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We have a step of about 10mm into the main bathroom. It has a 5mm bevel on it. In 20 years I don't think anyone has tripped on it.

Most planners are too busy. Chances are they won't give you anything in writing unless you apply for a certificate.

I always use a sled for cross cutting on the table saw. If you don't then pushing on the wood can cause it to bind on the saw blade. The sled pushes on the wood evenly right upto the blade so the cut doesnt tend to close up.

Watch out at doors between rooms. Should have movement/expansion joints there. Each area of screed can shrink towards it's own centre cracking where the meet. Has happened to us.

How binding is an accepted offer in Scotland? Can they back out after you get planning permission like in England?

It would be a lot faster if more expensive to get advice from a planning consultant.

No. In theory it is possible for planning permission to be cancelled but it virtually never happens because the council are liable for damages. Would certainly never happen in a situation like yours.

Are the neighbours windows and doors your side obscure glass?

They don't didnt care about mine or the TV coax.

No level access was need at the rear of ours, just the front door. Love it now.

🙂

Ditto our builder 20 years ago.

I suspect the BCO may want a ball 450mm in diameter to fit through it. Not literally (that's not in the regs) but by measurement. We have a window a fraction too narrow but the BCO allowed it provided we fitted a thicker more fire rated door to that room.

Google says.. Minimum Dimensions: Both the clear opening width and height must be at least 450mm. Total Area: The clear openable area must be at least 0.33m^2. If you make the opening width the minimum 450mm, the height must be at least 735mm to 750mm to hit the area required. Height: The bottom of the openable area should be no more than 1,100mm (1.1m) above the internal floor level for safe access.

LED lighting creating crisis for human mitochondria: Researchers.. https://www.newsnationnow.com/health/led-lighting-human-mitochondria-research/amp/ So presumably warm white is better for you than cold whilte.

Make sure you understand the rules. Labor should be zero rated to you not charged and reclaimed. Supply and fit should also all be zero rated to you (both labor and materials). Only the VAT on materials you purchase can be reclaimed. If you get quotes (for example for plastering) that includes VAT its best to ask them to revise the quote before you accept it. Any problems refer to the VAT notice.

Saw a YouTube vid yesterday that said Morrisons had a brushless motor drill for under £25. No idea if any good. Had a metal chuck.

+1 The distance between the two pipes isn't a standard either. Different pans have slightly different gaps.

Think long term. If it's going to be paved or concrete it will need a hardcore base. You could just lay and compact hardcore and walk on that until you can afford to finish it. Just avoid dusty crushed limestone as it can get a bit slick when wet. Perhaps go for MOT 3 which is free draining?

This is what I used. It foams up a bit so had to take care not to use too much that it came out of the joint.

I replaced some paving/capping last year using foaming polyurethane adhesive. Worked great. Soudial or something like that it was called.

We are on clay. Lot depends on how much garden you have. I would be tempted to use an excavator to break up the top 12 inches, remove any junk, and mix in a huge quantity of organic matter. Perhaps a 50:50 mix. We only did this on the beds but wish I had done something similar for the lawn. We have a land drain across it but its too wet in winter and we get a lot of moss. I was warned off sand because apparently it can turn the clay into cement. Not sure if that's true for all clay.

Hard to find very recent guidance from good sources but I did find this.. https://www.onlineinsulation-sales.com/blog/pir-insulation-complete-guide/ 19 December 2025 PIR Insulation: The Complete Guide for UK Trade Professionals Solid Walls (External Insulation) "PIR boards can form part of external wall insulation (EWI) systems, though phenolic boards are sometimes preferred for EWI due to thinner required thickness. PIR boards fix to the external wall surface, then render or cladding finishes over the insulation."

I've put 12mm travertine onto cement boards on timber stud walls. I think most blocks will be ok. Unless you're using something much thicker. See what others say.

No idea if this helps but ChatGPT suggests.. Key insurers offering unlimited rebuild cover.. 1. Aviva – “Aviva Signature” Offers unlimited buildings sum insured on qualifying homes You don’t need to estimate rebuild cost yourself Typically available for: Standard construction homes Up to ~5 bedrooms (criteria apply) Often accessed directly or via brokers / partners (e.g. banks) This is one of the most mainstream UK options. � Aviva 2. Victor Miles – Unlimited home insurance Provides unlimited buildings cover (subject to eligibility caps) Conditions include: Rebuild cost below certain thresholds Property value limits Aimed at mid-market homes rather than high-net-worth This is a more specialist direct insurer offering structured “unlimited” policies. victormiles.co.uk 3. Howden Insurance (broker route) Can place policies with unlimited rebuild guarantees Typically via: Private client / high-value insurers Tailored underwriting Important context: truly unlimited policies are becoming less common in standard markets, so brokers are often needed. Howden Insurance 4. High-value / “private client” insurers (via brokers) Examples (usually not direct-to-consumer): NFU Mutual Chubb AIG