Pendicle

So we have now demolished a self built house built in 1960, we have saved all the floor and roof rafters and would like to use in the roof of the new build. Is there a way to get them tested/graded so we can see if they meet current structural requirements. Visually they are in great condition. We are in Glasgow. Our structural engineer left the company we are working with and now have a young graduate working on our project and not keen on our recycling ideas. We want to recycle because its the right thing to do and looks great quality wood and a waste not to reuse and it may save us money although that is not necessarily the main driving factor. We basically hand demolished the house ourselves and removed every nail, I intend to use the bricks in gabions in the garden and to create paths. We aimed to put very little in landfill.

@Bournbrook Ooo I have found somewhere else in Uk who do something like what your looking for, https://customfronts.co.uk

Are they from https://www.vermland.dk/aurens-deli-1 also https://www.nordiskakok.com/english-nordiska-kok

I like the A-Z list attached as found most items are listed although I’m a long way off from claiming. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/goods-and-services-you-can-claim-for-under-the-vat-diy-scheme

I’m still at demolition stage but regards price, it all depends what kind of self build you’re doing DIY, builder provide super structure you then take over and possibly project manage with contractors or turn key where a builder does everything. There are a number of variables in between but the costs are subject to how you intend to self building, turn key being the highest. Don’t underestimate the surveys costs they add up and keep a healthy contingency. We are building the same size and footprint of original house, as that works for our plot, if I was building on a different plot I would know doubt build a different layout but think the footprint would be the same as it has everything we need and gives us some flexibility. Every plot is different and that may also determine price from foundation design to access of utilities. Maybe give us a bit more information.

How good is the insulation, windows, would you need to do additional work to facilitate an ASHP. Is it the boiler you’re more concerned with or the EPC, would adding ASHP improve EPC? I upgraded all windows last year on my rental to meet new C EPC requirement then after spending a years worth of rent they withdrew the requirement, I’m sure the requirement will come back what ever flavour moves into No10. When I was researching ways to meet the requirement upgrading my 2 year old gas boiler to ASHP was not going to improve the EPC, go figure. A new gas boiler may give you the EPC rating and not as expensive to run for tenants and more cost effective for you without additional work on installation, not every house is easy to insulate.

I caulk after painting and as others suggested use the smallest amount by wiping most of it off with a damp cloth so just fills the gap. As to what you do now, I would re caulk but don’t paint. I do wonder if it might be worth removing paint if it is indeed the paint that has cracked. Maybe find a section not too prominent and divide into 3. 1. try re caulking and see if you can fill the cracking with caulk. 2. use a loaded paint brush and fill cracks with paint. 3. see if you can wipe off paint on caulk so removing the cracked paint. Hope that helps

+1 for chestnut paling fencing

We are doing our soft demo currently, we knew Jackdaws had been nesting in the roof eaves as pointed out by the bat woman. We managed to block up the holes before nesting season phew. We knew they had been nesting for a number of years according to our neighbour but was still shocked by the amount of twigs that we found in the eaves once we removed the plaster board in the attic.

@junglejim we are currently demolishing a bungalow with basement and attic, we have asbestos although low grade and I used to work for licensed asbestos removal company so familiar with rules. I have written method statements and risk assessments for asbestos and demolition via www.haspod.com it’s basically has template which enables you to edit and save, think is £6 per document they also have documents on CDM. I write method statements and risk assessments for event work so felt comfortable writing them from scratch but it helped to follow a template so nothing was missed as had not worked on a building site for some decades.

HID coverts ernest wright scissors, he has just got an email that his kitchen scissors are now ready, it’s been a year on the waiting list, he is so excited. He has the imperfect 2017 version which are used daily. We had a family joke when I was a kid where my dad would buy my mum a new pair of dress making scissors every Christmas as he would have used her scissors for varies inappropriate uses during the year, cutting carpet, Lino, rope, opening a tin of paint and other things a promised not to tell my mum. We like scissors, we also like things that are made well, we like fine craftsmanship and these also has a lovely back story. Although a long waiting list and are not cheap. HID thinks they are worth it, but I’m I worth a new pair of dress making scissors for Christmas? Let’s hope Santa thinks so. https://www.ernestwright.co.uk/history/

Went on the Catnic standing seam metal roof course today, highly recommend if you are considering using this product and installing yourself, you get to play with the product and then shown details for different roof designs and layouts. The instructor was brilliant and was able show our roof design and get advice on installing, think it is the same instructor @Pete had and he is about to retire but still gave us his phone number if we have any further questions or need advise, he even gave us his holiday dates when he is not available, we also got his replacement phone number who was assisting him during the course. We have not demolished our house yet so won’t need a roof anytime soon, but me and HID were free and desperate to start work on the house and didn’t know if we will be available later in the build and wanted to check it was doable by ourselves. The answer to that is yes and I’m really looking forward to doing it, one day…

Hi @JLB I’m in Scotland but our planning decision date expired with 1 consultation missing. The consultation deadline had passed 4 weeks earlier I think. We contacted the planning officer who said the tree officer was on long term sick leave which had added to the delay, she added we were proposing removing lots of trees. We had been in good discussions with tree officer prior to planning and he had recommended the arborist we used for tree survey, none of the trees were being removed because of the development only 3 trees being removed ( we have over 30) and all due to disease and on health and safety grounds. We asked them to reply within 14 days. We got planning verbally in 10 and in writing in 21 days after planning decision date. The dates set for planning are a desirability or aim my architect told us, although you can go to appeal if they miss a deadline. Once the planning approved date expires, I would get in touch with planning officer and ask why, be reasonable but ask when they might have a decision or give them a deadline. They should have asked for extension in my case. I understand how frustrating it is, I was checking my planning doc on the portal daily but I would wait till the planning decision has lapsed then get in touch as the consultant may respond in this time. They are often understaffed but a reasonable and straight and unemotional response keeping to facts of the case I think help in most situations. Wishing you the best and keep us updated.

Hi @AppleDown we are paying £8600 for stage 3 detail design development including drawings for warrant (Scotland)SAP and integration of structural engineers design, some items listed at this stage, I can do but informed it comes as a package so I cannot take elements out.

Have you tried this https://marble.com/articles/how-to-remove-rust-from-marble