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Hi Mike, I just finished reading all your blog to date. Thanks for writing it, I've found it really useful. The IKEA wardrobes are not beyond redemption - you can push the backing off from inside so that the nail heads stick up a bit and then pull them out with a claw hammer. Then get it square and renail. Having them squint like that would drive me nuts! Can I ask a question about your wall finish? You've done what I plan on doing and boarded it out yourself. Have you also done the taping/filling of the joins yourself and if so were you able to do that without sanding? Is there a final finish coat of plaster to go on top after that stage? I hope you don't mind me pointing out that there's a couple of dodgy bits I can see in the plaster around your rooflight reveals - are these getting edged and skimmed later or have they been done but just got bashed during construction on site?

Thanks Dave, yes that was all covered in the deeds and planning consent. The reason I wanted more info about surrounding landowners was to check how robust some of the agreements are. I'm sorry that I can't say any more at this stage and am being a bit cryptic, but I'm not wanting to give the location away! There's nothing there that's causing me concern re the water, drainage or services though. I know it all needs checking to make sure it's still current but it seems good so far.

Other things you need to find out being a rural plot. Drainage. Both foul and rainwater. Is the plot big enough to support a treatment plant and associated drainage field and also a soakaway for wainwater. Taking into account building regs distance from buildings, boundaries and each other? If not is there an agreement in place with adjacent land owners for a drainage field under their land? Have percolation tests been done to prove the viability of land drainage (and calculate the size)? Cost of getting mains water to the plot, or alternative viable private supply? Cost of getting an electricity supply? Access to the plot including rights over any private tracks etc. If it is shared access over a private track how many houses use it already? when it gets to 5 houses it is required to be upgraded, surfaced to proper standards and then adopted.