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Zombie thread, but in case it's of interest to anyone- this was the building fix. The neighbourliness part was almost the hardest part. Our neighbours weren't aware of this issue. After raising it several times as a non-urgent but upcoming issue, we then raised it when we were going through formal party wall notice for other things like chimney removal and our loft conversion. We have a deed saying we owe them enclosure costs for the wall built on the boundary if we build on it- they suggested they would waive that. We pointed out that when we built the extension we had planning permission for, or even if we built a direct copy of theirs, there would be a pooling issue from the water directed backwards. So there needed to be a fix. We calculated the enclosure costs based on 1/2 of what it would cost us to build that same wall now (using our builder's quote). They had a quote from their own trusted builder (who built their extension) to infill the gap in the wall and redirect the gutter- seemed somewhat high but it's a small firm doing quality jobs. We offered the use of a skip bag already on our property to save on skip hire and gave them bricks from my collection as pragmatic. We then insisted on paying the enclosure costs but insisted that the fix was done. Conveniently the enclosure costs were just above half the remaining builders quote. Our neighbour (retired solicitor) drafted a memorandum of understanding, enshrining that we were explicitly paying owed enclosure costs and they were funding the remedial works to their extension, with the accompanying contract, warranty, responsibility etc being completely theirs (although the wall remains a party structure). So a blend of goodwill and pragmatism plus sticking to the agreements, but all dressed up as down-the-line obligations. All done with tea and cake in their garden. Very grateful for all advice- needed a robust understanding of where we stood (which this forum enabled) as a foundation for that amicable outcome.

Simple reason for the name: when I set up my BH account I was looking for strategic advice on how to approach a party wall situation. All now sorted amicably (visible in my history ofc). Domestic client yes- very interested but no professional expertise. Being done under a RIBA contract. The drawings clearly needed steel but the quote specifically excluded steel and steelwork pending SE calcs. This was the same for 5+ other well reputed builders who quoted. Overall- no I don't think we're being ripped off either in total or on reflection on steelworks. So far we're mostly on demo, but the groundworks and 4 steels installed so far have been accurate and tidy, site kept clean, neighbours happy. The steels are hand heaved into a mid terrace with front access only so it's a lot of work. For context this is about 10% of the total builder's bill and everything else has either been bang on the quotes or clearly justified e.g. BC wanting extra foundation depth or us taking out another chimney. So per Nick, it is sort of on our heads. In the same situation again I'd ask for the fabricator's invoice upfront. Just to register how excellent a resource BH is- thanks!

This was a very nice sense check, thank you!

Thanks for such quick replies. To clarify the works are already underway, all sticking to the original quote other than what are obvious extras. The builders ordered the steels from their usual fabricators. Several are already installed. So we're basically stuck with whatever the cost is. Asking for the invoice is basically peace of mind that we're not being overcharged. I don't know if that's a usual thing to do, or if the builders would take offense at this and we'd upset a good relationship. Appreciate it would have been much better to have this agreed before work started but this would have lead to at least 6 months of delay.

Morning all. Just wondering if it's reasonable to ask our builder to provide invoices from their steel fabricators. The builders have been transparent about finances. Costs have overall been reasonable for the project we're doing. For complex timescales & planning reasons we booked them in off a quote that excluded steelwork. So it was a bit of a shock when we got the quote for £28k steelwork and £10k planning &installation (each excluding VAT). This is for a mid-terrace wraparound plus loft conversion with all chimneys taken out and supported at roof level. Goalposts downstairs for large glazing and a picture frame for the wraparound etc. After the initial shock, it seems like this is reasonable, and of course there has to be a profit margin for the builder. I'm still inclined to trust but verify with it being so much money. What are your thoughts on the cost, and on asking to see the invoice?

thanks JohnMo, I did actually watch exactly that video last night. I installed a pipe insert- there wasn't one originally. I presume that was a problem with the original install? Surely having the insert in couldn't be the issue?

Hi, Please help me figure out what I'm missing. I have a plastic stop tap with water meter housing (no meter yet) at my boundary to the street. Anglian water fitted this in 2020 when the old metal stop tap failed. I dug this (reasonably carefully) during other works in my garden and it was seeping at the connection to the meter. I have taken off the connector and refitted a new length of MDPE pipe. Since then it is leaking significantly. I reconnected it as follows: Nut (original) Clamp (the split plastic ring, original) Thrust ring (original) O-ring (taken off a new 25mm straight coupler) Meter housing There was no pipe insert in the MDPE previously connected. I didn't see any o ring but I was working in poor light and may have dropped it. Any ideas what I'm missing? This is a DIY job but I've done a few similar things in the past. I can't easily find compression fittings to match- would they all be the same inside? Hoping I can find a solution that doesn't involve getting Anglian Water to replace the whole unit.

In case it's of any interest, I have queried this with UKPN. Unfortunately the only way to escalate it is via complaint. I realise I'm lucky to get the 100a upgrade and the 3p upgrade isn't a bad price. However I'm baffled by UKPN's approach so wanted to fully dig into it. UKPN would use standing charges to do all the work to upgrade a single phase supply for 100a. Yet they will charge me full cost to install 3 phase. I've offered to do everything I can minimise their work by doing/funding all digging on my land for a 3 phase install and pay any increased material and labour costs above the 1 phase install. As a result the 3p would probably cost UKPN, and therefore consumers, less overall. Their response was: "Single-phase replacements are handled by our General Enquiries Team, while upgrades, new supplies, and similar requests are managed by our Connections Department." "As a regulated company under Ofgem, we are required to treat all customers equally. Therefore, we are unable to offer discounts or transfer costs between departments, as this would breach the principles of fair competition." Seems very bureaucratic and not very pragmatic to me. A bit more digging- the ombudsman said: "the charges that you are disputing are not within our remit (ie to determine if these are fair). The charges are part of the DNO's Charging Methodology agreed with Ofgem" May be vaguely interesting/helpful to some in similar situations.

Yeah, that's essentially my thought. If doing a once in 50+ years renovation and a new solid floor, seems like now's the time to run the cabling.

I also see how just putting a multi-spilt in, supplemental to whatever heating you have, could make sense- particularly if you have a good place to put the outdoor unit. In a mid-terrace in a conservation zone we're hiding our heat pump at the end of the garden, and avoiding an additional outdoor unit is valuable. Or as suggested: having an A2A heat pump to include cooling, then an alternative solution for DHW (heat pump cylinder, sunamp etc) would be really neat. That's what I've suggested to my sister in an overheating top floor flat, should the BUS not be so twitchy about cooling

After spending too long thinking I'd get the comfopost, with advice from many on this thread it's clear to me at least that the actual cooling from it is very limited and not worth it. Seems reasonable to me to run UFH for heating wherever possible, giving some cooling ability, then also run pre-insulated pipe on a second zone that could supply FCUs at under dew point if needed. Plus condensate drain runs. Then FCUs can be added as needed. Cheap on AliExpress with the usual caveats. The Jaga units are available in the UK with warranty but are around £900 each. Depending on house type, a more economical strategy could be a mix, e.g. UFH downstairs and FCUs in the rooms that overheat, or bedrooms where a low temp may be most important. I do reckon a dual UFH and FCU setup could be quite neat however. Most of the time you get the lovely heat of UFH. If it's really cold and you want to keep a low flow temperature, bring the FCUs on board for additional heat output. If you want to get the place warm fast (returning from holiday etc), bring the FCUs on board. You can then do gentle cooling, but add on the FCUs as needed. And you can use FCUs at below dew point to dehumidify as needed. The Panasonic Aquarea units can drive two separate zones at different temperatures. I guess if one loop has only a few FCUs on it it may need a volumiser/buffer.

I'm dreaming of used Taycans with the 22kw AC charger getting cheap!

I do see that this may well be excessive for most domestic cases. But if there is already local 3p infrastructure and the equipment cost is marginally more, I do wonder if there's a big downside to heavy future proofing? One particular use case would be 22kw car chargers. Imagine friends stopping for lunch midway on a long journey. 2-3 hours and they could have a full battery ready for the next leg. Admittedly a slightly niche scenario. In another scenario, I not uncommonly get home from work late one evening and have a long journey early the next, where the difference between 6hrs charge at 7kw vs 11kw could mean avoiding a motorway charge.

Unbelievable, but also completely believable.

I've been told if the incoming supply is insufficient for the uprated fuse, the supply upgrade is free. But if you ask for a new service, or moving the meter, that counts as chargeable (presumably seen as discretionary).