Digger1

Anyone hazard a guess to how much this will cost?

They fixed it within an hour. No idea of the cost. Don’t think we will get away with a freebie…

We had already exposed the services so shouldn’t have happened really. Paying day rates

If a groundworker breaks a mains electric cable on my build who is liable for the cost? Me or him? We dont have a contract.

Looks great!

Trying to decide on which option to go for. I quite like the uniform look of man made but am put off buy the visible copper rivet of hook fixing. I don't want my build to appear that i have gone for the cheap(er) man made option. Can you get man made slates that don't require this 3rd fixing at the bottom and just use two shoulder fixings like natural slates?

I need a ton of scale plans printed on A3 paper. Also some onto transparent film (unsure of technical term). Can you recommend an online printer please?

A sensible solution to a simple problem.

Spoke to my solicitor, they advised its unlikely to be an issue when i resell providing i can evidence the work was carried out for strengthening and not subsidence. Mortgage broker said it wouldn't be a problem providing the solicitor confirmed the above. Spoke to my home insurance co and they said because the work was for strengthening and not underpinning then they didn't require to be informed, policy not effected.

Thanks for the advice so far. I will be talking to a mortgage broker, estate agent and solicitor to see each of their opinions on the matter. In the meantime if anyone knows of an established underpinning co that provides an insurance backed guarantee in the Surrey area please let me know.

No. The work would be carried out according to the SE's schedule of works and overseen by building control, the exact same method as a 'specialist'.

Structural engineer

My structural surveyor has said as a precaution i should underpin a corner of our bungalow prior to adding a first floor. I plan to do this myself under the watchful eye of him and building control. I plan to sell the property once the first floor has been added. I see that many underpinning firms give 10-20year guarantees on their works. Does anyone know where or how i can get insurance so i can provide a guarantee for my efforts?

What is the process where the timber frame meets the brickwork?

The plan is to add a timber frame first floor to our bungalow which has painted bricks on the existing ground floor and then render. I assume the timber frame and existing brick has to be clad in some kind of board to limit movement between the timber and brick floors? Can anyone recommend the best option? (Was hoping to use a coloured render to avoid painting.) Thanks

It will be expected in a home with the market price i hope to achieve. There's also a vaulted entrance hall which would be hard to heat with rads.

Just to add. The area is 150m2. I do have access to a micro digger and the property it being rennervated to be resold once completed - Not a forever home so the best energy efficiency isnt necessary and saving costs is preferable. Which method would work out cheaper? The only part i could really do is remove the existing screed with a digger. Other than that i would employ labour.

Would an alternative be to add 25mm insulation on top of existing screed then add a low profile system (30mm) onto that?

I would assume no insulation under existing floor.

1950's bungalow / house conversion 2.5m ceiling Hight Weighing up the pros and cons of adding a slim profile UFH system on top of existing screed against removing old screed, adding insulation and then rescreed. Would costs be similar? Thanks

Don't try and dig 12mts of footings by hand would be my advice. Save money in other areas but for the sake of a few hundred quid you can hire a machine for the week or pay a digger driver for the day.

Does the CIL dept take your word for the m2 of the new building or do they check themselves? We had to make some tweaks to our drawings after submitting the planning, therefore the CIL form i initially sent in is not accurate. At £175pm2 i am keen for the calculation to be spot on!

How long after gaining planning permission does the CIL exemption get granted? We recently gained PP but have not heard anything from CIL dept. Do they tend to contact us or should we contact them? When compiling the form i recall we shouldn't start work until we have exemption granted...

According to my plant identification app it is Japanese Knot Weed....

No i didn't get an extension request. I had no idea i can get my fee returned! (can you provide a link?) Id rather the decision but that would be the icing on the cake.?