Jilly

Straw?

No it's currently about the same but will have the new screed/UFH on top

Random thoughts: What will the Aga do to your SAP calculations? How about an electric one and fit solar PV to offset (even though the electric supply will be at the wrong time of year)? Will the floor need reinforcing for the Aga to go upstairs? We used to have an oil Aga with back boiler, it was hugely inefficient and heated the space about 1 m in front of it. Only the dog got any benefit (it was a really cold Victorian house). It was unbearably hot in the summer and so was switched off. I think you might need air-conditioning for the summer to use it in a modern, insulated house. Have you looked at the Aga companion? It has the look (but 60cm wide) but is a normal cooker.

Hi all, I need an opinion on this to decide if it an issue or not. The stable we are converting has an existing 150mm floor slab. During the rain last week there was a collection of water at one point where the floor is lower and so the builder decided to drill through it to try to let the water drain away. I'm not sure how well it worked but the area is now swept and clear and the weather dry. The internal walls have gone up but rather than build a couple of courses of brick onto the concrete (he muttered about floor levels) they have used wood and placed some damp proof under it (ie they have screwed into the concrete). The intention is now to put damp proof under the screed and UFH. What's stressing me is that in winter the water table is really high here and I can see that water pressure could force water up through these holes. It will then track under the damp proof membrane and potentially contaminate the screws/wood and cause future problems. The builder says I am over thinking this and it's a perfectly acceptable way of doing the walls. Periodically, it's keeping me awake as we had issues with a pit in the next door garage filling with water. Am I correct or being stupid through stress? I would really have to throw my toys out of the pram to get this changed. Thank you!

Hello! Good luck, it's exciting.

Welcome. Maybe get second opinions from other builders/architects/designer friends and don't rush. It's good to have opinions of feasibility but if he feels you are bonkers you might be fighting cynicism all the time rather than finding solutions. On one renovation I did, the builder was so opinionated, he finally told me my ideas were going to look shit. It didn't, and no, I haven't used him again. I had a very arty designer friend visit my self build last week and she gave her opinion about the vaulted ceiling and I had to concede she was right... £8k later... It can work the other way. A second opinion from another engineer saved £15k!

Thank you, I think this answers the question, apart from the fact we are a conversion in a conservation area and can't change anything...

Neighbours are really important. Listen to any worries they might have and addressing them will make your life easier.

Mmm, my point is that the stuff which claims to be bat safe isn't. Anything which is breathable polyester based stuff tangles in their feet and traps them. There are lawsuits going on, not surprisingly, about the misleading name. But imagine if we had put the stuff on, finished the roof, then the ecologist had demanded that we use F1 bitumen (the only really safe stuff, apparently). What a who ha of blame that would be. As it is, it's had to be bounced back to the architect, as BC wouldn't comment about the need for a different ventilation solution. Watch this space.

We found one during the hand strip (which has cost about £6k altogether) (not that I'm sore about it, can't you tell?), but we have to accommodate them back into the building. Didn't you have to?

Good question. The bats were in the featherboarding and will have nice new homes there too, should they chose to use them...

I agree it's bonkers that I have to invite bats in where there were none. Or wasps...

We found just one pipistrelle bat when the building was stripped... The ecology officer has said no, but there is lots of controversy about this product when you look for it. Builder is now worried about ventilation and how to square it with BC

Take care, my builder ordered £1k worth of TXL Batsafe membrane, and it isn't bat safe at all and has to go back. Only F1 bitumen will do.

No, I haven't got planning, I just want to make sure it can be done in the future with the minimum disruption. Lots of things are a big pantomime...

We are leaving places between the rafters for inserting roof lights later (PD rights all been removed). Can anyone recommend reasonably priced triple glazed conservation roof lights so I can get the sizing done? I'm overwhelmed with choice!

If they've got a cash flow problem since Covid, that might make them want money up front.

Even I can appreciate that! Gorgeous.

I'm having the same conundrum and hoping I never have to answer the question you are asking! Its well known that some structural engineers over engineer design solutions to cover their backs (maybe they've been caught out before?) I'm converting a stable which the first SE advised underpinning all round (eyewatering cost). I even asked BC advice pre commencement. They said if we could get an engineer to calculate that we are not changing the loading it would pass, which it has, so this is the route I have gone down. Find an SE with plenty of relevant experience. I guess if it came to a claim there would be plenty of buck passing legal stuff which would be sorted out by your insurers.

Am I correct, there are 3 completion dates, one for Building Control, one for Planning and one for the Council to trigger Council tax? Which one triggers the VAT countdown?

Ha, just had an update from my friend, they have removed it and decided to scrap it (not sure why), but I guess that is the safe option anyway. Thank you for looking.

Hello. I'm also renovating a building people told me to demolish!

Hi, I've been offered a very cheap second hand ASHP via a handyman friend from one of his clients who is upgrading. Apparently, it was installed but not used. It's in good faith, I've no reason to think it's dishonest, but carries the usual caveats of buying second hand. It's an Earth Save ESP (A) 410- 040 SB. Any advice about doing this as it will be a huge saving, if it works? I'm wondering if a plumber won't be keen.

Congratulations!

Welcome, I hope you find your dream plot.