Ferdinand

Have prices. My home branch says that after my 80%+ (!) discount the price including underlay and VAT is a little under £20 per sqm on an order of around 50 sqm. The branch at the other end comes in at just over £20 per sqm, about £1 per sqm more than the first At B&Q, there is one product which is the closest at about £22 per sqm incl. underlay, and one .. Andante Oak.. Which is a near equivalent at around £17-18 per Sqm. All are real Quickstep with 20+ year guarantee, AC4 rated. F

I like a deep desk, as I use a larger monitor. There are other adjustments that can be made eg remote keyboard on knee and a pull out mouse shelf. F

You will need to check that too, for when it gets broken. (Said the clumsy person).

They would like that .. it is smaller and you can see fewer neighbours from upstairs :-). F

Welcome.

Not this time, unless we decide it is too ambitious for this trip and start again for a future time. Technically I could probably carry about 625kg in the new car, which might be enough. F

Helping out a friend 100 miles away, who does not have an account. I am travelling on the train ? , and cannot bring half a tonne on the Midlands Mainline.

Thanks both. Does anyone have experience of buying it from Howdens?

This week I am helping a mate lay a floor over about 55sqm. He wants to use a Quickstep Uniclic Oak. Versions are available from Howdens or B&Q, the latter at a little under £20 per sqm. Two questions. 1 - Has anyone used the Howdens Quickstep Laminate products. Ie one of these. It is a genuine Quickstep product. https://www.howdens.com/flooring/laminate?atr_flooring_locking_system_sm=Uniclic How was the price and performance? 2 - Can I use my Howden’s account at a different branch on the same day? I know I will probably have to set up a local account. Cheers Ferdinand

Thank for the heads up

There does seem not seem to be any space around the double basin in shower 2. Where will all the gubbins go? I do not know what others think about the working area that is needed, but eg where will you stand things. Hopefully the middle oval is the basin , so there is space around. F

Examples of something interesting. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/422001427561512622/

A couple of photos post restoration and a maintaince cycle this summer, where we repainted completely and changed a few details that were not quite right from the 2010 restoration.The 2010 restoration was done to the roof off floors up new drains level. The new paint was done this summer, which is actually an 8 year cycle. The cladding has been where the paint from the 2010 restoration was weathering badly eg where the wind whipped round that front corner and the overhang finishes. Now it is sharp again. Everywhere not covered had paint that was still pristine, so hopefully repainting can be once every 10 or 12 years now. As you can see that back wall *could* be a graffiti magnet, but it is an ok area so we have only had 2 occurrences in 20 years. As I say detailing is critical, especially concerning runoff and staining, and would have a long term strategy to allow for a new finish in a few decades, which will also affect design details. As I say, consider gloss surface bricks which will last a century or more in pristine condition .. see London Tube Stations for example. But please so something interesting. This in white brick was dad experimenting when he was about 32. Still have a dozen of the original bricks which are for maintenance should they ever be needed. Make it pleasingly different to all the others. Bugger fashion and things inspired by Tracey Island. Ferdinand

That is the sheen from an anti-graffiti product which means graffiti can be power washed off and then just repainted with the product. That prevents any graffiti being absorbed. That wall backs into a public footpath between backs of gardens which is not overlooked, and has been graffitied twice that I can remember. Ferdinand

Gaggia Classico YES !!! Did someone mention tiles?

Suggest the first break for any should be at pass / refusal, including the bod dealing with queries and modifications, as you will not be able to ramp up to speed if minor modifications are needed etc. You need to be clear that your designed is expected to manage the interface to the planning officers. He should ideally be familiar with the Council already. Also consider including a possible Appeal in case you need one. Again if it is done by the bod who knows the design it will save learning curves. Consider an incentive of say -10% If they do not get permission and +10% if they do or similar.

Here you go, two pics. Scruffy, white brick wall after 40 years After restoration, painting and anti-vandal paint. now on a 5-6 year painting cycle.

I would say look at glazed white bricks. With standard white bricks there is perhaps more to think about wrt detailing, staining, and long term wear. White, like white paint and white cars, look very scruffy as soon as they get slightly mucky ... it is less tolerant and may need more mantenance. You also .. depending on location ... need a strategy for when Johnny Plonkalong comes past at 2am and spray paints a bright purple 6ft tall phallus on it in paint that sinks into the brick. White brick also perhaps has something of a negative historical association ... community centres and shopping malls on sink estates and so on. You also need to think how you are using the material, whether as individual bricks or more as textured surface. If if you have a fairly protected or secluded location then there is a lot of potential, but everything needs to be considered. I have a white non-glazed brick bungalow built back in 1970 as my dad’s architectural studio, which you can see in its 40-years-later state here on Streetview. As you see it looks scruffy. It has now been restore and has a combination of a painted and clad finish. So I would is ncourage you to pursue it, but to do it with care and thoroughly.There is potential for an outstanding result. Ferdinand (Need to update that link. Will post later. Sorry) .

A further idea is to deal with the security issue by having a roller security blind on the outside. They are unobstrusive and relatively inexpensive if built into the lintels when you do the build. I have PMed you come photos of one that a friend installed around the millennium. Ferdinand

So who introduced the turning space for larger lorries requirement? On the basis of this comment you may get that modified out or made a little smaller. Or you could eg propose a turntableor other solution. There is nothing to stop you talking to the person who made the comment in Highways. The would probably like to get it resolved so as to not waste time commenting every couple years until doomsday. Find out the engineer’s name and give him a ring. He may be a jobsworth but equally he could be very helpful.

I think there have been one or more Grand Designs done in that genral area with ICF. I think I recall an older lady building in her garden with a round tower, and also somebody with a BFO build with a huuuuuuuuuge basement, F

Welcome.

Welcome.

Your answer to that is in the reason the condition was as imposed, and that may be in the informational points on the Decision Notice, or in the Officer Report. If it is not, ask. Only then can you find a strategy eg it may be Fire Safety because you are more than x metres from where the engine can turn, but you may be able to mitigate with sprinklers. PS there is lots of Chinese-puzzle style caselaw about Unadopted Roads, but I see no need to dive into that shark-infested custard until you actually need to do so. The easy way will be to understand the condition, find an alternative that is acceptable, then apply for the condition to be removed or modified. If it can be met by an alternative means, it should fail one of the basic tests of a condition of being necessary, or you should get approval for a specific alternative proposal. I would talk to Planning over this, as they may be helpful. Another alternative is to go through with the full purchase then do your garage under permitted development, so the Planners can go jump in the lake. Different versions of risk vs reward vs time vs cost. take your pick :-). I would research then try and find an agreement with the Council then do a variation or removal to the condition. Ferdinand

I think the process is that the Applicant certifies that they have served notice on the Owner. In any case, a PP simply does not address land rights or civil legalities, very wisely (!). Those must be negotiated separately. Ferdinand