Q&As

Hi, I’m currently planning to build a 150m2 bungalow. I was considering block and a 6″ timber frame with high insulation as a construction method. However I looked into Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF), and I’m wondering whether it is as good as it looks. If I build with ICF, would I need to install mechanical [...]

I have a run-down stable block on part of my land – approximately 200m away from my house and in its own paddock. I would like to knock-down the stable block, and build a new house in its place. The structure has water, electric connection and sewage in place. It’s not overlooking any neighbours, and [...]

The house extension was completed three and a half years ago, but the flat roof is now leaking. I had a private building control company checking my building works at the time. They signed off and gave me a certificate for “Single storey Side/Rear extension and new roof”. Now the structure leaks, there is some [...]

What solutions are there available for waste/sewage removal when no permission for septic tank is granted? Are holding tanks my only option? My property is next to a water treatment plant, so it seems that contamination is an issue with soak away and over spill. I’m thinking there may be a treatment system that eliminates [...]

We are converting a garage of about 15 m2. The garage is attached to the hous, and will be opened up to be part of an existing room. What type of insulation should we use for the garage conversion? And how much will it cost?

We would like to make our three-bedroom and two-bedroom barn conversions into wheelchair friendly holiday accommodation. We are struggling to find any guidance re specifications/costs and wondered if you could point us in the right direction please?

Hello fellow constructors and property owners. I have a question for contractors and electricians in the trade. Would extra costs be payable to contractors and electricians if problems with earthing were noticed, corrected and later proved to cause a fault? Prior to my electrician issuing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), he confirmed I did [...]

I want to know how to evaluate whether a shower’s glass door bracket is compliant with health and safety regulations in the UK. We have just had an accident where a floor tile was damaged when my wife slipped in the bath with our 1-year-old son. She held onto the glass door for support and [...]

I have planning permission to build a house in our bottom garden. I am trying to gather information to decide whether to undertake a self build or just sell the plot on. My architect told me the plot should be worth 33% of the sale price but one builder who has visited the site indicated [...]