Barney12

I was chatting to a kitchen designer yesterday who works for one of the "posh" kitchen suppliers and he was saying that they always design their kitchen electrics so that isolation switches for such things as; cookers, hobs and built in/under appliances are all in one location inside a cupboard. The idea being it reduces "wall clutter" above counter tops etc. Now to me that sounds like a fantastic idea but does it meet the regs? Would they be 'accessible' enough? He was very clear "that's how we always do it. Even on new builds. We just ensure each switch is clearly labelled".

I've been pondering this point (in the middle of the night hence the time of this post). I think my solution would be to locate the timers for the UFH and towel rads in a separate enclosue upstairs. In our case in the wardrobe back wall in the dressing room. This means local control is more accessible and also has the minor benefit of reducing cable runs. For our sparkies........ I assume some form of DIN rail enclosure fed by an RCD from the main CU is an acceptable solution under the regs? Would the remote DIN rail enclosure need local isolation (DP switch)?

As we say down ere.........."that needs a couple of coats of lookin' at"

@PeterW Do you have any details of the CU mounted time switches and thermostats you intend to use. I hate too much wall clutter

Hmm interesting. I note that this listing seems to say its fine under carpet. Thus this could be a viable alternative to the planned electric rads in the 3 beds.

I wish I could decide on a definitive answer on this issue. The need to put UFH upstairs in a well insulated home realy does seem to split the audience! We have quite a lot of glass and I have a cold wife so have reluctantly decided to add UFH upstairs. For me the only benefit is no cold tiles in the bathrooms (which I hate). When I look at the cost and hassle however it doesn't take me long to start thinking about simple electric UFH in the bathrooms and wire for electric radiators for the colder months when you need to take the chill off the rooms in the morning. Its quite a conundrum!

OK, I know it's going to fall apart eventually but as a cheap store on your self build site or even as the tea hut it's cheap enough to be attractive. https://www.tesco.com/direct/timberdale-6x8-overlap-pressure-treated-apex-shed-double-door/770-2806.prd?skuId=770-2806 Possibly a missprice so I'd be quick

I don't think you need to do this but it was just a thought so I'll write it...... You could swap out one ( or both ) glass panels for a solid panel or a solid panel with a square or strip of glazing to make it look more like a door. That would only cost a few hundred quid.

Guys. Slight plea from a Luddite ....... This thread is not in boffins corner, so.....can we have JFLAT's (Just a Few Less Abreviated Terms) Either that or provide a glossary IGMC TFYU HAGE Bar Knee

This thread was a great prompt. After some extensive Googling it appears that the Dartmoor National Park have not implemeted CIL.

Thanks. I think I might get the same confirmation in writing just for reassurance.

As above the only one occasion I've done something like this (and it was only a few meters) the ground worker pulled a tight line, marked the rebar and pushed them in. Zip tie the rebar to the line to hold it in position.

A very useful post. I had been led to believe that if you are replacing an already existing dwelling (which is what I'm doing and I know a few more here are) then CIiL doesn't apply? Having just (quickly) read read the links I can't really find that scenario specifically mentioned.

If self builders were to cost their time then nothing would ever be viable.

Exactly why the idea wont work in our house. There is no way a trailing lead plugged into the side of an island is Cocker Spaniel proof!

Oops! I've edited the post. Looks to be the same.

This one? Linky

I've been Googling options for pop up sockets for the kitchen. The ones I've seen at the sheds all seem to be the rising column type and frankly feel somewhat flimsy, plasticy and crappy. I came across this http://www.the-sbox.com/ which seems to look good. No idea on quality though. Has as anyone used any solutions they would recommend? Nornal wall all sockets are not an option as it's for a planned island in the middle of the room!

Frankly I'm surprised about all the fuss over insulation levels of this cill. By the time @Onoff has finished this bathroom global warming should have negated any need for controlling heat loss Oh hang on, I might have got that wrong: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/climatechange/12098431/Global-warming-delays-next-ice-age-by-50000-years.html Perhaps you should consider triple glazing? It would be awful to be cold when it's finished!

I've just received my quote from my local council building control. · Issue of a Decision for Full Plans Applications · Full site inspection service · The issue of a completion certificate All for £725 inc VAT. I don't know what I was expecting but it was much cheaper than I had envisaged.

We had a quote from a local kitchen co recently who supply Hacker: https://www.haecker-kuechen.de/en/kitchens.html It was £37k for the "The price-conscious kitchen concept" the area in question was 24sq m. One wall of 7 full height cupboards and one 2m sq island. I didn't go back and ask for the cost of the premium version

Exactly this! Have you also noticed how they always seem to go MASSIVELY over budget? I think this week it was nearly £150k over. And they always seem to just miraculously magic up the money. I suspect that they initially report a below budget figure just to add an element of excitement/suspense/drama. Another point which halrdly encourages self build.

Yes exactly this. I think they must have an Outlook diary reminder to run the story every 12 months. Of course they are also trying to preempt the long overdue housing white paper. http://www.propertyweek.com/news/housing-white-paper-delayed-for-second-time/5087429.article

Another alternative to brads and hiring a machine is to use tongue-tite screws which have a tiny head which is lost in the tongue. We used them on the engineered oak floor in the flat and they are absolutely brilliant as they push the tongue and groove together and pull the plank to the floor. Of course you can also easily unscrew a plank if something goes wrong. http://www.screwfix.com/p/tongue-tite-screws-3-5-x-45mm-200-pack/85991?kpid=85991&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product Listing Ads-_-Sales Tracking-_-sales tracking url&gclid=CMih87WJ8dECFe287Qod388P5g

My view; undoubtedly yes. "tabloid TV". Its an entertainment programme which is not necessarily (if ever) technically accurate.