Ask a Tradesman
1673 Questions
- 12Answers u201Likes
- Q
What is a reasonable payment schedule?
- What is a reasonable payment schedule for a £8,000 job?
Should I give a deposit on confirmation of wanting a builder to do this work?
The job is estimated to take 3 weeks.
Many thanks
Additional Info: The builder I was thinking of using has asked for the following (I feel the 25% deposit is too high):
A deposit based on 25% of the total quotation (£8,000) is required on confirmation of the order, and 25% each week ending based on works completed.
Additional info: The builder is a member of FMB, so I am assuming he won't run off with the deposit!
Additional info: I see what you are all saying, but I am a good payer, but I guess the builder will not know this.
Thanks everyone for your advice. - Yblueeyes_34 -12th Apr, 2011 Restoration & Refurbishment
- 13Answers u152Likes
- Q
How long will a loft conversion take?
- On average how long will a loft conversion take to complete?
- Ylofty1980 -17th Feb, 2011 Loft Conversions
- 17Answers u98Likes
- Q
Getting rid of Artex
- we have some artex in our living room that we would like to get rid of. Is there an easy way of getting rid of it? it is quite thick in places (about an inch) as it was put on in a style that looks like butter spread on a slice of toast. what would be the easiest way of getting rid of it or hiding it? could we sand it down it the thickest places and then put up a thick coat of fresh plaster over the top to hide it? or should we sand it right back and then skim the wall? Or is there a product that can be bought to remove it?
- Yscissorsister -17th Feb, 2011 Plastering
- 19Answers u53Likes
- Q
Would a professional plasterer use one coat plaster?
- We've had our living room re plastered and the result is pretty poor in places, especially around sockets and near corners. The plasterer used one coat plaster which I've never come across before. I've had other jobs done and the plasterer's always used pink gypsum and the results have been much better. I want to get this guy back to improve the finish but need to know if other plasterers use this stuff.
- Ysimonewt -28th Feb, 2011 Plastering
- 7Answers u47Likes
- Q
Damp in bungalow after a burst pipe. Please help
- Hi everyone,
I am looking to purchase a bungalow which has a lot of potential. However, the main issue is it had a burst pipe in the ceiling, the plaster has collapsed and the current owners have just abandoned it. The burst pipe has been fixed, but the problem now is that ALL the interior walls have damp and black mould patches. This is also spreading as the property has not been dealt with and has been vacant for some time.
Any advice and help would be more than welcome. Or if you think I am out of my mind to buy this house, please tell me.
Thanks
- Ymyad -23rd Apr, 2011 Damp Proofing
- 9Answers u44Likes
- Q
Gaps in Skirting and Architraves
- I have had skirting and architraves installed but there are huge gaps between them and the walls. What do I fill them with that will be best in the long run and wont crack....silicon, wood filler,cork,car body filler ;-) - anything?
I wont be painting the wood coloured skirting, architraves etc and will probably be waxing or clear varnishing them.
Thank you - Ysul -5th Mar, 2011 Carpentry & Joinery
- 9Answers u43Likes
- Q
Filling fine cracks in internal walls/ceilings - have tried but they reappear! The walls have been skimmed by previous owner and are just settling cracks.
- Thanks to everone who answered - a lot of useful info there which I will follow.
Just to clarify - The house was built in 1930ish. The fine cracks are not all over the walls and appear in certain places assumably for certain reasons. (surveyor did write this could happen in his report)
ie New small internal wall put up - crack appeared where it joins existing wall.
When putting up curtain poles cracks appeared along the line of drill holes (plaster applied too thinly?)
Other key areas - on some walls above doors
Also the clown that laid my loft flooring banged nails into the chipboard in loft causing damage to one of the ceilings - cracks outlining ceiling plasterboard - needs replastering?
The only worrying crack for me is there is one coming down diagonally on an outside wall corner only very fine though and again has been reskimmed.
Thanks again - Ytommccrindle -19th Feb, 2011 Painting & Decorating
- 3Answers u41Likes
- Q
lime free cement...
- does anyone know where i can get lime free cement. as i need to cement around the edge of a pond which is full of koi carps. ive been told there is one called prompt. but i cant find it...please someone must know.. thanks roy..
- Yn_p_m -24th Mar, 2011 Bricklaying
- 4Answers u41Likes
- Q
Just skimed over a ceiling useing easy fill , should i pva it or will it be ok to just emulsion it . used pva prior to skimming.
- Yproctordecorating -13th Apr, 2011 Plastering
- 12Answers u41Likes
- Q
Condensation in double glazing - what are the solutions?
- Just moved in to a house which has a number of windows with condensation between the glass panels. Can they be cleaned or do they require replacing? Thanks.
- Ynewmove -3rd May, 2011 Windows
