A Project Manager is someone who coordinates the various sub contractors necessary to get anything built. Your Architect may mean that he will administer the building contract and inspect the works so that they are generally in accordance with the contract information (his drawings). I would say that if you are going to get your Architect to do this agree a monthly fixed fee. It should all be clear in the Architects terms of appointment. Whether it’s worthwhile….. Depends on what you are after really. It will give you more control over the build but it will cost you more up front but may save your more in the long run. In my experience, most domestic clients such as yourself, use the Building Regulation drawings and some scheduling of fixtures and fittings and hopefully employ a good builder. It’s hard to advise either way really. I’m an Architect and I do both. Some clients want that level of Architect involvement and others don’t see the benefit. I can see both sides. The most important thing I think is to be clear with your builder about absolutely everything he has included. “I haven’t allowed for that” is something you will hear a lot. If you can find a reliable builder who is well recommended you are halfway there.

Interesting. We were thinking about a disco last summer but decided to keep our xc90 as it’s been very reliable. It’s a bit of a bus though, no where near as refined as the disco but very comfortable on long trips (to skiing). The stories above are putting me off discos! I like the look of the new xc90 but a bit out of price range for a bit.

It’s so big I can see the clangers.

When it’s my turn, I hope that someone can write a piece like that. Moving.

Actually after saying Range Rover I thought of another: Ford RS200. I thought that was a beautiful car killed off by too many crashes in group B cars at the time. Now where’s that lotto ticket?

I would go and talk to the police about it. If you can identify the lady then the best thing is that they would go and have a chat with her. Dog sounds like it should be on a lead/muzzled (actually some training would help!).

Ironnigel – brilliant. You should write a book.

In my experience the sewage undertaker will approve the proposals and then this would be accepted by BC. The idea of building within 3m is to prevent damage to the pipe and access for any possible replacement of the pipe run. How close are you. On our own extension we were at 1m away but had to go down to the invert of the drain (2.5m). All details were approved by sewage undertaker and they sent the letter to BC confirming all ok. Perhaps phone up the sewage guys and ask them if they have sent letter to BC?

Its a bit sad but as I get older I think comfort over outright speed so Range Rover for me.

What the hell is your GF doing in the garage/mancave!?

I use a Gore windstopper. Can’t remember what it’s called but the one with removable sleeves. I’m 6’6″ and fits well. It’s not waterproof as such but does a good job. If you sweat a lot I don’t rally see the point of full waterproof. I have a Gore gortex and it gets pretty hot and uncomfortable pretty quickly – I only use it when walking the dog these days. Also to be fair if it is raining that hard I’m heading back anyway!

It’s a good question: nothing during the week. Usage at the weekend varies but probably 1 – 2 hours each day but behaviour led (iPad has gone away for the rest of the weekend after this mornings efforts!!). Ages 7 and 9. Oldest wants playstation for Christmas (I don’t think so). “When I was your age we only had… Blah blah blah”.

Its likely that the slab is damp (above 75% RH) and the moisture is condensation forming against the impervious sheet flooring as that warms up either by heat in the room or just sun on the floor. As long as the floor is sound a liquid applied dpm such as RIW should work. I imagine the bubbling you are seeing is expansion of the sheet where it is no longer stuck down to the substrate. I would say that the floor layer should inspect the floor for suitability including checking its moisture content and only lay it if he accepts the floor is ok to lay. Perhaps check their T&Cs to see what you agreed to! If your old lino floor looked ok it maybe because lino gets harder with age and perhaps it was just rigid and hence looked ok? Of course check externally for leaking rainwater pipes etc.

I hope you have a longer bed at home.
Amazing resilience.

Subzero but get the right website otherwise you’ll be buying an expensive cooker or fridge.

Girl in architects office I used to work in came back from loo with funny look and said ‘someone’s built a log cabin in trap 2 without planning permission’.

The value of the QS I would say depends on how good the drawings an information are. Alternative to that is that the QS will sit down and go through the project with you. I would say its unusual to employ a QS on that scale of project. However, there would be no harm in asking a local QS or two what service they offer for your sort of project and what it may cost. I agree with b r that at least your builder quotes will be ‘like for like’ if you use a QS.

The last time I did this I was a student in Newcastle aged erm 28…. Knocked and started to run.. guy came out without any delay wielding an axe shouting unpleasantries. ‘Run’ was an underestimation. The main thing I remember was running past a gate and a dog came out after me. I’m sure to this day I outran it. I never looked back so good chance mr axe never actually chased me.

Architect (or Pompus and Pretentious – thanks Mikey74!) and stay at home dad. Balancing the two is difficult but rewarding. I love Architecture but satisfaction completely depends upon the outlook of the client.

Net weather TV

Padstow Lifeboat launch usually every Wednesday at 6pm.

Yes Nukeproof do some. A pair sat in my garage if you interested? (is it a pair?!) I think they are 760mm. I used them for about 6 months then went a bit wider.

BT and I claim my £5. Oh no I don’t as they’ve cut me off, given my number to someone else who apparently lives at my house, tried to make me pay his bill, threaten me with legal action, sent me two new routers, told me I never had an account (I do, I’m calling from it, oh no you’re not sir, oh yes I am…) and all I wanted to do in the first place was watch BT Sport…..

What PMK2060 says.

When exploding aerosols up a piece of drainpipe from the BBQ (imagine a mortar) at about 2am, the lady two doors down leaned out of the window and told us to “shut up I’m trying to get to sleep!!”… We did, we just had to be asked.

If BBC website is accurate:
Tube drivers starting salary is £49,673 after 6 months training – 36 hr week and 43 days holiday.

Back to the things to take – I would recommend taxi money. Once ran over a rivet on way to Waterloo. No time to fix puncture so folded and hailed a cab. Phew.

Broccoli and some water in a pan – cook broc for 5 mins. Add a bit of salt and pepper, whizz with a hand blender = quickest soup I know.

steel4real hits nail on head

51mph somewhere in Yorkshire about 20 years ago (mtb on a road). Overtook four cars and didn’t dare brake. I spoke to a track cyclist at Manchester a few years ago and he said falling off on the road is like jumping out of a car naked at 40mph… I really don’t want to find that out for myself.

This is why STW is so good. Just occasionally you get absolute classics.

Casa del Fascio in Como.

Aupair world dot com or something like that. Select ‘Sweden’ and make your choice. Then tell your wife about it sometime shortly before au pair turns up. You’ll be fine. Next post: “didn’t tell wife about Swedish au pair… Will I die?”

For a floor you will need 47x220mm at 400mm centres.
I would say worthwhile checking the ‘fibreboard’ is not asbestos.
Have you considered applying for planning to turn said barn to a house? Permitted Development now with Prior Notification. Loads of farm buildings being converted round here and making the owners a more than tidy sum.

Oops as project says!

WBP (water, boil proof) not marine. Marine ply is v expensive and overkill for a shed. I used 12mm WBP cut into 300mm sheets on the kids shed about 7 years ago and it’s fine. I fixed it with stainless steel screws. Bit overkill for kids shed but it’s pretty bomb proof. You could try OSB which is cheaper especially as you are painting it.

Love the disassembled view. Sort the door handle out!

B+Q… Nooooo! Used them twice for a client kitchen (extension meant addition to the existing) and both times was a painful experience. They took seven attempts to get the worktop right (seriously). Have used Ikea to good effect and they seem to last well. I believe they do deliver but my only experience is picking up from the shop. Not my fav use of time.

My son has one. It’s good, fits him well and is simple with 1x and rigid forks. Only downside was having to go to Evans to buy it.

50 without doubt. Thats a serious camera and no need for a zoom as you’ll be able to crop. Assuming you mean 50mm equivalent and not an actual 50mm. That Fuji lens is suburb.