Barney12

Its also a rather useful air raid shelter so don't forget to fit an intake shut off

I researched this back in the early stages of our build as we were having the drainage put in. In the end we ditched the idea of using the water for anything other than watering the garden and washing cars, patios etc for all the reasons above. The commercial systems are ludicrously expensive. Instead we burried concrete chamber rings sat on a bed of waterproof cement and painted with tanking slurry. From memory they're 1500mm wide and stacked 3 high giving 1500mm depth. This gives us 2650 ltrs of storage which we felt was enough for what we needed. They have metal steps down to aid cleaning. Its sat between the source and soakaway. Total cost was no more than a few hundred quid as it was all done at the same time as the drainage and soakaway. As our build is massively delayed they've its been sat there for 2 years unused. But I check it every now and again and it works fine.

My local Jewson's (who I have a good relationship with) don't charge me a restocking fee. They've even collected stuff FOC. Velux may have been special order though? if you bought keenly then eBay might be the best rout?

I have used the Bedec product in the past and agree it's excellent. I've also used their multi-surface paint: http://bedec.co.uk/MSP COLOUR CARD-1.pdf that is equally as good! I'm probably going to spray them using the same product as I used to spray the windows: https://www.teknos.co.uk/brands-and-products/aquatop-exterior-topcoat/ It's actually the product that some of the window manufacturers use (including Rationel). Not cheap though

Alas no, I ran out of timber as I used the last length to beat my ecologist and the jumped up kn*b head from Natural England into a pulp.

Thank you. I hope the bats like them!

Getting back on track........... One of my managers recently said to me (in response to having lost £10k's worth of our tools and equipment). "They're not lost. We simply don't know where they are"

The carpenter I've used a fair bit always says "you caint learn in boy" He also uses one of my favorite expressions when asked to do something tricky............. "I'll give it a good coat of lookin at"

As Natural England rejected our application to re-home the bats today I thought I'd update this thread by swearing and throwing a tantrum Oh alright then. How about a picture of the doors that I made at the weekend. Two sets (sorry only one set photographed), one set for the workshop and one for the store. Of course they're massively over engineered (when will I ever learn!). I didn't want flimsy tongue and groove boarding so instead machined up my own boards using 25mm stock and then bonded them together with a large number of biscuits! All the frames are loose tenon jointed. Everything glued, pinned and screwed for good measure. Seems a shame to paint them black but that's what the planners demand. All I need to do now is re-enforce the door frames to take the weight :D.

Because the draconian, outdated, defunct, corrupt, not fit for purpose Construction Skills levy leaves your boss little choice than to try and reap back the indirect taxation that it is! I'm not saying that apprenticeships are bad, far from it. But the way its run by CSkills is terrible. And from next year they've found an even better way to force you into NVQ's too with the introduction of the skills specific card. Yet another way to keep the machine oiled! Sorry, rant over!

We solved this problem with our local insurance broker. We have a triple garage, flat over the top, outbuilding(s), container and a semi-derelict vacant house. Try telling the stupid Meercat or singing tw*t (other insurance brokerage sites are available) that little lot! We are covered by RSA under a "buildings and contents" policy and have a written note from the broker confirming cover. Oh and it works as I tripped over a picture we have in storage. Broke the glass which damaged the print and they coughed up its original purchase price without query once I sent the original receipt. (Proof that you should keep receipts for everything!).

Me too. Is that multi solve really needed? Or do I remember that baby wipes do the same job?

I can't comment on the others but my experience with Nu-Heat has been VERY poor. A complete lack of understanding of fundamentals such as U-Values and SAP combined with extortionate pricing. Oh and once they've got your details you will be hounded by the sales team!

My experience of European countries is that their command of our language puts us to shame. Germany and the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden in particular. Even the taxi drivers speak good English which is more than can be said for 99% of the Uber taxi's in this country!

Ed, I'd never appreciated how big your fingers are

That's brilliant to know. Nothing like real life experience. I'm glad I'm not the only one with OCD about symmetry

The total opening width is 1200mm so no building control issues as far as I can see.

I'm dithering again This is the problem with ecology delays, too much time to think! Our front elevation design relies on all the glazing broadly being split into 4 panels. I like the symmetry/design of this. We also have external shading (brise soleil) so most of the glazing has to either be sliding or inward opening. My only slight concern is widths of the proposed openings for the kitchen (picture: ground left), Bed 2 (picture: upper left) and office/snug (picture: ground right). They are all broadly as follows: Thus the opening sections (two middle panels) are each 600mm wide. The only other option would be patio style sliders with a false mullian but this adds a fair bit to the quote cost. Its also worth noting that our windows/doors will be heavily recessed (planning condition) so the fixed side panels are useful in that the two openers will be able to fold back more than 90 degrees. My question is: Do you think 600mm is wide enough to step through comfortably? These wont be access doors so occasional use. I'm worried it will be a nuisance factor to have to open both sides for occasional access? No problem for SWMBO as shes tiny! If she stands sideways and pokes her tongue out she looks like a zip I'm a little more "robust" but only 14.5 stone! TIA!

I am actually trained in harness use competency (and inspection) so could provide what's needed. But, I agree your point. I think I just won't offer any help and let them make their own decisions!

Agreed!!

The bats do indeed live between the roofing felt and tiles (as well as in the roof void). Although the tiles were installed in the early 80's the roof fabric and roof line date back to the 50's. We also have no soffits (it's a traditional detail here on the park). The property wasn't maintained for a good 30 years so alas the entry points are numerous!

No that's not an X rated activity! Sorry to disappoint. OK, so when we finally get approval from Natural England to demolish our house we are required to "soft strip" the concrete roof tiles under the supervision of the ecologist. In short this involves removing each tile one by one (starting at the eves) with the ecologist present so that any bats can be safely removed and shown to their new home. All sounds simple enough but there is one issue that I'd like the collective views of the assembled on........... The soft strip will be done by a local roofing contractor I've known for donkeys years. When I asked him of his method he said "I'll use a ladder or mobile tower to get to the eaves and strip the first few rows. I'll then be up onto the batons and work up the roof. Me and my two labourers will have it stripped in a day". So I duly advised the ecologists of the planned method and they came back and said "No. The entire house will need to be scaffold to the eaves to allow proper access". To which I replied "ridiculous". "You're expecting me to pay for all 4 elevations to be fully scaffolded for ONE day so you can stand and watch a roofer". "Sorry, not happening!". To which they replied "Oh. Erm. Well. You'll have to carry out the soft strip in a method that your roofing contractor is happy meets H&S requirements". Now I happen to have some experience in terms of Risk Assessments and Method Statements and also working at height. I am also quite happy that if my chosen contractor has completed his risk assessment and is happy, then fine. I may force him to implement basic fall arrest methods. So where does this leave me? I am considering a compromise which involves: Installing two towers (North and South elevations) for easy access onto the roof. Providing a harness and man anchor for use by the ecologist IF they want to use it. But then I think. No sod it. I'll supply RAMS using the methodology our roofing contractor is happy with in advance. If they're not happy, they'll need to say so. Hmmmmm.

Thanks. Yes passed my test before 97. im wondering if I do need a tipper, for the occasional bulk loads I guess I have a spade EDIT: I do rather love my Defender. Although it's more Chelsea Tractor than Panel Van. Despite that it still gets plenty of abuse. It's designed to be used

I could really do with a trailer. But I know nothing about them, have never had one and in fact have never towed anything in my life. My requirements are (I think): 1. Capable of taking a bulk bag of sand/aggregate etc (normally 850kg). 2. Capable of carrying 8x4 sheets (plasterboard, OSB etc) 3. Tipping would seem useful (which would enable to buy bulk aggregates direct from the quarry) But that's about as far as I get. Derek (my Defender 90) has a factory fit tow bar. I've been googling and spotted this but it doesn't show a price. http://www.boultermead.co.uk/p/45/tt2515 I've been looking at eBay but I don't really know what I'm buying so could end up getting royally shafted Any pointers, tips, advice?

That link reminded me of this. I still fancy building one as a site toilet