Big Jimbo

Yeah, some people don't want to discuss face to face, and would rather somebody else dealt with it on there behalf. What damage do you think might be caused by your extension ? Has your builder flagged up any potential problems to you ? Things like, "I'm worries that the neighbours patio might collapse into our trenches"

50% of your properties curtilage can be covered in buildings. As it is now. Not what somebody used to own.

If you are only 18 inches away from the boundary wall, the chances are that you will be digging deeper than the footings that the wall is built on. It would be worth going into you own garden, as near to the wall as you can, and having a dig to see if the wall has any footings. Sometimes, people are just wary of committing to something on paper, and by signing, ,they might imagine that they are giving up any rights to complain if you damage there property. Try and have a chat with them. Ask them outright what problem they have with you getting on with your extension. Try and address with them any fears they might have. I previously made my rude neighbour go through the 3 surveyors because i didn't like them. Cost them over £6k Try sending the Mrs around for a chat with them. You might be coming across in the wrong way to them ?

When you have paid for the Three surveyors, and all the discussions between them, come back and tell me you have spent less. Are you able to actually answer any of the questions put to you ? How far from the wall are you digging ? How do you know you will be digging deeper than the existing footings ?

I slung a geezers hammer into the bushes at the bottom of the garden. Told him that when he paid for the granite, he could leave his hammer on it. Flung a painters radio and mobile out the first floor window. He had them sat on a £15k piece of furniture. I have calmed down a lot since those days. I'm amazed i never got the crap kicked out of me.

How do you know you will be digging deeper than there footings ?

How far away from the wall are you digging ? How high is there wall ? If they want to be a total pain. You will appoint a PWa surveyor. They won't agree to the PWA. You will then have to appoint a second surveyor to act on there behalf, and pay for it. The Two surveyors will not agree with each other. Then you will have to appoint a third surveyor to actually sort out the PWA. By the time you have finished you will have wasted £6k

So, how old is the boundary wall, and how high is it. Do you think it will have a foundation ? Is it in good condition ? How close will you be digging near this wall ?

I always like to" assume" that my foundations are only going as deep as my own, and my neighbours. If they have to go a bit deeper, dig it and get if filled with concrete. I understand however, if you need to insert beams etc into a party wall.

`Have you tried either going around and knocking, or perhaps writing a nice note, and popping it through the door. What is the reason that you think you might need a PWA ?

Simple square or oblong. Simple roof. Both for costs, and ease of build. Try and add wow with your external finishes, and landscaping. Silly shapes cost lots, and are hard to build well. Insulation, airtightness, etc. Welcome to the club. Exciting times ahead for you.

Most of what has been done will get either damaged, or torn out. The main thing that sounds iffy is the floor. Although you say it has had bracing, a structural engineer would need to take a peek to see if it would comply with current building regulations. (Which i doubt) I doubt the previous owners did much more than a bit of cosmetic work. If they did, then they would have added the stairs etc, in order to get the uplift in value. The other thing is that all your internal doors, and door stops will need to be changed to comply with fire regs. Linked mains powered smoke alarms on all floors, and a suitable escape window provided in the loft.

Building regulation fees. Structural Engineers fees. Foundation Costs. All the money you save, you can put into the build and build a better product.

As above. save a fortune and build Two units, with a not quite connected covered walkway between.

The first thing i notice is that the item is on clearance. I have no idea, but i wonder how long it would take to save you the £400 quid ? I tried to have a look at the waste water recovery things currently, it seems in fashion. I didn't think that they were worth the money either. Obviously they are other good reasons to do things, like saving the planet etc. It's all a bit of a balancing act. Cost verses reward + making you feel good.

On my daughters, i split the gas central heating into Two. Upstairs, and downstairs. Ran a 22mm flow and return to upstairs, and downstairs. Ran 15mm tails from manifolds to each radiator. Works well. The only thing a mate told me was to try and make the 15mm runs less than 6meters. I will need to start designing mine soon.

IMO, wood worktops in a well used kitchen are a bad idea. As for corian. It is expensive plastic, that scratches, and goes dull. Get yourself some real granite. If you stay for another 40 years, it will still look great. It will be templated to fit your wonky wall.

On a similar, i did, hoover, black jack, sand and cement.

Several times i have found the "added extra socket" cut into an existing ring. One end into One ring, and the other into a different ring. Turn the fuse off. Still live.

Easy... I spent all day fitting a huge aerial on the back of my daughters house when we bought it. After i finished the old boy across the road said i was wasting my time, only able to get 5 chanels with an aerial round here. It was true. Right down in a valley, (Chesham town centre, Bucks) Signal so bad that the repeater that was fitted on a distant hill, only re-broadcasts 5 chanels.......So, cable T.V is was then. Waste of my £150 quid.

Ok, so no top chopping. Just keep the sides trimmed to the thickness i want. Cheers @Gone West

We want pics @joe90

Yikes. Another load of money to spend. Then you will have Part O building regs to comply with. Almost impossible to pass with the simple method, so will require thermal modelling. Another £1000.

Morning @Adsibob I used Soudel, Butyrub Polybutele non setting mastic. Hope you get it sorted.

I will look it up in the morning fella.