Roundtuit

Don't know about cleaning them, but just before they become a gate pillar, is there any chance some of them may have been collected because they show signs of having been worked (knapped), as in, Neolithic hand-tool style? Be a shame to accidentally loose them if they might have some historical value...

I'd guess an old lath and plaster ceiling, that's been boarded/battened over when it started to fail. It looks like there has been some damp issues; if that's been sorted, you could probably cosmetically improve it with a few screws, some filler and a coat or two of paint. If it's not a listed building, I'd be tempted to take it down and replace with plasterboard. If you can get up above it to have a look, you'll get a better idea.

Even dry rot needs damp conditions to exist, so if your roof space is dry, you shouldn't have a problem. As above, if you really want to treat it with something, use one of the rot/infestation treatment fluids (Screwfix sell some, but its widely available). While you're at it, you could always put it in a sprayer and do your roof timbers too...

Despite a generally pessimistic outlook, I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, first time round at least. Here's my take: his card is marked, and he knows it. If the quality of his work is OK (and it sounds like he's put in the effort to do it properly), clear the air, smooth things over, pay the money, and hope that you'll get a bit back during the rest of the job. It won't even be a blip on the radar by the time you've finished. Any sniff of taking the pi$$ in future however, and its probably time to part company...

Sounds like she just doesn't like the idea of it, hence a text rather than a grown-up conversation. If you're building up to the boundary though, just be aware of potential issues with eaves/guttering overhangs.

Thanks for the clarification, that makes more sense. If there's no chance of getting the builder back so sort out their bodge job, I'd consider dropping the pipe (and ground level) back down to a level that suits you and keeps the air brick clear, and put in a small pump chamber in the corner to get the waste back up to meet next doors new pipework.

Hi. A few observations; If I'm understanding correctly, the direction of flow of appears to be from your property to next door, so presumably it's you and upstairs who'll have problems if the pipe is any deeper? Any idea what the arrangement was before the new work? Underground pipe (brown) is not UV-stable, so will need to be covered with something to prevent degradation over time. The 'gully' doesn't look like a proper gulley; it's not trapped, so there's nothing to stop smells right outside your window. Is it also taking rainwater from that downpipe? Assuming the arrangement has to stay pretty much as is height-wise, I think I'd move it back tight to the wall, put a proper trap in, and box it in with small brick wall capped with slabs.

A couple of spaces...3 days... a few quid admin... £350?

A strip of flashband, applied with a bit of heat for good measure (paint stripper hot air gun)? Won't be pretty, and won't come off again without a fight, but should stop any water ingress. Your silicon idea is probably as good as anything, and should be relatively easy to take out when it comes to the professional fix.

Yes. I wouldn't be tying up capital if budget was tight, and if I had a fighting chance of building a garage towards the end of the job.

It's not going to be easy - achieving something great never is - but it doesn't sound crazy. Think of your budget over a longer timescale if it helps; you don't need enough cash to finish it, just enough to be able to live in it! Take it steady, keep the cash flow under control (it makes sleeping at night much easier...) and complete sections as you can afford to at your own pace. I'd hire a container and leave the garage until later in the project to give yourself a bit more cash to play with perhaps, and leave the landscaping for now as @PeterWsuggested

Me too. It seems like some of the big archeology business have the market stitched up in some areas. I used an independent guy in Peterborough, so would probably cover your area. Just let me know if you want contact details. Looks like a great project!

Hi and welcome! I'm 300m outside of your planning district; happy to share experience if if helps, and good luck!

Still Purple Toadflax though...?

As above; I'd re-roof if it was mine. Don't bother with a surveyor; just get a reputable roofer to assess and quote.

Purple Toadflax? If it is I can't take any credit; just testing a friends plant ID app before I download one myself ?

Depends on what sort of look you want really. We have glass and like it a lot; cleaning glass beats dusting spindles! Bear in mind that you might struggle to achieve the 'frameless' look pictured in the OP, and will probably need a hand rail.

It won't be an easy or quick route, but any chance of a claim against the surveyor?

Just as a further thought, and I understand you'll have to sleep on this for a few nights; I think the return wall will look just fine rendered, and you can invest the saved cash in something else!

Ok, so it looks like the garage is not featured on the model in the first post. Personally, I think the architect has been a bit remiss and I'm surprised the planners didn't want to see that detail in your application. Don't beat yourselves up about it; I expect most of us have paid a price for the self- build 'learning experience'...

Looks like the garage sits back a bit, behind the downpipe. The whole overhang part should appear on the side elevation surely?

I'd be surprised if the rain was penetrating through the bricks. As above; rake out the mortar and replace with a decent sealant. I'd also repeat your hosepipe test on the decked area whilst keeping the wall/roof junction dry to rule out alternative routes in. Water will track along any joints and gradients and can appear on the ceiling some distance from the source.

I don't think the lenders will worry about whether the fees come from your savings or your borrowings, it's effectively the same pot. They'll just be interested in your equity, the cost of the project and your ability to pay the mortgage.

Recover them from where?

We use the window in the en-suite dressing room as the fire escape to avoid having to set a roof window low enough to meet regs. No door between bedroom and dressing room though.