Dreadnaught

Oh I would like to see the BuildHub version of it. I wonder if it includes pregnancy too.

Thanks @MikeSharp01. That's my main open question for me now. Whether I can run the drainage pipes x2 (foul and rainwater) into a single service trench with water, gas, telecoms and electricity or whether there is some fundamental reason why I shouldn't do that. Anyone know?

Thanks @MikeSharp01. Did you also have drains in your trench? If so, how did you position them?

This seems to be the standard cross section of a services trench. For my build, I am thinking of having a single combined services trench bringing absolutely everything into my utility room so I am wondering how to to fit everything in: Why the 350 mm radius gap between the water pipe and the gas pipe? And why the separation between the other pipes? Where do drain pipes go (foul and rainwater)? Could they go in the gap underneath the gas/telecom/electric pipes/conduits? My falls would mean that they could well fit there nicely.

@PeterW, in your scheme, how would one rod a blockage between the utility room and kitchen?

Thanks @PeterW. I like your simple approach but the council tree officer might not approve it because of the root-protection zone for the chestnut tree on the south boundary, shown with a green dotted line.

Thanks @scottishjohn. Yes I believe it is 22m according to Part H. I think it is because rodding points are only for pipe terminations. An IC is needed for a corner > 30º. Any other votes?

My SE initially specified a hydrobrake and, when I looked it up, I was surprised at how much it cost (around £1,000 if I recall correctly). In the end I agreed with my SE to submit the drainage calculations to the council without the hydrobrake on the off chance they would approve them without it and fortunately they did. However, following our heroic SUDS efforts, the calculated maximum run-off rates were not hugely in excess of the mandated figure which is presumably why.

Hi guys, which of these two foul drain run designs is better, 1 (red) or 2 (blue) and why?

Many congratulations @Thorfun. And welcome to Buildhub!

@Triassic by coincidence today I was researching brick slips while await my planning permission. I will need to cut some brick slips for the specials that will bridge to an angled wall I will have in my design. In doing so, I stumbled upon an entire world of brick cutters, cutting bricks not just slips. To my surprise there seems to multiple such companies in each county. Here is just one example fairly near me in East Anglia to give you an idea: http://www.masterlaybrick.com. They can make slips from any brick you choose. As an aside, I have learnt there are two types of brick slip tiles: (1) those made by cutting bricks; and (2) those made by extrusion. Type 1 creates rather more waste in the production process so, to my eye, Type 2 seems better.

Roger Scruton (misquoted): in Britain everything is permitted unless it is forbidden; in Switzerland everything is forbidden unless it is permitted; in France everything is permitted, even if it is forbidden; and in Russia everything is forbidden, even if it is permitted.

Under pressure, I believe that eBay is tightening requirements for its sellers with regard to VAT. If the seller is UK based, I wonder if approaching eBay might be another avenue.

We have them in my current place (albeit 10-years old models). Audible noise from the motor; prone to dumping cold water on your head after the shower is paused and restarted; all-in-all pointless. But they do have a flashing LED. Of the three we have, one has needed servicing.

@lizzie did. Have the name of her designer if you'd like it. I suspect that she won't mind me sending it on.

Welcome @ianfish!

Welcome @Davidkw. A couple of places to start: https://www.gov.uk/vat-building-new-home , https://www.gov.uk/vat-building-new-home/eligibility, https://www.gov.uk/vat-building-new-home/how-to-claim. We also have a large and well-maintained thread on the forum here about the VAT reclaim process but I believe that you need a few more posts (to be an established member) before you can have access to that. @newhome in particular is very knowledgeable on the subject. And @JSHarris has a sample claim spreadsheet that he has provided to some others here. Some members, including @jack, are following current cases about exactly what triggers the 3-month clock on claiming after the completion of a build. And there are some companies various members have used to assist in the process (for a fee). @joe90 has used one recently for example.

"Build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything". Had to look it up myself.

@new eco home, Touchwood Homes is local to you: https://www.touchwoodhomes.co.uk. MBC (http://mbctimberframe.co.uk) and PYC (https://pycconstruction.co.uk) are two others I have considered for my build. Another is Eden (http://edeninsulation.co.uk) but I have not spoken with them directly.

Oh you might have an exhaust-air heat pump in your MVHR! This one https://www.earthsaveproducts.com/products/mvhr-including-built-in-heat-pump/ecocent-air-mvhr. There is a link to the manual on the web page. Unfortunately, the manual does not seem to mention the word "boost". If that is your model, you might be interested to know that both @Mikey_1980 and @dogman have the same one.

A new (easier?) way of detecting Great Crested Newts in a pond on a building site. Podcast. Costing the Earth: The e-DNA Revolution … "A modern technique is revolutionising how we monitor our living world. Jheni Osman asks how 'environmental DNA' works and discovers the sheer breadth of what it's revealing." Listen to the relevant section here → https://overcast.fm/+IPRWK3mfg/9:04 The BBC site for the podcast → https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008wpt

How about the full shifty …

Oh interesting. How do you compare using the wood to metal? Which do you prefer using?

Just out of general interest, I wonder did you ever consider using metal studwork, @nod-style? I am tempted.