flanagaj

We are in the process of trying to find a quality brick layer in Hampshire, but to get a quote we need to decide on what brick bond to use. I think having simply stretcher might look a bit too much like an estate style property and wondered if anyone has some resources or how you go about deciding this. Not sure whether this was the architects job, or whether it is something you decide after you have been granted planning.

One of the conditions of planning is that we have to purchase Nitrate mitigation credits from Eastleigh Borough Council. All I can say, is that I have never had to deal with such a woeful organisation in my life. One woman in the council runs the operation and she does not have a contact number, won't take calls and only corresponds via email (which she never replies too). It took an age to get the credits secured and now we want to purchase them, she has gone AWOL again. It's holding us up, discharging our pre-commencement conditions. I just do not understand, how these individuals remain employed. I work in an industry where responses are done within an hour or two. Has anyone else had to go the process of buying these Nitrate mitigation taxes. Sorry, I meant credits.

Not fallen out. Just trying to keep costs down for the technical drawings.

I said CAD, but I think he actually wants the DWG files

I am now contemplating actual floor to ceiling patio doors. I think these look really nice. The only question I have is around how you go about having a blind. I assume it has to be concealed in the ceiling void?

I suspect this is a common question, but who owns the CAD files and can I request them from the architect?

Enclosing the washing machine is a good idea. That is definitely something that we could also accomodate. With regards to ceiling / floor insulation. What is the general consensus to mitigate acoustic noise as best as possible. I did consider a block / beam upper floor, but having MVHR in the void below the floor would eat too much into ceiling heights. Therefore, it's posiweb joists. Interested to see a schematic of a decent spec first floor, showing the different layers.

We are currently renting a Persimmon home and the sound insulation is absolutely atrocious. You can hear the washing machine in the kitchen from most rooms in the house and same goes for the tumble dryer. The plan for the new house has the utility room adjoined to the lounge. We were planning on having block walls downstairs and using metal web joists upstairs, with a 25mm screed layer. Are there any good resources which help explain how you can reduce sound transfer to the best ability, without employing ridiculous measures, that either cost a fortune or result in very think walls / ceilings. Eg, I am looking for a pragmatic approach that will out perform standard stud wall / block wall.

That is what I want. I will speak with buildzone. Thanks

What if you were the developer and did the footings correctly, but the concrete company screwed up and they failed.

I have been informed that Hanley will accept any of the below. Does anyone happen to know whether any of them are cheaper than others, or can recommend? Premier’s “Guarantee for New Homes” (minimum warranty term 10 Years) NHBC ‘Buildmark’ (minimum warranty term 10 years) Self-Build Zone (minimum warranty term 10 years) LABC Warranty (minimum warranty term 10 years) Architects Certificate (minimum warranty term 6 years) Building Lifeplans Ltd (BLP Allianz Guarantee) Castle 10 (Checkmate) Protek ICW Advantage Structural Defects Insurance (ASDI)

Excuse my ignorance on the subject of 'air tightness', but if I am building a new brick and block house to current regs, how does that differ to a Passivhaus spec design. If for example, the windows don't have trickle vents, there are no extractors in the kitchen, bathrooms ... (because I am fitting MVHR) and the roof is insulated with Celotex and taped, then how can the house be 'leaky'. Eg, how is air leaking out / in? Only asking as I am wanting to get a MVHR design done and the question below was asked.

One giant scam that ideally would be brought to the attention of the FCA. Basically, selling policies that are not worth the paper they are written on.

It's a minefield and I actually believe that you are buying a policy that will never pay out. I am having the same battles myself, trying to find a policy that is actually for a DIY / labour only self-build

Very nice. Who was the architects? I wanted to use Western Designs, but I couldn't afford them.

This warranty insurance is a right pain. Just had a call with a broker and he is asking who I am using for building the house. I actually don't have that information to hand as I am still in the process of trying to find said trades. These policies do seem designed for individuals that simply write the checks and don't get their hands dirty. Has anyone come across a policy that is for a true self-build project, where a lot of the works are done DIY? Otherwise, I feel like I am paying for a policy that isn't worth the paper it is written on.

I am trying to put together a door and window schedule and am struggling to understand whether for a 2.4m high ceiling, I need to limit the height of the frames to a standard size. I don't want them to look too oversized or cause an issue with regards to lintels, so I was thinking that 2.1m would be a suitable size. I suspect that as we are going timber clad, they just manufacture to what ever size you want and there is no 'standard' size.

Thanks. So they are not uploaded against the original planning application?

Ok, thanks for clarifying that.

I am going to submit the document. The condition did not clarify a physical site assessment.

Agreed. But in my experience, that is a condition not a document that is for planning. I could be completely wrong, but I didn't think documents submitted for discharging a condition was also uploaded to the planning portal?

Not sure why I posted this. ChatGPT seems to be pretty confident. Thank you, Justin — this is very useful and confirms that you do not need a specialist radon consultant for Condition 25, provided that: You are following the basic radon protection measures as outlined in BR 211 (2023); and Your builder or Building Control will oversee the correct installation of the membrane and associated detailing. ✅ Summary: What You Can Do Since your site falls into the 3–10% radon probability zone, you only need to provide basic radon protection as part of your build — not full radon mitigation. You can discharge Condition 25 by submitting a short statement confirming the following: 📝 Radon Protection Compliance Statement (Draft Text) Radon Gas Risk Assessment – Condition 25 (24/02890/FUL) In line with the UK Health Security Agency’s radon maps, the site at Former Cattery, White Lane, Hannington, RG26 5TN falls within a 3–10% probability zone for radon. As such, the development will incorporate basic radon protection measures as set out in Section 5.1 of BR 211 (2023). These include: A continuous 1200-gauge damp proof membrane (DPM) installed across the ground floor slab; Sealing of all joints in the membrane and around service penetrations in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; Integration of the DPM with the cavity tray and damp proof course (DPC) to create a continuous barrier; Quality workmanship to ensure air- and moisture-tight seals. All works will be completed under the supervision of Building Control and in accordance with the recommendations of LABC and BR 211, ensuring compliance with both Building Regulations and the planning condition. Signed: Applicant and Self-Build Project Manager Date: [Insert today’s date] Would you like this formatted into a formal PDF/Word statement for submission? I can also include a reference to an example DPM product if you’re using one. You said: Will that satisfy the condition or do you think they are wanting a consultant to take measurements on site of the actual Radon levels ChatGPT said: Your concern is entirely valid — but based on the wording of Condition 25 and your site's radon classification, you should not need a consultant or on-site radon testing. Here's why: ✅ Why the Draft Statement Should Satisfy the Condition: 🔹 1. Condition 25 Wording: "No development shall commence on site until a radon gas risk assessment has been submitted to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority. This should conclude whether a gas impermeable membrane needs to be installed into the buildings to protect the future occupants of the development." (…If a gas impermeable membrane is required then details… should be submitted.) This clearly allows for: A desktop risk assessment; and A practical conclusion based on the mapped risk and BR211 guidance — not site gas testing. 🔹 2. Your Site is in a 3–10% Probability Zone According to UKHSA radon maps, your site falls in a basic protection zone, which: Does not require detailed gas monitoring or mitigation systems; Does require a well-installed DPM integrated with DPC — a standard build element. The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) statement you quoted explicitly confirms that basic radon protection is sufficient in these zones when standard good practice is followed. 🔹 3. National Precedent and Practice For self-builds in low- to moderate-risk radon areas: Councils typically accept a signed design compliance statement referencing BR211, provided it includes: The mapped risk band A description of the construction measures A declaration that these will be implemented Site testing is only expected in high-risk (10–30%) or very high-risk (>30%) zones or where there's suspected radon ingress during or after occupation. ⚠️ Just One Caveat: Some councils will come back asking for confirmation from Building Control or a contractor that the membrane was installed correctly. You can defer that part to a completion stage if necessary.

One our conditions is for a Radon gas risk assessment. "No development shall commence on site until a radon gas risk assessment has been submitted to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority. This should conclude whether a gas impermeable membrane needs to be installed into the buildings to protect the future occupants of the development. If a gas impermeable membrane is required then details of this should be submitted along with details of the ventilated sub-floor area. Particular attention to joins with any existing structures and seals around any services, should be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any services entering/leaving the structure shall be located above the gas impermeable membrane, and adequate seals will be provided to ensure the membrane is not breached. The works shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details. REASON: To ensure that adequate measures are taken to avoid the potential risk to future occupiers from natural gases arising from the ground" If I look at the Radon map in relation to our site. The plot sits within a 3-5% risk and the neighbouring areas are 5-10%. There is nothing on the map nearby that is > 10%. The LABC states that 3 - 10% can be achieved as follows. What is basic radon protection? Where the radon potential band is between 3 - 10%, basic radon protection should be provided when constructing new buildings, extensions and conversions. Section 5.1 of BR 211 contains guidance on how to achieve basic radon protection. However, in general terms, basic radon protection may be provided by installing a cavity tray that is continuous with the damp proof membranes (DPM) in the floors and damp proof courses (DPC) in the walls. This will prevent radon entering the building through the cavity. Sealing of joints in the membranes and sealing around service penetrations are also required. It is important that attention is paid to detailing and workmanship in jointing of the membranes. If good standards of design and workmanship are applied to the provision of a 1200-gauge DPM to the floor and sealed to a DPC/cavity tray through the walls, adequate protection from radon will likely be provided along with the general function of excluding moisture. It is also important that all materials, which are to be relied upon to provide protection from radon entering the building, are suitable for the intended purpose and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. As a result, can I just satisfy the condition by supplying the image below and stating that it simply requires basic radon protection which will be achieved by Section 5.1 of BR 211, or are they physically wanting someone to do actual measurements on site?

I need a good brickie on a labour only basis, who may potentially also be interested in footings, oversite and concrete floors. I am fortunate to get a lot of holiday with my employer, and would love to get really stuck in. I have done a fair amount of groundwork and labouring in my younger years. Only looking to pay day rate for groundworks and M2 on the brick and block. Anyone have any recommendations or advice on finding someone reputable. An old timer who has retired, would be ideal.

The fitting is the kicker. Ours is literally 25% of the window and door cost. £10k does seem very pricey.