Barney12

Its probably a long shot but have you checked to see if the companies warranty was insurance backed? BTW you are not alone in this issue. The incorrect and sloppy application of cavity wall insulation is going to end up being a massive problem. All driven by the greed of companies profiteering off the back of the green deal incentives etc. As you've discovered many (including big names) have closed up shop or gone bust. At a basic level I've never liked the idea of fully filling a cavity with anything. Surely its always going to result in damp?

We've used Spanish Prime slates on the garage and outbuildings. The first roofer we used didn't grade the slates for the garage roof and it's slightly uneaten finish still annoys me now (but it may be my OCD as another roofer who I know well said that a slightly rustic finish is very normal around these parts!). Anyway on the house I want a "church job" (another phrase of my roofer!!) so want to ensure the slates are sorted and graded. I fully understand the process and subsequent use (I.e. Thicker slates towards eaves) but...... Whats the best technique for sorting thicknesses. I'm sure the pro's can do it by eye but there must be a technique? Is sorting to three thicknesses enough? I have a vague memory that @Construction Channel mentioned this as being one of his "trade secrets" which his boss would not be happy if he shared?

That is exactly my thought.

Yes partly!

I've been enjoying* the recent threads on CU's ecetera. Im really likening the idea of radial circuits. In fact the last few conversions we've done have all had cbus lighting which is entirely radial. So other than the slight negative of adtional wiring (bit it doesn't seem a lot to me) are there any disadvantages? Are there occasions where a good old ring is still better? In short in the perfect world which is better; ring or radial? *Well mostly. Please note as the OP of this thread I polightly request that the word "lethal" is excluded from all replies

Looks like CU Porn to me and that can make you blind!! Anyway don't panic there are many many things that are lethal, my younger brother nearly killed me with a chicken Kiev many years ago (true story).

Any electric fences?

Bugger I must admit I was somewhat shocked to get a peice of paper out of them for free!!

You definitely need a Section 80 notice for the demolition. The good news is they are free! (Well at least they are from our local authority building control). They will write to your service suppliers (electric etc) to inform them. The one thing that no one has mentioned is "neighbors". Its well worth keeping them in the loop if they are going to be inconvenienced. A nicely worded letter giving them plenty of notice goes a long way.

Thanks for the reply. That RICS link was a helpful description. Where I'm vexed is "am I better to simple hand my build over to a main contractor"? Project Management ticks the boxes but that still leaves site management which would be another cost. I guess I'm just going to need to get quotes in all directions

Hi All This seems like such a basic question but I'm not seaming to find any simple answers. So........... What are the key responsibilities of a project manager? For reasons that I wont bore you with details (but it potentially involves 12 months in plaster!! ) I'm reluctantly coming to the conclusion that I might need some help with my Self Build. I know I could go down the main contractor route but it doesn't appeal. I also don't feel the need for a "site manager" as I'm living on site. TIA

Thats good to hear. If its not a rude question what was your total install cost?

+1 on the window quote point

This is increasingly not good news for those of us who haven't even started Note the comments about material costs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38649676

Sorry bit late to this thread but I would do exactly what you suggested. Either that or a "flitch" beam construction (steel strip between two timbers). Interesting comments regarding Wickes. I keep gravitating back towards them as they seem to tick all the boxes.

Our Phase 1 PV went live on the 22nd July. South West England Batmoral Array: Facing South East (ish. More East than South!). 1.5kw. Total generation: 472kwh Cluckingham Palace and Recycling Center Array: Facing South: 1kw. Total generation: 278kwh

You should consider getting the Samaritans to sponsor your videos

im not quite that bad But every drawer has its purpose and I'm fairly good and putting stuff away, but not always!

Yes the industrial cabs are very, very good quality. The trick is only to buy it when it's on special as it's discounted heavily. I've built that little lot up steadily over the past 12m, total outlay £600. It will most likely outlive me!

Well I've only had chance to listen to the first podcast and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jeremy does sound far too young However his verbal style is as clear and confident as his writing. As as for the rest of this thread....... GROUP HUG ???

I'm slowly reassembling the workshop. So here's today's task. A bit of tool storage porn

+1 on the reputable transformer. Ive just fitted my LED strips to the workshop, from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-5630-5050-3528-SMD-Flexible-LED-Strips-Strip-Light-Waterproof-/161230174915?var=&hash=item258a113ac3:m:mvFl3DVwHsJb4oXktnWr1-Q the transformers ive used are these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Stock-DC12V-24V-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-LED-Strip-CCTV-/282219610030?var=&hash=item41b5997fae:m:mqeQk_IY2ZAVHOOdhEkoy9w but ive got a problem which I can only assume is down to the quality of the transformers; they work fine. But switch them on, off and on again too quickly and they trip the RCD. Wait 5 minutes before switching back on and no issue at all. I've been meaning to ask @ProDave for his view on this issue?

The two lots of G1 Spanish slates I bought in the last 6m were £1.15 each so that does sound a bit toppy even with the exchange rate shift. Its worth find a specialist roofing or slate supplier as certainly not my local Jewsons (whom I've built a good relationship with ) never seem competitive.

Really? I would have thought the opposite

Sealey make a variety of blowers/fans: i.e. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-HVF18-Industrial-Velocity-18-inch/dp/B000RA0Y0Y or here: https://www.buyaparcel.com/p/sealey-hvf18-industrial-high-velocity-3-speed-18-inch-floor-fan/?gclid=CJuS8qrKqNECFdaJaAodLGIOIg Sealey stock holdings are normally fairly good so you should pick them up from a variety of places.