Tradesman32

The amount of 'abuse' the original cherry tree got over the last year, can you seriously be picky or objective over the company that takes over the premises... Unbelievable!!!

You mention that it has come through your cat flap and attacked. Do you have children? Either way it's not acceptable. Deal with it so the Bengal knows it is not feared. I don't want to see the Bengal harmed but in my opinion it will need to be close to that for the cat to be too scared to come back. This may not be a popular post but deal with the Bengal fiercely and you will scare it off

There is another thread on the forum which I will be donating to if that helps. We set up a business a couple of years ago which has become quite successful so we intend to give back. I copied the link. [www.pecan.org.uk]

All you need to do is drive through Calais to the outskirts and you will see plenty of signs for Wine Warehouses. However, I would recommend driving as far south as you can because the prices and the wine available changes dramatically. If you manage to drive 4 - 5 hours south for instance you could get to Nante (loire region), I would recommend going to the hyper markets for Red wine and then to local vineyards for white ( muscadet). In my opinion you will enjoy your trip alot more if you stay over a night and enjoy some regional french hospitality.

I have been in this position before. I know Im stating the obvious here but As the client employed you through the agency it is important to ensure he is clear and open about his intention to employ you directly. We agreed a placement fee with the agency and everyone was happy. I would imagine there will be a payment involved so hopefully the employer is happy to pay it.

Hi Miga, I think the incentive to do a good job should be found within the pride a tradesman should show in his work and his reputation. Where the works are of a small nature there really shouldn't be major issues. I am genuinely sorry to hear you had a bad experience. As a customer you should definitely get the service you were offered and are paying for and Any visitor to your home should have the utmost respect for it. I wish you better luck in the future!

There are threads here about some trades that are excessive to say the least. They do say no smoke without fire but it can get out of hand. RPC, I am also in favour of a fair and balanced review but i think its important to be solely based on the posters personal experience and not on a previous review. We do extensive projects that can take anywhere from 8 weeks to 24 weeks and I find that it is imperative to ensure the relationship with the client is protected at all costs. It is very easy to forget that it is often the clients first experience of a large project and as much as it is fun and exciting it can also be daunting. However, I also think the client has a responsibility to educate themselves in what they are getting into. With us all being mostly only human we react differently to difficult decisions, expensive unknowns or simply the stress of having your home and life invaded by noisy builders. Construction is expensive. Changing during the build will change the cost. If you add things or take them away the cost will change. More often then not the change will cost a lot of money. Project planning and understanding what you are getting into is very important. I have been on the receiving end of emotional explosions and The important thing for all concerned is to deal with the issue quickly, close it off and move on. Doing most of the above is the responsibility of both parties. Although my company has not featured on the forum yet I am sure it is only a matter of time and I look forward to responding to all reviews even in times of adversity.

Obviously you can tell by my tag what I am but I will do my utmost to remain unbiased. In my opinion It is important to leave a review based on your specific experience and not based on the tradesman's previous reviews as the previous post suggests. Whilst I am sure there was an effort made to resolve the issue there are always two sides to every story. I may be alone on this but If I was to be reviewed negatively on a public forum I would like to the opportunity to firstly avoid the hassle and resolve the issue. However if that does not work and the problem continues to exist and here lies the question. When posting a negative review does anyone consider informing the tradesman of their intentions and offer the option to respond. Would people prefer to read a review with a response to give an alternative view from that of the aggrieved?

I have been in ED for a few years now and never actually set foot in the place. Obviously after a fire and no upkeep its not looking great but what was it like beforehand?

Something has definitely died. Black flies come after the maggot phase... Maybe in the gutter above a window?

Shouldn't need a dpm on top of the joists. A suspended timber floor is designed to have sufficient air flow underneath to ensure condensation does not form. I wouldn't advise a full membrane across the joists as if moisture exists it may condensate on this membrane and eventually cause damage (rot) to the timber floor joists. If you have an issue with condensation you need to vent the floor correctly to resolve. The insulation will prevent heat loss and also if installed correctly draft. The only places on a traditional suspended timber floor there should be a dpm is between the wall plate and the dwarf wall (sleeper wall). If timber sits on an outer wall ledge there should also be DPM there. Take a look at the link I posted below. Look at the floors from the 1920's. If your house was built beforehand it may not have any DPM. If you have the floorboards up now all this should be visible. http://fet.uwe.ac.uk/conweb/house_ages/elements/section3.htm

This will definitely help and when we do loft conversions it is a requirement to satisfy building control. The important thing is to ensure it remains within the suspended floor and doesn't drop as to allow it to do so would hinder airflow. We prevent the insulation dropping by stapling chicken wire in between the joists and laying loft roll (rock wool) within. Its not rocket science but I have attached a photo of how we do it which I hope is of help.

Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!! I have to say though. I would love to see a photo pop up and quieten the non believers. That would put a halt to the gallop of any monkey on a pony. (or stallion)

We will be installing 4 into a project we are building in rotherithe. You are welcome to come and see them.

Try to check how the mirror is attached. It may be attached by a bolt at the point where the mirror pivots. In my experience an Alan Key might do the job. If you loosen the bolt it will allow the mirror to pivot more easily and you can bring it back to where it needs to be and re tighten the bolt.

no explanation necessary at all. I think its best to make light of it. At the end of the day you are having somebody that is strange to you in your home and depending on the individual it will always be a new experience. Life would be boring if we were all the same!

Quite honestly I would never assume it is ok to help myself to a clients Fridge or any of their personal effects. It is of course nice to build a good relationship with the person whom you are carrying out work for and a mutual respect needs to be found and maintained. Trust is essential for both. All boundaries including the toilet should be established. I make a point of explaining which rooms are affected by the build so there is an opportunity for them to ensure personal possessions or breakables can be somewhere they know will be safe. Clear conversation and transparency is key

Spotify is fantastic.. We have it with the sonas system and its faultless..Plus with the premium service I can listen at work, abroad, or on other computer that has the download. if I just log in.. Perfect really

Sounds good to me! I'll bring the defibrillator !

You will need to be very accurate and steady doing this with circular saw. Even in a mitre saw aluminium can catch and move relatively easily which will leave you a rough cut and distorted tubing. If you are not confident I would recommend a large hacksaw.

I'm interested. Let me know when. Can't play like maradonna but beginning to look like him so could do with a good kick around

Stick to the south circular.. It only takes me 35 - 40 minutes to get there in traffic. However, If you are in a position to take the train or bus do it. Far less STRESSFULL!!

Hi LT, Good post. This something i have thought about doing but am conscious of my lack of knowledge and wary of becoming an easy target to unscrupulous people. Since everyone needs to take their first step at everything, In your experience is there a programme what you would recommend to learn from. Happy to learn the hard way at small values but want to be assured I am not being conned. Thanks,

Very regular thing for me. I get cold calls from reps to building sites every other day and often get phone calls from Reps who have spoken to guys on site or taken my number from advertising outside the sites we have. We don't do curtains but Drop me a line if you would like your house renovated.. ;)

The party wall agreement wont be an issue when selling either house. A party wall agreement is in place to protect both parties while the build is ongoing and a short period after. Your neighbours however should have had the build inspected by building control throughout the build process. They should also have a 'Final Certificate" which certifies that the conversion complies with the regs. Southwark Council should have a record of this project if it was signed off correctly. Believe it or not if you carry out work on your property which involves the party wall you are legally obliged to notify your neighbours affected. Should your neighbour want a surveyor to draw up a party wall agreement you as the person carrying out the work are again obliged by law to provide and pay for their surveyor. Even if they do not respond and you need to force the award you still need your surveyor to appoint a different surveyor on their behalf. In a situation where your neighbours have built a dormer (which technically is a window) on their half of the party wall you are not allowed to build off it or attach to it. A party wall surveyor may request a capping detail to close what will become a cavity in the event you build alongside it. In the case where they have raised the party wall for Mansard (roof) construction then you are able to make use of it but only when you have paid half the cost of the construction of the wall. With all that said the only thing I think you need to check is what the neighbours built. Make sure it is not on your side of the party wall. If in the future you decide to build a loft it will cause you problems.