AliMcLeod

Thanks, that makes sense.

It is a 3.6kW Solis String Inverter and separate 5kW Puredrive AC battery system.

Hi, Does an AC coupled PV install with a 3.6kW inverter and a 5kW battery require a G98 or a G99 application? I originally thought it was G98 but installer is saying G99 (so will delay the install). Happy to wait for it, but just interested. Is it because it's AC coupled with a batter ? 3.6kW even though the inverted is 3.6kW?

I'm late to this, but would there be any reason why the OP (and the other households) could not put their own fence around the outside of the a-hole's own fence he's put around the parcel of land (assuming there is space)?

You've stumbled on the same issue people with home automation have with traditional rocker switches, but yours is with an illumination indicator rather than a physical one The resolution is typically to go for retractive switches (ie. they spring back into place after pressing the switch). I went for the Retrotouch Crystal range (retractive): https://www.retrotouch.co.uk/crystal.html They do have the touch light range that looks like yours, but i think it will have the same issue. I'm not aware of a range that does what you want. You could always buy one and see if you could remove/break the LED inside it

Just because the TV gets internet, it does not mean the cable is ok. A badly crimped cable can work with reduced throughput - if you've not already done so, i'd definitely try it with another one. I assume the TV has wifi too - can you hang an access point off the switch and see what speed the TV gets via the speed test on wifi? Unlikely, but could be a dodgy ethernet port on the TV. Not sure it will tell you much, but it's another data point and could also rule out any ISP throttling as suggested by BitPipe. If you can't get wifi to it, set up your phone as a hotspot and see if it works with that? Did you try a web based speed tester (as per the link i added above) rather than a downloaded one?

Nice set-up - i've still not gotten around to selecting cameras for us - have this great dream about doing number plate recognition and linking that in to our gate (which is electrified but not yet automated) so that it automatically opens for pre-defined friends/family. On a less serious note, how does Frigate Video work out the contemplative status of elephants?

Do you have Netflix on the TV? If so, use it's Built-In speed test (under Get Help IIRC) to see what it gives you, or do this: https://smarthomestarter.com/how-to-check-internet-speed-of-an-lg-tv/ I assume you've ruled out a dodgy cable by swapping to another one, and tried switching ports on the switch, to rule that out too?

So, Dumfries... that'll be 12 days of rain then

Andrew, I assume you're not connected to this company, since you gave them a glowing review here; https://london.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/intellicasa-27663150.html Can you share more details on what sort of setup you went with, and what it cost?

https://www.google.com/search?q=extraordinary+extensions

I'm not sure you'll get much response unless you split that into readable paragraphs...

Thanks, I found this youtube article (I think you posted it on a different thread) and it's a great starting point for others interested in this too: I've read up on BlueIris before (not gotten around to buy as need to buy a new server to host it) but hadn't come across Deepstack AI before, which looks very interesting.

This is something i've had on my geek to-do list - take the camera feed from our gate camera and if it recognises a number plate (or even face?) then automatically open the gate (already automated) - saves us from having to give our guest our gate code or them having ring the door bell. Have you started researching this? Would be interesting to start reading up on anything you've found to date. I love that - a perfect example of a modern technology that actually adds value to the customer - not just AR for AR sake.

Are the owners Russian?

I'd say this is only valid if the job was meant to start sooner but was delayed 6 months. If it was started when it was due to start, then the OP was very trusting in handing over 50% 6 months early, but its what was agreed. But if the job was due to start in the first quarter of this year, then, yes the increase in materials was a consequence of the job being delayed by the builder, so I'd be looking to pay a lower amount on the £300 too. However, the fact the builder mentioned the 10% increase, and this was accepted, might make that point harder to argue.

I'm struggling to see where the 35% increase is. Quote: £4K, 50% (£2K) paid in Januayy Final invoice: £2K + £300 (materials increase) + £420 (equipment/labour), so £4720 in total, 18% more than original £4K quote (I wonder if the OP is doing 720/2000 and getting 36% as the increase) Customer was told materials had gone up 10%, which was accepted, and the £300 covers that. As others have said, I'd be paying the £300 but challenging the £420 for extra equipment/labour

One of which will involve walk-on glazing...

Agreed, which feeds into my point. What percentage of architects, given a £300K budget from their client, with an ask for a 200m2 dwelling, would tell that client there's a good chance they cannot really afford that and are going to provide them with a 150m2 design?

I'd be interesting in hearing views from those on here who have found this to be the case. We've certainly heard a number of cases where what the architect designed turned out to exceed their clients stated budget, sometimes significantly.

Just an idea if you're digging the hole - i've just been putting some 4x4 posts in and have dug to 800mm with this auger (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D847FYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and the hole is only around 200mm round. Depending on your soil (number of stones, clay etc) it could take less than an hour to do. You might need to make the hole a bit wider so you can get a good view of the bottom (though a phone with torch will help) but there no reason you could not use the same, even if you have to dig a bit using a spade to get to 900-1000mm deep.

Initial thought: you're more likely to get feedback if you post your question to the correct forum/thread.

scuttlebramblebee, just be aware that many (perhaps most/all) of the people here who are building for less than £1K per m2 have done a significant amount of work themselves, have previous experience of self-build, have friends/family in the trade or built their house/bought their products before the recent increase in prices due to brexit/covid. There is a huge difference on m2 costs between having those things to bring to your build and handing over a wad of cash to a main contractor to build a house for you. Where you are in the country can also change things significantly too (eg, NI is/was regarded as cheaper). The style of house (even if the same size) can change costs significantly too.

I've heard anecdotal stories that valuations for mortgages lenders are being set lower in the expectation that the number of sales could reduce once the stamp duty holiday ends, resulting in the prices falling. It's just a way for the lenders to reduce their risk a bit - as others have said, the true value will appear if/when a house goes on the market.