Jml

Ours started doing that at the end of last year, was faulty photocell, total bill approx £100, parts and labour.

Do you know if any others in row are connected to mains, if not may be worth finding out, especially if to other side of your in-laws. Bit detective work without initial cost, may help determine sewer runs. Lots of public sewers are not mapped, many only became public after change in ownership laws of 2011, where ownership passed to water companies.

Not convinced, that they it will fall under party wall act as not near foundations of your house and will not be a party wall as such. Someone in the know will probably be able to advise further. Some stuff in link below: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/party-wall-etc-act-1996-guidance

Agreed, as you said in your first post. ? Also PD only single storey side extensions allowed.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/17/extensions Above link shows the extensions not requiring planning, assuming you are in England, which would suggest your neighbours would require planning.

Not all councils charge CIL, ours does but will only grant planning permission if an undertaking to pay it has been signed, wether or not exempt.

You and SWIMBO deserve a medal!

Like the idea, bit quirky. Perhaps some of lower shelves could be removed to make more practical, so have something to lean back on.

Just curious why glulam rather than steel, aesthetics?

All the details here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

Thats only for marriage, see below for gifts https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax/gifts

Painful!! 2 months ahead of schedule though, a ‘saving’ of £548 !

Just be aware some council charge a premium on council tax, up to 50%, for empty properties vacant for more than two years, ours has such a charge.

All the waffle is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-708-buildings-and-construction/vat-notice-708-buildings-and-construction#reduced-rating-the-renovation-or-alteration-of-empty-residential-premises

Looks like you have made a good start, always great to be ahead of schedule. On practical note any building works you get done, should only be charged 5 % vat as property empty for more than two years. You may need to get confirmation from the council, to give to builders etc. Many help stretch funds a little.

Would consider yourself lucky insurers are paying, usually considered a wear and tear item, so not covered. We have had to replace a number of valleys at our own cost.

Vehicle crossover, is the terminology our coucil use, essentially they drop the kerb, sort the pavement out and any coucil verge, in our case tarmac it, to form a new entrance. For our costs see post above.

We have just had a new vehicle crossover added to our bungalow to give an additional entrance. This crosses the pavement and about 1 metre of grass. Was easy to do. Initially applied to county council highways department to confirm that would conform to their acces requirements etc. cost about £95 for that. Then needed to confirm local council planning was not required. Then paid county council to provide list of authorised contractors and works details to quote on, additional approx £150. From list of 12 contractors had to agree price with one of them, pay the council, contractor did work, council signed off on work. Went for cheapest £1648 or there abouts, as council was overseeing. Initial application was online.

Sometimes house insurance cover has legal expenses cover (sometimes at extra cost), may be worth seeing if you have that and if it would cover legal fees.

This recent post is very helpful as also refers to previous thread if CIL applicable, council adopted CIL etc.

It will have to last until extension bullt and it is replaced, so lots of temporary repair paint may be needed.

Agreed. See this as one of those neverending stories.....

Ours was good bit cheaper! Will have to go up on the roof again and extend area covered as had persistent drip from the ceiling over the weekend from all the heavy rain and snow. Our first repairs got most of the leak but not all.

Does not answer your question, but for replacement windows my understanding is that if you get a FENSA supplier, then there is no need to involve BC directly, which may make things easier.

it worked! Many thanks for your patience!