Russdl

I was 'drifting' the 'Temporary Outside Tap' thread too much with my questions about accumulators so I though I'd start a new one (but I don't know how to link to that existing thread - soz). The flow from my 3/8th" main is 15lts/min at 4bar which wise counsel advises me is a bit puny and the advice was 1 or 2 accumulators situated outside of the house to give me the boost I need. I've agonised over where to put the accumulator/s and am now thinking of going ahead without using an accumulator initially and then retro-fitting one when it becomes obvious it's required. After the house is built we will apply for planning for a garage (we've been advised to wait that long) which would be a suitable location for the accumulator/s so the question is, how would I go about having the plumbing done with the ability to add an accumulator with ease at a later date that will be situated in a garage that as yet doesn't exist - mind you, neither does the house yet1

Nor down here on a day like today!

Belatedly, I should update how things went for me. I trenched under the footpath iaw the DNO guidelines apart from where they specify that the marker tape must state 'SSE' on it, I just used a generic maker tape, rebel that I am. I took photos of the trench and the various stages of refilling it to the guidelines. The duct terminated in a hockey stick and then into my (overly large) lockable meter box. Whilst I was away the DNO turned up at the appointed time and moved the cutout under the careful supervision of SWMBO. they weren't interested in the photos and seemed a little surprised that I'd actually gone to so much effort. British Gas arrived later the same day to move the meter, they actually took the old meter away and fitted a new, much smaller one (about the size of a domestic hot water/central heating controller) and were equally surprised by my posh new meter box for my TBS. My electrician turned up a week later to wire up an old CU that was in the old bungalow to the meter and then 4 outdoor double sockets. It all went smoothly, apart from the DNO and BG taking liberties with the amount of space inside the meter box and consequently spreading their stuff all over it, limiting the available space inside and consequently the 4 double sockets are all mounted directly below the box, which in hindsight would have been a good 'plan A' as that means the lockable meter box door is less likely to get broken with constant opening and closing. Photo attached, but go easy on my poor planning that has resulted in a huge, largely empty meter box!

@Onoff Now why couldn't I find something like that! That looks like a good starting point, thanks.

For my DIY demolition I need to provide the council with a 'method statement' prior to commencement, can anyone point me to a simple generic method statement that I can plagiarise?

Another interesting blog Vivien. Was it a Norrsken crew that fitted the windows?

Bloody love it!

Jeeze!

I think the dropped false panel over the island is a good idea. We visited a new build recently that had a similar open plan kitchen/dining/lounge as yours and the three areas had been defined in exactly that way, i.e. sections of suspended ceiling with specific lighting that designated the individual areas whilst the whole remained open plan I guess from your floor plan that the dining area is by the large window to take in the view whilst you dine? If it was me I think I'd turn the dining table through 90° and move it closer to the island, then spread the living room furniture out a bit and define each area with the lighting - minimising downlighter where possible. We had an extension done many years ago that gave us a large open plan kitchen/dining room and the electrician at the time cautioned us on too many downlighter's, especially if they are aligned, as it can start to look like a runway on your ceiling. I think he made a good point. Love the bog, even without the pier behind it!

I think that would be a resounding "no", but you never know. I've got some lovely Crittall windows if anyone is interested. Anyone? Hopefully someone will take the roof tiles, I've just heard that the local reclaim firm have no interest. I'm hoping that is the case. I have an uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. @Russell griffiths Some really useful stuff there Russ, especially re the footings. I probably could use some of it for the driveway. Another great thought ? I though exactly the same, but have to confess to a loud guffaw. Thanks everyone for all the input.

It sounds, from the above, we should get at least some of the asbestos removal VAT free , I've just asked the question of the company concerned and wait to see what they say...

Brilliant. I’m sure that wouldn’t have crossed my mind.

@Triassic gas and asbestos to go, gas is going to take the longest to get gone, about a month to go. As as for the roof tiles, I like the cherry picker plan so I will look into that. I should be be able to crack on with the soft strip soon.

@PeterW neither at the moment, but the cherry picker seems like a really neat solution, thanks for that idea.

I like the sound of that, just what I was hoping to hear ? It's a circa 1950's detached bungalow (in a large village at the the end of a narrow single track access lane). It's of conventional brick and block construction with concrete roof tiles which a local reclaim firm may take away, if we fill their crates for them.

Everything is slowly falling in to place ready for the demolition, apart from the contractor who seems to have had a better offer and now is not interested in the job. The services are almost gone, the demolition notice is in and the asbestos will be out soon. So, DIY demolition? I suspect it is fraught with real and imaginary dangers but is there any reason why I shouldn’t crack on with it (when all the other i’s are dotted and t’s crossed). I have a mass of free labour that is desperate to get started. Any advice on how to go about this? What are the traps beyond the obvious roof/wall crushing the work force?

Now that is good news!

I wish I could offer some advice but I'm still in 'sponge' mode and just soaking up your output so I can only offer encouragement. From what you say it looks like you've got pretty much everything covered but I suspect wise wo/men will be along soon to highlight any omissions in your planning. Good luck with it all.

I think you're right, despite lots of encouragement from 'friends' to "just rip it off and bury it". I'm not minded to take that route. Excellent question. I've no idea at the moment - I'll find out and let you know. @Ferdinand @JSHarris @newhome Some pretty sobering tails there. I'll be getting the pro's in (the ones with the lowest quote!!)

It certainly fore warned us of dark clouds approaching. We had a pre-demolition asbestos survey a few weeks ago on our 1950's bungalow and whilst I expected it to reveal some asbestos I was frankly amazed at how much there was, and where, it seems almost nothing was manufactured without asbestos. All the floor tiles in every room. Some wallpaper. Kitchen sink pad. Ceiling panels. Vent pipe. And then the soffits, which are Amosite, which by all accounts is the potentially nasty stuff and inflates the removal quote somewhat... First quote to remove all of it was £7550 + VAT! Second quote which we have just received is £4995 + VAT still pretty bloody hefty but a hell of a lot cheaper than the first. Do they just make it up as they go along?

Looking really good Vivien, here's hoping the weather holds for you. Those big first floor windows are going to frame some stunning views for you. (In my Lynx days we would just nip under any power lines ?)

Update: SSE is our DNO and British Gas our supplier (who I've just spoken to). They assure me that there will be no problem fitting the meter to the cutout without the TBS CU being in the box. I hope they don't change their minds by Friday.

@JSHarris I’m certainly learning that in these early stages!

Ah! That changes the price of fish a little. I’ll have to check with the supplier tomorrow as my electrician is not available this week and the DNO/Supplier are due on Friday...

At the risk of looking stupid (Google was no help) @ProDave EIC? What’s that? Thanks for the rest of the reassurance.