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Hi, Apologies that similar questions have been asked loads of times, but I can't find an answer to this particular scenario. The plan this year is to build a wooden-framed garden room for crafting. The dimensions dictated by the plot available are 9m x 2.8m. Although timber framed, it will be...

Hi, I was planning to build a large storage shed 8m x 6m until I realised anything over 30m2 would need building regs approval. I've got a large plot and the shed was going to be more than 2m from any boundary, so permitted development and the fact it would be combustible (wood) should be OK...

Hi, Does anyone have any views on the reliability of LED downlights? I'm talking about the integrated ones rather than LED GU10s for standard fittings. I bought 60 of these things for a major extension and refurb, and 6 months later 7 have failed one way or another. One flickered (off more...

Hi, I've had some major building work done (extensions to 3 sides), and all existing windows and doors were replaced as part of the work. The builder used the same local window company that he always uses. The whole bungalow was to be rendered with a monocouche render, so the window company...

Hi, This is a follow-up question to the thread here: //www.diynot.com/diy/threads/wrong-colour-monocouche-how-to-fix.421747/ So I told the builders to remove the wrong render and render again with the right colour of monocouche. They started removing the render this morning and are...

Hi, So the builders told me their subcontractor was going to use Monocouche XF Standard from Monocouche Render Systems. I ordered some samples and chose ivory, which is basically light cream. The subcontractor turned up on site and got about 40% of the render on and scraped back before...

Hi, Having extended my detached bungalow on both sides I'm about to have it rendered in monocouche (http://monocouche.co.uk/). The contractor has recommended expansion joints where the extensions meet the original building, indicated by arrows on the drawing below. Is this strictly necessary...

Hi, Does anyone know where I can get hold of a "solid" internal 6 panel french door? It seems like most internal french doors available off the shelf are glazed. The other doors in the house are moulded (hollow) 6 panel with a woodgrain texture and I'd like something to match without breaking...

Hi, We've suffered from appallingly low flow rate from our mains water supply since we moved in 18 years ago. Now we're having some major extensions built I figured it's about time I did something about it. The property was built in 1971 as a "labourers cottage" behind a farmhouse dating...

Hi, I'm having my bungalow extended (quite a lot) and the sparky has proposed to install 1 x heat detector and 2 x smoke detectors, hard wired to the mains and interlinked with battery backup. I've no problem with this. I'm going to install a burglar alarm and the panel I'm most likely to...

Hi, I'm having an extension built with a modern mansard roof topped with fibreglass. The top row of tiles looked really neat before the fibreglass was laid, but they have been knocked silly along the way. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the result until the resin had set. The contractor...

Hi, Quick question. I have an old English Electric electricity meter (type C31B/M) which is stamped "40A MAX". I've read that this is just the limit of accuracy and the meter will handle much higher currents (well over 100A). Is this true? I'm having 3 large extensions added to my house...

Hi, The OFTEC recommendations for buried oil supply pipes are all very straightforward. http://www.oftec.org/Media/Default/DocGalleries/OFTEC%20Homes%20Guides/OFTEC_HomeGuide_DomesticOilSupplyPipes_PUB21.pdf However there is one point I need some help with: "Oil feed pipes should be...

Hi, I'm having an extension built and it's poured with rain over the past couple of days. The builders have laid the oversite concrete on Visqueen and made a good start on the walls. But what keeps the damp out also keeps the rainwater in. So the "floor" is under about an inch of water. To...

Hi, I'm thinking about replacing the tiles on the roof of a detached bungalow as part of major building works which will see the roof extended. The bungalow was built in 1971 and the existing concrete plain tiles have a gritty finish which moss loves to grow on. A neighbour with the same...

Hi, I'm about to extend both sides and the rear of a detached bungalow under permitted development. I've obtained a CLUP from the local council to cover the works. The PD rules say that any extension should use the same materials as the existing dwelling, where practical. In my case this is...

Hi, I want a site location plan and a block plan to go with a planning application. All the advice seems to be to buy kosher plans from one of the OS agencies. It's £10 - £20 a pop, but small beer compared to the actual building work if all goes well. So I register with a few of them and take...

Hi, I have a small bungalow located on a large backland plot in a green belt village. The bungalow is 12m wide x 6.5m deep, making it only 78m2 on plan. The plot is over 2000m2 with fantastic views over open countryside, but the bungalow is just too small even for 2 people. I went to the...