pauldoc

I think a 'shudda done that first' list is a great idea. I am now awaiting the chaps response to what I should do. He did send a mail late Friday just before he left the office I reckon. Proving he hasn't even looked at the plans properly he asked 'is the new property being built over where the tank was positioned' it's nowhere near and the tank position is not being given dug up or disturbed. This is what is so frustrating when these departments don't even pick up the phone and have a conversation. It's so much quicker and easy

thanks for that bit of info. I too have contacted Uniwin. I am waiting for a revised quote back from them but they did say the exchange rate is hurting now. Norsskens quote for the same windows was approx. 75% higher than uniwin! Now I appreciate that they will be different but these guys as Jeremy points out have def gone the grand designs route. We are talking a 25k difference! As Jeremy says, as a 'self builder' we do seem to be taken advantage of compared to a professional builder. I also found the timberframe companies had considerable room for negotiation

Yes that has crossed my mind!!

Now I'm not in any way suggesting there is some sort of enviro contamination cartel but just called that company Peter and they pointed me to another company who they use to do the TPH test. That company is in Kent which I thought that's handy. However spoke the the 'director' who said I need a 'consultant' to advise me what test I need as there are a number of different TPH tests and he couldn't advise me which one I needed, and anyway they didn't deal with the public. I did say to him it sounded like he was complicating matters and if they are testing for heating oil how can that be confused with another test!! Arghhh So my quest continues

Well I have got a quote back from Norrsken already(Slowinscy WIndows pointed me in their direction), very efficient I must say. However their price is ridiculous! I know it has been discussed on here recently about negotiating window quotes but it does annoy me when you get just downright rude quotes back especially once you have started to see how much room for discount these companies have. Then they say 'well you should have let us know to see what we can do'

That sounds more like my budget Peter, thank you very much!! When the 'person' at the EA eventually replies , I will check what it is he wants exactly. My one thought through all this is how do the EA prove where you have taken the sample from if you do it yourself!

Thanks bitpipe, I was thinking along those lines myself. A family member has a power auger so I was thinking of using that myself. The chap hasn't responded to my email yet...no surprise! When he does if hes not budging I will suggest as you say. I think he should come to site to see as then he can make a considered recommendation. We are ready to start, and these conditions are subject to being discharged pre commencement. Do you think I could suggest that the soils sample is to be done prior to completion? At the end of the day it is a tiny area on a large plot and we are not even using oil going forward. The worst case we have a digger on site and can get on with the ground works first?

Its this stuff that puts you off the whole thing. Its such a waste of money and it seems these people don't look at each site on an individual basis. The chap who did the walk over even said it was a waste of time. The guy at the Enviro dept even said that it was really to update their records!! oh good, really pleased I can help you with that at my cost! Its a residential woodland garden for goodness sake....sorry for the rant!

I had a couple of conditions applied to my planning permission, one of which was a 'phase 1' study and site walk over contamination survey. The site is an existing residential plot with a bungalow. There were no visible signs of any problems and the survey confirmed this, coming back with no issues. (a complete waste of money in other words!) So, I have been waiting for the LA environmental health dept to process this, expecting there to be no problems. However the chap who is dealing with it (I am being polite!) emailed me today to say that although there are no problems he has concerns that the oil tank although relatively new (hes has no idea) has replaced at some point an older tank that may not have been in good condition. He goes on to say "Whilst I am satisfied that a full intrusive investigation would not be required I would advise that a limited sampling exercise is carried out in and around the area of the tank." Now I would estimate the existing tank is at least 10-15 yrs old. There is no visible evidence of any problems with leakage/spills. The part of the garden it is in grows perfectly well, no patches , the grass is healthy and just a couple of weeks ago had a trench dug just by it to move the electric cable underground. Annoyingly it got filled in yesterday| But the soil was normal, healthy and no odours. I have emailed him back to inform him of all this. I am just annoyed that not only is this going to cost more time, but is again going to waste a considerable amount of my money. Any thoughts or advice as to if I can get out of this of a way to save costs in the worst case

Also did Slowinscy quote you directly? I have contacted them and they have directed me to there UK seller Norrsken

thanks Jeremy. Does it have a slight colour tint?

I have some large south facing glazing on my project. I have got a certain amount of shading incorporated, but wanted to get some feed back from anyone who has specified Solar reflective glazing. Has it made a difference and how was it cost wise as an 'upgrade'?

Hi, I've just seen your post. I am also in the process of deciding who to supply my windows. I haven't come across the company you mention, but looking at their site the windows they supply the same windows as 'Uniwin'. Have you had them quote you? http://www.uniwin.co.uk/products/windows/alu-clad/ I have received one quote from Uniwin so far (and now waiting for a few changes to be made) They came back towards the lower ish end of quotes I have received. I have now told them that they are not competitive and waiting to see what they come back with. I have found Polish Interior the cheapest so far. How did Slowinscy compare for you? also how quick were they in getting a quotation back?

Leaway, slightly off topic, but can you tell be the length (height) of the rooflights shown in the picture. I have the same sort of figuration on my roof and the size specified by the architect I think is too big. Can you also tell me what rooms they are for? What manufacturer did you use? thanks

Alex, I agree. it will be professionally set out to the tolerances given....what can possibly go wrong!

The one thing I find difficult is that I am the one in the middle and they all communicate through me, and I don't understand everything that is asked or said...although it is a steep learning curve! I have told them talk to each other but they don't seem keen or don't reply as quickly! Dave, I have gone the same route as you. The same company is responsible for the foundations and erecting the frame. I have also put a clause in the contract stipulating their responsibility if any errors....we shall see!!

Thanks for the replies gents. The one slightly unusual thing is that due to the sloping site, the front entrance is at a lower level. Its not a 'basement' but split level really. This is below the dpc of the timber frame, and has a 'retaining element' although once the site is cleared I'm not sure how much retaining will be needed. It's hard to explain but I hope that makes sense?!

maybe I should also add that it is not a passive slab, but regular trench fill foundation

Hi, just like to start by saying thanks to all of you who got this site going, it's much appreciated! Onto my question..... I have just ordered my timberframe and got the line and point loads back from the supplier. Will they also supply me with the foundation layout for my main contractor to do the work from, or is that the job of my structural engineer? Is this a silly question? I just don't want to be in a position where the structural engineer will do his calcs for the foundation design and the ground workers turn up with nothing to work off as the frame company might say that's not down to us? if that makes sense