joe90

+1. 👍

Yup, services in the next cupboard up through the floor every time . 👍

Great, let us know 👍

Just someone with a multimeter to test electricity is getting to the motor (and does not mind mice 🤣) with mine the plug for the motor had a fuse and that may be simply blown. If there is a three pin socket in the box (like mine) then plug something else into it to see if power is getting to the socket.

Is it making any noise? (Motor running) if not then I would guess electrical. If it’s making a noise but not pumping the diaphram is probably split and usually failrly easy to replace (and cheaper than a motor).

Trawling through the tinternet I found this from “build it” about a similar question from someone but had remodelling on their planning application, might be usefull ? (Or contact the VAT person at build it I am trying to determine whether our project will be eligible for VAT refund as a ‘new build’. Our planning if is for remodelling of an old bungalow, however when we build almost everything aside from one wall will be knocked flat and rebuilt – due to cracked walls and dodgy foundations. A developer friend advised that due to only one wall being retained and used in the new construction it will constitute a new build and be eligible for the VAT refund. Do you know if this is the case? To answer your question, it would be useful to have more information. It would be beneficial to know if you have just purchased the property, if so, has it been empty for any length of time or whether you had been living in the bungalow. It is unclear as to whether you have started the works. The problem is that your planning consent states remodelling of an old bungalow and therefore you do not meet the legal side of the HMRC DIY VAT Homebuilders Scheme as your planning is not for a new build. HMRC state that a new build can be built on the slab and therefore the footprint of a pre-existing building, can have one notable wall or if on a corner plot then two adjoining walls usually stipulated by the planning department as they consider the property’s facade worthy of being preserved. HMRC state that they look at each claim on an individual basis, so if you have already started or have completed the works, I would submit a claim and back it up with further evidence. You could also approach the local planning department/building control and ask very very nicely if they can issue you with a letter that you can use as evidence, stating that, due to the dilapidated state of the property, the works carried out constitute to it being a new build. If the planning office do not supply you with any information in your favour, you could submit your claim with photographic evidence showing the site during the works, especially the one wall standing, If you have not yet started on the works, I would suggest you go back to planning and resubmit a planning application for a new build. You may need a report from a structural engineer stating that the current building is not fit for purpose in support of your planning application. Best of luck with your project, Kathy Tisdale (Build It’s VAT reclaims expert)

Ah, you only posted the question 20 hours ago, didn’t realise you had asked him previously 🤷‍♂️

I am surprised Andrew has not replied, he was very helpful with me, give him a day or two as he is usually busy.

No I asked if you were building next to their buildings? So open garden next door? How close is any buildings or wall they have?

Get up up there with a watering can and watch inside to see if water comes in and where, also it may be condensation on the soil pipe from cold air within it cooling it 🤷‍♂️. I once has a complaint after fitting a velux window saying it was leaking, I pointed out the condensation on the flashing but I had advised him to insulate it previously to stop that.

When you say right up to the boundary does that include buildings on their side?

Yup I did ceilings for years without one but borrowed one for my last job and wish I had one years ago, buy one and sell it again with a small or no loss of funds. 👍

Sorry you have had no replies to this, I used this guy for my VAT claim and he was very good and will give you advise, tell him you were recommended from this forum (where others have used him to good effect). https://www.vat431.co.uk

How, why, neighbours don’t get to tell the planners what they can do, yes they can object but only with objections that stand up to scrutiny (yes I have been there and won). NIMBY ism is not a valid objection.

@Adsibob will know.

As @Temp says, go and ask what they propose.

Every day is a school day 🤔

With my planning fight the council tried to reduce the curtalige to just the house and drive when in fact we had half an acre garden (plus a half acre field), when I asked them how they got their info they said “google earthl 🤣🤣🤣 well I laughed and told them I could get family members to testify the “garden” had been in use for at least 40 years, (they backed down).

Not heard of rivnuts either (led a sheltered life me) these however would need inserting on the other side of the box so the bolt would extend right through the box section (better stability?) however would it crush the box section when tightened? I can see benefits in both and guess your SE would specify which was best 🤷‍♂️

Well only if you have a valid reason to challenge the application!. No it must be built as it’s on the plans, if not it can be challenged.

Either put a false plate below or above the beam (to create a zone) or put the cable in a steel conduit and bury it in the wall 🤷‍♂️

I lived in a static during my build and didn’t tell the council, however I think you need to get clarification from the council regarding using a static as accommodation during your renovation because the house will not be habitable during the work (planners are not consistent).

Welcome, we all started somewhere and your home is what you make it, let us know what your projects are and there is loads of REAL advise here from those of us that have done it 👍

Yes my JCB 3CX had the “extra dig” (extending boom) it weighed nearly 9 tons and was mighty powerful and I often used the long reach, even as a crane.

That says it all, after fighting planners (and generally winning) for years I am yet to understand their mentality. Every application is dealt with in its own way ( and not usually consistent).