Home DIY

I'm not familiar with this hardeners business... I was just going to cut out the crap wood and fill the hole then paint.

I've previously gone hardener then filler. If you're confident you can cut out all the crap then hardener probably isn't required. Not sure you'll be able to cut that far back though.

Okay, ta. Hardener sounds like the thing, will try it.

Search for repaircare. Epoxy resin system that is the way most pros are doing it now. In the past I've used a product called decor fill with some success, just been cutting out some 10 year old repairs in Decorfill, had a about a 20% failure rate mostly around knots. Definitely cut out all the soft damaged wood and dry the area, then optionally use a liquid that seeps into the fibres of the wood and hardens them before filling. Toupret ready mixed wood filler is also very good but it doesn't dry quickly if you are filling deep holes.

The epoxy resin option is expensive for one off use, I probably spend £300 a year on it as it saves time is easier to work with and lasts longer. I have the advantage of doing several window projects a year though. There's a slightly cheaper system called Timbabuild but it's not as easy to work with.

Cheers. This? https://www.repair-care.co.uk/products/dry-flex-4

It's one tiny window by the front door. Bone dry now but I want to get it done before winter - the epoxy resin system looks pretty good googling around, but there isn't much in the house that hasn't been uPVCd, so possibly a little pricey. Do you have to go with the whole system including their own prep/hardener? Think I will pay a visit to Brewers anyway, looks like they stock it. Timbabuild looks online only.

I usually buy all this stuff online anyway, sealants online are a reasonable store. You can buy a repaircare starter kit that has everything you need but it's £100+. Yes you should use the system hardener. Keep an eye on the price at Brewers, they are usually a bit pricey if you don't get big trade discounts from them. Its a great system but price of entry is restrictive, you might just get away with a 2 part filler (Decor fill), if you prep everything well and are prepared to fill and sand a few times then it should do the job, just the risk that the whole repair pops out if you get it wrong.

Solar decking lights; what is a good make to get? Do they have some sort of switch? I dont want them to be 'on' every evening ..

Fucking hell.
Can someone explain why a gardener would send us a quote for materials, make the order, and then request the remainder of the material budget as cash? It's 850 quid, there will be no receipts for the consumables he's buying. I'm basically giving him money here aren't I?

Srsly. I may need a new builder gardener.

Tell him you need receipts for your own tax reasons.

Mumsnet, I'm not being unreasonable am I?

Been making some rather slow progress to the house of late. Shutters made a big difference.

Need to get 2 windows replaced in the kitchen now and replace some of the light fitting/install bedside lights.
Still got to finish stairs/bannister :'(

Very tidy, I'm guessing the featured unit is the current tv stand?

This thread depresses me...

Actually tenderloin's photos depress me...

How niche are electricians and gas engineers/installers? Does a hybrid of the two exist without going to a big/faceless company?

I'm looking at having both a full electrical rewire and a boiler (plus central heating/radiators) added to an old brick property and it seems more intuitive to me to have a single tradesmen taking care of both tasks (more accountability, some potential economy of scale?).

Am I hoping for something which doesn't really exist? An independent qualified electrician/gas engineer? Needless to say, any recommendations appreciated.

After a LOT of email back and forward, our builder said this:

I do not supply receipts for any materials I buy.

And then in his last email

I have read your reply in detail and unfortunately I have decided
that it would be best not to continue this working relationship. From
the tone of your emails I am now worried that you will not pay me on
completion of the work.

As for your point regarding the Trade Discount, it is common practice
for tradespeople to make 20% on material to cover the running cost of
being a business. I was being very generous in offering my trade
discount with full transparency. It is not your entitlement.

Regarding the £845, of course I would have given a receipt to prove I
have taken money for materials. This is common practice. On bigger
bulk deliveries I obtain receipts on delivery of the material and the
customer would have them.

Please do not contact me again.

Regards

It's rare you'll find a one man band that does both, some partnerships are out there, a quick Google should show you and remember you can check membership of Gas Safe and anything like the NICEIC or ELECSA online.

Lol

In a way, I feel like we've dodged a bullet here.

It's not uncommon for people to quote low then try and make up profit from materials. I.e. charge you full price but pay a trade discount. Not the most transparent way of doing things and if you're not comfortable with it it's for the best that it didn't go ahead before any money changed hands.

Not sure if this has been covered but next builder you get in, offer to provide the materials and they just provide the labour.

That way you can have a full itemised account of all the spending.

It's hard to say whether or not it would save you money though...

Like bike shops?

It's more like, this was the cash float for buying bulk items like sand/gravel etc.
But it wasn't clear.
Anyway. Back to finding someone.

Yeah.
It's just not the way the 3 other trades blokes we've had worked.

Plumber: Yep, you want these? I've called the merchants, you call them, they'll charge you trade.
Builder: Here's the price of what you paid for. Here's my time.
Plasterer: Here's what you're paying for. Here's my time.

le whine. le sigh.