Q&As

We have outline planning permission on a rear garden plot with access to the left of our existing house. We want to change this access to the other side. Do we need permission to do this? If so, what type of application is needed? We don’t want to have to start from scratch if possible.

I’m planning to build a beamand- block house. How do I fix the plasterboard to the floor of the first floor to create the ceilings for the ground floor underneath?

We have an area outside where water collects and someone has recommended a natural soakaway to deal with the problem. What is this and how would you create one?

I have installed some reclaimed oak beams in my family room and I want to drywall between them, but I am unsure what to use tight up against the oak beams, as I want to avoid compression and cracking due to expansion and contraction. Is there a product or system that you would recommend?

I am about to build a four-stable barn with carriage house in 9in (24cm) concrete blocks. How many blocks would a competent brick/ blocklaying team expect to lay in a day, and is it better to use 4in (10cm) blocks laid flat? The site I have is flat and clear. I am trying to get […]

I am thinking of having a 3m x 3.5m single-storey extension built and could do with some advice regarding the foundations for it. The extension will be 1.6m away from a 2m-high wood log retaining wall that in turn supports another 2m high log retaining wall 3m back from it. The log wall is 1m […]

I plan to incorporate a lot of glass in my main reception areas and was wondering what is the best way to heat the rooms.

In 2000 I built a 13m x 11m house with an attic room and slate roof for £150,000, using all top quality materials. I’m now considering a similar project. How much have building costs increased since then?