mjc55

Thanks for that but we have already applied the parge coat. The question is about what to paint with as a temporary - but I would expect to be in the pod at least 9 months so want something other than the grey parge coat finish.

We are building a Pod where we will live on site whilst building the house. We don’t want to finish the internal walls (plasterboard probably) of the Pod yet as this is a task for when we can move into the house and rearrange the Pod (to include a store room with external access) This is an Ecobrick build - we are mimicking the main house so that we can potentially sort out any issues before the main build, I was wondering what would be best for "painting" the parged walls to a) lighten them and b) reduce the roughness. Any suggestions welcome as what makes sense to use as a short term (no more than a year hopefully) solution.

Great to see the progress that you are making. Maybe take you up on the plasterers next year!

I know it is repeating what others have said but make sure you have been through the CIL conundrum - if it is relevant where you are building.

Oak is a softwood? Not what I thought!

Surely their wanting to bill you for water supply would come with responsibilities on their part. In effect aren’t they setting themselves up as a water supplier? That must come with responsibilities as regards quality of supply etc.

Surely that is a mistake. Name and shame I say.

20 or so years ago we bought a house to do up and spent a long time completely gutting it. Part way through I switched to vari focals and I remember one day I was digging a new drain just by the corner of the house and I spent hours thinking that I had caused the side wall to start leaning. It was only when my wife came over to the job did I realise that it was my new glasses!

There is a lot of wasted space in your plan! It does no harm to think about what you require but an Architect or Architectural Technologist will have the experience to make a better fist of it.

We have two containers on site. 1 for tools etc and one for clothes, furniture and books. I was wondering if anyone with containers have come up with a solution to condensation issues. No problems so far but that is because of the warmer temperatures I guess. I am assuming that issues with condensation can occur over winter. I have seen one option of venting on two opposite sides but can only get to the back and one side of the container as it is too close to the other one to get to the side. Thanks

That is the water meter/stopcock not a manhole.

This! How the cable gets to the meter is not your responsibility. Up to and including your boundary is completely their responsibility. From the boundary to the meter all you should be doing is digging a trench for them.

I really think that you are overthinking this. Let the builder sort it out, he can get it level before it gets above ground level.

Plenty for sale on the internet but a lot look quite flimsy. Any recommendations on where to buy new. Thanks

Need a bit more to go on than just a question! Full timber cladding? Half brick, half timber? All elevations? Etc. Etc.

I built a concrete pad and put external box on top. Will remove next year when house is built

I'm so impressed on how efficiently things are running for you. Of course there are always things to think (and worry) about but tbh you are making great progress.

Or run in safe zones (within 150mm of corners or horizontally/vertically from switches etc.)

No comments on this question? Anyone have any views re the tissue v foil faced insulation?

30 sq. m. Is related to building control, not planning. And that is dependant on proximity to boundaries and construction type.

So what part of building regs is concerned with such things? You need to ask them what you have to conform to in order to live there. Load of old bo**ocks as far as I can see.

Are you likely/able to change the internal layout without affecting size/position of windows/doors? CIL can be a complete pain by all accounts so be very careful.

I don't agree that we are saying the same thing but there you go, let's agree to disagree!

@Spinny I think your logic is flawed! The part from outside your property to the drain on your land is indeed public sewer, from the drain to the boundary with your neighbour is 'Lateral' therefore responsibility of water co. Everything else, from the drain on your land to your house is your responsibility and from the fence onwards is the neighbours responsibility.