Q&As

Rather than ripping out our engineered oak floor for a few battle scars, we decided to sand it back and varnish it. We used Ronseal Diamond Hard Satin Floor Varnish. After 3 1/2 days, my partner spilled some water on it and it went straight through in a matter of minutes, staining the oak. We [...]

I am about to start building my own home on my own land. I have full planning permission and the money is available without any finance required. I have a builder but need to know what warranty or National House Building Council equivalent I need? I am aware it’s not an NHBC, but what do [...]

We own and are converting a former silk mill workshop into our house, it is an empty industrial building that has never been residential, is in very poor condition and has full planning for conversion with no restrictions on its future sale etc. Am I correct thinking that if I employ a VAT registered builder, [...]

Could anyone advise on stamp duty liability on purchasing a barn with planning permission for residential, but where no work has been started? Is this classed as Commercial (it’s an unconverted barn) or Residential (it’s an unconverted barn with planning permission)?

I’m purchasing a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a view to demolish and rebuild it. I want to know what site insurance to take out until planning permission is granted – I won’t demolish the building until this point. I will not be living on site but may work on the garden and leave tools locked [...]

I’m in the process of building a garage, using concrete blocks. I built 3 outer walls using concrete blocks but it was unfortunately in the rain, I have what seems to be lime residue leeching out of the blocks/mortar. I have tried efflorescence solution and brick acid, unfortunately nothing is curing the problem and the [...]

In 2025 we started a renovation and extension project. After a short period it became clear that the property had numerous hidden structural defects and the decision was taken to stop work and apply for consent to demolish and then rebuild to the same design as already consented. Naturally, we paid VAT on the works [...]

I imagine it’s straightforward but I thought it sensible to check. The wall is two bricks thick – the exterior side is 6ft and reaches the ground while the interior is 4ft and reaches the garden ground level. I intend to dig down 3ft to install steps to a gate which will be 965mm-wide cut [...]