EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Hi - so new home fab views and really really great price Issues no paperwork new roof - no paperwork - would't you think that after spending £4k+ one would have some kind of warranty?? not according to local builder Down shower floods because outlet pipe drops into another pipe that is too small which then instead of dropping into what one assumes from another down pipe is a main drain running down the drive, instead winds back around the corner apparently up a gradient or two back into the wall where one assumes it meets the same downpipe used for the WC I had many plans for this bathroom including to downsize the WC and swap in a cistern that actually works and does not take at least a half hour to fill And put a cover on the fan outside Upstairs a WC & sink have been installed into a cupboard and the plan was to cut a door through to the next door cupboard and then install a shower using part of the next door room and also downsize and move the WC to give more space and for more realistic use of the space Simples says the first guy who quoted me £4k for that and to reduce height of trees outside, refelt shed roof, plaster coal hole walls, paint said coalhole plus kitchen hall and two bedroom walls and ceilings and add double sockets to the single sockets and move the existing BT socket to someplace smarter I asked him to start on the bathrooms and had prepared the upstairs so that we would have continued use of the downstairs shower wc but he knew best - yes he did- and began to plaster the coal hole - i had felt that some jobs i could do myself unwillingly perhaps and there were some jobs i could leave for next year because there were jobs which required immediate attention But he knew best He said he would start at 8am and finish at 5 pm on the dot, but did not turn up before 1020 except for once and was usually gone by 4 He brought in another and we felted the shed together in a high wind In all he and his helper felted the shed, plastered most of the coalhole, painted the kitchen walls, the hall and stairs and hall walls and ceilings, and one bedroom wall He also went into the attic and fixed a leaking window which i reckon had caused a lot of damp issues down below although the home report stated there was no damp present - well it had been a long hot summer After I think fixing the leaking attic window, I believe- because I have not actually been up to see it yet - he then tripped on a nail and fell through the ceiling into the bedroom below He did pin the plaster board up promising that all would be fixed, before smashing down the cupboard wall and then the second cupboard wall both which seem to be made of plaster and a skinny breeze block from i suppose 1949 Then he watched as he made a few calls to wife and possibly future customers as I and his helper carted buckets of wall into the shed - since i did not want to upset the neighbours, and over the weekend I took some of this debris to the dump We had a problem when he finally showed me the WC replacement and sink cabinet set he had bought I did not like and he agreed to send them back while i ordered from Amazon replacement plus flooring - he did not want wet flooring he wanted waterproof laminate I also ordered sound proof and moisture proof boards - he had already provided the wood for the stud work He was unable to come then appeared later the next week to cut down much of the tree line - did i mention this was one of the jobs could have been left until another year/ i could have saved up to cover the following year. having been quoted £650 by professional who would also wood chip the lot But apparently there was a van parked in the way so a couple, well several of the leylandii are still 5 to 6 meters tall, but i spent the best part of the day fetching cable for a chipper that refused to work When I got back the branches were piled high, and because i had no chipper this took time to rearrange Then he asked if I could help him out by paying him for what he had already worked on /paid for - i asked for a receipt which stated for work done No itemised listing £1700 But he had kids and his wife had fallen off a ladder and his van needed fixing and then apparently he had root canal problems because I did not see him for a while Well actually even again because then he cut his tendon working on another job so.. He still has my house keys The thing is apart from the house keys I have a massive hole in a bedroom wall through to the existing WC& sink And a hole in the ceiling pinned up admittedly And it is lockdown and i am dangerously thinking about doing some of the stud work myself - i have a workmate and drill and saw I am really really bad at sawing a straight line - I do have a black & decker what is that thing - a wee electric saw and tape measured and have spent hours pouring over plans i thought would work for the WC rearrangement but cannot really tell because the original furniture prevents a test run to see if it all fits in A structural engineer told me that the 20" x 2" hole in the interior support wall at the gable end of this semi detached 3 bed council house was not any threat although the lady in the building control office disagreed She was most anxious and warned that they might sue me if the building collapsed A builder came by the other day and told me: That the header tank upstairs which the Czech said was empty and non functional was vital That I would need to take up floorboards and strip out walls to put in the cable from the mains to the shower because the cable for the now non existent storage heater would not work for the 10.5 kw shower i had bought That my designs would not work That the flow from the shower waste would be not high enough to meet the WC waste pipe outside although I would have thought that the a pipe through the wall might have met the down pipe outside Did i mention that I had already got a quote from this and another for also a loft conversion which was supposed to start next month I had applied to planning and discovered that i did not need planning consent Yes but I would need a building warrant which they failed to point out - perhaps it is a wee joke So finally thanks to a few sources after spinning madly around looking for advice I was pointed back in the direction of the Building Control - for those who wish to know where to speak to someone with regard to a Building Warrant Apparently you submit drawings they tell you where to apply regs / structural support and then check it out at the end ... result paper work But the lady in the planning office told me every door would have to be a firedoor - can you imagine a home with every room a firedoor How are wee kids supposed to get around? And there is something in the regs which says somewhere i cannot find now that if you have a great fire exit window you may dispense with the fire doors Cant find it now Perhaps i dreamed it Because while I cannot imagine standing by a window waiting for the fire truck to get to this rural spot ... and from what I understand fire trucks with cherry pickers have failed on several occasions to get there in time sadly. and the idea of hanging a rope ladder outside a window really you would need to fix a ladder to the roof and let it have hooks that hung well over the guttering wouldn't you, i then found what seems to be an awesome option for those with a gable end to spare and the presance of mind to cut a window big enough to climb out and onto a ladder fixed to the wall outside Except burglars no cheer, the ladder is actually an aluminium tin box that folds out into a ladder in an emergency, down which it seems fairly safe to climb Definitely safer than standing under a window hoping the fire brigade have remembered their cherry picker at the least I dont know if you are allowed to paste links here but for anyone interested in a possible solution to a problem I may never now be able to afford to have unless i pluck up the guts to do some of the work myself, without totally wasting the materials i have already bought and paid for.....here it is https://www.safelincs.co.uk/saffold-fold-out-fixed-fire-escape-ladder/?sku=SAF18&fGB=truefirst floor 90 degree no fire door.bmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 It sounds like you are new to house renovation. I think each of these issues needs to be broken down into a thread of it's own where it will be easier to offer advice. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 But remember you said it was cheap ?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 List plumbing and electrical defects first as the rectification of these can lead to work in adjoins rooms to rewire/replace pipework or connect up to existing good cabling/pipework. I would recommend you get an electrician to do an EICR( report on existing cabling/accessories etc ) and not let builders near it. Possibly find a gas safe registered plumber/heating engineer to do a report on the condition of the plumbing/waste/heating system. that way you a starting point for remedial works, and can pass the reports to others to quote from.. good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 And see about changing the locks to keep the other builder away! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Ps where about are you in the UK? As some regulations are different , such as Scotland and England and some local authorities are more stringent than others. you can download the technical standards for a good read below applicable for Scotland. https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-domestic/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, EmB said: But the lady in the planning office told me every door would have to be a firedoor - can you imagine a home with every room a firedoor Yes but its not necessarily as bad as it seems... If a loft conversion makes it a three storey house then yes you normally need what Building Control call a "Protected" exit route. Can be a problem if the house is open plan. Normally it means the walls and doors to the stairs need to have improved fire rating. Provided its not open plan on the ground floor you normally only need fire rated doors BUT they do not need to be self closing like in a hotel. In some cases I think existing doors can be modified to meet the regs. Edited February 3, 2021 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 1 hour ago, TonyT said: List plumbing and electrical defects first as the rectification of these can lead to work in adjoins rooms to rewire/replace pipework or connect up to existing good cabling/pipework. I would recommend you get an electrician to do an EICR( report on existing cabling/accessories etc ) and not let builders near it. Possibly find a gas safe registered plumber/heating engineer to do a report on the condition of the plumbing/waste/heating system. that way you a starting point for remedial works, and can pass the reports to others to quote from.. good luck!! wow you guys are fast This is what i needed to know - have a guy in mind for the EICR but was going to get that after the conversion 0 have had someone go round the plugs and check the board and there are a few issues but nowt serious all pretty much up to scratch Yes have a plumber thinking about coming out - because there are pipes leaking from prior coal fired heating system And have a guy ready to help with the stud work - just the sudden news about the waste flow was disappointing - apparently you dont want to step up into the shower although am not quite sure why The guy did not like my cladding for the bathroom wall panelling either - what is wrong with wood in the bathroom? I love wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 37 minutes ago, Temp said: Yes but its not necessarily as bad as it seems... If a loft conversion makes it a three storey house then yes you normally need what Building Control call a "Protected" exit route. Can be a problem if the house is open plan. Normally it means the walls and doors to the stairs need to have improved fire rating. Provided its not open plan on the ground floor you normally only need fire rated doors BUT they do not need to be self closing like in a hotel. In some cases I think existing doors can be modified to meet the regs. sorry missed that - the building control lady seemed quite adamant as did the architect that the doors had to be self closing - and yes i read that doors could be painted with fire resistant paint but also that 2 exits could be provided so one down the stairs and one out the window so yes this is kind of what i was trying to put to the architect who virtually bid me adieu with a Good Luck with That before I could ask about windows not opening on the first floor except one Thought another window in the first floor shower WC conversion with an exit out that window might provide a second exit on first floor other than the bedroom window because there is surprisingly - yes it was cheap and you know just sitting looking at the view... but none of the window open apart from one upstairs bedroom window at the front - plus there is a mullion missing with apparently no lintel but he was apparently not inclined to assist / discuss Edited February 3, 2021 by EmB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 They don't in England. Not certain about Scotland or Wales. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/fire-safety-advice-and-guidance/do-fire-doors-need-to-be-self-closing- "In private dwellinghouses, a self closing device is only required if your home has an internal garage door. Both ADB and the Local Government Association’s publication Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats state that no other fire doors in your private home require self closing devices – although it is recommended!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Temp said: They don't in England. Not certain about Scotland or Wales. sactly - but they do say that there are always alternatives will be considered so just have to find the guys and the routes to do that - possibly MSP Just wondered if anyone thought the new fire box/ladder thing was a great option or is it just me who is quite excited about it - after 9/11, in my dreams i design wind towers at at least one corner of each tower block with slides going all the way down to the bottom with small designs to slow and quicken at each adjoining tunnel from each adjoining floor like some fantasy Faraway Tree https://www.safelincs.co.uk/saffold-fold-out-fixed-fire-escape-ladder/?sku=SAF18&fGB=true Edited February 3, 2021 by EmB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 I got a small brain haemorrhage reading the first bit of the original post. I dearly hope that zoot is not behind this. Can I confirm the TLDR as "I knowingly bought a bit of a shitter and am now having a moan about tradesmen who I have hired to sort it"? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 5 minutes ago, Temp said: https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/fire-safety-advice-and-guidance/do-fire-doors-need-to-be-self-closing- "In private dwellinghouses, a self closing device is only required if your home has an internal garage door. Both ADB and the Local Government Association’s publication Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats state that no other fire doors in your private home require self closing devices – although it is recommended!" Thanks for that - will treasure it - fingers crossed - now to find the guys who can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Mr Punter said: I got a small brain haemorrhage reading the first bit of the original post. I dearly hope that zoot is not behind this. Can I confirm the TLDR as "I knowingly bought a bit of a shitter and am now having a moan about tradesmen who I have hired to sort it"? ? honestly my friend recommended i come online to get some ideas and it seems to work already although possibly not in Scotland I was editing the post to make it a bit clearer7 but you guys had already answered which I think makes it impossible to edit - Sorry But also was a warning to those who fall for guys who seem to know what they are doing plus have a hole in the wall which the planning lady is making me wonder if the house isn't maybe creaking more in the wind but think this is the first real northerly wind so.. but like i said she was seriously worried about a 20" x 2" hole in what she said was a support wall since she said the inner wall is the support wall was wondering if i should thump on the guys door demand my keys back plus he use his £2m insurance plan to buy me a repair but of course we are not allowed to move anywhere in lockdown And really the price was pretty great and is not a shitter just needs a bit of TLC plus what is TLDR:?? Edited February 3, 2021 by EmB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpd Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 (edited) 28 minutes ago, EmB said: The guy did not like my cladding for the bathroom wall panelling either - what is wrong with wood in the bathroom? I love wood Like you I am not sure if it’s “wrong” but I lined my cabin shower room in wood as I also love wood ! Been in for 6 years and no problems. Edited February 3, 2021 by Cpd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 28 minutes ago, EmB said: wow you guys are fast This is what i needed to know - have a guy in mind for the EICR but was going to get that after the conversion 0 have had someone go round the plugs and check the board and there are a few issues but nowt serious all pretty much up to scratch Yes have a plumber thinking about coming out - because there are pipes leaking from prior coal fired heating system And have a guy ready to help with the stud work - just the sudden news about the waste flow was disappointing - apparently you dont want to step up into the shower although am not quite sure why The guy did not like my cladding for the bathroom wall panelling either - what is wrong with wood in the bathroom? I love wood Do it before any conversion so that anyone doing new work knows it’s safe to add to existing or has to install new cabling back to consumer unit. you never know the property may have been rewired before it may not so best to get EICR done first and you will be issued a certificate for this !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Where are you finding these tradespersons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 2 hours ago, TonyT said: Ps where about are you in the UK? As some regulations are different , such as Scotland and England and some local authorities are more stringent than others. you can download the technical standards for a good read below applicable for Scotland. https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-domestic/ well scotland innit - and thanks - was just looking at the new regs which come out in March - https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-2017-domestic/2-fire/29-escape/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 1 minute ago, EmB said: but like i said she was seriously worried about a 20" x 2" hole in what she said was a support wall since she said the inner wall is the support wall Is that a horizontal or vertical slot? What's above it and how far above? If its just a slot in an otherwise featureless wall that's one thing. If had a padstone supporting a steel beam above it that's quite another matter. Likewise a hole in a pier between two windows might also be unwise. Typically if you cut hole without support then a triangular shape piece of wall above that hole is at risk. Its not quite that simple but hey ho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 11 minutes ago, Cpd said: Like you I am not sure if it’s “wrong” but I lined my cabin shower room in wood as I also love wood ! Been in for 6 years and no problems. This is lovely what is not to like? can we get a clapping emoji? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 6 minutes ago, EmB said: well scotland innit What does that mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 you asked where house is - scotland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmB Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 sorry is that too big Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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