jamiehamy

I've kept out of this thus far - mainly because I'm not comfortable with CDM responsibilities and how they apply to a self builder. And what is clear is that really, no-one is at all. It's all down to interpretation, all versions of which could be 'correct'. We have only used contractors for the steel frame, lifting in floor beams, ground works/drainage and electrics - and each time I've made it clear that the contractor is responsible for operating safely and I do not dictate how they complete the activities. I don't supervise on site and most certainly do not manage their work or how they work - they have a deliverable and it is their responsibility to complete that. Where required, I offer safety equipment, ask what they need me to provide to work safely and healthily, I find out if they are dependent on me for anything and let them get on with it. Maybe I should do more in writing but I choose reputable contractors and all work is fully invoiced. This debate hadn't really helped me much in terms of providing clarity - and that is in no way a criticism - its just that overall the legislation is totally inadequate for what we are doing.

Yup! Or just decide a location for it i the house (cupboard or whatever), run all the ducts there and worry about how they'll all fit into the manifold/unit when the time comes.. Okay, it's not that simple, I know but I know if it was me, having air ducts running outside underground would have me wondering all the time. And if it would worry me, I suspect it would worry you

Slightly confused - if the pipe is 6inch (150mm), and the duct is going to be min 125mm - and that type of duct is rigid - how do you get the duct through? Or are you using the 6inch pipe as the duct? Personally, I would revisit putting the unit in the house - I would never be happy running air ducts outside underground - aside from the condensation risk, you'll likely never stop worrying about it or tying yourself up in knots trying to find a workable long term solution that doesn't having you checking the duct every 3 months. I hear what you say about room but anything is possible, esp at this stage.

Hiya all, It's getting near that time where I have to raise the floor in two of the bathrooms - one for the shower space and the other a platform for the bath and through into a wetroom/shower area. The bath is heavy - 180kg and the shower bases will be 25mm Lusso stone. My thinking thus far is to build a frame up using 3 layers of 45x95mm at 300 centres with WBP ply glued and screwed. I would ensure gaps for the shower and bath wastes are inbuilt. Any hints or tips for this approach? Thanks! J

I got it from a local merchant - think it must have special properties as its £36 a sheet! No slots, curves well and doesn't distort.

So I've had a go with this and quite pleased. Had already bought the bendy ply so will see how it paints up. Will remove and bond with glue before fully screwing in. I've counter sunk before Screwing which works well. One more to go (on the left of the second pic - that stud will be coming out) !

Static. Drove the A8 yesterday, what a machine! The most refined car I've driven!

Some pics of the inside. Gyproc is not screwed fully as I'm waiting on a plastic bead that slots over the edge of the board and batts up against the glass.

That's ours. Extract on floor, supply on wall.

Oh! We didn't put dwangs under the short joins with our 22mm Caberfloor. Too late now I suppose but sure Caber tng didn't need it.

I'd say no.

We're really pleased with it. We're actually going to go for the second one we'd ditched.

EPDM. It's been down over a year now and zero issues. Inside is not dressed yet, we ran out of drywall screws! Unfortunately it's not quite where we wanted it as we totally changed the kitchen-diner. It's triple glazed with solar glazing again to reduce thermal gain.

Wahay ! Well done both of you!

And in...

I don't think we've really had that thought - it's just like a hobby now - we do it ever weekend and 3 nights a week but if we get sick of it, we just have a week off - we do wonder what on earth we'll do once we're finished - will we be able to just sit about and enjoy it? It's not been particularly stressful for us since we have few contractors and the people we've had in have all been brilliant. I reckon if we'd had main contractors it would have been a different story.

I'll just wash it :-) The pitch is around 5 degrees so won't be a problem. All the other South facing windows are self cleaning and it seems very effective - should have got that for the Skylight too.

We picked up our Skylight tonight - lucky my friend bought his A8L for towing so didn't mind lugging this about. A friend commented that lifting it up was like practising for Pavarottis funeral! It's now sat on the roof and we'll install it on Saturday when it's to be dry all day. Amazed we got the trailer up the drive no bother - I think it weights just over a ton plus 130kg for the skylight! Fun and games. I'm really not sure how we'll get the bath up - if I can get it soon hopefully it can go up with all the granite and gravel etc for the hard landscaping before the garage gets excavated out.

Sorry - that's what I mean - sometime the architrave buts up against the wall where it's near a corner. so 100mm I suppose, giving a 90degree opening. In three cases we can't do much about it since the openings are cut in a 450mm concrete wall and I ain't going down that route

Will my Rotary be okay? I'ts a bit cumbersome and verticals not as easy I suppose. Either that or get a £49.99 Jobby from Screwfix?

Ours is the same - some have virtually zero, i.e can't open 'flat', others can open right back. I did consider whether I should try make them all uniform but couldn't really see any point.

That's tremendous! Would you mind PMing me a bit more on the supplier and cost p/m2 if you don't mind please?

My other half is keen on Vinyl/Lino - but I was against because of how/where I've seen it before. I like the idea of it being softer underfoot and also no grouting and no joins - so we may well deploy it in some areas, likely the kitchen. As you say @Ferdinandit's not bank breaking if it doesn't work out.

Yes sir! We've got tiling and bath fitting fast approaching so this and the rest of the thread is brilliant resource.

Last resort...