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Patio Door (Fire door?)
I need to replace my patio door which is locked from inside but provides access to the communal gardens which is public accessible. My front door is a fire door, do I need to have this replaced to a fire door (I am ground floor ?) Thanks
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Levelling floor
Hi Just in the process of redecorating my hallway including fitting new flooring and skirting. An area near the back door is slightly raised and the tiles have broken. Didn't want to put flooring over this so looking to get it level again. I dampened down and used diluted PVA on the tiles before lifting and was wondering…
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Water Softener brine tank scum/mould ?
Recently replaced our water softener, now a Kinetico Kube which is later model of the previous failed unit. I am now noticing a scum/mould build up in the brine tank which I don't recall seeing in the previous unit. There is no sign of this scum in the water tank in loft, which is first place softened water goes, there is…
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Home extension costs?
Hi, I looked at home extension costs about 2 years ago and the prices went nuts. +50% up on materials from a year before. I'm thinking about extending again ... Are prices more reasonable now? I'm looking at starting in October. Thank you
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Builders
Patio needed doing and a company called out of the Blue. Happy with the initial quote of £7500. THEN after starting they found problems and wanted another £9000 THEN more problems and wanted £6000 Unfortunately all paid and they haven't finished. I have no doubt we have been conned and want to know what we can do to recoup…
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Shared Drive Woes
Hi, I am seeking some advice on behalf of my mother, who owns a semi-detached house that shares a drive with the adjoining property. Both houses are situated at the end of a single long drive, before dividing into their respective drive ways (imagine a y-shaped arrangement, with the houses adjoined by a central wall that…
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Trickle Vents on Windows
I'm getting quotes for new double glazing windows (9 in total) and I've had quotes in the range of 6k to 15k.One surveyor said that he would recommend against trickle vents despite it being against building regs. He said because I'm on the 3rd floor, the vents will whistle all the time being that high up. My mother stays…
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Selling house with old conservatory
We are completing the sellers paperwork for my late MIL’s property. It has an old conservatory out the back that was build mid 80’s. Form TA6 asks about ‘does the property have a conservatory and if so provide building regs, planning permission or was it under permitted development’ we have no idea as it was 40 years ago.…
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Home Electrical Issue - Light Switch wiring
I have a small issue with the lights at home. This issue came up at the point when I was trying to change the Light Switch. Basically I have 1x indoor light with its dedicated switch and 1x outdoor lights with its dedicated switch. The indoor light was the one I have changed the switch for. Prior to changing switch, the…
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Flat roof repair
We've got an extension on our house added in 1987 with a flat roof. The roof is showing signs of deterioration with cracks in the felt. The boards are still in good condition. If we just have the felt replaced to repair the cracks do we need building regs? All the roofers I've spoken to say if we just replace the felt this…
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Buying a Washing Machine : Should I take out extra insurance
After many years our washing machine has finally packed in, so it is time to buy a new one. I pop to my local JL store to take a look There is an AEG machine priced at £479 which has a guarantee of 2 years, with an additional option of adding 'breakdown and accidental damage' for £165 for 5 years. However looking at the…
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CCTV legal stuff
The same old chestnut cameras in around the perimeter of house so domestic not commercial. Not even facing property facing away from property to cover public foot path and right of way to whict the property has no access rights other than everyone else?? three cameras. what are the rules?????
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Boiler Insurance - easy fix but being told "beyond economical repair" and boiler needs to be replace
The fan unit in my Potterton Suprima 80l has failed according the the engineer. The parts needed are the fan unit and a seal for the fan unit. The fan unit is available as he rang Potterton (or Baxi as it is now?) whilst he was stood next to me. When he wrote up the diagnosis he said the seal won't really be needed, but…
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Shower won't turn off
I have an Aqualisa shower supplied and fitted by them recently, still within the 2 year warranty.
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Solar panels and roof repairs
Can anyone help with advice please? I had solar panels installed in nov 22. Recently there was water coming in through the light fitting in upstairs bedroom. Roofers who came to inspect said that the problem was probably under a panel but also the roof tiles were in bad shape. Seems the roofer who did the roof 6 years ago…
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Blind or something for roof 'dome'?!
So I have one of these sort of thingies, https://www.theskylightcompany.co.uk/product/em-dome-rectangular-fixed-dome/ Which usually I quite like - more light, nice noise when it rains etc But right now the sun shines through it super strong and hot, and with a kitchen table below it makes it a bit like eating in a…
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Is JCT required/alternatives?
I am about to chose a builder for a garage conversion and redecoration. What should I be looking for in terms of paperwork and contracts? I've got price breakdown and schedule of works written down and I am reasonably happy with the level of detail and communication so far. Is something like this sufficient or is a formal…
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Floor Fitter has failed to Return keys to my Flat
My flat is one of 8 flats in a 3 storey building. The floor fitter was given a key to access the building and a key to get into my flat to undertake work. The flat is being renovated and I currently do not live there and actually live 4 hours away in a different County. He completed the work 24/11/23 and he was paid in…
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Roofing repairs on next house - just routine maintenance issues?
We're buying a nice house, and the surveyor has sent the report through to us. The report had some other issues on which I wasn't too worried about. He has highlighted quite a few 'issues' with the roof but has also said it's in satisfactory condition. I'm semi-knowledgeable and think these are largely routine maintenance…
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Temporary fence help.
Unfortunately, the house next door to me has been bought by an investor. When they were doing the place up. I pointed out that one of the panels was out of the fence that they are responsible for but they did a bodge job instead of replacing the panel, which was what was needed. First lot of high winds and the panel was…