oldkettle

CCTV camera may be helpful for quick assessment. Add software which triggers on any picture change and it may just spot these water drops. Probably expensive to run even if it works, though.

Not sure whether it was flagged before or whether there is a catch but right now Kindle edition of Spon's Architects' and Builders' Price Book is £30.50 on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B075V3V7QB/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1514478362&sr=8-1

With regards to the NN and on many other topics I can't recommend Marginalrevolution blog enough. http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2017/11/end-net-neutrality-isnt-end-world.html And http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2017/11/points-net-neutrality.html

012 Edit: Oops, definitely not Edit 2. Which leaves me with 042 as above

Is running a few electric heaters an option? At least they could help you get the temperature in the kitchen up. It will probably heat air only though. What exactly is required for installation, air or wall temperature?

Yep. As my feet are not only furthermost from the radiator but also the the closest to the cold of the floor and the external wall, they get very cold. Even though the face is not far from the 2G window it is never that bad. This is exactly what we have. I will look around for some PIR, this trick may take me through this winter! ? Thanks! In the long run, even though it is expensive, replacing the slab is the way to go for us.

Whether the radiator is under the window or somewhere else on the external wall, it still feels way more comfortable than when the radiator is on the internal one. My home office is on the ground floor, I sit facing the outside wall and the radiator is way behind me because it was likely simpler to fix there. Unless I put woolly socks on it is ridiculously cold as my feet are right next to the wall. It may be less heat loss but it is certainly more discomfort. Although I guess if the radiator was next to me on the wall perpendicular to the external it might have been OK.

Dave, I think @Declan52 and @Roger440 are right. There is quite a difference between paying 5+% interest like 10 years ago and sometimes below 2% now. If you can get a reasonable rate it will almost certainly be MUCH cheaper than cashing in a pension. If the numbers are right and they let you realise your dream, wouldn't it be good enough?

Sorry to hear that, Dave. Don't know whether it is something you'd consider but could you earn more (than in Scotland) by doing "projects" here in the South East or in London? Come for 3-4-5 days, live in a B&B, do what you are good at. Just a thought.

@Russell griffithsthe usual prices for storage containers I found online were in the region of 1300 (inc. VAT), whether it is 20 or 40 feet. No reason to expect significant bargains?

Just realised Would a caravan / container feel any better for the HSE than the summer house? I mean it is probably further away from the (proposed) building works than any caravan can be. Is there any definitive guide WRT to the safe distance?

Thank you. I have spent quite a few hours on Friday looking at container sizes and prices :-) I didn't remember it was you but I knew somebody used it. Coincidentally just got an email from the architects who suggest we price both options with MBC. I am still not convinced though - looking at the costing exercise @Visti went over I am quite sure it is almost impossible to build the whole thing from scratch within our budget. One nice feature of the "extension" is the ability to do things in stages Stage 1. Partial demolition Stage 2. Watertight. After this stage the ground floor should actually be suitable for the family, well, better than a caravan anyway. All services can be re-connected, apart from may be gas (to avoid any risk) but electricity should be enough to keep it warm and cook. Stage 2.1. Roofing / partial (?) guttering Stage 3. Make first floor usable, i.e. 3.1 At least one bathroom and connect to the new drainage 3.2 At least one bedroom .... Stage N: Upgrade the downstairs :-) EWI, new slab in the bathroom, new kitchen etc. I am pretty sure there are plenty of holes in this plan - again, this is what BH and the money allocated for PM are for.

Thanks a lot, @HerbJ, I will talk to all of them.

Thanks again, I have added these questions to my "unknowns" list, to be discussed with the project manager. Works not going to plan is something that is quite dangerous and I am not sure right now what I can do about it. If the (works) insurance covers some catastrophic events we could rent for a while but I won't count on it. We do have space in the front garden for a caravan or something so if the worst comes to the worst we could probably live there for a while. I have even more space in the back garden so if I could crane a caravan or a container there it would probably be another option. Actually, the front garden space has been measured yesterday with the aim of putting a 40 foot container there as a furniture storage! As this is not a new build we will unlikely be handing the site over to a contractor so will have to deal with the insurance ourselves. Oh, well.

Not yet decided. We have a summer house in the garden - may just be good enough for me for one summer month, as long as I can keep the electricity there. The rest of the family will hopefully move to the relatives. But that is not much of a plan B.

Thank you, not negative at all, I'd rather have the facts! I did ask the architect whether we would be allowed back in after MBC (hopefully) complete the watertight structure. He said "why not" :-) Although I was rather concerned about BCO, didn't even realise the implications for the insurance! There's never been a plan not to notify the bank - exactly why is may be a show-stopper for us. It would be a very tough one to swallow. The plan (again, ha!) is to keep the downstairs bathroom and the toilet intact, so that they could be re-connected easily as soon as the demolition completes. The same with the electricity meter - not going anywhere until it is just a job of disconnecting one and connecting the other. I've been working on the project plan the whole weekend. Will need to discuss with either proper project manager or the architect in case he is willing to take the management part on.

Thank you @Bitpipe There are a couple of reasons we are not going for a full rebuild The first is our mortgage - TBH I am not even sure our current provider will allow these works to go ahead. But they would certainly not let us demolish. The second is the time. I am planning (ha!) to be out of the house for about a month, i.e. complete the watertight stage by the end of summer holidays. Definitely not an option with full rebuild. Asbestos? Hmm. We do have sheets in the garage roof but - where else? The ceilings? The architect was around twice but didn't mention it, may be it was too early for these details. Yes, I appreciate somebody local is required and I did remember @jack was not far away. I think @alexc may be close as well.

Sorry, I did put it in the message itself. Anyway, profile updated as well, thank you @recoveringacademic.

We are looking for a contractor to perform the demolition-and-making-good stage of the build. Does anybody have a good contact who covers Woking? Hopefully somebody capable of working to high standards required by package providers. The works to perform among other things are 1) removal of the chimney stack and breast (although this is probably something I should be tackling myself) 2) removal of the existing bungalow roof 3) removal of the back wall and eventually one internal wall 4) excavation of the existing slab etc. Thanks in advance.

Thank you, you've been very thorough as ever. I will definitely ask about the insurance and rights for the drawings as well as electronic copy. The visits are not included and are charged separately, I am aware of the cost as we paid the same during PP stage. The end point is not specified - definitely something to discuss. One of my concerns is the number of unknowns all of which will be charged at a standard rate. Though reasonable, it has added quite a significant % (about 90% of the starting price) to the overall cost of the PP stage and I guess would add much more here.

Thank you. May I ask whether your build was MBC or another package provider? I am trying to understand what 2.1 is to be honest, giving building notice does not feel like something that requires 5 working days. I agree about section 3. There are a couple of reasons I would like them to take care of getting some quotes (due to their close relationships with the manufacturers) but I hope I am capable of comparing the quotes.

Actually we have paid for the planning stage already. But it wouldn't be 20K in total, no.

We have now applied for the planning permission for our extension and the consultation process is under way. The neighbours seem to be supportive, so we started discussing the next stage with our architect. We have engaged with their practice because they have extensive experience working with MBC on multiple projects and I hoped this connection and expertise would help us achieve a good outcome. Before I talk about the details, I want to stress I am not trying to blame or criticise anybody. The architect runs a business and has to make a profit - that is fine. I just want to understand whether we have better options than just accepting the quote provided. Here is the approximate picture of what we are offered 1. Building control and structural - just short of £2K, possibly with VAT on top 1) BC application / Notice 2) Get 3 quotes - I guess for private BC services but may be for the MBC part of the extension work 3) Plans for ground works (as the extension is back and even a little bit front) 4) Detailed drawings for all improvements to the existing part of the building (EWI etc) 5) Doors and windows schedule these were the items I understand, but there are more 6) electrical and plumbing layout - not sure I want to do it so early 7) confirming existing foundations - I already exposed the foundation and showed LA BCO who accepted it was fine 8) structural engineer calculations and sections for the manufacturing of (MBC) frame - it is stated on the quote that it will be included in MBC price anyway 9) coordination with BCO and consultants - not sure who these consultants are going to be 2. SAP and EPC models - £600 3. Specification and tender management - again nearly £2K 1) Window and door spec and tender - I thought it was the same as Schedule in 1.5 ? 2) Demolition spec for tender (as we need to remove the roof and the back wall) 3) Groundwork spec for tender - I thought it would be mostly defined by 1.3 and MBC's requirements 4) Drawings and specifications for different works - roofing, EWI, staircase etc. MBC quote included for free in this section There is a separate fee in case we choose multiple contractors instead of just one. If BCO were to request more drawings - this is extra. Site visits - extra. We are planning to excavate the existing slab (most likely not in one go), structural engineer calculation for that are not included either. Etc. I am a bit taken aback by these numbers and will listen carefully to any advice. I am very far from the building trade and reading about success (and problems) of many others here is great but it certainly does not make me much wiser. I am happy to post the latest plans if this helps. Thanks in advance.

Thank you everybody, it seems the closest I have is bike lithium grease. Will just order some. Any particular brand for the grease? Or something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200g-silicone-grease-HIGH-TEMPERATURE-lubrication-seals-plastics-rubber-/172536887187 or that https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverhook-SGPGT90-Silicone-Grease-Tube/product-reviews/B00W6Q3B1G/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_hist_3?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=three_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar will do?

Got the replacement actuator now, wanted to lubricate the valve while it is open. Any recommendations on what to use? WD40? Silicone lubricant (I have 3-in-one which I use for my bike)?