New En-suite in Ground Floor Flat

Hello Alex, We're designers with practical skills rather than straightforward trades so we come at this from a slightly different angle; ie that the objective is not to use this or that plasterboard but to create a functional, attractive living space that you're going to be happy with. Therefore, if you haven't already done so, sit down and draw up a 1:20 scale plan and plan out the space to achieve balance between all your fittings and avoid cramming. Next, make up at least two sample boards with combinations of paint colours and tile samples etc, because otherwise you'll probably struggle and end up with beige which, in a small room, can feel a bit like sitting in a bowl of porridge. To deal with your technical questions in the order in which you have raised them: 1. electrical work involving cabling will need to comply with Part P of Building Regulations. You won't need to notify the Building Control Officer to comply with Part P if you employ a contractor who belongs to either the N.I.C.E.I.C, E.C.A or other accredited service scheme. The accredited contractor will notify their accreditation service of the notifiable electrical work completed and the accreditation service will then notify the relevant Building Control Officer of all notifiable works carried out in his area (normally on a monthly basis) who will then inform you that he has the required notification. You must receive from the contractor or electrician a Minor Works Certificate if the work entails a replacement part or an alteration of a circuit; 2. plumbing work does not require self-certification unless there is gas or connection to an electrical heating source involved, although your work may fall within Part H of Building Regulations (drainage and waste disposal). In these cases, a plumber without accreditation can do the work but Building Control would need to approve it. Generally, electrical and plumbing work in a bathroom will go hand in hand because of the need to earth pipework. 3. the soil pipe: from the information is given, it's difficult to say - we'd have to see it. 15m is a long run but with, such a large void, it sounds feasible. If you need to make a new sewer connection, you will need permission from the freeholder as the connection will be beyond the area you lease. Unfortunately most freeholders take these applications as an opportunity to make a charge but the principle of consent is not normally an issue according to the terms of most leases. The sewer connection could be effected by the plumber. 4. the partition walls: we're wondering why 69 x 44 mm PSE? You don't need to use planed timber. The technical half of Handmaiden tells me that 75 x 50mm (3" x 2" sawn timber) is appropriate, with 12.5mm plasterboard and don't forget that the floor needs to be 18mm water resistant ply if you have a timber floor. Hope this helps. Amanda

you would be better off hiring a firm off my builder that carries out and organises all the work from start to finish and doing it this way would probably work out cheaper and quicker than using individual tradesmen and if any problems are encountered along the way you only have to deal with the one person rather than other tradesmen blaming each other should any faults occur Hope this helps

a plumber will deal with all waste ,soil ,and water issues .an electrician will certificate wireing. 100mm stud walling is usual to allow for door casing etc get a builder in to assess and quote .