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I have a steel external side gate which has started to creak a lot recently. The hinges clearly need greasing, but the gate is only 18 months old and I've not done this before. The hinges appear to be "lift-off" types (they look a bit like this). Does that mean I need to lift the gate off its hinges to expose the internal part of the hinge to grease it? If so, this is going to proove rather difficult given the weight of the gate. Although only 80cm wide, It's almost 3m high and made of steel.

I think it does work but you have to move it around regularly, like at least once every day, otherwise it doesn’t seem to work. I can’t be sure it works to be honest. Certainly did initially, then the pigeons may have got used to it. I think there has to be a better solution. Maybe there is a way to automate the drone so that it launches and does a pre-recorded flight path every time there is a pigeon sensed by a separate but linked sensor? Alternatively, feeding them bird food laced with cyanide?

Brings new meaning to “bed knobs and broom sticks”

Thanks for the pictures. All looks very impressive.

Yes, but because of the layout of the room I'm not sure that will as we need the desk/table to come out from under the bed. I will try drawing some plans to figure out exactly the layout we want, but still interested to hear about any experiences of building bunk beds people have.

Ceilings are only 258cm high, so about 8.5 feet. The idea of the adjustability is that: now whilst he's only little 2ft is enough for him to sit up (so 6 foot under the bed, about half a foot for the bed slats and mattress leaving 2 feet for him to sit up; but as he grow taller we can reduce the clearance underneath/increase clearance above. The area underneath is to act as a play area. It will have a table and chairs for a trainset and/or lego. I'm a bit of a kid so want room to play under there without hitting my head, at least whilst he's still interested in my playing with him.

I'm looking for a raised bed for my son's room. It needs to be high enough so there is 6' of clearance under it, although in future we might want to lower it slightly to give him more room up top when he grows taller. Most of the ones I've found don't have any adjustment and are too low to give us the 6' of clearance, e.g. this one: https://www.bedkingdom.co.uk/noomi-tera-solid-wood-highsleeper-bed.html?fo_c=264&fo_k=595ca8297aadd4d71819cdfacc162148&fo_s=googlecsv&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=21098690528&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiuC2BhDSARIsALOVfBKbolReUuDvTPaB21ORFYqtGal3ph_u2Drqa3AUXsvZH6eOh96u0gQaAqtQEALw_wcB#80=700 This has made me consider self building one, but I'm not sure it will be as easy as I think it will be... these things never are. Anyone have any experience building bunk beds? How did you get on? The bits I'm concerned about are the ladder and generally making it all sturdy enough and safe enough. He's only six now, but it should ideally last him till he's 17/18.

It is totally bonkers. I have a ready made Asguard “sold secure” (whatever that means) steel bike shed which came flat packed and was assembled by my contractor in less than an hour. I think I paid £700 and it fits two full size bikes as well as my kids’ bikes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39k2glg2j3o.amp

I would raise the outside ground level by 4cm so that you are only 4cm over. But only if you can do this without leaving a trace showing the inspector what you’ve done. If you are not confident about hiding your tracks, then definitely just leave it. Doubt an extra 8cm is going to make a big difference. BRs not relevant for the planning inspector’s purposes. I think you will be fine, but good luck and let us know how it goes. Just be nice and polite, you want the instpector on your side.

Vote Brexit! I’ve seen a couple of excellent brick layers who are English, but they are in the minority. In my experience, brick layers from Poland, Ireland, Lithuania or Italy are better. Though the Italian I employed once was too slow. There is a balance between perfectionism and efficacy, the Italian just took forever and I made the mistake of paying him by the day. Now we are out of the EU and this country is getting tougher to live in (for other reasons) I suspect many EU nationals will leave and we will have less people to employ. Those brickies left here (regardless of nationality) will be in the privileged position of being in such demand, that standards could easily fall. That explains… maybe… your experience of

So what, you can’t sue them. They owe no duty of care to the OP.

Good shout. I just placed an order from BandQ and delivery was only £6.

I’m after some fairly large plant pots, prefer in terracotta. Minimum diameter 36cm but 45cm would also be fine. On the continent, these are cheap as chips, yet over here the garden centres charge a fortune for them. Anyone recommend any online suppliers that are affordable? With these being breakable, the delivery charges soon add up…

I’m happy to build in compliance with the building regs. The BCO on our build was less ridiculous/illogical/unreasonable than our local planning department. And importantly, neighbours don’t get involved in the process.

PM me. I can recommend a good one which isn’t too crazy on price.

Yes, I think the issue is that the tower needs to be mounted on a sloping roof that is above the ground floor extension. I thought that would make it easier, as it's less height to erect, but apparently the slope makes it more "technical".

This assumes you aren't being charged an arm and a leg for having to erect scaffolding. I wanted to install some external smart brise soleils, made with microfins. Really impressive product and was happy to pay the £500 or so for the product itself and the £180 for installation. But then the installer quoted an additional £1400 for the scaffolding and I said no thank you. I think I'm regretting it now as my loft floor office gets hot

Sell the flat. Then this glue issue can be dealt with by the next mug.

We laid tile over screed for our patio that had some clever falls built into the screed so that rainwater wouldn’t pool in the patio. My builder used steel profiles about 50cm apart to help him outline the progressive changes in height and then the sand and cement screed was poured over the area by the screed company and my builder used a very long edge to shape the screed so that it was flat but with a fall. He was very skilled though… in his 60s and been doing this kind of thing for decades.

Sorry but this is really quite naive. Solar gain is a very serious problem and not something you can easily address after you’ve got planning without actually making an amendment application. Your western wall looks, and will behave like, a greenhouse. I would reduce the amount of sliders on the ground floor, and make the windows on the first floor much smaller. You will still be able to appreciate amazing views. Regarding the ground floor sliders, you could instead make some of them out of timber or steel, rather than glass, and go with an industrial look to match the barn’s heritage. In that way, when they are closed there is no light pollution, but when open you get the views. Alternatively, cover the glass with sliding wooden external shutters. You will appreciate this when the house overheats.

Personally, I would just tell the wife no. Seems silly to go to all this trouble just to fit recessed downlights. Lots of other options exist that won’t ruin your insulation.

Yes, I think you are right. That involves waiting another two years so that my existing works are immune from challenge.

I’m not sure you can if the “data” is basically an image, like this, for each room of the house and for each day of the year:

Yeah, it would need to be a significant drop down.