or bellying, I'd guess they were, and still are, up to the job. Please explain why "Lime mortar springs to mind". There is no evidence of the kind of structural probs you are suggesting, and... not a brick in site. All mixed west Lakeland stone.

22 month 0% credit card for purchases https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/0-purchase-credit-card-for-22-months-at-ms-bank-3796820 Section 75 protection too if you pay by credit card. In these uncertain times that's good to remember when deciding how to pay.

Heating a HW tank and running CH at the same time is always a compromise. The flow temp required to fully heat a HW tank to 60-65 degrees is 70-75 degrees - this means that whilst the CH is ramping up to temperature, the HW tank may in fact be losing heat to the lower flow temps running through it's coil until the CH circuit has heated up sufficiently. Much preferred is what Intergas refer to as x-plan. This is HW priority with modulating controls to boost the boiler to max temp (eg. 80 degrees) to heat the cylinder up as quickly as possible: https://www.intergasheating.co.uk/consumer/2019/11/05/tech-talk-3/ Most unvented cylinders have a < 30 mins recovery time with ~20KW coils, and some of the more modern high gain cylinders have much larger coils to heat up in half that time. The added advantage is that you can then run much lower flow temps on milder days by using weather compensating controls, whilst still heating your cylinder up adequately.

Or you get caught by a comment from the conservation officer on the 30th August (last day when consultation closed) demanding a bat survey (min 6 weeks apparently) which can only happen between May and September. There's a full year delay for you sir, enjoy... not speaking from bitter experience at all...

Thanks really interesting - waiting for the first Grand Designs to feature one ?

Yes, but the main thing is probably to shed rain. Can't say much more without a site visit which i am not doing.

Actually I find neighbours objections are not relavant (I don’t like it!), if your architect is any good he will have a feel for what is acceptable for your area so it’s positive so far but I bet the planners have not even looked at it yet and may even ask to extend the period but fingers crossed eh. Even if the planners find fault it’s not the end, I fought 4 planning applications and won hands down at appeal ?

So that’s photos of my 3 phase 22 kw charger. first photo is power in via swa cable and top photo is the socket.

@Vala Most mixing valves you can remove the marker and dial and rotate them through 180 degrees (without turning the mechanisim in the valve) so that the marker and temperture set can be read from the front if the valve. Pop a picture on here if it helps, can check it over.

Seems to be a battery charging off the mains, then a car charger running off the battery.

It is not a bad sign. Neighbours objections tend to be spurious, or raising what the planner would anyway. So it is one little hurdle, and at least means the neighbours dont hate you. The planner won't have looked at it yet but should speak to your architect if any issues...silence is usually promising.

What is the reason for wanting 3 phase? If it is just more capacity then three single phase supplies would do that. If you NEED to run some 3 phase equipment, you will need a phase converter, but they are expensive and not a whole house solution.

I know I have committed theft, but I thieved it fair and square so ... This is part of the image from the linked article above. The average Lancastrian would call this a Tarred-Out-House Oh, go on then, a FookinShitHouse....

Just reading up on the E.Sybox and it's a break tank setup, like Nick says. The ~500L tank fills with water and then this is pumped out at up to 6/7 bar, if needed. A nice compact unit if your incoming flow/pressure is totally inadequate. However, pretty certain it will stop functioning once the tank is run dry. Most water companies allow a maximum of 12L/min to be pumped directly from the mains - either way, the E.Sybox doesn't seem to be linked to the mains in any way.

@vala Well I was sent the wrong relay so not been able to set it up yet but a circuit like this would work:

We had a few problems but nothing as serious as poor guy with the stroke. Our raft looked smooth and level but we still ended up using a self levelling resin screed to make the surface suitable for a karndean floor. We did the screeding ourselves, it's not perfect but it's a self build. The stuff we used was the Mapei ultraplan, mixed up a bag at a time with and electric stirrer. It goes off very quickly so you need to have everything ready before you start.

Sorry Jack, I totally agree you with regard quality and experience. With regard below ground ICF, warranties are fairly easy to obtain for some ICFs and less so others. As a proponent of ICF in general, I think this should be stressed. Not all ICFs are the same and there's a lot of guff around, surprisingly, a lot of brand Vs brand stuff which is ultimately pointless.

Many things in the building world are "really not difficult to do right", and yet experience says they're often done wrong. People come onto this forum daily and ask for help addressing significant cock-ups by professionals. If it happens so regularly with stuff that's visible, why is it unreasonable to be wary about stuff that isn't going to be visible? I thought the main issue with non-inspectable concrete (as happens in ICF) was the difficulty in getting someone to warranty it when it's used underground, although I can't remember who said that. @Bitpipe, did you ever look into ICF as a possibility?

You do know you don't have to have the supply moved. You could do as many of us have, and leave the meter there, and just run your own cable from that box into the house. At those prices it will probably save you a lot of money.

Thankfully he is now safely held in a padded cell awaiting a full and proper psychiatric evaluation. Apparently, he rocks himself to sleep each night, muttering the same phrase over and over again….. ”Must finish bathroom………must finish bathroom……”

I love the "site infiltration rate" in m/s. Presumably quite a lot if it is an aircraft crashing or a meteorite. ? (An intelligent person with an answer will be along in a minute)

Ahhh @CalvinHobbes, best thing now is to go and do a freefall course. Then when you've done that, train to be a lion tamer. Scare the sheet out of yourself. Distraction is what's needed now. Keep yourself too busy to care. Hard work. Then in a few months, check the Decision Notice.

Sounds fab . Have you thought about walk on glazing?