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Hi ONQ, Appreciate your detailed response (and DBK100's). Specific items such as the ones I've raised in this thread are merely queries and thoughts that sprung to mind and are purely for my own knowledge and learning and out of interest. I will not be attempting to specify the materials for my...

Thanks to all posters! From what I read here, it seems that certifying and issuing opinions of compliance is left open to a wide range of professionals. When the IRRC 1993 mentions "Chartered Engineers" for example, is this referring to chartered engineers from any disicpline e.g. civil...

I will be installing a pot-belly stove in my self-build dwelling and forsee building a brickwork or natural stone surround around the stove, from finished floor to ceiling level to contain the chimney breast. The stove would be raised off the finished floor level on a plinth by about 300-400mm...

What is the recommended specification for blockwork on a dwelling? E.g. what strength should be specified for: (a) internal walls, (b) external walls and (c) dead-building/footings? To give an idea of the contruction of my walls from inside to outside, typically I have 215mm inner leaf...

Hi, what qualifications, specifically, are required in order to sign off at the various staged site inspections and issue compliance certification with the building regs for a self-build project? Must it be a structural engineer or architect? I have read the self-build FAQ's but cannot seem to...

Hi, I have recently been presented with a revised contract of employment by my employer. Upon reviewal, I asked for a number of items to be clarified, most of which were. But I had a query over one clause which meant the company could make "reasonable" changes to an employee's terms &...

Hi, I have recently been presented with a revised contract of employment by my employer. Upon reviewal, I asked for a number of items to be clarified, most of which were. But I had a query over one clause which meant the company could make "reasonable" changes to an employee's terms & conditions...

Hi John20, UUJ offer a part-time course on bldg services. Very good course, very approachable lecturers and a great university overall. I am a past graduate and done it part-time, one day per week over 3 years. Qualification is B-Eng (Hons). Hope this is helpful.

Hi ONQ, thank you again for your advice and also for the input from tripmeup. Stating the obvious; the great thing about this forum is that no matter what your query there is always somone else in the same predicament and it's great to get straight-talking, practical & professional advice. A bit...

Hi tripmeup, thank you for sharing your experience. Can I ask what stage of the build you are at and what pitfalls and experiences you have encountered to date? Have you gone the self-build route & employed all your contractors direct? corner.

Hi ONQ, thanks again for your constructive feed back and I take on board your comments with great appreciation. Apologies if I am repeating myself but can I briefly clarify for you, & for others reading this thread who are in a similar predicament to me, how I am proposing to procure the build...

Hi ONQ, firstly, can I extend my appreciation for your detailed response and positive comments. I have also scanned through your FAQ section and must commend you on an excellent piece of work. And please forgive me for multi-quoting your post as follows below! This is indeed my own dwelling...

Hi, I am going down the self-build/direct labour route and am considering the following approach in principal: 1.employ a groundworker direct to carry out the following- site clearance site excavations inc foundations dig all trenching & install all pipes required for foul & storm drains...

If you are considering taking out insurance for a self-build where you will employ all sub-contractors direct with no main contractor, what exactly do you need to have covered/stipulated in your policy? Also, do all insurance companies offer insurance for self-builders?

Maybe someone (oldnick?) could advise on another point; if you book your package holiday with a travel agent in the north of ireland (we have a southern address) are you still bond protected? Does it affect your rights in any way to a full refund of your money if the agent goes belly up?

Yes i've heard good things about them too! Has anyone come across of "Ulster Travel" from Dungannon and if so what are your experiences of them?

Hi Are travel agents obliged to show proof of their licencing and that their package travel services are bond protected? Can they provide this proof conveniently to a prospective Client? Also, maybe there is a registry body you can check to their verify their licencing is in date, valid etc.??

Thanks a million for all your views. The hotels we are hoping to book are (1) Hotel Minerva in Sorrento and (2) Hotel Caeser Agustus in Capri (plush!). The prices are high but workng out better than antipated. Has anyone any experience of either of these hotels?

Hi, we are going on honeymoon in August 2010, value will be approx €6k. As we are booking everything through our travel agent as a package: (1) what are the risks, (2) what happens if the travel company goes bust and (3) how do we protect ourselves (insurance or other means) as we would...

Have been to Cape Town twice. Highly recommend Southern Sun Waterfront hotel. Fantastic city but be vigilant at all times...seriously!! Lovely restaurant which is not on the V&A Waterfront is "Mama Africa." Predictably, an African culture themed restaurant with African dancing & singing...