Hecateh

Gas quote came in at £1270 discounted to £385. It's the electricity that is shocking at £8700 as the nearest is at full capacity so they have to go back to a main supply about 75 yards away

Can't do that because it is a cul de sac, so it cannot be left without access, Neighbours are 'rather upset' every time there is a delivery which means they can't get out when they want to (some are worse than others) to the extent that there is shouting and swearing and threats made.

The "GAS SUPPLY SAGA". On Wednesday afternoon a team arrived with cones, barriers and warning signs. On Thursday midday(ish) a team arrived but stood around for an hour because until they could get confirmation that yet another team was going to arrive with the plates to cover the works overnight. They couldn't start until the team was here - or nearly here in case of emergency requiring emergency service access. When the new team was an hour away they began to break the surface but no more again because of emergency access. When the team arrived they then dug a hole in order to find the existing main, which was laid before the advent of computers, when drawings were accurate but were not always accurately transferred to early computers (probably because many people believed that computers would always be secondary to hard copy). Luckily, it was, more or less, where it should be. Having found the main and dug the road from existing side to mine. the other team then craned the plates into place. The following day, Friday, they arrived to lay the pipes to my property, unfortunately, the team to remove the plates would not be able to get there for at least 2 hours. Fortunately, my team had a digger on site that was able to shift the plates, and so the gas got laid, just in time for the arrival of the crane team to replace the plates. On Saturday morning, the team to remove the plates arrived first and sat for an hour waiting for the road mending team to arrive. When they arrived the 'plate team' moved the plates but didn't remove them, left then on the road, 'in case', The filling team then mended the road, respraying yellow lines on their work. Later that day the 'plate team' came and picked up the plates. This morning, Monday, another guy came and collected the cones, barriers etc etc. I was told previously the whole thing was a 'half day' job. Well I guess it was - just spread over 6 days (or 5 if we discount Sunday)

My current house is far from passive - more similarities to a sieve. The past 2 days I have been sitting, toastie warm with (south facing) patio doors wide open, admittedly only between the hours of 11 and 3 ish, and when the sun was very definitely shining. Expletively cold if I stepped through the doors though regardless of the sun Luckily the east and north east of my house is probably the most sheltered and least leaky and I am colder with a southerly wind at this time of year.

AFAICS planning cannot be accessed from their website (still in Beta) but if you google diy kitchens planner it comes up on the search. Site address is backwards in that it is planner.diy-kitchens.com rather than after the main site address. It's better than many when you get into it as it does automatically add end pieces, plinths and pelmets etc, whilst giving you the option to remove them if you don't want/need them

I visited yesterday and was very impressed. It's only 20 minutes from me. A really good display and friendly and helpful staff. Free coffee and cakes, baked on the premises - I suspect locals may use it as a free coffee shop except that you have to sign in and out so it would become too obvious. They also do free pick up and drop off from local train stations for anyone further away. I brought away sample doors in 2 colours, making it easier to decide without being overwhelmed by different doors and to be able to see how they look in different light. A deposit is paid which is refunded on return whether or not you buy from them. One of their strengths can also make doing your own design more challenging as there are so many variations particularly in widths and interiors (they have 3 variations for access to corner cupboards). They do have an online design tool but it is hard to find - can't find how to access it from their main site and it is still in beta. It keeps prompting to save but I can't find how to register to be able to do this. I also saw some variations in the showroom that I can't find on their planning site. I have a couple more quotes to get from local places but this is currently favourite.

No room to be untidy LOL As far as the blockwork is concerned - I have a young but ambitious guy/company as main contractor. Positives and negatives but although this is a very small project (in building terms) it is their flagship and as such they are really working hard to get it right

Been slow going because of the weather. And I've photographed more of these but this is where I am now 2 weeks should have seen the roof ready if not on BUT Met Office suggests not. Hopefully the predictions are worst case scenarios - and we can at least make some progress.

Weirdly (or maybe not) my current house has 2 different addresses. According to the council it is 'The Bungalow' AND according to the Royal Mail and all database records, it is ''street name' Bungalow'. When it was built in 1951 it was at the end of a cul de sac of terraced houses (2 up 2 down, mine workers cottages) and was definitely known as 'The Bungalow' (it was built for my grandparents. Since then the cottages have been demolished and there are now 3 other houses (1 detached house and a pair of semi bungalows). Whilst all of these have names they also have numbers. (detached is on database with name and number; newer bungalows, only numbered). The numbers continue from the old cottages despite the cottages being demolished before the new properties were built. So the the cul de sac now has 4 houses - mine (named) and then 42, 44, 46. (all opposite side of the road from me) I have applied (thanks to info on here) for my new address - The application form tells me I can 'give' it any name I want but that it won't be recorded officially as only numbers are recognised now. So I suspect my new house will be either 43 or 45 depending on what they believe my current place should be if it had a number. As at least half of delivery drivers on their first visit call at my house or number 42 as they can't work out why something is addressed to 42. 44 or 46 when there are only 4 houses, Oh - and it cost me £50.

It may be old school but that is what I am in favour of. I don't like kids getting killed doing kid things - but those that can't learn from experience need taking out the food chain before it is just them that gets killed I am convinced that many of the teens (obviously not all) that do get killed are those that have been protected from 'falling or failing' in their younger years. I do know from my work experience that 'protected' kids are more vulnerable in situations that 'streetwise' kids either don't get into or can get themselves out of

absolutely These days kids can't ride bikes without helmets, can't climb trees, can't build go carts out of old dolls prams (and if they did they can't use them) or 'dens' in the wood, Then at 17 are given the keys to a (potential) killing machine without ever learning that actions have consequences (and consequences that are frequently painful).

Not to mention H&S My next door neighbour (the only one who will be affected by the finished build as it will block open countryside view and the only one who isn't complaining). Is currently building an extension. His 11yr old has been operating the (admittedly) mini digger every weekend in the excavation stage. It's kind of scary in today's climate but that kid is learning ... and learning ... and learning.... - He will be an awesome adult

Protection against the ravages of 7 kids.

That looks like my parent's place - 30's house, Above the line had had simple wallpaper below had had heavy duty paper that was painted repeatedly with gloss paint

Looks interesting. I want back to wall and preferably floating toilet. Plus my builder is new to UFH so I think I will point him this way too. Still keep reading this as Thunderfloor at least it makes it memorable

My builder has used a grabber for my land clearance. £180 for an 18 ton removal. The grabber can also pack things down on the lorry. Depending on the price saving might it be worth getting a big roll of something (maybe weed suppressing fabric but there is possibly a better solution) to cover and prevent the visual and wind powered sharing. Could always finish with a skip at the end

I'm pretty sure that is what has happened which is why I am no longer doing any more than I have to, whilst remaining polite and pleasant

I prefer the look without as well - there is only me, and I have never had a problem where the overflow has been necessary . However, I am getting older and I do walk out of rooms to fetch something and forget to go back. I haven't got quite to the stage of choosing yet but I am looking and I feel your pain.

I did send letters to each of the neighbours at the beginning and asked for mobiles or emails, none responded but one still kicked off because I said it would be morning and it didn't come til late. Since then I have sent letters out for any deliveries that would take longer than a few minutes but of course I cannot say exactly what time they will be there. With a brick delivery the neighbours son (in his 20s) came out swearing at the to 'move that effing thing' which of course did not get a good response from the driver. As, with each letter, I have requested contact details and they have chosen not to give me them, and despite being as considerate and reasonable as I can I am still getting grief they are now going to get letters when there will be a real problem. The utilities will let them know themselves so I think the only big one I have left is when the roof comes. Thanks everyone for your support.

CIL in my area (Barnsley) varies throughout the borough. Nil in my area (some areas are up to £80 sq m) - which I was pleased about as I hadn't even heard of it until flagged up on this site. The planning department told me that it wasn't illegal to start before written sign off, so long as conditions were adhered to it wouldn't cause any issues, He had verbally given us sign off on planning conditions. We were allowed to clear ground and dig foundations before building regs but not commence the build

Different areas different rules but having a soakaway was part of my planning conditions in Yorkshire. Rainfall patterns are changing and more waste water pipes have been overwhelmed by volumes of rainwater - that my be less of an issue in your area

Very, very rough model - The ground at the far side will slope down fairly evenly along the length From this view the land will only be slightly sloped at the top - to allow for car turning/parking and the steps. The mid level is only about 1.5 metres above the lower level

Situation resolved I contacted the architect as the tanking has been done per their instructions, passed on paper and by visit by the Building control people. Accepted on paper by CRL and then objected to by their inspector, According to her it is not classed as basement or below ground habitable space so that condition does not apply. She has spoken with them the inspector and he has accepted this may be the case and wanted confirmation from the builder that the areas where the tanking is higher than 600mm is mostly in the void and where it was in habitable rooms the outside ground wasn't to a corresponding height . My builder is of course happy to provide this

I meant fallen off the back of a .................... The norm being a lorry.

................................ a what? LOL that's a new one