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It depends how its laid. It can be laid direct on a concrete base which would be very firm or normally it would be laid on compacted hardcore topped with an inch or so of compacted grit sand. Laying on the grit will give a softer surface. Walk on an artificial football pitch for an idea of what...

Its a toss up really where you want the ease of access. Decking can be laid flush with a threshold to give an easy transition out of the door but then you need either steps or a ramp at the edges of the deck where it meets paths. Artificial turf on the other hand will be easy give seamless...

dont use blinding or sub base as you will find it impossible to compact it completely in the confined area of a step. As long as the steps are enclosed on all sides use clean stone and or rubble. It can not be compacted and therefore will not settle. The ineveitable 2mm of settlement in fine...

Contractors who come up with the easiest half assed solution to problems should be regarded with caution. Even more so if its a response to you bringing up issues!! The solutions he has offered are the easiest option for him but a bad result for you in the longer term. There shouldnt be a...

This looks like a bit of a horror show. Although its hard to know what the standard is if its not finished they may still adjust and fix certain bits. Some people will build the frame as shown and then puts the concreted posts in after as it makes it easier to get them in convenient positions...

First thing to do is to dig down beside the wall, often these walls look like they are just 9'' brickwork from the top but are actually backed up by blockwork and so at their base they can be 13 or even 18'' for a course or two and step in towards the top.

Always fall water away from a building unless you have no choice or its very difficult. Having the drain in the middle looks terrible, more like a farm yard than a patio. That's why you never see it. Put the drain at the edge away from the building or if thats not possible use a crossfall and...

Patio drainage is run off. You don't improve drainage of the ground under paving? You capture the water and send it to somewhere. You would normally build walls first. Never put hardcore under a wall footing. Your new walls will be retaining walls presumably so you need drainage and weep...

You dont just alternate the two sizes, you put a random selection down. 300x300 - 300x300 - 600x300- 300-300 - 600x600 - 600x600- etc etc .You can also cut a 600x600 into say 200x600 and 400x600 to break the bond. You also do the same and dont simple alternate courses having one 300 then a 600...

Not my photo, I dont have any on this computer so googled it. its refered to as a coursed width or gauged width. It can obviously still be done with 3 sizes but it is less pleasing visually.

Ironically hard pruning encourages vigourous growth. Typically with roses if you wanted to encourage a weak shoot you often would prune it hard to stimulate growth and comversely to just take a short tip off can slow growth compared to hard pruning. This is all well and good if you are able to...

yes rectangular flags always look better stretcher than square ones but if you stagger the bond as i suggested it helps a bit. Coursed width is how i often now lay sandstone and other 4 sized paving. Your bradstone can certainly be laid in that pattern if you like it. If you have 300x300s...

The pattern shown is not very random to my eye. A good random pattern will have no long straight lines and should have no x crosses where 4 corners meet. These draw the eye and ruin the look of it. You will find getting exact joints almost impossible with a random layout but should be easier...

Its a skimmia if that's any help. I don't believe they are poisonous as far as I know.

I resent you trying to make out that I in someway encouraged people to take risks with ladders. I was merely highlighting that hse has no remit over the private home.

What you do at your own home is up to you but asking people to take unnecessary risks just doing their job is a whole different ball game. Personally I have no issue justifying my professional use of a tripod ladder for the jobs I use it on.

Towers are much safer but just too slow and impractical for all but the most easy accessed hedges along driveways etc. As I said its easier to work with one similar height to the hedge but better too tall than too small.

Yes the thermal performance of wool decreases when compressed but the acoustic performance increases.

Borrow the roof of the builders home as a temporary fix. On a serious note taking a roof off when you are not ready to start the new one immediately is absolutely crazy. Yes sometimes problems occur and a delay could happen but your situation is very frustrating I'm sure. Surely if you were...

Mineral wool insulation Increases its sound deadening properties as its compressed so no probs there.