Temp

Ok why did they say you can't do that?

+1 A builder should only charge you 5% on materials and labor. Unfortunately I don't think it helps with the CIL because I don't think you can use the self build reclaim to get 15% back on any materials you have purchased (The self build reclaim appears to apply only to conversions of non-residential property).

If you go for stainless it may help to know some have a special pattern stamped on the head to make them less reflective. I forget what that's called. Edit: Here just called diamond pattern.. https://millworks.co.uk/cladding-fixings/

Perhaps she could use the exemption for residential extensions for her flat? They can't expect people to have the same evidence for those?

That needs to be the one she will live in afterwards.

There is also an issue of how you can live in all three flats at once for three years (another requirement for claiming the exemption). Sorry but I think you will have to pay the CIL on the increase in floor area.

If you are using a private BCO they should tell the council BCO about the work. Speak to the private BCO you plan to use and ask him for a list of what he needs from you to get started. I would recommend the going down the "Full plans" route which involves providing him with a set of construction drawings and other info and waiting for them to be approved before starting work. They will probably come back to you ask for additional information or questions on the drawings several times. If the approval process seems to be dragging out you can ask your private BCO if he will allow you to start work prior to him granting full approval. He may do that if he is only waiting for minor things to be resolved. Depending on the site and how keen the BCO is he may want you to get some test holes dug to check the ground conditions and/or a percolation test to see if soakaways will work and how big they need to be. Typically the next thing he will want to do after approving the drawings is inspect your foundation trenches before you pour concrete in them. Don't order concrete until he has done that inspection as he might see something he isn't happy with and tell you to dig deeper. The NHBC may also want to do an inspection at this stage. Every time you have a meeting or visit from the BCO/NHBC I recommend making a list of any issues raised and what, if anything, they tell you to do about them. Before they leave ask at what stage you should call him back for the next inspection and how much notice they want (some BCO only want 24 hours notice). After they have left write them a letter/email listing the issues that were raised and confirming what you have agreed to do about them and finish by stating you will call him back for the next visit when you have reached the point agreed. You should consider the BCO a friend, so try and keep on their good side and they might get you out of a hole. Our BCO spotted that a window wasn't wide enough. It would have been a nightmare to fix as we have external oak framing. He allowed it provided we upgraded the fire rating of the door on that room and that was a lot easier than fixing the window.

Remember that opening up the stairs can make a loft conversion harder later That's because converting the loft makes it a 3 storey house and the fire regs effectively mean the stairs on the ground floor may have to be enclosed again (or at least protected from a fire in a ground floor room). If that's not a concern then go for it.

Make sure you check the small print. Some warranties only cover sales to EU countries. OK now but what happens after Brexit will depend on the wording. They may also be slow to change the wording to take Brexit into account. Might be wise to pay something by credit card.

You mean you have sent them Forms 7 (part 1) and are about to sent Form 6... https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200126/applications/70/community_infrastructure_levy/5 Make sure they have granted the exemption and you get some sort of acknowledgement that Form 6 has been received. Ideally I'd want both in writing before starting any work on site.

Could you do it with an old mobile phone and a cable? Must be loads of Internet Radio Apps.

The labor should be zero rated to you (eg nothing to reclaim). The scaffolding hire is standard rated and can't be reclaimed. https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-construction/vconst02750

+1 to hemihydrate screed. They say it doesn't form a surface laitance like other liquid screeds so shouldn't be a problem sticking tiles. Make sure it doesn't get substituted.

Tip: Strongly recommend you paint the ceiling above the shower with Zinsser waterproof paint. We had issues with paint peeling off due to condensation or steam and other so called waterproof paints didn't last long. Think someone here recommended Zinsser to me and it's been fine since I used that. I think I used the Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 but it's been awhile.

Just a heads up... Converting a loft turns a two storey house into a three storey. This means building control may require changes on the ground floor, especially if the stairs are open plan. Mostly to do with fire regs. Building control can also have issues with escape windows above a conservatory or similar hazard. eg They rock up and rule that your rear facing window cannot be the escape window so you need another one somewhere.

Would there be any side windows on the extension? These have to be obscure glass to comply with PDR. That might not be the case if you got planning permission. If you add an extension/dormer during construction of the house the whole house would likely be in breach, not just the extension/dormer. That's because there is usually a condition requiring you to build the house "exactly in accordance with the approved plans". Normally planners have four years to enforce a breach of planning law but in the case of a breach planning conditions it is 10 years. The planners might not take any action but when you come to sell up the buyer might want the situation regularised. In the past if you breach planning you could wait for an enforcement notice and then submit a retrospective planning application, however I have see mention that The Localism Act 2011 allows a planning authority to decline to determine a retrospective planning applications after an enforcement notice has been issued. Not sure what implications this has.

I've never used this type of system but I do a bit of physics on the side. The forces involved would make me nervous. The equation for the pressure at depth h is... P= g*rho*h Where g is 9.81m/s/s rho is the density, which for concrete is 2400 kg/m^3 h is the depth So the pressure at the bottom of a 1.5m high pour is.. =9.81*2400*1.5 =35,300 N/m^2 Or about 720 lbf per square foot. Double the height and the pressure doubles.

I know what the locals mean when they say the damage has been done but they would be better off referring to the earlier plan to make it green space and arguing the developer should repeat what was done back then. If they argue it's irreparable the planning inspector might agree with them and allow the development.

I hadn't heard of that so... https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/ I don't think it provides any protection?

A computer/electronics project I worked on featured in a magazine. The journalist seemed great, everything went pretty well. No more than a few minor problems that any complicated project has. All were easily solved, and project was completed on budget and to pretty agressive timescales. Customer was happy. But I guess that was all too boring for the editor who basically made us look like idiots fighting one problem after another with the project constantly behind schedule. I'd never agree to it again.

All week the weather man has been hyping the fact that it's going to be glorious weather for the Easter weekend. I'd give them a break.

Think I'd get my own report done. Think some council specify a 25m splay in a 20mph zone. See if you can find a policy doc for your council and get a report showing how you can meet that.

If turfing keep an eye on the weather. Nearly lost ours due to it drying and shrinking in the sun and wind. Our sprinklers (plural) could hardly keep up.

I haven't really looked at the drawing (it's 2am) but has he added walls to reduce the span of the beams?

I'm saying no. At least until they can guarantee to give me a Smeets 2 spec meter.