bmj1

Oops. "Pain points" = things that frustrate you, or you would like improved ! Thank you for the feedback, please keep it coming...!

Hi all, I'm coming towards the end of my self-build journey - and I owe a huge debt of thanks and appreciation to this community - who have been there throughout - with advice, guidance, good humour, and sometimes just support and a friendly pair of ears. Thank you all 😅 One paint point I've found is around ordering building materials: Lack of transparency around pricing - the online prices and local store prices aren't great - you have to find a local merchant and haggle on every order The whole faff around 'setting up accounts' Poor services levels generally, lack of a digital process with the cheaper merchants I'm kicking the tyres (genuinely) on doing something about it - and setting up my own digital-first builders merchant. I'd like to kindly ask - what are your paint points when it comes to ordering building materials ? What would your dream builders merchant offer ? Thank you in advance !

Agree. Well done. Builders can be bullies.

I have to say I agree: don't ruin it with the capping solution, get a grinder in and get that drip channel sorted !

I have no idea if this is the right product, or not, but of all the corners that can be cut, membranes is never one of them. Figure out exactly what the correct membrane needs to be, and use it. I'm all for being entrepreneurial, and frugal, but this is really important to get right.

The other thing this gives you is an air tightness certificate. I think it's pretty neat, especially on a bigger/more commercial project where you are operating to a schedule and just need this 'done'.

Sorry, how does one fill a bath without bath taps?

Hi all, I'm working on this fancy joinery piece, and have this nice looking waste pipe (it will be visible) for a basin waste. The plan would be to cut back the black solvent weld pipe, make the connection, and then hide the connect under the cover plate (provided by manufacturer of the gold coloured pipe). Any suggestions for how I should connect these two pipes ? (I'm not a plumber) Thank you in advance

I thought this design is a really clever use of space, and should be given the love it deserves. So much is right about this. Needs to be a wet room style (i.e. invisible) shower tray, which is my preference anyway (we did all ours like this). Floating vanity is gorgeous and minimalistic, but no reason you couldn't go heavier. Also consider built in storage in the doorway wall (on your left as you walk in - above the toilet height) - I.e. thicken that first doorway wall and build storage in

That looks problematic to me. But will defer to someone here with more experience. Could you lower your internal floor level by reducing the build up, or too late ?

That's a nice approach. And arguably a better solution than the blue acoustic push fit svp I ended up using

I'm curious. What material did you use to insulate your SVPs?

The patio slopes away from the house, so the water is carried away from the house. There is a drainage slot in front of the doors, but it is below the surface as shown above. This is in London. Such an approach might not be suitable in more exposed/high winds areas.

Steel should be centered on the padstone. I wonder if that could be the issue ?

This feels like sound advice from @Gus Potter !