saveasteading

If you were involved in the earlier discussion on how to build lots of houses, and possible materials and labour shortages, their view may be of interest.

Sorry, I thought you meant floor slab. Ignore me.

They're going to love you! Our timber supply for stick build was from a major mill. It was sprayed with yellow. I guess this deters bugs, but they would get in the cut ends.

Yes. Please expand on your concern. Slab on pir on dpm on stone....no moisture concerns.

Chalk is my second favourite ground to build on. It is hard and needs small foundations. Digs easily with a toothed bucket so no overdig or collapses. Porous for drainage. BUT. turns to putty in a wet winter. Drainage needs to be thought out to avoid swallow holes.

Yes. You can certainly instruct a QS to do whatever you want. Do you want them to do what we are doing here? Advise you and help your argument? Or forensically check the bills to date? Remember that 4 contractors give 4 different prices....hence tendering. So 4 x qs also different. Or argue everything possible to reduce your cost to the minimum? Your contractor may then feel inspired, or required, to do the same and set the 2x qs arguing for you. A different qs may then be required. They are claims specialists, basically a cheaper lawyer at £200/ hour instead of £400. The next stage is the law. Loser pays nearly all costs. Winner still has costs. If there was a contract then the process would be set out. There isn't sk you either ore-agree the process or go to a lawyer.....and bang goes many £k for each of you. As any biggish contractor, I've had dusputes mostlh chading final payments. Won nearly all of them but you never really win and it involves time and stress. Do you feel lucky?

It probably doesn't, but it doesn't cost much more and the cable is there if things change.

Because the op didnt know bh was here for advice. For all we know, this has worked out at a reasonable cost.

I think you need to believe. I used to do it 2 directions then half way between was often accurate. But sometimes not. Now you have a manhole, buy lifting keys and look in. Where do the branches point?

Can't see that being a problem.

I'd be interested to know where their timber originates. And any views on supply longer term.

60 million years more like.

I refer you to the answer I gave earlier. You now have more knowledge of levies. Ask your friend to explain and justify it. Find a compromise.

Good job someone is paying attention. I'll try again. Aco ( other manufacturers are available) seems to be the proper solution. Gravel would involve access over the boundary which it is best to avoid. But it isn't a great design. Have I also missed whether this is a neighbour adjoining, or public land? Will maintenance to wall and roof be feasible?

It will get dirty and clogged , so there has to be enough room to get a hand in to remove the stones annually. Then rinse and return. I would probably use pea gravel rather than 50mm stones. Use round stones, not jagged. So move the gravel board further out. The perforated pipe should have membrane round it, and an outfall at the end.

Probably not. But you can walk every inch and look for manhole covers. There may be none.

I meant frametherm. Easy to cut to shape, and springs to self support, and squeezes into corners. That will catch airborne sound but not impact.

Acoustic roll is just a few dB better than thermal insulation, so use any that will stay in place. Have a look at Knauff Dritherm

Don't hesitate. Ask often and ask early. Better an elegant design than problem solving later.

If I am understanding this properly then, yes you could stack timber plates. Just note that you get double the shrinkage. Why not build up the masonry instead?

I used to do it with bent welding rods but the gift has passed. Now I use logic and look at pipe directions. Maybe I always did. For your project I would measure with a long tape, and lift the manholes and put dye (or flush toilet paper) to work out the drains. But it's my job. You must do as you wish and your skills allow.

It is specific to your project and circumstances. If there was a formal contract in standard form, then it would be clear. Be careful. A Q S is like a lawyer in that he can argue your case to your maximum advantage and does not have to be fair and equitable. You must therefore brief them accordingly....getting all you can out of your friend, or looking for a fair and proper result. And the qs will charge you several £k for the privilege, then it might escalate.

If there are any manhole covers that are visible then their position then they will be shown. But a land surveyor will not lift covers or establish where drains run. Digital is standard. Prints should be requested. I would request a couple of large prints, say A2, bug perhaps A3 is big enough.? But my daughter would scoff. Also a file in printable form eg pdf. Plus a CAD file.

It's not like ecology reports where they can stipulate that they do more studies and charge you more. this is a matter of fact. You can read it all in the building regulations. You can reduce the cost by preparing the ground yourself, but speak to a consultant first.

Anyone saying they do it and has a fancy computer linked theodolite will be OK. Give one or more a call and explain what you need. What do you need? Is it a tight space and you need to check what fits? Is it on a slope? Trees? They will provide a plan with levels. Do you want it on paper or digital or both? You will want a digital version to hand to any CAD designers.