joe90

Whilst I would agree in theory (having done it) this depends on his budget.

Welcome, interesting little project, So are you looking to stay off grid ?

I remember a TV programme years ago about a house that had massive cracks everywhere due to trees, drains were blocked and the ground sunk. They removed a few tress but not all and replaced some with Himalayan birch , repaired the drains and the ground recovered, and the cracks in the house shrank back. I was amazed that could happen.

And more controllable..

Well the EPC is a good “A”, I would still want to see the U values etc (not that I can afford it).

Fine when it is on show but runs under floors with no sharp bends and no joins (single runs) are my go to. I can only speak as I find, @Nickfromwales converted me to hep2o, I am sure people have other preferences.

Only next to DHW tank as required by building regs but I did insulate hot pipe to kitchen tap because of the frequency of use (and I had spare insulation). I did not have a slab but that sound reasonable.

Plus i am a hep2o user, best kit by far IMO. Only downside of plastic is scratches that can lead to leaks, if your plumber is new to plastic make sure he is aware NO scratches where fittings are used. (I used to tape an oversized piece of pipe over the first 6” of pipe before feeding thro gaps/holes 👍).

Yes, you are the customer with a spec so he should quote/provide according to your wishes, he may well be a dinasour that does not like change but your paying for what you want.

I am a Plastic convert (unless where “required”). Manifold and continuous runs are far better IMO. This should have been specified by the customer.

Is my guess, can’t blame a 250 year old tree. Should have been piles or raft.

If you remove both brick skins you will need to bridge the cavity that existed in the wall (if this diagram is correct) but I doubt the cavity is in the internal wall.

I don’t think so if the joists are not joined above the wall and the same dimentions as the others. I still think it’s a small lobby for that outside door.

Welcome to THE build forum. Join the club, but saying that I thoroughly enjoyed my build, the design, working with good contractors the sense of achievement. Yes finding a “plot” is the most difficult bit but it will give you time to mull over “what you want”. I started with straw bale build but ended up brick and block. You will get lots of different advise here from those that have “been there done that”. There is no one right way to build as they all bring benefits. Just remember that you only buy insulation once and it just keeps giving.

Sounds like differential settlement but pics please.

Yes I used similar flexi,s then insulated and wrapped in rubber tape

A previous house I owned had a porch and when I sold it had to prove it had planning (which it did, council were helpful in providing historic docs).

When I first lived in Devon and living in a caravan a turbine about 2km away would wake me at night if the wind was in the right direction, I read somewhere about noise nuisance from these that it was pressure waves rather than actual noise that traveled downwind that created a nuisance, noise is measured in a different way.

It looks like that wall was built to create a lobby so yes probably not needed structurally.

Yes

As an ex BT engineer” NO “( if it’s your house)

I too started this journey at the top of the funnel despite being a builder for years….i think “most” here are “been there done that “ and some are well read. At least no one is trying to sell you anything. My ol Dad used to say, “there is no such thing as right and wrong, only opinion” 🤷‍♂️

+1, do this first then you know exactly where you stand and what they will allow.

Or option 4, same as option 2 but from separate sockets not junction boxes

Are you allowed this? Though the answer may vary from one authority to another, the maximum fence height allowed without planning permission is two metres (6'6”). This two-metre restriction includes any trellising panels that may be erected as part of the fence.