Ferdinand

I would do that differently ... I would extend the A frame roof further out on the same profile, to give a car port and sheltered area that could be filled in later to give more house, and I would also make the slab similarly larger. If budget were available, the rear half of that could be a workshop. It might mean a sacrifice of something else, but would offer a lot of extra upside for the relatively small extra cost. If you need to there are quite dramatic things you can do such as no interior finishes at all for a few years ... a lot of couples including my parents lived with rush matting on ashphalt for years and years back in the day when people expected it to take time to restore a house. Painted breezeblock or raw plywood are fine for walls, especially now that walls are much better insulated and floors warmer. And you can get double sets of nearly new patio doors off eBay for a couple of hundred; I got two sets for under £300 last year for a covered way for a tenant. (A covered way is an ill defined thing that happens to be exempt from building regs so I could JFDI). There are loads of them where someone has decided that something not new is not good enough for them. On one of mine, the last of the house felt that white upvc was classier than brown upvc. That alone could save you £2-3k if you are having 3 sets. F

AGree with Russell. However at 25 degrees walking on the tiles with magic shoes may be an option. Your other option could be to install anchor points for roof ladders, or at least a safety rope. BUt safety first. F

Not necessarily. But it will tell you the terms on which anything can be done. Mine gave me the right just to give them notice.

Can you repurpose something like an ss worktop.? https://www.uktoolbox.com/products/sealey-tools-stainless-steel-worktop-1360mm.html F

Interesting. The other 2 options I thought about were an L shape, as you suggest, or a south facing U plan with a sun trap courtyard in the middle. BUt the main thing on this thread is to make sure that the OP is not restricted in his/her head to a limited template laid down by the outline, and has the confidence to debate the architect as a demanding client. ONe quite different alternative should stop that happening. AS it is the rooms at the back are a utility and a bathroom, which are fine with skylights and the single public room gets sun from mid morning till sunset, and the bedrooms later on. I would want several skylights, at least to give slanted sun in the morning in the lounge. If I was interior designing it, I would perhaps have skylights above the corridor and some form of clerestory between the corridor and bedrooms to get the morning sunbeams in to play joyfully on the glowing skin of ... etc. The toughest constraint for me here was the parking, which can only be where it is due to the corner, and the need to avoid a tandem driveway and go side by side, which is much better. Those spaces are very tight indeed at 5m length. THe one I have done could lose 0.5m off one dimension of every room, so the entrance can be created anywhere. Personally I would probably go for a back door from the car parking, and a 'front' door entered from the south up a path behind the property emerging next to the utility. Perhaps covered over for a FLW style mystery drawing in rabbit hole feel as you walk in. I would aim to shunt it up the plot some way., and potentially have a third room as a study as a third 'bedroom' is a big perceived benefit. But I would not sacrifice all of the extra space - my experience dealing with tenants is that there is a HUGE perceived difference between a 3.5x3.0m room, and say a 3.0 x 4.5m or 3.5m x 4m; in a lounge it gives the opportunity for a second area in addition to lounging without it feeling cramped. The same goes for bedrooms, where you have space for an easy chair or exercise bike or handbag display unit. So I like working with dimensions of 3.5m and 4.5m. Privacy is less of an issue than might be expected here, as there is a 2m fence approved on the fence line, which does not show. Presumably that would be allowed on the building line on the S side too. The final issue here is build cost, which argues against a more complex shape. IF the whole thing can be done with a single A frame roof - I would cathedral the lounge kitchen area and the beds and corridor - and no cross gables, then that will free up cash for other things or and extra space. THere would be an argument for stepping the wall in to make the parking spaces 5.5 or 6m, whilst retaining an overhang. Had I the option I would have chopped off the corner of the lounge to follow the shape of the boundary, but that would complexify (!) the roof and cost several thousand extra, which could be used to pay for 2 or 3 roof lights or a nice holey brick wall at the front. That was my thinking, anyway. F PS posted the blank map so others can play. GO on go on go on...

Forgot one. 10 Do not worry about the architect wanting to divide your kitchen-diner. Build it, then experiment with room dividers in the form of furniture, bookshelves etc, then you can add a stud or glass brick wall if you really need one. It may be worth making sure that you have extra tiles or whatever so that you could take the wall away again and make good later ! You could even put a stud wall thick row of tiles as a symbolic divider that could be sacrificed should you do it. Just do a sanity check on where you would attach such a wall to the ceiling. But this point is a bit anal.

Interesting read from a former member: https://web.archive.org/web/20140702001732/http://www.ebuild.co.uk/blog/20/entry-184-part-1-in-the-beginning/ https://web.archive.org/web/20140701233548/http://www.ebuild.co.uk/blog/20/entry-185-part-2-the-planning-saga-episode-1/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150424213045/http://www.ebuild.co.uk/blog/20/entry-186-part-3-the-planning-saga-episode-2/

Semis do not have to be the same. You could build something big that could be subdivided by blocking up one or two doorways, to give 2 halves ( or a 2/3 and a 1/3) which are different and distinctive, and happen to align with a straight through division of the plot. And that when divided naturally give good privacy. The extra cost required would mainly be in thinking time, and you seem to have the skills and contacts to achieve it. The expensive things are bits like 2 potential sets of services etc. [Bonus comment: There are lots of creative divisions of old buildings into 2 or 3 - a modern version of that?) Ferdinand

A fine design. My comments: 1 - I agree with - hob on island, perhaps bring kitchen out a little, downstairs loo is not generus enough for the house, and equalising the boys' bedrooms. Personally I think a freezer is fine in a utility. 2 - Is that downstairs loo accessible (1.5m turning circle)? I think that is a requirement so it should be covered. I would probably nick a little from the dining room to make it a fully accessible shower room,for disabled or frail guests. I would also make sure there is a suitable sleeping space downstairs for such visitors. Under accessibility, I think you also need provision for access upstairs, even if not fitted eg stairlift - is this covered? 3 - Personally I think the study would work as a study, and taking visitors through a large formal lounge is suitably intimidating! Perhaps a peep window in the side of the porch so you can see who is visiting without leaving the study. 4 - Light. A little concerned that the dining area, and the hall, are not light enough. I would want at least one skylight in the hall, and consider more generous skylight provision in those areas adjacent to the dining area, particularly toward the centre of the house. 5 - I would make the doors from the hall to the dining area substantially glass to let light through, and I would add a tall thin window in the back on the LHS in alignment to give a vista to the garden when standing in the hall. We have one; it is gorgeous. 6 - Whilst I think the study / drawing room would work, I would at least consider configuring that end of the house so that a grannexe would be possible later. That will require some careful thought. 7 - Maintenance. A lot of your house has two levels of roof - how will you maintain the top roof, and the walls / windows on the 1st floor? Access could be expensive. If your roofs are basically flat, I would consider making them walkable-on, and have at least one access to each roof via a larger window from upstairs. Is it possible, for example, to get to the upstairs windows with a pole from the ground? 8 - I would consider a lengthways car port following the style of the porch in front, so that you can get into the house dry when it is slathering down, and eg shopping can be unloaded. 9 - Repeating @PeterW's point, it looks complex to build. Best of luck. Ferdinand

Remember, you *like* roller coasters. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BbU803lYdA0 F (Baa. Reluctant to embed)

Companies House will take time. Rereading, you have an email from the company; that should be enough to get it back if you are so entitled under your cc t&c. F

https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/dice2.html Then do it with the appropriate edge hinges.

Get sufficient proof that they are bust, or have checked, and they will take your say-so as enough to reverse the payment, probably over the phone. The only issue I can see is if their is a regulation about part-payments.

If it is either a storm shelter or shed, the cut out could be used as a bench or bed inside. But it might be better as a flatpack like the dice you made at school. But I can see no reason why the window and door could not be pre-cut, and the thing be 7ft inside not 8ft, as that would reduce the freight-weight by 15%+. The cut out could be sold to a hipster as chic, to pay for the entire thing ?. F

To add to this thread, as it may be useful. This is a design I sketched out on @simplepimple's plot. Basic idea I have attached a few prices of something a little more as I would do on that plot. Not to say that it is the only way to do it, but for alternative view and food for thought. It is a little larger by 120sqft but I am not sure that the cost would be much more. It is also a concept rather than complete, for example the way in is not resolved and there are several options. Personally I would take it right to the N boundary, create a little more space in the S patio, and adjust a few rooms depending on just what I needed. THere are lots of other possibles. (Sorry for the variable orientations; you will all have to stand on your heads, and read the other one as 'put you to sleep' material in bed.) Trad bungalow Actual Plot Alternative Proposal Commentary Good stuff. That layout out is still quite unfinished .. it would need input from yourself on things like entrances, and how you want to live. It is amazing how much is added by very little extra area. Eg moving from a 10x10 bedroom to a 11x14 bedroom, What happens is that the amount of perceived space .. eg not taken up by the bed and the door opening .. doubles or triples. It is rather like the perceived size of a car is 70-80% based on the length. On 680sqft or so, you can get 2 nice double bedrooms etc, but there are compromises on other things eg in this layout the kitchen is a bit tight and the south garden is reduced. A perforated screening wall on the building line may be the solution. It will need all need a lot of thought. If the bungalow went right to the top of the plot, you could have 3 bedrooms if really needed, but that extra space might be better in the south garden. You could also have a modest path all the way round for maintenance, but since you only have one neighbour who has paths or driveways on nearly your entire boundary, relying on that is prob. Preferable.

This is all a bit creepy. I lurve the "don't worry, they are synthetic" disclaimer. I have another theory where the arm came from, but that is unmentionable on a family forum. F

Two side notes. 1 - It has similarities (but is more complex) to "rent a boiler", which is something that has been around in the small LL market for some time. 2 - With a RHI there is a similar feel to "rent a roof" solar - and I expect that the mentioned issue with resales is a very real one. I looked into buying a rentaroof solar house in the expectation that there would be a "buggeration discount" (I would have offered 10% below one without it, and also taken most of the buyout charges off), and there would have been, as there would be another contract involved (admin charges?), and the solar supplier said that to buy them out would basically be a roll-up of all the future subsidies. The upside is if the ASHP is going to last a lot longer than 7 years. It may be acceptable, but needs careful planning on your part imo, and a toothcomb applied to the contract. Ferdinand

Dad used to buy acetone by the gallon when he was doing fibreglass columns and specials. It was used to clean non-set (ie the raw material) resin off my school uniform when I brushed up against the wrong thing by mistake so I would test it before trying on stone resin, though should be OK but I would not leave it sitting on it for long. Steel should be fine unless it affects the coat. Might be sensible to wear surgical gloves, though I did not used to and I am still here. Very good accelerent for bonfires, as is set resin (but that puts out as much smoke as diesel iirc). ==> well-ventialed area. Evaporates quite quickly, so feels cold on your skin. It should remove supergue residue. F

Those electric wall-hanging pseudo stoves are quite acceptable imo. Or go against tired convention and put something else there - interesting sculpture, long lasting plant arrangement, or rotate it like the Fourth Plinth. A mirror at the back works well. Perhaps with some nice candles in front? Ideas here: https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/home-makeovers/g2260/non-working-fireplace-ideas/ Ferdinand

Cheers. I think the one I have is actually a closet.

Good qu. Secondhand kitchens are available for peanuts off ebay, for example.

Onw way to approach this is to alight on what you will do towards the refurbishment of the main house (eg learn how to do skirtings and doors, or fit kitchens, or stud walls and insulation), and use the annexe as a way of learning or improving those skills. That is one way to get a focused set of skills yourself. (It is fun learning digging and groundwork) That will save you a segment of costs. And when you have worked out your changes, ask your supplier what you can change to make it easier for him to reduce costs costs. Change your scheme to make it better value or simpler; don't beat him over the head with a swagger stick as that will make him skimp. F

I spotted this inside a local cafe this week. Liquorice Allsort chic is not quite my taste, but the door is not as obvious as could be the case. It is an a sample of how to incorporate an element into a stronger pattern than the outline as a means to de-emphasise it. Here it could have been further concealed by choosing a different handle, or concealed hinges. It could also have been made full height.

Couldn't resist - sorry. Our family has a thing about noticing them. ???

Welcome @RenoNewb We also really need an indication of what standard finishes you have specified (basic, normal, posh - eg for doors eggcrate, wood veneer, solid wood), and a sketch plan if you have one. Your quote does not seem to include a ventilation system, or floor finishes above the screed eg tiles. For the whole thing, fitting OK quality tiles (£10-£20 per sqm) throughout on your screed would add £2-2.5k-ish. My initial impression is that the quote is basically OK for a main contractor package which is that comprehensive, where you have given them the risk, and there is about 6-7k of work outside the annexe included, and they have to allow for things going wrong. I think you could salami slice perhaps 5-10%, but if you want to knock it down by say 25% you will need to take a more personal detailed interest and accept some of the risk back. Expect to spend 100-200 hours of your time on resourcing it in this case, and doing things like sourcing and rubbish disposal. Much of the saving would be in you ferreting out stuff less expensively that they just buy in as there is no incentive for them to work at saving a few £££ here and there in a fixed price. Obvs your other quotes will be key docs to compare. What are the odds that the next one is £57k ? Looks a great place to be. Ferdinand