Owning your own home

(Some of these walls / pillars are also concrete..) Any advice welcome...

Didn't @Dammit have concrete & cable decisions to make?

Notwithstanding any freehold / leasehold restrictions, it's going to be a ballache.

^ that's a good point.

What about metal conduit?

My google-fu is failing me, but if you get someone to do a good job neatly it would look like a purposful feature, rather than an afterthought/workaround as it does at the moment.

It can also be painted:

Edit: I think exposed conduit is the image search term you're after.

Yeah, could well be structural. Maybe clever routing and a false ceiling would be better.

Even if it's not structural, it's a pain to drill through.

More so if you want to do it cleanly.

Cutting channels in it? No thanks. Although there's probably some reaaally fun equipment for that.

Urgh, okay thanks for the headsup... I'm leasehold but don't think it would be an issue but i'm sure it's definitely a bigger job than I realise.

@hugo7 have thought about this too. Not overly in love with the idea, but realise it may be best option. Thanks again

my mum is buying a flat in a 5 storey 1960s block. It'll be a cash purchace so no need for a mortgage. How can I find out if the block needs an EWS1 form? obviously it wouldn't prevent this purchace but it would affect value.

How can I find out if the block needs an EWS1 form?

Apply for a mortgage anyway, and see what they lender says.

True of bathrooms maybe but my loft conversion in my previous place was done with plastic piping. I'm guessing that won't be changed every 20 years.

I think my mother being in the latter part of her 70s means any mortgage application might be declined before that process. There must be some way to find out

I would speak to a mortgage adviser, maybe even apply for a mortgage yourself. Some lenders don't want to lend on Ex Council (if that's what it is) some have a limit on the height of the block and others will know about EWS1 stipulations.

As you say, it's not about the current sale, but future value/ability to sell.

I think the other thing about plastic pipes is how the connections are done, I would be wary of push fit stuff, as that involves much more rubber seals, if you use plastic pipes with a suitable solvent weld I can't imagine it will fail any time soon.

If I want these chased into the walls, I guess I'd first get in an electrician then a plasterer?

And you'll need a shit load of money to coax the required people to do such a ball-ache of a job.

You'll be horrified at the quotes and not do it.

Dunno if you are doing this yourself, seems unusual to start with the floor?
What was the reason?

Edit; that sounds quite negative re-Reading that, I ask as I’m planning to update mine a little before getting it done by someone in a few years.

my mum is buying a flat in a 5 storey 1960s block

How can I find out if the block needs an EWS1 form?

Unless the building has been retrospectively cladded or significantly altered It's unlikely.

Main issues with 60s flats is that many are concrete construction and beyond their service life. As yours is five stories it's probably brick type?

I like to keep things simple :)

You are right of course, buying purpose built flats now is a minefield. I mean, it was prior to Grenfell and EWS, but now it's proper mad. I didn't say it wasn't, and highlighted other things Fredy shout think about.

Here's another thing - if it's ex LA check the LA isn't going to knock it down in five years time. Good luck with finding that out...

@Howard answering EWS1 questions

I'm the guy at the back who dies, right?

insert bladerunner gag

Dr Greene 4vr inr <3s

Chasing stuff into concrete was something I considered and then passed on. I did chase into some very thick plaster for one run, but it was a very unpleasant job as I had to remove fibre board first. If I were to do it again I’d go for a false ceiling without any hesitation- far, far less work overall.

In the kitchen I went for exposed conduit as I hung light fittings from it, so it works quite well I think.

As TW said, if the mortgage will lend for it then that's what really matters.

Personally I'd avoid anything in a block of flats for the foreseeable future, even if it's under 18 meters and without cladding there's still a chance lenders will ask for an EWS1.

Thanks. I’m quick going off the idea! But I’ll look into anyway and see where we get to. Then go with some exposed solution.

Another thought - why would it matter?

As you say, the mortgage is irrelevant.

If it's about valuation - who cares what somebody else thinks that the property is worth.

If it's just as a decision making data point, you can always ask the surveyor to provide two valuations - one with and one without.

If it's about the safety of the property, the form itself is oireelevant, and you just need the surveyor's opinion.

[Edit] just realiesd that there is the consideration of if works might be compelled based on the form. But then it's not the form thats driving that, its the property.

Also guessing my electrics are old - changed a ceiling light and have red and black cables in addition to brown and blue

Brown and blue only came in in 2006 for installed wiring, which as a fraction of the lifespan of decent PVC insulation is naff all.

Can anyone recommend garden office providers for me to look at please. Also what do you think the main dimensions are for a single office?

What type are you thinking? Block work, Log cabin style, SIP panels, etc.?