joe90

Just to confuse the issue I also found "https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/. Not the same company but seems cheaper for some things.

Can anyone link to Jeremy's info on his plastic slates as it was very useful.

Well guys, as you may know I have taken on a local builder with a good reputation for our new build and didn't even get another quote as he was so highly recommended by many people, even my late mother in law knew their family as "gooduns". Because of personal circumstances I am unable to get to site for a couple of months and rely on the builders sending me photos of the work so far. My wife was able to visit this last weekend and I discovered through her description and photos a few issues that I thought were wrong. So I called the builder and he went straight to site and we discussed the " issues" whilst he was on site. It turns out that I was wrong about some things and others had not been specified correctly at the outset so my mind was put at rest. I then Emailed him to say sorry to be a pain and thank him for being understanding. Here is his reply:- John,No problem at all. We all realise your predicament up there and are only toohappy to help in any way we can. As I have said before, it is your dreamhome that you are entrusting us to build on your behalf, so you should haveno concerns about questioning anything that you don't fully feelcomfortable with, or indeed have a vision of that you need to pass on to meor the men on site.It sometimes gets lost in translation between architect, drawings, customer,contractor and men on site exactly what the final finish product is hoped tobe, so frequent updates, photos and discussions are justly required.I can get an oak lintel, no probs. What sort of size and finish? how lucky am I to find such a good builder, if anybody wants his details ( near Bude) just ask.

Spooky, was just looking at that site earlier.

Oh yes, out of the ground and bricks being laid today ?, now I can seriously start looking at details, ( sorry back to the thread).

Thats what my architect told me.

Not a problem with my new build , I am building a front porch to create an air lock and the letter box is in the outer door.

I was supprised when our architect showed the cloakroom door opening outwards into the hall but he said it was building regs for disabled people ( but most people changed it around after sign off).

Jeremy knew where to source drivers that didn't give radio interference, anyone know what drivers he used?, also is it worth using one driver per cct ( this is what I did in my workshop with led strips).

Nick, thanks for recommending these lights, have you checked them for radio interference as some are really bad?

Interesting, I had a radon barrier in the new build house but told the garage didn't require one because it was not sealed like a house!

Hi Crofter, no it was just a garage/workshop but I didn't want condensation dropping on my tools ?

When I fitted steel sheets onto my garage roof I was advised against the anti condensation "flock" lining as it's only any good in open structures like barns that can dry the lining with a large airflow , instead I used a roofing membrane to carry any excess condensation away to the gutter. I had metal screws with plastic covers, far better in my opinion as they were tough enough to drive through the roofing sheet without drilling, just a centre punch to create a pinhole.

Try this, very helpful bunch that helped me with my JCB problems. http://www.tractorforum.com/f181/jcb-3cx-movement-problems-17257/

Yes I challenged the council to produce evidence that our new entrance was unsafe and they simply ignored me. Be careful of going to committee, we did this after seeking advice from a councillor who supported our case. At the site meeting ( I was not allowed to talk to anyone but was there to earwig) I could here various members arguing with the planning officer about how resonable our application was, however at the council meeting they had all turned against us and to a person voted to reject our proposal ( and the councillor who supported it initially would not look me in the eye), we heard on the grapevine after that they had been "got at" . Call it conspiracy theory but !!!. I really would like to take the council to task now that after two and a half years of fighting and god knows how much money was spent the appeal to the Secretary of State that we did found in our favour on all aspects, in fact citing that the council had not abided by their own policies.( Rant over ).

I would like to try building one just for the experience but they are not everyone's cup of tea.

Our neighbour claimed that our new entrance we were applying for as part of our build was "unsafe" and the council simply believed him without checking, eventually I got the highways dept to visit and they told the appeal inspector it was safe and complied with standards set down by highways.

My architect made similar errors on my plans, obviously cut and pasted from "generic" plans. As he can't be bothered to reply perhaps you should be equally late in paying him ?

When I was designing my new build I initially wanted dormers ( cute!) but insulation is an issue purely because of the thickness required and the cheeks can look very chunky. I do however believe ( like most) that air tightness is more important once a reasonable level of insulation is reached.

How about this:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heat-Recovery-Ventilation-Fan-Unit-MVHR-Condensation-Mould-Control-System-/181102408676?hash=item2a2a8b73e4:g:yMMAAOSwxCxT7kmE for a flat or small house!

PeterW, go to the top of the class,? that's exactly what it is. It is only the considerable amount of knowledge that I have gained from this forum that has allowed me to plan our build with so much detail ( well, I have not missed anything yet !!!!!!!!)

Things are moving on, my involvement is doing my homework to make sure we have nailed down all our options ( windows ordered, heating planned etc etc). Then as I am the chippie for the build, come spring ( when the better weather is here) I will be on site cracking on.

Why should this be moved to boffins corner, I am very interested in this thread as it WILL effect the design of my heating system. Yes I understand that I may not understand all the technicalities but I will understand the outcomes. I do understand that some may disagree with others, that's life. Keep it coming chaps.

Slightly off topic but our wooden windows are being made from occoya and this has a "70 year minimum service life stated by TRADA" they also say 25 year life in the ground!!!

I too love the idea of a simple system and I am currently trying to plan mine for installation later this year. Like Peter I also read about the floor one degree above what room temp you want but I am planning to run the ASHP during the night on E7 to wake up with a warm house and only turn it on during the day if required because of very cold weather so I might go for 23-25. I suppose if the mixer on the manifold will only go so low but the ASHP will go lower then the lowest temp rules!. A very good thread which I am following with great interest.