ToughButterCup

Better hide this thread from @Russell griffiths - I expect he'll want to come up and tear it out with his bare hands.

Boys! Geberit do a flexible bend. Bought one. Problem solved. Manufacturer's number 241521001 Yeah, I know, I know. I just haven't got the confidence to take that slippery pig apart again and put something together entirely on my own. Have broom, have bum, stick one in the other and keep going.

OK, just been on to Geberit Tech line; very helpful They propose Solvent Y piece instead of the current push fit branch Fit a short length of pipe to the (as it were) left hand branch of the Y (solvent weld it) Fit a ring seal coupler to the end nearest the loo that should give enough wriggle room ( 10mm or so) Phhhhh, wadja fink?

Cunning plan man...

This image, for me represented success - never done it before. Putting in a Geberit DuoFix. Took ages to plan, longer to do, pipes slipping all over the shop doing a fair imitation of a slippery pig competition - that silcone gets everywhere dunnit? Deliberately sprayed some silicone where the cat jumps up - jumps, slides right off the work surface. Got the shock of his charmed, fat cat life. Should have seen his face as he fell off the edge of the workbench ? But he was laughing loud and long when ...... ... I realised that I put the socket connection joint in about 45mm too low..... Cue rictus grin, smart exit of the cat stage left when he hears me cursing. Is it possible to lift the grey Triple Socket Branch by just 45mm or so? Or should I try and get a flexible connection? I'm so nearly there....

This question pops up regularly. In our family, there's a local detective and his partner a CSI. We got broken into recently, and I can tell you, it wasn't pleasant. But. It lead to some creative thinking. An alarm: no details, but a good one A camera that's visible, and one that's hidden, but does record faces and number plates if its switched on ( ?) and is protected from the rain Another fairly cheap time lapse camera hidden on site which I move regularly Multiple cheap solar powered LED lights (12) that stay on for a while when there's movement Ladders locked and a plank strapped on them to prevent casual climbing Flood lights switched on INSIDE the house in such a way that any movement will cast obvious and very large shadows towards where we live Regular contact with the neighbour who has CCTV Muliple locks on the containers HERAS positioned such that its incredibly incovenient and noisy to open the containers A formal walk round the site once per week (Monday first job, and Friday first job if Monday wasn't possible) to see if some small improvement to both safety and security can be made Two or three marginally unpleasant surprises placed on the site which are both very noisy and in one case extremely smelly. Proper insurance, with named expensive items of equipment on site A photograph of each of my tools: each security marked and listed on a Google Photgraphs site. Every single invoice for tools stored online Each one of these on it's own isn't enough. But slowly, site safety and security are improving. Its a bit like competitive sport - one training improvement won't make much difference, but persistent focus on improvement will - over time - make a significant difference. Which reminds me ....

That looks brilliant Gary....

SWMBO needs to read your post Barney............... Thanks ?

If you want a clear indication of a reasonable price , buy a copy of SPONS Architects and Builders price book. Yes its expensive, but it will save you way more than the outlay. It takes a good deal of effort to get into it: I can't understand why a self- builder wouldn't want to have an authoritative reference if a significant amount of money is to be spent. Its so helpful in so many ways.

Research research research. What's good for many, may well not be for Edinburgh. What do you mean by ... the total sum... ?

Management By Walking About. Keep it up.

Yes. This one is quite well known, it's called Lancaster co-housing. Very welcoming and helpful bunch of people.

And there's the problem. Got a table saw? Make yourself a free crosscut sled out of waste wood. Fun and free.

No. If by chance you do find something at that price, the cost of ownership will be high. A standard circular saw with a crosscut sled, and suitable PPE. You can make your own crosscut sled for a few quid. There a lots of YT videos showing you how.

You make an important point @Brickie. Avoidance is not unique to contractors. Trust is always hard-won. Is it any wonder we all spend more time than we are prepared to admit watching for tiny signs of commitment or disengagement from those around us? All the sharper then, when large sums of money wrap huge hopes for the future in a building project. @Brickie, a person who behaves as you describe isn't a customer. I'd see that sort of behaviour from a prospective customer as a lucky escape.

Yes. Just do it.

Waking up with a dry throat. Hmmm. Well, at least he rang you. Small consolation, I know but in relation to @LA3222's case, your lad's behaviour is one step better. And presumably, he wont get paid?

It could be Gary. Key word : '... could....' What would have been wrong in @LA3222's case with picking up the phone and turning could into is . Its not the busy - ness that's the problem. Its the lack of confidence in the ability to communicate well. Nobody trains contractors to do that. So the problem just keeps getting swept under th carpet. 'Cos all a contractor has to do to succeed is to stay schtum. You couldn't be more right - it's going to get worse. I looked round the site yesterday - I have about six months work ahead of me : DIY means self isolation dunnit?

I sympathise greatly. Simple non communication is common. Very few if any contractors have the skills needed to give customers difficult messages. Not surprising either because at school or training college nobody ever teaches communication. The focus is on the core skill of the trade. Just because you do it every day doesn't mean you are good at it. Communicate that is. Effective efficient communication is hard work, especially when things go wrong. Because then emotion clicks in. And that's super hard to strip out of the core task. So contractors over-promise, and take the line of least resistance. And shut up. To succeed in their terms all they have to do is nothing. And because that's so tempting, it's what happens most. Systems and people show themselves for what they really are - deep down - when things go wrong. When the soft and smelly hits the fan. You're better off not working with a contractor who hasn't got the guts or basic politeness to maintain contact.

Schaumglas, German innit? No bloody wonder it's expensive.

@pocster are you spying on me and copying my every move? Almost every time you post something I'm in the course of doing the same thing, or just messed it up and am starting again.....

Bottoms up then. Well, it is Friday.?

Or doesn't it matter - the way you put it together ?

Honest to God, it was easier in the old days when you only had one of this and maybe two of that. 3 Hours today fussing about GU10 downlighters (backbox) and their little quirks and foibles. And then match them to the right GU10 bulb of the right Lumen capacity, the right diameter, the right depth. Roll on 6pm, pub.?

? Dave. I'm trying to get it right enough so that my mate who visits occasionally - the roofer - the retired feminist - doesn't wince and clutch his withers when he sees my workmanship.? He has a series of one liners that would make even an Army NCO splutter..... tea spouting out of your nose type remarks.....