Mr Punter

Shame it wasn't part of your garden. If you pay yourself, you will need to account for income tax and possibly NI so just work out which is more tax efficient.

That sounds mad. Why the soundblock? Plumber and sparky will do their utmost to mess these up.

She should contact the warranty provider.

You could rent it for a maximum of 28 days in a year without consent. Beware business rates and insurances.

I have just had a couple of kitchens delivered where they give a week long delivery window including Sunday, between 8:00AM and 10:00PM and only narrow it down 2 days before. Where were your builders at the time and why did they think the delivery might arrive in the afternoon? Also, did they quote delivery as an extra when you ordered or was it included in the price? I guess they have driven to your site and needed to go back, unload and store, reload and redeliver. I think you may need to cough up the money. Make sure it is ready next time.

I cannot imagine the fire service agreeing to use a narrow sloping grass track to access the property.

Just break out the wall over the suspect area so you can see what is going on. Less than 1 hour with SDS, hammer and bolster. It has been wet for a while as the plaster bead has rusted.

I have used Finish Architectural in the past for ali cills. Good firm.

That doesn't seem like a particularly large cill. It must come up all the time. What have NorDan suggested?

Because this is a renovation and extension you will not need a new build structural warranty or professional consultant certificate. You will need a completion certificate from Building Control. If you need funds, apply for the renovation mortgage now as it will take time to get finalised. Even the property as it stands has some value. You mortgage lender will want to know how much the project will cost to complete and may ask for further figures and information.

Did you get the address registered with the local council street naming and numbering people? Does your address appear on any address finder searches?

The quote of £550 sounds fair. They probably thought half a day for 2 people. The £2700 really sounds a lot but I am not sure what you can do if you agreed and paid. Scallies.

I am not sure why the OP thinks they have been scammed. Other than the chimney pointing - which they have agreed to remedy - it sounds like they did what they said they would.

I would try to get it snug under the steel. You can pack in more mortar form the front and right side. You could prop the the padstone with some small bits of masonry, but packers will also be OK.

I would mark around where the padstone is going, adding 15mm bottom and left and stitch drill to form the pocket. Leave the right hand side until the padstone is in and fill that bit in later.