bmj1

Slight side note: it's a funny thing but I saw this on my own project - a small fortune of windows sitting on the truck (held to ransom so to speak) - but nobody in the accounts team at the window company thought to ask for payment before the day of delivery !

I'm pretty sure we double boarded ours for stability

I should add that the project I referenced is a demolition and new build, so there should be fairly few unknowns if the design work is done right.

We agree. It's possible in theory, but a lot has to go right to work for it to work, and 99 times out of 100 it goes wrong.

For what it's worth, we're taking a different approach on the project I'm currently working on (it's a roughly £3m-£4m project) Hiring a PM/CM/QS team to run the project and subs PM/CM/QS team will be paid a fixed fee for the project (we have divided the project into set payment milestones also, to de-risk for client and keep incentives aligned: e.g. demolition, groundworks, etc) They will assist in hiring the prelims (site manager, welfare, etc) and oversee project on day-to-day basis. All subs will then be tendered and hired on fixed-fee basis (everything will be itemised and costed by QS) This means we take on the main contractor risks (and their margin also) - but still keep the tradies working on fixed-fee - which is the only way. Essentially, we are acting as main contractor. I've been talking to someone recently who ran a big high-end project on open-book with a main contractor (and they've done many projects previously), it's been a disaster. I couldn't recommend this approach or see it working unless the client is highly experienced with many years in the game and has a trusted partner to act as main contractor, and even then I'd be skeptical, the incentives are simply too misaligned (even if they don't appear to be).

I'd like to add, a high quality QS is worth their weight in gold. A poor one will cause more trouble than they are worth. You need to complete all your drawings and spec, then find a good QS to build your boq and tender.

It's amazing how much you learn the first time. I'm working on my second self build right now (it's a community project), following my own self build. I plan to check every single detail myself. Nobody else actually cares. Not to the same level.

Are all LPAs required to offer this ? Our planning consultant is advising that the relevant LPA "won't do reconsultations any more"

Hi all, Is it possible (with agreement from planning officer) to amend drawings and then consult again ? Or is a new S73 required ? I.e. max 1 consultation per S73

True, but at this stage we just don't need it. We're wrapping up.

Pleased to share that they took away the old material and delivered a clean batch of aggregate with far fewer fines. Just shows the care needed to deliver a suds compliant end result !

Thanks all

I've had this photo through from the supplier of the replacement aggregate. What do you guys think ? Does it look ok ?

Update: ok, so a few learnings to share: Our supplier has taken ownership and raised with their supplier. It appears that we got the last dregs of their supplier's MOT Type 3 supply, such that we were getting all the fines "at the bottom of the barrel" - so to speak - i.e. the fines content was disproportionate, even though it came from the Type 3 'bay' Their supplier has a fresh delivery of type 3 coming in today They will send us photos to confirm And then our supplier will do a swap tomorrow AM A huge pain - and it's cost us at least 1 full man day in labour which we're going to have to bear - but it is what it is.

100%. It's easy enough to check by pouring water on it and seeing if it pools or drains. I've dug it back up now and piled it up, and I'm working on getting the supplier to swap it. Doing it by hand isn't economical.

To clarify the above, if you do a section 73, variation of condition, you essentially get a new planning, and need to redo your cil. I can see how people get caught out by this one. It's not the system working as intended (that a paperwork failure is used to hit you with crazy extra taxes). Or maybe it is... Good luck to you for taking this on. Wishing you every success!

Yeah I think that's going to be a full days work tomorrow. I'm fuming. Problem is, I don't trust them to bring the right stuff. So they could take off tomorrow with what we have, and then we're waiting around indefinitely for the right stuff. Very frustrated right now.

Argh.... Trying to wrap up my driveway (permeable) - and the idiots delivered 6 tonnes of what is definitely not MOT type 3. Sadly the guys on site spent a couple of hours distributing ~3 tonnes of it, so now we need to dig it back up. At this stage - I'm torn between: (1) Get the cretins to take it all back, and bring the right aggregate (2) Filter it on site (to remove the fines) Bloody irritating !! And my chances of getting money back are slim to none. P.s. and before anyone blames us for not noticing - unless you are looking for it - this is an easy enough mistake. Could be type 2, or type 1, or some confungled mix of the two. But it's not type 3. Too many fines and water not draining.

I want you to run my next project. Well done!

We used eclisse pocket doors from portman for 4 openings. They are fabulous. But, complicated, and our builder's carpenter managed to build them all wrong. We brought in a new carpenter who was mostly able to sort it. If doing it, take your time and ensure you get it right.

This looks like another option 'natural sand' finish: https://nccstreetscape.co.uk/Shop/product/gftk-vdw-850-paving-joint-mortar/?attribute_colour=Natural+Sand&attribute_size=25+kg

https://thepavingexperts.co.uk/product/ultrascape-premjoint-brush-in-jointing-compound/ This looks like the ticket, a couple of colours that could work "pebble grey" and "natural cashmere" I really would like a lighter colour that would work for a driveway - but not sure it exists..

Hi all, I'm looking for a grout I can use for a small section of my driveway (for between cobblestone setts). It needs to be strong enough for cars to drive one. I'm looking for something light coloured. The 'buff' colour from Projoint Titan is too dark and yellow, I'm looking for something much lighter/whiter. Any suggestions ? Thank you in advance 🙏

I don't see a significant reason why you can't build foundations for both options while you progress the planning by fast track, given that the foundations can easily be made invisible. That will obviously cost you, but keeps both options open. Get onto a local and recommended planning consultant and they will be able to advise you on how quickly you can get a planning sorted, it might be quicker than you think.

This is pretty standard. If you haven't retained the Architect through Stages 5 + 6, and he hasn't supervised the build, then you can't expect him to sign a document and put his PII on the line.