swisscheese

Thanks Nod, I hoped to have minimised UFH as an 'issue' by running the "concrete cure" UFH function on to help dry out the floor before even thinking about getting a tile down. That and the decent weather.

Why is this ^ ? Adds substantially to the job price - I was considering not using the decoupling matt - seems to be mixed opinions as to whether it's essential.

I'm prepping a large floor area for tiling. I expect to be using a Mapei Adhesive so for priming prep of the floor do I use the Mapei Primer G or go for a more generic SBR product, it looks like I may get a better dilution/coverage rate for the SBR so may be a bit cheaper. Any pre -tiling prep advice Cheers

in our submission I have a small green roof. (eco credentials) It will be the last thing we do and it will the cheapest and most low maintenance I can find...as money runs out a Green roof does not get us in through the door.

The electricity co. won't/don't accept the "As Design" EPC. Got to be at least the "interim" version - but to get the "elevated" FiT it needs to be before certification of the PV, so the PV is not included in the EPC figure as @le-cerveau has pointed out. - it's all "Ar$e about Face"

@le-cerveau I want to do exactly the same thing to get the "better" FiT rate and not miss out on the summer of generation. Did you have problem getting the interim EPC - my current Assessor doesn't want to do one, but If as ask a new assessor they say they have to do the whole thing from scratch again costing hundreds, what all I want them to do is lodge the interim. which should only cost a few quid.

unfortunately I've not been able to confirm any existing wayleaves, the hatch has 2 existing houses connecting to it, however the cover and chamber lie mostly within a boundary, if it was in the drive way it wouldn't have been a problem. The 2 houses in question, were built by an individual 1980's who then sold this one. I secured the plot the other side of the existing drive. Yep, would probably cop for most if not the lot. worth considering though ?

It wasn't a problem, but now is, the lateral inspection hatch rests partially within the neighbours boundary and they have now at this late stage decided to refuse permission to cross the boundary to lift it. I don't want to go there!

Yep, I tried these: www.swqr.org.uk "street works qualification register" - apparently they don't have a register they just dish out the cards....they said try the council. I have gone back to Highways at the Council......this could be a while.

Due to some unforeseen and recent neighbour issues we may be forced to redirect our waste to further along an existing lateral drain. This would mean joining to the drain in a large verge inserting a new Inspection Chamber and connecting. I have to submit an S50 + extortionate fee to the council to "dig in the highway", it stipulates that I have to use accredited contractors for this work. The council so far are unwilling to give me a list of accredited contractors, so I'm wondering what is an accredited contractor, how do I get hold of one. My contractors are happy to the boundary, as a building contractor he says he is not "accredited", but I fear I'm going to get stung by a large contracts firm to dig quite literally the 2m from my boundary to the proposed connection point in the verge.

Just a note, about the aesthetics. Each to their own and all that, however... In our area "pre-application advice" is encouraged, many might think it's just a way for the council to make a bit more cash, it probably is, it doesn't speed up the process, no matter what they say, and is not binding. In our case though, perhaps we were lucky and the young planner who came on site was supportive and "implicitly" encouraged a bit more boldness in design, agreed that the location had no real vernacular or singular defining characteristics, the plot is tucked away etc etc.....needless to say the Parish Council hated it...I cared not. I guess the message being really if you don't try something a little bolder - rather like @epsilonGreedy"Some how you have created a 2800 sq ft design without any wow features." You never know. @Ferdinand - Some good advice in that post. I don't know your location but If you have paid for a 'view', you might want a bigger window to take it all in. Internally; You have to live in it (unless you are selling it), can changing the layout it improve the way you want to live. Good Luck with the project.

resolved! - wiring/port valve config issue. Now running like a dream.

Hi, I'm installing the Samsung ASHP and pre-plumbed cylinder, and I seem to have a problem with the Zone 1 circulation pump not firing up. The Circulation Pump is not faulty, as when I switch over the connection from the other circulation pump it fires up. The Port valves click on when demand requires, but the pump will not fire. The wiring seems fine, I will have to check the connections and double check the integrity of the circuits. I'm wondering if it is problem with the set up or field settings, has anybody done this or had similar issues. Cheers

Rather like @MikeSharp01 I would say part of what you pay an architect for are "ideas" - So don't be too prescriptive about design at this stage, ask for thoughts, impressions and explain how you want the house to work for you and and how you 'live', ask how their designs could improve these things for you. Ask questions about them, do they have a design ethos( a bit 'Hipster' I know ). Can you work with Architect, build a relationship do they "get" what you are trying to do, you could be working with them for quite a long time. That kind of stuff.

Consolidation, but non-shiny. Something to add a little durability and definition and detail would be good, if that exists.

I'm looking for a brush on sealer for internal brick work, colourless and clear. Any recommendations. Cheers

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman - type BUMP! I'm definitely going for some ply - quite a bit of it, but this could be price dependent. Has anybody got any good online sources for bulk orders, I'm not getting great deals from local timber merchants despite the potential quantity.

I think I've been convinced that at this stage of the build a Water softener might be a good idea for us, given both the hardness of the water and the "hardness" of the wife Any obvious pros/cons I should be looking at for the electric, non-electric offerings? Regen time, litres of water used per regen? amount of salt per regen....and obviously price. Any real kickers I should be looking out for?

Thanks All, I'm looking at about 322ppm as Calcium Carbonate. Interesting debate and more options available than I had thought. Checking out some options.

Hi, I'm in a Very Hard water area; scale is an issue. Is a Water softener a good idea? The wife likes the idea of soft water for Bathing and reducing the time for cleaning scum/lime scale. Are they cost effective? Any recommendations on type and supplier. Cheers

@Onoff - no longer 20 I'm afraid, but after all this I won't have a pot to pi$$ in....

Interesting stuff from @jack I am also looking to "brick slip", but on the floor, so used as a type of floor tile. I would agree it's difficult trying to get a tiler to quote for these sensibly on a price per m2, I think they hear the word "brick slip" and think it sounds like it's not for them. In terms of pricing I have found the price of the Cut brick is somewhat higher than going for a specific "brick slip tile". I might just double check that after @jack 's comments on application and quality.

A little bump/update OK - I have possibly found a friendly no-nonsense Plumber would has done a number ASHP/UVC installations. He is keen to stress, this has never included the commissioning of the System, this was always left to others. What "exactly" does the commissioning involve? Is this something I could do? I know some on here have done the whole lot. Does commissioning also mean UFH balancing etc for example. Cheers.

I can do, and understand the basics, and give most things a "go", even the wife describes me as "quite handy" when friends and neighbours have cocked up the DIY, however this is one of those areas where tiny mistakes could be magnified. So on this occasion I'm looking for an experienced hand.

Wife and 2 Daughters require copious amounts of Hot water - as you can imagine....A DIY failure is not an option ;))