Alan Ambrose

Or look at it at 'helping them come to the right decision for ethical and business reputation reasons'.

I can't quite imagine the exact set-up, I'm sure an SE can calculate the exact loads, pull-out forces etc, if safety critical. If not, think I would take the chippie's advice, as they often have a good intuitive sense of screw forces built up over the years. Bolts would probably have better holding but you might not have the opportunity.

Yeah, keep pushing. Keep walking up the organisation to the CEO if it's not tiny - often the juniors won't want to admit mistakes to their bosses and the bosses might take the longer term customer service / reputation view.

Well they are what they are. Suggest coach screws are often bigger flat square head and thicker diameter and thread nd often used with washers under the head, Timberlok are a bit countersunk and therefore not used with washers. I think timberlok sometimes has coatings to resist the corrosion effects of some wood. I've used both though to hold big-assed bits of wood together.

How about this thought experiment? Imagine 3 cubic blocks, say 5mx5mx5m sitting on a lovely building plot somewhere with no shade. One block has concrete walls, say 30cm thick, one PIR with the wall thickness set for the same U-value, one say, cellulose fluff held within very thin inconsequential surfaces, again with the same U-Value. No windows or other penetrations. Assume the PIR and the cellulose box are painted the same grey as the concrete (with the same reflectivity etc) and all are airtight - so the only environmental effects are air temperature / radiant heat from the sun / the cooling effects of wind. Which box has the higher air temperature variation inside?

Actually I think there is more work required for a plot. The lawyer doesn’t really need to worry about services, drainage, sewage etc with an established dwelling and not worry so much re covenants. That’s because it’s just possible there might be a gotcha there for a plot which might stop you building. No such problem with an established dwelling. We had ours done by the commercial part of a local solicitors and although more expensive, I think they were much more thorough. You could check exactly what they’re offering for the money. Plot has planning permission already? You’ll come out ahead on stamp duty on a plot vs an established dwelling, so the net cost might be similar.

Yes, agree this is worth addressing up front. Suggest discuss with neighbour and also see if you can come up with any mitigations e.g. piling grid, and assure that you will pay to reinstate any damage. You don’t have a right to drive over the neighbour’s land and presumably there would be nothing to stop them installing gabions if they wanted.

>>> Peak Rate 0.43 Off Peak Rate 0.19 Export rate 0.21 Standing Charge 0.51 <<< For these calcs I guess you need to use something like ‘average rate expected over your payback period’ and be aware that you’ve excluded inflation from the pricing. My average import rate using Agile was 18p in Jan and I suspect due to reduce. I believe the highest export rates are 15p atm but likely going down sharply as the market normalises a bit this year. Now it’s anybody’s guess what electricity prices are over the next 15-20 years but my thoughts are summer prices going much lower with greater grid PV and hopefully normalising once the current conflicts are resolved. Of course, the installers want to paint a positive picture, but you don’t want it too skewed.

Does your ISP provide speed history stats? Might make interesting reading. We had, what turned out to be a branch rubbing against the cable about 10m away. Speed got worse and worse and eventually stopped altogether. OR man came with quite a comprehensive test set-up. I think he measured the distance to the break with a tdr type setup. He called in another man with a cherry picker and a ‘bandage’ kit and all is good now.

Don’t we have a 24h wave sitting on a 365 day wave plus a bunch of randomish noise?

I guess it also depends on what heating and cooling control systems you’re looking at. Very fast acting systems might keep the internal environment comfortable despite materials and structure (e.g. loads of glazing) which would tend to make the internal conditions jump around.

Well it’s an interesting area, maybe called ‘building dynamics’ rather than ‘building statics’ which 95% of the other modelling is - part O / PHPP etc. I’m not sure I understood all your assumptions or model and I don’t get a 100% intuitive model in my head either - but I feel it’s an important area to explore because it might contribute understanding to some of the design choices we have to make. I guess this comes into play when making decisions e.g. masonry vs. timber frame / wooden deck vs. beam and block / conventional tile vs. metal roof?

>>> I'm 35 and tired of building materials being faux, fake and mock and made from thin laminated of plastic with low quality effect printed on and really not offering much of a savin yeah, +1

Ah for bathroom, Vuba epoxy floor screed works well with UFH. I laid it myself, and having done that, I would probably get a professional in next time .

Solid oak is not too expensive and wears well.

Ah yes, I saw an image - actually with glazing on the outside and it looked great - you just reminded me.

>>> Custom and self-build development produces more than a doubling of the beneficial local economic impact of mainstream housing when labour and materials are viewed together. This is based on an analysis that tested a model against five areas with different rural/urban classifications and differing regions, providing a robust set of illustrative data. Data from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) demonstrated that CSB homes typically have reduced energy consumption of between 8-42 per cent lower and CO2 emissions of 7-43 per cent lower than typical new-build EPCs. The model draws on EPCs in the same five case study areas. <<< Obvious to us, but helpful that somebody else has noticed this. I'm not sure who NaCSBA are though - yet another 'industry organisation' with unclear objectives and ownership?

Ah we have some vegetation outside some of our west facing windows. Not only does it look good from inside but it loses leaves anyway in the winter and we trim it in the autumn - so it provides lovely seasonal sun screening. If you choose the right plants, they'll love it also. There's a bunch of useful info here on BH re outside blinds btw.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-22-february-2024#custom-build-provides-double-the-benefit-to-local-economy-report-finds https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-22-february-2024#short-term-lets-to-be-subject-to-planning-permission

re: + West glazing into Bed 2? I was meaning - maybe you might want west glazing into that bedroom too? Regarding solar gain: + you might want to get a part O calc done to see how close you are. There are other possibilities for the calcs but part O is easy and quick although a bit basic - for instance, it won't allow for your brise soleil. + the solar gain mitigation I'm leaning towards is: - solar control glass - brise soleil - outside Venetian / roller blinds (both can be mechanised so they can be controller electrically)

I believe that @GaryChaplin said a while back that you can file this with land registry directly yourself. I did a little transfer like this recently and it was about £1K with solicitors.

Presumably you have some step detail outside? Bit of a bodge, but can you get some ~1mm stainless sheet under the frame. If so, a custom cut and bent cill sealed with and embedded with the right mastic? Even better if you can get dpc and 1mm SS under.

Ah, I forgot - I wonder whether that west wall is expensive to build with all those corners, especially the basement? Could it just run at an angle parallel to the path in one line? Run the design past a builder or two and see where they suck their teeth?

Looks v good to me. A couple of thoughts, depending on your lifestyle: Basement + Larder? + This is your 'entertaining space'? That is, it won't get so much use. Duplicate all the kitchen stuff, fridge etc? + Possible to get light into loo/utility? + Guests get to walk through utility? Ground Floor + Bigger & separate desk workspace / book shelving etc? Maybe I missed your second desk space? In the gym / 2nd bedroom maybe? + Do you have a problem when one wants to work in the evening and other is trying to watch tv? Or when you both want to be on calls? + Video calls? Looking back onto the living area? Top Floor + Won't get much use either? You wouldn't prefer one of the top bedrooms as the 'master' with the better light/views? + West glazing into Bed 2? + Security problem with the external stairs? + Roof More solar? - might just as well maximise it. Garden + Outside storage for lawnmower etc?

Wow, very classy . I can't quite see how much has basement under - ah, the whole thing? And a lift, nice .