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Thanks @ragg987 for the tip, signed up to topcashback and found significantly cheaper than what I was quoted by Intelligent Insurance....entered Timber Frame as external material and quotes starting 50% cheaper!! Too good to be true....

Thanks @PeterW hopefully they do timber frame too

Thanks guys, couple of options now Wondering if any of these can offer combined car + home, will check

@IanR can you provide a link to this company? I searched online but there is nothing on their home page regarding home insurance :-)

Thanks for the quick reply @IanR! I am wondering the exact definition of non-standard....Modern "timber-frame construction" is totally different to that insurers would consider non-standard nowadays! My house other skin is rendered in cement based render, wondering if that makes any difference....

Hi All, Can anyone please advise on home companies that provide Home Insurance? I was quoting with LVE but when asked "s it of standard construction?" the description says: The walls need to be made of at least 50% brick, stone or concrete. The roof, including any flat roofs, will need to be made of at least 50% slate, tile, metal, asphalt or concrete. Talking with their rep, he said "Timber frame we wouldn't class this as standard construction, if the timber frame is more than 50% of the home then I'm afraid we wouldn't offer cover. " Any other options around? Thanks again

Thank you @Ferdinand, @JSHarris, @Mr Punter for your feedback! Was a bit busy the last 2 days, but really good information! Regarding walls, yea, my build is a timber frame from Dan Wood, the external walls are really thick!!!

Thank you @ProDave!

Hi guys, Have received a letter from my LA regarding the Council Tax Completion Notice. The completion date mentioned on the letter is actually a month ahead from when we moved in, so that was sort of a bonus :-). I still have one item missing to supply my BC (wheelchair ramp) in order to get the completion certificate. Getting that sorted this week (ordered a ramp, he only asked for pictures of it in place). Anyways, letter also mentions that a copy was sent to the Listing Officer at the Valuation Office, responsible for placing my property int he correct valuation band. My question is, how does the valuation works? Will I get a visit from someone? The letter was sent about 4 weeks ago, I am yet to receive any paperwork from the Council to start paying council tax. Anyone that has gone through this could you explain how it will proceed from now? And does the completion certificate affect any of this? Thanks again for the support!!!

08456 011 110 (letter from LA when I registered my address

Thanks for the feedback guys. My address was already assigned by the council, Royal Mail is a separate thing, although the council will inform them of this new address, when property was about to be completed, I called Royal Mail's "New properties" number and they moved our address from the being built database to the live one. Need to check this service address thing, that I didn't know!!!

Hello All, An update on this saga, so busy lately with finalising everything so have not logged in for a long time. Couple of days ago, as I was moving some stuff into the house, I happen to accidentally meet the neighbour in question as I was going back to my car. He politely greeted me, and to my surprise, we had a very enjoyable conversation lasting over 30 mins. In the end, he asked me if I was happy if he parked his van in an angle (so that it would not obstruct my entrance), so in the end, all went well so the stress is over!!! Only thing left is to get rid of the parking marks

Hey all, Finally reached completion stage, only a couple of things missing (ramp approach as per previous thread), waiting for EPC and then I have pretty much all the paperwork to get the completion cert from Building Regs. Regarding Land Registry, how does one "update" the deeds so that it now reflects a house instead of only an empty plot? I did try searching for this but came empty, seems a silly question but I have not seen anything on the land registry site Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks for the feedback guys. I had a conversation with one of the inspectors (I have a private BC) on a previous visit, and he had suggested a "temporary" structure as @JSHarris mentioned, something like timber and a a concrete mix coat to make it look "real". I could then rip it apart after completion cert. I have just asked if a wheelchair ramp with grip surface in metal would satisfy the requirements and he said that would be ok too, however they are not cheap! Maybe I will just use some of the polystyrene laying around and build a ramp with it and cover it up with rapid setting cement !

Hey guys, I am about to complete build, Building Regs came over and inspected, all is fine, except there is one requirement relating to ramp approach for wheelchair access. I have proposed to build the entrance as per attached picture, but building control has said: The proposed stepped approach would not meet the minimum requirement of Approved Document M1, for wheelchair access on a flat site. Ramp approach should be provided in accordance with your Planning approval and Building Regulations approval. Trying the simplest way to overcome this as I dont want a permanent ramp built, any ideas? Thanks again

I am going through the exact same situation. Have been waiting for 3 months now (4 since registration) for them to come and install a new pole as the main one is about 30-40m away, They have dropped off all ducting and cabling free of charge. Pole is to be installed sometime this week, ducting and cable are underground from pole near boundary to the house.

Thanks @A_L for your feedback

Hi guys, I still have not made my mind up on going full SIPs for my garage build. I have got a friend who would be willing to do the blockwork for the walls, but I am thinking about the thermal performance as I plan to use the garage as “living space” (gym and an office in the roof). The garage would be 6x8m with a double garage door. If going with the blockwork for the walls, I envisage building hybrid, having the roof done with SIPs (194mm panels). If I were to go for a full SIPs build, the wall panels would be 144mm. So my question is, in order to achieve a similar performance, what kind of internal insulation I would have to apply for the walls (single skin)? Thank you for your thoughts

I have also not bothered with a warranty, as I plan to live there for over 10 years (if I last that long ) and my housebuilder offers a 25 year structural warranty

I wish I was, to be honest I am the kind of guy that keeps to myself, and before I went and knock on everyone's door, I did prepare myself mentally in order to do so! The real reason I actually decided to approach was due to the planning history of the site, having the previous developer made empty promises to everyone else regarding replacing the fence boards along one boundary. They also had raised objections regarding the size of the garage previously, so I thought to myself, if I am friendly enough and make myself known, this would reduce the chances of any objections (and I havent got a single one on both applications). I know some people will say otherwise but to me it worked quite well.

Thanks @jack!

2 things I would like to add (from my own experience with my planning applications): - Speak with your neighbours (although I see you have already submitted your app); however do not reveal too much information and at the same time, dont ask them what they think about your plans!!! I had a word and introduced myself to every single one of my neighbours (except number 14 as many of you know!!!) and everyone has been very nice to me up to now, even got one to allow me to remove a tree from his garden! And I am 3 weeks away from completion! - Be nice with your case officer. I have always contacted him any chance I had, what I was about to do as well as asking questions as kindly as possible. He has helped me all the way. Proof is I requested for a "major" height increase for my double garage on a new application and he was very helpful to point out exactly what I needed to do and I got it approved in less than 3 months. You need him to be on your side

Hi All, A couple of days ago, I decided to look on Rightmove for a plot that was previously being sold back in the beginning of 2015. At the time it had no planning permission, the plot was part of school grounds and had a bungalow that used to be the caretakers property. There was a covenant on it saying you could not build anything 2 stories high. Surprisingly it got planning permission for 3 2-bed 2-storey houses! They are now trying to sell it for double the price they were asking for 2 years ago. Anyways, I went to look for the planning application, it had been approved for the 3 houses. The decision was made a week after my application (April 2016) and it had attached a S106 agreement for the amount of 18k relating to affordable housing contributions. Same for my application however I had to pay a third of that amount. A newer application was made last August and it requested that the contribution towards Affordable Housing were no longer required in relation to the newer application and that the new application should be re-determined in the absence of the S106 agreement. This is due to a judgement made the 11th of May (see attached). So my question is, I have already paid and settled my S106 agreement (actually about a month ago), would I be able to get a "refund" based on this same decision, taking into consideration that the council approved the new application above with no S106 obligations attached? Thanks for your input and help! decision.pdf

Thanks @JSHarris Jeremy!!!!

Was thinking on applying render on render board....