Roundtuit

Ours is a Neff combi (that sits alongside a fan oven), and metal shelves can stay in on the microwave setting. It does 95% of its work as a microwave for reheating and defrosting etc, plus occasional duties as a 'hot air' oven for roasting when I need a lower temp for a joint of meat than the main oven for the roast potatoes. I might have to rethink that practice under the current energy situation however...

Juggling so many balls is exhausting, so dropping one or two is par for the course. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Focus on what you'll end up with when the dust has settled; every day is a day closer to finishing!

Not sure what stage you're at, but no self-build insurance?? I couldn't imagine investing the time, effort and, more importantly cash without cover. I hope you get your flashing sorted ok, but I'd seriously look at getting your investment insured!

We've got a Hwam. I've nothing to compare it to in terms of keeping the glass clean, but I like the contemporary style, and it's room-sealed. We only usually light it in the evenings when outside temps are <10c, but it goes for a week or two without any messing about emptying the ash box.

Hard to guess without seeing the plans, but if I was going to dangle a couple of people off it, I'd probably use 6x2 doubled up. The strength is in the depth; 4 inches isn't enough over that span IMO.

I rang our local highways authority and asked them. Someone helpful checked the maps whilst I was on the phone and told me. They claimed 1m of verge measured from the outer edge of the footpath, which I guess is where services generally run. Suits me fine; I don't even charge them for mowing it ?

They'll deffo snap the next time ?

We've got trees above eaves height without a problem; just clean your gutters out regularly ?

That's ridiculous. You can maybe put a boundary kiosk in, and let them run overhead to the kiosk if they must, then bury the supply to the house.

I wouldn't worry about it; from memory, I think they have a slight lip that over-laps with the next channel. Any slight gap will soon silt up and losses will be minimal, but you can always smear a bit of gutter sealant over the join from above if you like. The main thing is that they are well bedded in mortar so they can't move.

As above, the wall needs to breathe really. If you can afford to loose the space, I'd batten and dry-line, incorporating a membrane and some insulation if you can. It will make a big difference to the heat loss and risk of damp, and reduce the risk of hairline cracks in your new plaster.

Sounds like your new installers know what they're doing and are trying to give you an effective system with the lowest running costs. I know you're scarred by the last attempt, but go with it; it will be fine (can't be any worse, can it?).

Looks like they've taken on a job they're clearly not up to. Another couple of tries and it might be half-decent. I think I'd go gently at first, and see what sort of response you get. I'd be surprised if a serious joinery business would be happy putting their name to that.

If you're painting it, I'm not sure what benefit there is of using anything other than mdf. I'd expect softwood to be less stable and prone to twist or warp, and hardwood seems over-spec'd.

A quick wash with bleach (sure your familiar with that procedure), then standard masonry paint perhaps. Doesn’t matter what colour, it will end up green! Not sure how you plant it, but I'd go for a drip irrigation system rather than get the hosepipe on it.

Me too. No problems!

It's a pretty easy job to concrete a drain channel in. No one's going to check where it drains to... ?. What's going on with the dropped kerb and tarmac 'ramp'? Was it previously used as an additional parking place?

I use chocolate on snap traps; you can melt the bottom and stick it to the trigger plate to stop the little feckers stealing it.

Render for a reason! I can't imagine that the stonework underneath is in good nick. I'd patch it up for now, and put it on my list of things to do when time and money are not a limiting factor... or maybe hack it all off and re-render with some wire mesh in it.

I'm in awe of the prowess and tenacity of your vermin. I can only assume that you live adjacent to the boathouse at Hereford! Is there a clear route to the roof for them without an overhang? Maybe a gap in a soffit is a possibility? Also, difficult to judge the perspective from your original photos, but if that's a vine or something growing up the house wall, may be consider reducing the height (to ground level).

These maybe? https://www.radiatoroutlet.co.uk/600-x-608mm-white-horizontal-traditional-2-column-radiator

Memory is fading, so just dug the quote out! These are 2016 prices, but £200 for mobilisation, £9.5k for 24 × 12m piles (credit at £10 per linear metre if less depth reqd) plus £13,650 for 111 linear metres of ring beam. No idea what % to add to get to current prices though... Also just found the quote from one of the big boys for the same job...£52k.

Definitely worth looking at some of the smaller contractors. We had bottom-driven steel case piles (26 x ~10m). The piling rig arrived on a trailer behind a 4x4 pickup, so mobilisation cost was only about £350 from memory. Also worth mentioning, perhaps, is that my understanding is that achieving a 'set' on a driven pile doesn't rely entirely on hitting something hard; friction on the sides of the pile also play a part.

Me too. I put in an overhead extractor vented to the outside. Using the mvhr seemed more expense and complication than it was worth. We don't use it very often (occasionally frying, curry night etc), but I always open a window a fraction when I put it on to give it enough air flow. There's an in-line flap to prevent back draughts. Works for me.

Same here, but skimmed in December. Never used a dehumidifier, but called in at site every morning to crack a couple of windows upstairs, and left a couple of fans running downstairs to try and push air through the house. Cant recall how long it took to dry, but it wasn't holding anything up. We get a fair bit of solar gain though, so expect that helped.