Topic: The homeowners' thread

[Colo's Short and Curlies]

Dont all buildings built after a certain date need to have a water meter fitted?

[Dave]

Yeah.

[cp40]

Dont all buildings built after a certain date need to have a water meter fitted?

what date would that be?

[Dave]

1st April 1990.

[Mr Logic]

Also, don't forget to check up on the council tax band etc - you may find it jumps up significantly from what you're paying now. And don't be tempted to get a water meter.

Genuine question, why?

If you have more than a couple of people , Garden, car to wash. I think you would regret it. I know someone who got one and now cant afford to use outside tap. I also know an older bloke lives in an upstairs flat, has no outside tap- and rekons it costs him about 30% of what it did. 

Hmm, I got a water meter installed over a couple of years ago. I've also got two kids and our water bills are still less than they used to be. Often by a considerable margin. Not sure what the latest bill will be like as the two year old has discovered the joy of playing with taps but I still think you must have a pretty flagrant disregard for water conservation if you can't afford to pay your bills. Either that or someone else has tapped into your supply.

[cp40]

1st April 1990.

how is this enforced? whats the timescale? 

[Dave]

1st April 1990.

how is this enforced? whats the timescale?

It became part of the Building Regulations.

[cp40]

1st April 1990.

how is this enforced? whats the timescale?

It became part of the Building Regulations.

so its was inlcluded in all new builds after that date?

[Dave]

Should have been, yeah.

[cp40]

Trying to Find a defra approved Log/ multifuel burner that heats your hot water too, found a couple that heat radiators, but id rather heat the water.

[Dave]

Strangely f***ing ace when you finally get the drains cleared. Watching that lovely porridge of bog roll, sweetcorn, used tampons and actual pieces of poo gurgling up and eventually floating away and getting it all flowing nice and 'clean'.

Was gonna put this in the little things in life thread but I didn't think many would appreciate it.

[cp40]

Strangely f***ing ace when you finally get the drains cleared. Watching that lovely porridge of bog roll, sweetcorn, used tampons and actual pieces of poo gurgling up and eventually floating away and getting it all flowing nice and 'clean'.

Was gonna put this in the little things in life thread but I didn't think many would appreciate it.

so it was just plugged with s*** and tampons? fkin hell sounds like the goal mouths at sol.

[80]

I had a Mira Sport some years back by the way, and would only have said good things about it if I'd ever actually been asked about it before.

[Dave]

I had a Mira Sport some years back by the way, and would only have said good things about it if I'd ever actually been asked about it before.

Cheers.

I'm starting to wonder if there's one f***ing thing the w*****s that had this house have done right on it. I mean all the basics are fine, but every alteration they've done is with such little skill and foresight it's embarrassing.

The latest one is related to this drain problem. The old cover is rusted to f*** and one handle/lifting point was missing and the other broken, so I decided to buy a new one. Exactly the same size etc, in fact it's the same brand even. Got it home, cleared all the s**** out of the frame (bedded in concrete) and tried to put the new lid in... doesn't f***ing fit. They've installed the frame on the p*ss, it's like a f***ing parallelogram. So no doubt they've forced the old cover in and that's why the handles are bust from getting it back out. Useless.

[Dave]

In fact that's another tip for those thinking of looking at houses. If the estate agent or seller makes a claim about something in the house that you can't immediately and obviously see, ask them to show you it and don't just take their word for it.

[cp40]

In fact that's another tip for those thinking of looking at houses. If the estate agent or seller makes a claim about something in the house that you can't immediately and obviously see, ask them to show you it and don't just take their word for it.

buying a house off a s*** dIYer is a f***ing nightmare like.

[ian]

Hi...We want to extend kitchen...maybe add utility room...Q.   do we really need an architect...and if so ..why?   thanks.

[Sy]

No. A builder should have enough about him to be able to do one sans architect.

You'll have to pay £350ish to the council for a building inspector to keep an eye on the regs. You shouldn't need planning permission unless you build more than the permitted amount.

Check here for guidelines (nice 3d house to play with ):

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house

[80]

Don't rule it out though. Depends how savvy you feel really, relative to the job in hand. Know any good contacts in building? Or a good manhunter in case you get trapped by a charlatan? Wouldn't hurt to contact a couple (of architects) and ask them to sell themselves to you.

[Dave]

Should we get an offset bath (small and expensive but looks snazzy and gives more room) or a normal-shaped one (means less floor space and looks bog standard but more capacity and cheaper) for the new bathroom? Both will physically fit the space.

We get showers so either way it's a bit of a waste of money, but when we have a family it'll become important. Do we pay more money for a mostly redundant item that looks the business, or go traditional route and save some brass? Can't make my mind up.

[Beren]

Snazzy.

[cp40]

if your a shower person, I would go with easiest to get in/ out (im old and have a bad ankle) and best looking.
If you like your baths like me, i would go for easiest to fill. Recently moved into new place has a two person jacuzzi bath and shower cubicle. i went mental having jacuzzis every night- and got a gas and electric bill for £250 for the first 5 weeks.  

Truth is dave i think its a taste thing, but quality bathrooms do look the biz.

put some pics up- people can judge which looks best.


edit- oh and my lass hates it cos the baby pokes her fingers in the jets and everything, so if its for a furture family, get one thats ababy friendly- you know your gonna have that- sit down ive got something to tell you - chat one day.

[Dave]

Ah, I should have clarified - we're getting a shower enclosure so this will literally just be a bath.

[Dave]

Recently moved into new place has a two person jacuzzi bath and shower cubicle. i went mental having jacuzzis every night- and got a gas and electric bill for £250 for the first 5 weeks.  

[cp40]

just joined these two dave- look useful

http://www.diynot.com/forums/

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php