dangti6

Nope. Wasn’t full of silt or anything - which when I think of it may be a good or bad sign as it’s getting clean if it’s working/moving. It’s almost level as well. Why doesn’t it rain when you want it to.

Yeah - according to the guys who unearthed it. I haven’t personally been in and looked myself. Found this in my folder of household documentation from the searches at purchase. Mapped back in 1962. It’s a 1989 development so I’d like to somehow get access to more information from that actual survey if I can. Presumably in 1962 it was a ditch and in 1989 the developers just put the drain in - can’t see the pipe is that old.

Wouldn't surprise me if he changes his tune after seeking advice as he had to call the office to ask about the bay tree.

Believe slab is still on the cards as he insists on rebar - which is no big deal.

Yeah that’s the plan. If the water board don’t claim ownership and don’t want to offer that service (no idea if they have the capability) I will ring around tomorrow and get someone in to do so.

I’m not entirely sure how it would be built over. Change from a permeable pipe to a solid pipe underneath the ‘slab’? So any water could flow though and permeate either side as previously? Was introduced to the building inspector today. He is certainly on the particular side, but then so they should be. Neighbours Bay Laurel there required a 1.7m trench. And being over 1.5m now required clayboard.

Ground workers uncovered what appears to be a French drain right underneath the back wall of my proposed extension. This runs beneath what will be the slab and out again through another footing at the front, yet to be dug. It’s about 800mm down. The water company came out to confirm it is not on their plans, but apparently in 2011 they adopted infrastructure that may include that drain. Going to try the ‘build over’ department tomorrow to see if they can shed some light on it and potentially survey it. Theres a brook about 50 metres or so away and I wouldn’t be surprised if this drain was from a ditch or something when the land was a Farm some 30+ years ago. Building control suggest it should be surveyed and if proven to be capped off, carry on as normal or if it is still in use, divert it around the building. Talk about bad luck. Can see this costing me a few quid! Any words of wisdom or ideas appreciated.

Welcome to the forum

Also really does depend what you are used to. I have gone from working on cars outside with no garage, to having a house with a garage that I could work in, to having said garage full of stuff that prevents me working inside so have to lie down in the cold outside again - so being out of the elements with some protection and appropriate clothing does really make a difference. (Probably helps living in southern England where it doesn't get that cold.) Obviously being nicely insulated with heating would be a luxury, but I am tight so in these instances I only have to think of the alternative costs to suddenly thaw out ?

Which suppliers have you tried? I’m on the lookout at the moment and Pasquill are looking favourable but I’m all ears for more suppliers to approach.

Don’t forget Benchmarx - TP group so they offer the same kitchens as Wickes (albeit the ranges carry different names) but the carcasses come pre assembled. I initially ordered a kitchen from Wickes in ‘the sale’ but later cancelled it and got the same thing, pre assembled for less money from Benchmarx.

Got some as per above post. Presumably I was comparing the same thing as Jewson do offer a dearer 7.3N block. The ones I have ordered are listed as ‘Luffman Concrete Block 100mm 7.3N (72pk)’ Presumably they will turn up to be what I am expecting - building a single skin garage with them.

A local independent merchant came up trumps for 91p including the vodka and tonic. Saving over £150 across the 6 pallets ?

I was gunna say, get your disc cutter out!

I had a google and found a concrete supplier in my town that make blocks, so shall see what they come out as direct - good shout (Feeling tight here saving pence each, but adds up when you are buying a fair few hundred and have some time to ring around!)

My nearest Buildbase branch has nothing of anything by the looks of it, but they aren't a huge branch. Also trying to source some specific facing bricks which appear to be few and far between yet were ten a penny when I picked a few up for samples in the summer. I agree, there are a few houses along my street starting to have work done so imagine after merchants got their stocks back up over the summer they have probably been shifting a lot of material.

Going to jump on this rather than start a new thread - what are people expecting to pay today for 100mm dense 7n concrete blocks, buying by the pallet? TP Want £1.84 inc vat trade £2.04 inc vat none trade ? Cheapest I can see so far is £1.26 inc vat from Jewson. I'm sure a few months ago they were around 90p plus vat.

Just saw your previous reply, missed that when responding to above. £250 bricky labour. Does he work for £75 a day!?

Let's go the other way and see how much I may have overestimated. For the OP's roof for example assuming pitched with concrete tiles, from the roof plate up inc exterior dressing (fascias& guttering), what would your ball park figure be? For me, a shade over £2000 in the materials. A half decent double garage door is north of £2000 also. My figures are start to finish and include the planning and regs costs, which if planned at the same time as a house, wouldn't be applicable but unsure on OP's circumstances.

I'm 'doing' this at the moment. Well I say doing, still not out the ground yet as waiting patiently for the groundworker to get on site. I have a single garage and I am extending that out by 5 metres in width and 5.5 metres in depth so the footprint will be approx 27.5sqm - single skin block. I have created quite a detailed spreadsheet with anticipated costs, based on materials I have priced up and estimated labour. My 3 wall garage (as I am joining to an existing garage) is coming in at around £15k to £17k which is a fair bit more than others have suggested which is concerning yet perhaps reassuring that I have perhaps over estimated, but I have done a fair bit of research so I am not sure I will come in much under my estimate. How much are you hoping to do yourself, if any?

Welcome to the Forum ?

Thank you - as it’s 3 years outside the warranty I probably wouldn’t have bothered without your encouragement to do so ?

It's a 9.5kw shower on a 40A MCB. Reassuring at least to hear that there's no apparent fault elsewhere that caused this and it was just bad luck. (wouldn't be the first time I have replaced something to later learn something else down the line was at fault, also killing the replacement!) I took the melted cable off last night and the top terminal had effectively welded itself to the post on the top of the heater unit. As I went to undo the screw the movement of the screwdriver twisted the tab, no doubt weakening it and as I was about to consider going to get some pliers to grip it hold I decided it was worth the piece of mind to replace the lot. My garage remarkably already has a hot water supply so I'll not risk death re-purposing it out there ?

Got in touch with Triton who were really helpful and despite the fact it's 5 years old they agreed it shouldn't happen and are going to send me a new unit FOC.

Interesting, thanks for the reply. I have already ordered an identical unit to replace it, but I’ll have a nosey and see if anyone sells that wire as a consumable - could save me a few quid!! ?