ToughButterCup

@JSHarris, your hard evidence is not what sales folk want. But it is exactly what I need, so as usual, thanks. With, in my case 60+ years of being told to put-another-log-on-the-fire, and a few years of Uncle Tom Cobley and All looking at me in disengaged disbelief when I talk of Passiv standards (about two cat's worth of heat per per meter squared per annum), I have come to realise it's HARD for anyone to get their head round how little just a little heat is (Apologies @SteamyTea) And when the listener has nothing, nothing at all invested in your house, disengagement on the part of the listener/ reader is the norm. @Redoctober's summary of the arguments is interesting. The psychology related to warm wet feet appears to be important. We (almost all) have very little experience of ablutions where we have warm soles, but cold lower legs - because yer legs are wet, and your soles warmed by ufh. An expensive Afghan rug would have the same effect -but be really stupidly impracticable. What @Nickfromwales, you've got two afghans (his 'n hers) in your shower? Soz mate!

@PeterW, I look forward to your missive.

@MrsB. Read. Network. Read. Worry. Read some more. Go down the pub - forget Rinse Repeat. Ian

I'd missed that one. Thanks. Ian

It's the whole point for us....... and we usually end up cringing. With embarrassment.

Morning @MrsB. Welcome. Is this too early to nudge you into thinking about one or two things? I am guessing- please forgive me if I'm wrong. You might be some way away from a main sewer. I read the words '...viable...' above. No foul drainage, no house. Get that issue sorted early on in the development. Have a read of this Please don't confuse my status as Admin with expertise. I am not an expert. But my heart was in my mouth the moment I realised that lack of a foul drain would mean no house for us. Don't worry too much; at this stage finding out the exact details in relation to drainage will useful information in preparation for an eventual exchange of contracts. When there's a hiccup, come back to us and we'll all pile in to help. Ian

I think one important factor to add to the decisionmaking process is your degree of personal involvement in the build. I am very involved, and so I am doing a good deal of interpretation of the architects submission to the BCO. For example this week I have decided we need a simple table of levels to which everyone (all trades) can refer. The information is available in the drawings, but it's difficult to extract because it's to be found spread over several separate drawings, some from the architect, some from the SE, and (in our case) from the piler. Reading that material with care has been most instructive for a first time self builder like me. No matter who drafts which drawing, there will be a need for coordination. A professional colleague being 'just-down-the-road' could be an asset. But proximity is no substitute for good interpersonal chemistry.

I am not concerned to gain Brownies. I like them, but at my age it doesn't matter....

The Method Statement which you have been asked for needs to relate to Protected Species: Newts, Bats, Teenagers? Which?

We did, stuff the Brownie points. And (sod it he beat me to it), I'm copying @PeterW

Neither can I .... lazy bit of coding : HTML 4.01 instead of the more recent HTML5 Keep hold of your browser a bit longer Dave. Ian

Wilkommen bei uns.... Everything and nothing has changed. One simple phrase changed everything '... presumption in favour of sustainable development...' (Gorgeous George) And Builders are as conservative as they always were. If you are cold, put another log on the fire. Insulate? Naaah.

Be glad you have a choice, @jamiehamy.....

I was lying Dave. That's a 16 tonner. Puts my little 3alpha in the shadows somewhat. I'm going to have a go on it tomorrow. Can't wait

Yeaaaah..

This looks like this today I had a look at my records: January 2014 was the moment we first thought we might have a go at a planning application because our colleagues told us it was worth a try. Many times we were advised (correctly by estate agent friends and others) not to bother. @MrsRA bought the orchard (which the digger is now levelling) in 1985. It's nearly 30 years since there was a glint in her eye about getting a house built here. When we've built the house we'll reinstate the orchard. Put your orders in for Damson jam quick as you like. I can't tell you what a relief it has been to get to today. Piling mat will be finished Wednesday, and the stone columns go in on Saturday. The BCOs (Approved Inspectors) are having a CPD session at our place on that day , so a couple of inspectors are coming to see the stone columns go in, and the piling company Town and Country Vibro is also having a company training session at the same time. Better go and buy some more tea bags.

We're sitting just inside the radon area for North Lancashire where we must take action. If Salamander Cottage were to be built a few meters North, we wouldn't need radon protection. To be sure, were we to build outside the official radon area, I would probably put a barrier in anyway because -for the cost- it doesn't make sense not to. But, have a look at this..... The red hatching is the area to be covered by the radon barrier. Notice the little brick shed (top). I'm right in thinking that, since it will not be habitable, nor is it intended for habitation, we don't need to have radon protection aren't I? In addition, we will be fitting MVHR, so any problem with radon will tend to be reduced The BCO notes (drafted by the architect) say that we should cap the radon sump and make sure we can fit a pump on the piping from the sump '....ready for future action if required...' Reading between the lines is '...further action if required...' architect-speak for '...do nothing...' ?

@SteamyTea, is your shower supply cold only?

£600.

You been talking to @MrsRA then? The pair of you could have mentioned it during the planning phase....

Bless her, she fainted when the salesman told her the price of her heart's desire kitchen. So, being a goodun, she's off on Tinternet designing one herself using the online planning tools you can get. She's working from home today - painful shoulder. And from her office I can hear the odd growl of annoyance ("Could write a better program than this myself"), and the occasional hiss of frustration ("Rats! session timed out, but I've been working on it for two hours") Anyone know of a good bit of kitchen planning software that'll design-her-happy?

I managed to buy an old BT van body for £250: built of tupperware and set on four bits of railway line as a frame. Point I'm making is that it doesn't need to be a shed. It just needs to lock and keep stuff dry.

@joe90, because I'm German(ish) and have worked there, I can honestly say I worry about the charming faith most UK residents have about German products. Not all are well designed. And thats the key consideration in this case. A treatment plant must be ultra reliable. An as @JSHarris points out, the key parts are not German. If they were, the price would likely be much higher. Be more critical of German stuff. It's OK.

Not your finest moment eh Declan?

Soft closers sorted that one out for us.