Ralph

Hi all, We are going round the houses on choices of skirting and architrave and I'm looking for some opinions. We know we want something plain and are leaning towards a very simple whited painted MDF, square profile no bevel or pencil round for both the skirting and architrave. We can''t decide on the dimensions more specifically the thickness. We're thinking of skirting = 18mm x 120mm and facing = 18mm x 95mm so that they are flush with no skirting blocks. Do these dimension sound about right, would 18mm be too thick? With the lock down it's difficult to see any actually examples so any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks

We are building a detached garage but it's turning more into a garden building than an actual garage, I doubt it will actually see a car.

Sink with hot and cold water, maybe even a loo! Floor drain may be a good one as well.

We've had to put in a turning point for fire engines. "Fire and rescue service vehicles should not have to reverse more than 20m from the end of an access road. Where any dead-end route is more than 20m long, turning facilities should be provided. This can be a turning circle or a hammerhead" As you have an access at each end that should not be a problem for you.

Hello Jeremy, Welcome, I've found this to be a great place to get your questions answered, sometimes in more detail than you bargained for. Ecotheologian is not something I'm familiar with, off to Wikipedia I go.

We drew down quite a bit more because we were expecting to pay the ground works plus the fist two kit installments in quick succession, it's now just sitting in the account. Annoying but not a disaster.

True but only up to 80% of the value of what you're borrowing against (might depend on finally LTV etc). Once you've maxed that out you need a revaluation so you can borrow against that minus what you've already drawn down. We found them great to deal with as well. Always helpful and pleasant.

I like that their re-valuations are not tied to stages. You can crack on and when the money starts getting low get a valuation and increase the amount available for draw down.

Were still waiting on a price from RK but if it's too expensive it will probably be Solidoor. Everything is on hold at the moment anyway.

That looks really nice, well done. Friends of ours used to live near Archiestown so I know the area well. Lovely part of the world.

For the last 6 months here it's been next to impossible to get building inspectors to come near a site anyway. Everyone seems to be told to take as much pictures as possible to evidence work and crack on.

There are quite a few options with all this as our contract gives us a reasonable level of protection. The kit is a few months away even without the delays so I'm hoping it will work out. What I'm trying to do is balance our risk while at the same time be fair to everyone. We have an excellent contractor and I'm sure we'll work together to make sure no one is left in the shit.

Its certainly an option, although I'll be well into build mortgage and not really wanting to pay it and rent for more months than necessary. Pausing while I'm not too far in is preferable from a financial point and I know the contractor will have been paid what he's owed.

Contract has been signed with builder, our foundations are already in and the kit was ordered a few weeks ago so we are pretty much committed. The only way seems to be to white knuckle it through the next few months and hope for the best. My concern is more about keeping the money coming in to pay the build mortgage.

That is a decent price. Thanks

They looks good. I''ll go and get a quote from them. Any idea of what sort of price range for a 1100 door with 600 side light.

We're using Rationel for windows but their front doors are not the best. We are waiting for a quote from RK Doors which I think may be pricey. We're looking for something like the attached, anyone got other recommendations? Thanks Ralph

If it's a light scratch those Briwax sticks and some laminate polish are not bad, if it's an actual gouge then you may need some laminate floor putty.

That's interesting I was told by our agent that sure Rationel did not make bi-folds. All in we're about £380 per sqm for Auraplus triple that includes some large panes with angled cuts and two sets of 4830 x 2100 sliders.

I'm setting up mine on site this weekend this is a useful resource https://timelapsecameras.com/blogs/brinno-learning-series

This pretty much the approach we're taking. This was the digger onsite yesterday building up the bank.

If only that were true. Some of the highest quotes I've had for this build came from trades that subsequently turned out to be absolute cowboys.

The £300 is for the conveying, £250 for the initial valuation then every time you need a re-valuation to release further funds I think it's £125. The initial draw down goes through your solicitor then subsequent ones go direct into your account.

We are just about to do our first draw down of funds from Ecology and the only thing holding it up has been the solicitor being a little slow. I think our bill from them is going to be about £300 with another £250 for the valuation. Unless there is something exceptional with your build there is not that much they have to do.

We had some insane quotes, all delivered with a straight face. Go and get some more prices because that looks very pricey.