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Hi I'm about to lay porcelain floor tiles on a concrete screed in a new extension. No underfloor heating. The tiles are fairly small (50cm square / 50 x 25). Area is 7m x 3.5m. Should / can I do anything to counter the noticeable vibration when I walk across the screed? When I walk normally...

Please, please help, clever and knowledgeable people. Sorry for the long story..in brief: Can you lower block and beam around an extension built on the block and beam? Can you remove the block and beam on the outside of a building built over the block and beam? In Oct 2018, builder built a...

I'm looking pedestals up --- v interesting, I like it ... given there is a 3 foot high void / soil beneath the patio, where do we send the water? my brain is going all heath robinson.... (suspended under patio drainage)...I am already worried that I cannot see what happens in the void (half...

thanks -- it doesn't bounce much but the original builder seemed to think we had to put a screed on it. We planned on more a grout than mortar between the slabs. It's Stonemarket pyramis gold limestone slabs - they keep changing their recommendations on how to lay it, which doesn't help!

Hi, what sort of screed do I need to be safe from bounce wrecking my limestone flags, laid on block and beam 3 feet above garden level I have a block and beam patio about 2m x 6m with a 4m radius quarter-circle on the end. Most of the beams are 2.3m or shorter. I plan to lay limestone flags...

We asked for a sunroom. Never a conservatory. May have used the word extension and the word orangery. Not conservatory because it has a solid roof (with lantern) and one solid wall. Good thought... I've spoken to a lot of people today and decided not to do a SAP calc but to go with the...

Thank you Woody. The work will tally with the certificate in that we'll bite the bullet and install external doors. I planned on double glazed doors in any case just from common sense, to keep other rooms warm in winter. I agree with everything you say but don't feel able to push back much. It...

Hi Jonbey, The plans showed the doors - mere accident. The architect happened to draw the existing (completely shot) doors. From building control inspections: The floor is "100mm PIR to floor with compacted MOT and lapped dpm" Roof is "Warm roof 120mm Celotex on top all ok." From what builder...

This is renovation following a burst pipe so both the bath and the bath panel were the old ones and were onsite throughout repairs. I expected them to go back at the height they originally were. Same with the shower (although we couldn't buy a tray as deep as the old one, more silly fashions...

I have no doubt builder is telling porkies. I think he intended to pass regs properly and stuffed up because he doesn't even know what regs are, then found this loophole. He also won't complete the patio atm unless I accept in writing the risk of the fall he built being 1 in 100 ... I don't...

I am piissed off and a half and trying to fix it! I know you're sensible Woody, but in practice, it isn't easy fighting builders. What steps would you take to fix the situation? Currently the builder has downed tools because I briefly shouted at him on Tuesday and "he can't put his team at...

The private Building Control company hired by my builder plans to issue a certificate for my new extension based on the fact it is exempt if the builder installs external doors between the extension and the existing house. This means no U value calcs are needed. Doors are not yet installed and I...

@MeldrewMate - you're right. It is about 2 inches higher than before so I was just hoping for the best... I can see the concrete floor is an issue but surely it is a known problem and a better solution could be found...

Thanks, that all cheers me up, will aim to confront them and tell them to lower it... :-)

Thanks FiremanT - they should be putting back the old bath panel which suited the old height, 8 cm lower. A pretty standard size so almost certainly the same size as your survey identified :-) Their plan is to add taller skirting below it. So far all that is in place is the shower tray...

In a complete bathroom rebuild, my bath has just been replaced in its old spot (well, the new shower enclosure is 30cm wider so it is 30cm to one side of its old spot). They have put the bath's feet on bricks so they could attach the waste - so the whole is now at least 7cm higher than it used...

That's definitely an idea. How would you recommend I find a building surveyor (given I've not managed well finding an architect or builder :-) I've nothing against getting the glass checked - it is more a question of what that achieves - I think the best outcome comes from the builder and his...

Hi! yes, I thought those three items (door and opening window) were low-e. Other 7 plus the lantern are not, I reckon. Yes, they're big - hence wanting some solar control It's a warm roof, very well insulated, as are the few areas of wall. I haven't seen any structural calcs (actually I have...

@Leofric - I don't understand enough to answer properly. Yes, the architect just produced some pictures with measurements. I wasn't delighted but that's what I got. He is listed by the architects' registration board. Nobody ever mentioned a building notice to me and I don't know whether the...

Here’s a picture (They have built a road of hardcore 4m wide through my garden, which is devastating... but that’s another argument waiting to happen.. they used 7 ton vehicles which I don’t think was necessary) I still think it looks nice!