citylover

For me the language barrier certainly was a problem, absolutely everything had to go via google translate, from me to him, then his response back and it took forever so I gave up. Nice enough guy though and it was at least 8 months ago so there may have been some improvement!

Time to add a review for Maurice since I've used him for over a year now and he has saved me from huge stress because he always diagnoses the problem. The gas engineer alarmed me by saying there was a leak in my wall at my rental flat and did I know a builder?! Maurice had a look and found a tiny leak in a solder that a teeny jet of water was spouting out from backwards into a hole in the wall then hitting brick and flowing back out forwards so it looked like it was coming from the wall. He cut the pipe out and replaced it in about half an hour. He also worked out my scalextric like pipework under the floor by getting under it via the gas cupboard! Amazing plumber, thanks Maurice!

Found Aaron on the forum, just used him for the second time on a room with old lathe and plaster that was falling to bits. He did an amazing job, the room is transformed + he advised me how to securely fix the radiator back on as we discovered it had only just been hanging on to the plaster and was actually being supported by 4 screws someone had screwed under it into the skirting. He's on 07773 410661

They removed some large items from my place a couple of weeks ago, they got the job done efficiently and were pleasant from start to finish. Would def use again.

Hi, that's strange, that's all I've ever done. Can't blame builders for not wanting to quote as it can cost as much as you want even though those are very common projects, you could get a rough idea of build cost just from a search on the net. What I've always done is pay ?150-?250 for a visit by an architect for basic design sketches and to know what's possible and then I pay for drawings. You inevitably go through a few versions though. You need the architect for all the building details like the type of insulation to use but my builder had most of that knowledge so I managed without but it would have been much easier to have it all itemised from the start. So, it's great if you can have an architect for the whole project but if you can't afford it you can get it done without (but you might need other professional advice here and there due to lack of having an architect)

Just a quick note Sepiroth- I can't be knee deep in Facebook because I've never used it. I have however been surrounded by obsessive Remainers for the last decade, that is the London experience unfortunately. Too many highly educated people who think their education fills the void where ignorance lies.

So, "To use a 'foreign' word is not a good look"? Obviously not if your endgame is a one world government but people of all nations use the word foreign to describe people not of their nation and perceiving it as, for instance, xenophobic is a subjective choice. I believe in strong nations and difference, not a bland global mish mash so I see it as a very positive thing that there is us as a nation and many other foreign nations with whom we will agree on some things but not on others. I only wish there were more, I think the US would be far better and far more democratic for instance if it split up into nation states. And our votes will count because our governments will start being responsible for policy decisions that affect us again, not the EU,and ordinary people will be able to influence those policies via the ballot box, something impossible with us in the EU. It's just the beginning though, over 40 years under the yoke has damaged the UK so much and it's going to take time to learn how to be fully independent again.

Well, I am just thrilled to now have a vote that counts instead of just a vote. The latter is of no value as demonstrated Remain voters calling it'advisory'. The best thing about the referendum is the exposing of our demicracy as a sham, A democratic system that's largely based on a presumption that we are still a cohesive society operating on good faith and respect for tradition and unwritten rules can't work where we have ruthless people with an agenda who do not respect any of those things and think nothing of exploiting any areas which aren't clearly defined, twisting meanings and manipulating the law and parliamentary process. In that sense Brexit has only won the first battle but at least it's a start. As for hate crime mentioned above, for sure it's increased a thousand fold, I have never in my life seen such vitriol and abuse directed at decent, ordinary Brits- and just because we want to steer our own ship rather than handing over control and influence to foreign powers. Those attitudes won't change but it's better to have it exposed as Leavers know what they're dealing with now.

Regarding 'ignorant people like you are prepared to risk the future economy of the UK and livelihoods of who knows how many people for that ignorance.'- the problem here is that the people you worry about don't want or need you to worry on their behalf, they're perfectly capable of doing their own worrying. If you like, Leavers can provide uou the same offer and worry about how little you understand why so many people voted out. Regarding 'If I was a leaver I would also ponder why, if it was such a good idea, other countries aren't picking up a similar baton'- this is an easy one, they simply don't understand what the EU project is about. A great example of this is Puigdemont, President of the very successful Catalan region, except ex-pres now. One can assume he"s clever, anyway, As a socialist he felt safe in the knowledge that the EU was his friend, until his party held the vote for independence. When it all went pear-shaped he went straight to the EU to ask for their support but naturally on a question of independence and autonomy they weren't sympathetic at all. They have, since the matter's so public, given him refuge but that won't be an option if anyone tries independence in the future, he just unwittingly shone a light on their superstate aims and they couldn't have given him up to Madrid without showing how dangerous and ruthless they are. Other countries like those in the Eastern block, think the EU is benign primarily because they haven't experienced a (used to be) real democracy like the UK to compare it with. Like a Bulgarian friend told me, "It's better than what we have at home" Re Italy, Greece etc, I cd go on but got to get back to work.

Who is keeping count of every law that affects us negatively? Personally I've lost count of the number of times politicians have said in response to a complaint about this "We can't do anything about x,y, z because it's decided by the EU". Can't wait until democracy is restored and finally people can be held accountable again, i.e. voted out like Grieves, Soubry, Lee etc etc If anyone's upset that their personal priorities are missing from the withdrawal agreement then vote for a party that wants them re-enacted, at least now you have a choice.

Duncan Marlow, he just redid my place, he's really fast as well as good. 07957994960

Have used Gary for years, for the simple (replacing kitchen lights) to the tricky (working out what the rubbish builders had done to the electrics and sorting it out so I could get my completion certificate). Never fails.

This is a separate issue to skips licences, this is an additional admin thing from Southwark- the need to suspend a parking bay which delays you for a further ten days. I got my answer from Southwark finally though- even if you want the skip on a Saturday when there are no parking restrictions you still have to pay to suspend the bay as if it were a Mon/Tues etc. Doesn't make any sense but I guess it brings in money for the council The extra ten day delay is more annoying than the extra cost thing. Thanks everyone for your input.

d.b., you have to get a licence for a skip so I think they would just fine my builder!

Hi, I have to get a skip, builder wants to take everything out on Saturday and the parking restrictions state Mon-Fri. You have to suspend a bay to put a skip there now in Southwark if it has restricted parking but is that only on the days that they have the restrictions? I am hoping not to have to suspend ghe bay because it requires 10 days prior notice. Yes, did call parking, pressed the 'Suspending a bay' option and the guy who answered had no clue, ditto his manager :(