The House Projects Thread

[jamcg]

I've been in the loft, trying to understand how the gable roof above the bay window is constructed. I hate roofs, as I just do not understand how some of the older ones work. Modern trusses look absurdly OTT and give you feck all practical space, but older houses seemingly have rafters supported on thin air with barely anything to tie them horizontally either. Even the structural engineer we had out a couple of weeks ago said roof design is a thing of witchcraft.

No witchcraft involved in old houses, just stick 2 massive oak beams across the span in the brickwork with the trusses supported on it and let the weight hold everything in place. New modern ones are made to use as small size of timber as possible to save cost and make lofts a massive ball ache to work in

[Jobbo]

Since we haven't started our extension yet (next year, I expect), I'm looking forward to seeing what the new permitted development rules might allow instead. I don't think we'd alter the design but it's worth considering if you're shortly embarking on a project.

Having been busy with work I've not been concentrating on house stuff recently but I do think a loft conversion would be great, and pretty easy to do since we have a nice steep pitch. It'll balance out the single-storey ground floor extension too.

[integrale_evo]

Any hint what the changes might be?

My mum has just got full residential planning through for a barn conversion which I’ll be partly project managing.

We’ve only gone for a parking area at the moment but will get the base cast with a view to sticking a garage on it in future...

[Swervin_Mervin]

Any hint what the changes might be?

My mum has just got full residential planning through for a barn conversion which I’ll be partly project managing.

We’ve only gone for a parking area at the moment but will get the base cast with a view to sticking a garage on it in future...

Whatever the fvck you like from what little I've read of it!

[Jobbo]

Going upwards seems likely to be permitted now, Harry - so a two storey extension, or a bungalow to house conversion. Plus relaxation as to what can be converted into residential from other use. Bear in mind with a barn conversion, the barn may be listed in the first place, or at least within the curtilage of a listed building, so permitted development rights wouldn't apply.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

[Gavin]

Just completely cleared out our bedroom of drawers, bed, everything and the carpet company phoned to say Wednesday, terribly sorry. Bloody pest to say the least as kids are back to school tomorrow, wife was back today and we have drawers out their units in baths, in spare cupboard space etc so will be a laugh finding clothes for tomorrow.

Still waiting on quotes for new bathroom, en-suite refresh and new kitchen and new internal doors, back door and garden room. Honestly thought we would have an idea of overall cost but seems loads of people, having been stuck indoors, have decided to do exactly the same!

[Simon]

You're lucky. I've cleared out a bedroom for a carpet fitter, only for the fitter to not turn up at all and when I phoned to chase them he was 'ill'. I was fucking fuming, stormed down to the shop, collected a refund on the fitting fee along with the carpet, which I took home and fitted myself.

[Jobbo]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

That's the idea, though the detail hasn't yet been published.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

That's the idea, though the detail hasn't yet been published.

Obvs the reality isn't quite as straightforward as the theory. Could see some right carbunkles

[V8Granite]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

That's the idea, though the detail hasn't yet been published.

Obvs the reality isn't quite as straightforward as the theory. Could see some right carbunkles

I remember after the right to buy scheme, people added selfish extensions impacting others, things made of wire and string and the absolute best, a whole 3 storey mid terrace clad in polished crazy paving in cream and bright blue

My friend Tom lived there and his mum was quite the angry stoner

Dave!

[Gwaredd]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

Seems crazy to think I can plop another 2 srories on my house with zero planning. I suspect the sneaky downfall to this will be inappropriate footings to do so, meaning either you physically can't, or if you do (and they are sub-standard) you'll be asked to pull the whole lot down.

I can see some heartbreak for the future with this rule...

[Swervin_Mervin]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

Seems crazy to think I can plop another 2 srories on my house with zero planning. I suspect the sneaky downfall to this will be inappropriate footings to do so, meaning either you physically can't, or if you do (and they are sub-standard) you'll be asked to pull the whole lot down.

I can see some heartbreak for the future with this rule...

Exactly what I meant about the reality being very starkly different to the theory. No doubt won't stop some people trying though, and trying to circumvent Building Regs

[Carlos]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

Seems crazy to think I can plop another 2 srories on my house with zero planning. I suspect the sneaky downfall to this will be inappropriate footings to do so, meaning either you physically can't, or if you do (and they are sub-standard) you'll be asked to pull the whole lot down.

I can see some heartbreak for the future with this rule...

You'd still need to follow building regulations even with a permitted development .

[Jimexpl]

Can go up 2 storeys under the new PD can't you?

Seems crazy to think I can plop another 2 srories on my house with zero planning. I suspect the sneaky downfall to this will be inappropriate footings to do so, meaning either you physically can't, or if you do (and they are sub-standard) you'll be asked to pull the whole lot down.

I can see some heartbreak for the future with this rule...

You'd still need to follow building regulations even with a permitted development .

Unless you manage to build it and no one complains for two years! Building Control stops being enforced, but if you sell then any half reasonable solicitor will be asking for evidence.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Seems crazy to think I can plop another 2 srories on my house with zero planning. I suspect the sneaky downfall to this will be inappropriate footings to do so, meaning either you physically can't, or if you do (and they are sub-standard) you'll be asked to pull the whole lot down.

I can see some heartbreak for the future with this rule...

You'd still need to follow building regulations even with a permitted development .

Unless you manage to build it and no one complains for two years! Building Control stops being enforced, but if you sell then any half reasonable solicitor will be asking for evidence.

Yeah but even then it's just buyer beware and an indemnity.

Ours doesn't have building regs but their view was "if it hasn't fallen down in 10yrs it's probably fine"

[GG.]

So - we are having the decking in our back garden replaced imminently (scheduled start beginning of September) but sadly not quite soon enough...

As well as doing a good job of rotting through and potentially impaling your bare feet with rusty nails, it turns out that the other thing decking is exceptionally good at is hiding the large decomposing corpse of a fox. My good god in heaven - if it isn't the most repulsive thing I've ever come across.

As it was nicely hidden out of sight (and we have been at my in laws in Oxford the prior week), it has managed to get to the stage of black putrefaction without detection and is covered in a veritable carpet of maggots. I mean I've smelt bad things before but this is bad enough to make you dry heave from 8 feet away and the smell seemingly permeates through windows and walls.

I've booked someone in tomorrow to deal with it as there's no fucking way I'm getting my hands dirty on this one

[Simon]

^^Beany has eaten worse...

[Beany]

^^Beany has eaten worse...

This is probably true.

Although tonight I had some pork chops with 3/4 a plate of garlic mushrooms, although the mushrooms needed more garlic.

MOAR GARLIC.

[V8Granite]

So - we are having the decking in our back garden replaced imminently (scheduled start beginning of September) but sadly not quite soon enough...

As well as doing a good job of rotting through and potentially impaling your bare feet with rusty nails, it turns out that the other thing decking is exceptionally good at is hiding the large decomposing corpse of a fox. My good god in heaven - if it isn't the most repulsive thing I've ever come across.

As it was nicely hidden out of sight (and we have been at my in laws in Oxford the prior week), it has managed to get to the stage of black putrefaction without detection and is covered in a veritable carpet of maggots. I mean I've smelt bad things before but this is bad enough to make you dry heave from 8 feet away and the smell seemingly permeates through windows and walls.

I've booked someone in tomorrow to deal with it as there's no fucking way I'm getting my hands dirty on this one

The maggots will get through that quick enough. Let nature take its course.

Dave!