joe90

then why a loft hatch??? here is mine, loft hatch 1225mm x 600mm, the ladder falls within the footprint of the hatch. My loft is boarded out and used fir storage to save having loads of cupboards around the house full of crap,!! if you want a hatch for occasional “maintenance “ then why not make one small enough to go between joists and a pair of steps!!,

I am not an S.E. But have done many loft conversions. Trusses are in tension, they stop the roof from spreading (hence the little arrows). This is the way I would do it. Double the non cut trusses either end with bolts if you want. Trim around loft hatch with same size timber as truss, and use 18mm chipboard (shaded area) with screws, this will stop the cut truss from trying to spread. You may want to board the loft anyway.

Can you not use one of these. https://gasproducts.co.uk/plumbing/mdpe-gas-pipe-and-fittings/philmac-mdpe-comp-gas-fittings/philmac-mdpe-25mm-x-25mm-gas-compression-coupler.html

I fitted one of these and it’s great, headroom fir carrying stuff up into the loft. I have fitted these fir many people. Again, how many joists do you need to cut?, are the joists resting on wall plates either side of the landing? Best post up a drawing with dimensions. https://www.lbroofwindows.co.uk/loft-ladders/oman-timber-loft-ladder-and-hatch1/?id=16571&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYL3BRDVARIsAF9E4GfvlL7TeliHh_axAP20l2HqtEe3O9zBhDrFhWRVYmhB5ZiDsR64PkkaArEAEALw_wcB

@pocster from your second “CAD” drawing how many joists do you need to cut?, also are the joists resting on the walls either side?

Yes to building on brownfield sites and yes to rebuilding derelict, that Croft is not a good use of land being left like that so why not allow it to be rebuilt. I say again, why planners are so against building when there is a housing shortage beggars belief (IMO).

I have done loads of these, as per others above cut joist and frame around it, doubled up or belt and braces screw 18mm chipboard across joists either end of the loft hatch .

Just trawled through the doc @SteamyTea listed above and no where can I find a reference to a qualified person, nearest is “competent person (if applicable)” and I would suggest it’s not applicable and let the BCO prove otherwise.

does not say “qualified”

As far as I remember @Jeremy Harris established there is no “qualification” to make anyone a specialist contractor, you could ask the BC what qualification they require, my BC didn’t even ask (as I still have not balanced it yet ?)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-plasterboard-carrier/51509?_requestid=163584 carrying sheets of plasterboard is not a “Trade “, I am sure social media will find you someone looking fir a bit of cash (especially during lockdown) just give them a face mask and hand sanitizer.

I tend to agree, no point In killing your self . Throughout our build I have had to hand over certain jobs i knew I would struggle with fir the sake of my health and sanity (and I am getting older). If you insist on doing it yourself I would use 6x3 instead of 8x4 sheets, far easier to use. Last job I used one of these And found it much easier. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-11Ft-Lifter-Tool-Drywall-Hoist-Caster-Plasterboard-Panel-Sheet-Crane/254474451115?_ Also think about a second pair of hands (no pun intended ?) two people doing a job is much less effort than half the job. self building should be enjoyed (as much as possible) . Work smarter not harder. ?

Have you read this https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

however, a common complaint is that Young farm workers and people already living and working in rural area,s Can’t afford local housing.

I should not have quoted the 1% bit my wife’s argument against allowing planning applications is there are not enough local “services” (doctors schools etc etc) but it’s the old chicken and egg situation, if we wait fir the services nothing will be built, if houses are built ( in moderation) the services will have to follow.

here here, IMO villages either grow or fail.

yup, that’s what I did ?

It always astounds me that in a country with a housing shortage local councils try hard to not let anyone build/rebuild.

@scottishjohn May be able to help (but Scotland may be different) as his “project” was borderline (IMO) and he has done a lot of clearing up before applying for planning.

I dislike all airated blocks and have seen others have trouble with them. Like @tonyshouse I widened the cavity and used ordinary blocks (and can hang anything heavy off the wall if I want).

which is why my son calls it the “poo jacuzzi “ I have lined the lid of mine with acoustic foam now.

Hi @Miek here is a pic of mine, excuse the weeds, yet to do the landscaping. I dug a hole which is directly over the rumble drain and lowered the pump box onto and surrounded by 50mm drainage stone, any water that gets near it drains away through the rumble drain to a ditch. You can see two black 40mm pipes sticking up, these allow fresh air to keep the pump cool as it needs ventilation. Any questions please ask ?P.S. the existing air pipes were long enough to be re routed through new holes in the side of the tank.

@pocster I have had to use a boss like you due to restricted space and it works fine. ?

not if they are sharp ?

@Arc_11 you would not need much, see what your local builders merchant can supply.