ToughButterCup

Have you scrubbed the blood off the bricks yet?

Welcome. Ask a structural engineer (SE). You're maybe new to this game (?), so a quick explanation might help Network a bit in your area for local, respected SEs. Make initial contact with all of them, describe the problem, and then ask them - if they're interested in the job - to submit a fee proposal. Don't let any professional over your threshold without a clear statement of their fees and Ts+Cs. You'll get a bill even if they do no further work for you. Get three opinions. And then ask a local builder for a tooth-sucking session - without telling them up front that you have an SEs opinion. In other words, arm yourself before talking to the builder. The SE might suggest a builder and vice versa. You might tell that old wag @Russell griffiths that you want ufh because you want to keep warm......?

40 is the safe temperature set in our Hansgrohe iBox. That's the German setting so the UK one must be higher... ?

Stayin wiv toughbuttercup. Wot @Russell griffiths says goes innit.

Go to the top of the class Jo !

This backbox has tested my patience... It's the little lug on the RHS which is refusing to accept the machine screw so it can be fastened in the wall. I've tried all sorts, including patience. I've cleaned it off thoroughly, not a speck of plaster anywhere . The machine screw has not been cross threaded. There appears to be no thread on the lug. Now wot? PS I'm saving money by scrounging scraps of earth sheathing from public dustbins in Lancaster. I'll try Morecambe next week

If there is a slight fall across the site, build a simple French drain to a spot lower than the foundation .... ? Cheap, quick, permanent.

The importance of the fabric first design appoach. It's the first and last consideration, everything else depends on it. For me, discovering fabric first was a bit like my introduction to wine: first, sweet and white, lots of it - now the decision is far more nuanced - far drier, much more expensive, and just one or two glasses at any one time.

As a Domestic Client, (CDM 2015) none, I think. But simple caution says, First Aid and First Aid related stuff : the standard Get the Hell Orf My Land You Oik. I also signposted where the safety gear (harnesses, bump hats, gloves, eye protection and shackles) was kept. Just in case anyone decided to claim that I never told anyone about the gear available on site. I also clealy marked any live wires (extensions) I also made up an H+S briefing notice (specific to the site) laminated it and pinned it to the site ' office ' (a board screwed to the site stillage racks, and covered with clear plastic to keep the rain off) The most useful sign was for site parking. A couple of delivery drivers commented that they thought it was helpful - our lane is narrow.

Pick your fights. Are you suffering a material loss? And if you are, what cost is a shrug of the shoulders? What's your risk appetite? After reading the whole thread, I 'feel' this might be one of those hiccups that could be dealt with very gently over a few years. Theft might be a bit strong perhaps?

My sincere apologies. I did not intend sarcasm. I try hard not offend, but in this case, not hard enough it seems. Our recent visit by thieves has made me a little raw.

That happened to us. Local glazier, finding our lane blocked, screamed blue murder at a 45 tonne piling rig: rang the police in front of us all. Poor bloke, he managed to make a real fool of himself in front of everyone. Especially when the super-helpful copper reminded him (he's a local) that our lane has two entrances or exits, and he could simply turn round and reach his customers by using the other entrance. The local copper popped in the other day.... we both giggled at the memory.

This isn't a nightmare. Its normal. The problem you have has been faced by many tens of thousands of others in exactly similar circumstances. A 20 minute off-load will inconvenience nobody who has normal blood pressure levels. Even @Russell griffiths couldn't object. Tell your eighbours when the delivery is scheduled (note throught the door) a week in advance Yes. They could also be wheel-barrowed, handballed, trailered, moffetted, mini forklifted, pneumatic pallete lifted, rolled over scaffold poles, craned, children can be bribed, prisoners chained and forced to ... But leave the wife out of it eh? .... Don't ask.... safety ... is a matter for the builder (CDM 2015). Here is a recent thread for your consideration reasonable / fair ... you are new to this game aren't you? The fee will reflect the added difficulty. You are likely to face a series of greater challenges than this one. BuildHub will be there to support you, don't worry.

Gifted, gifted that lad.

Oh god, @Temp, you know what is going to happen now innit? @Onoff is going get his tile cutter out and...

And make a database of targets for thieves?

Then don't. Too small a budget is normal. It's a useful stimulous to creative thinking. @Ferdinand's yer man for that.

Yes, its (Durisol) easy to mess about with: our extension will (4 years from now) be easy - already planned, piles driven in anticipation, two years ago. Services to the extension are already in place. Bracing - its a faff. I've seen bracing as a simple Europallet, other bracing that was two layers of 22mm sandwiched between 2 lots of 4 by 4s , and proper professional steel bracing (on Durisol). And of course, the most common of all: none. We had seven blow-outs, 6 very small, quickly sorted - jam a shovel against it - screw a bit of timber aginst it - that sort of thing , and one that was caused by the combination of criminal damage and failure to brace. I am a bit annoyed with myself still - because I saw the guy hitting the blocks with a lump hammer - that I did not insist on bracing. Brace it to death as @Gus Potter says - and I would add, plan for what you are going to do with the bracing when its taken down. We are still re-using the 4 by 4s and sheets of ply. Overall, the bracing cost us nothing extra. We would have needed the 4 by 4 and the ply anyway.

Might you have meant ... so few... options?

Change word from @Jillys post ... Really to Ideally and I would agree completely. Neighbours must confine their remarks to material considerations . More often than not they don't. Lots on here about that particular sport....

Have you got time to take and post us a picture? It would help us help you.....

Welcome. Affordable - what does that mean? I can't, you maybe can. What is certain, though, is that land in your immediate area will cost more as a proportion of your total build price. A quick glance at SPONS will show you also that build costs around your area are more expensive than those inside the M25. You need @nod on the job. He's brilliant at nosing out sites and buying them at the right price. @Ferdinand's yer man for setting you straight in relation to planning once you've found somewhere. Many here have found the search for a sensibly priced and convenient site needs a good dose of persistence. Plenty of time to absorb the collective wisdom on BuildHub then......

Did the previous owner also have some cores taken? In which case you might have access to an analysis of those cores perhaps? As @Declan52 says, beware of the boulder. It happened to us on the last pile. Took hours to sort out.

Should be obvious to a man of your existence innit..... 'S the trainers innit. Wet trainers, wet wall obvs.

Good. The threat - as described - is very likely to be criminal behaviour. Log it, tell the police straight away. At this remove, its hard to say what should happen next. My gut feel is that you should not pay any more money. If they pursue you for any more money (and I bet its a big if ) then follow the guidance above. Is the small amount of money witheld worth getting a criminal conviction for?