aAsk a Tradesman

I found a small crack between my wall and coving last year, then it got bigger and there were reasonably big cracks along the ceilings on both floors of my house. Not only along the walls but down the walls in the corners, by the door frames and windows. Not forgetting my FAVOURITE one which is behind the MAINS board.

I have been told these are not due to subsidence, even though some of these have appeared over the period between September and now. There are no visible cracks on the outside by outer wall is pulling away from the inner wall by my front door. So this surely can not be a figment of my imagination, and is more than just changes in room temperature.

I appreciate this isn't your typical question but I am at a loss what to do. My cat has escaped into the cellar and then through a hole so he was under the living room floor boards. I am in a terraced house so he could have possibly gone far. Please advise if you can.

Thanks guys. Really appreciate you taking the trouble to get in touch.
Sadly its been 36 hours and I've heard nothing now. Turns out there are holes leading in to the adjacent properties so he could have gone quite far as I'm in a row of 6.
Have had the fire brigade out and they have taken up some of floorboards but nothing to see under my property.

Final update. I got my cat Eric back safe and sound !!!!!! The only cellar I hadn't checked was the end house and he was in there ! Somehow he had travelled through 5 house's floor spaces and got there. Thanks for your help guys. It was appreciated and yes two visits from the fire brigade and two from the RSPCA. He is one very important cat !

Hi there

Is concrete priced per cubic metre? If so is it possible to give an indication of the price per cubic metre squared.

We need to have concrete poured as part of the groundworks for a two storey side and single back extension.

Also we are extending what is currently an old garage (but was built with the original house and converted - it's attached) about two foot sideways and then building on top. There is a concrete slab under this that was built with the original house. Do we really need to smash this up in it's entirety and re lay the whole base? Seems ridiculous to me. Previously you could just tie the new footings into the old footings without needlessly smashing it up.

Please note that the above was a general question regarding building regs, most answers have been very helpful however some of been a little presumptious. I actually do have full experience of building works from a young age and am perfectly capable of project managing a build. I have renovated several houses including roofing myself. Thank you to those who have been helpful but to others please don't make assumptions that this is simply to save money. Times are hard and surely it is better to benefit all trademan with work than not do a job at all because you cannot afford to have builder manage it all.

Thank you very much to those who have been helpful.

I'm building a 7 x 7m garage. I was making a cavity wall and was advised to build the foundations 600mm wide and 800mm deep using an ST3 concrete. I'm now doing a single block with piers.

Can anyone suggest what width and depth foundation I should use, I'm presuming it will be smaller. Also how thick should my hardcore be for the oversite?

looking to buy a house but has a really steep rear garden so would want to terrace it.

Hi

Due to site constriants and the angle of the mini-digger my foundation base is more than 600mm wide.

How do I get a uniform 600mm wide concrete base using plywood shutters.

Please help asap as I need shutters in place for Saturday otherwise it will cost me a fortune in additional concrete.

Thanks in advance.

Hi - please read the full question - he is a prof builder from mybuilder - probs with site meant had to get a small digger which only came with 900 and 300 bucket and even 300 bucket was tight. In hindsight should have got some labourers and done manual dig.

Will have to work out how much additional concrete will be needed

Is it costly? Area 34 sqm approx.

I will probably be digging the trench for my foundations by hand, over a length of time, to save money.

Any ideas for how to keep the trench in good condition, i.e. no crumbling sides, turning to muddy mess etc.

Replacement block paved drive - weather has delayed progress and job will take longer than the 7 days quoted to complete. Single man contractor has hinted I will bear full cost of extra day(s). I thought the builder took the weather risk? I don't want to fall out with him but neither do I want taken advantage of. What's the score?

Thanks for all the answers!
Knowing that my first thoughts were correct as confirmed here, I was able to head off any problems and come to a solution that was good for both of us - he did a good job, and sorted out a few other things that were not on the spec, but better sorted while the gear was on site. So he got an extra day and I'm still happy compared with other quotes. Nice one.

Current living in bungalow and and thinking of knocking bungalow down and building two storey house on same foot print as bungalow using existing foundations.
Current depth of foundation is 600 mm with 250 mm concrete.
I have been told modern standard is 900 mm
Trying to establish if I can build on these existing foundations