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Planning to home improve?
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Just a general query I am raising on the site that will affect us all but yet its not common knowledge!! I work in Health & Safety (stop the boos please!!) and may have something of interest you may wish to hear!
I would be interested to know how many members who use the forum/site intend at some point in the coming months to carry out home improvements, however small be it repointing, roof alterations, a boiler replacement, or even something more major? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Building a 3 meter dormer, boarding the cellar out and replacing the stone tiles in the bathroom with marble
Do your worst
Envious. I want a cellar  "
Only way we could get a mortgage was to buy something that was pretty fecked. 16% deposit needed plus all the fees. Cellar was flooded (leaking water pipe) attic is stil uninhabitable - hence the dormer and 80% has been re plastered.
Luckily we have a family of tradesmen and plenty of people in helpful positiones, even the architect who submitted the dormer is a friend 
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Ok I will kill the suspense!! There is a change coming in H&S law that the government is not actually doing much to shout from the rooftops. But from April 5th, this country will have new rules to follow on top of the need for planning and building regulatory requirements, the ink is still to dry on the changes but a construction project of any type regardless of size will meet the same requirement and rules that are met by the companies that build, refurbish, demolish, maintain or anything else you can think of, such as schools, roads, railways, those new barrat homes etc. As a resident you will be legally defined as a Client though you can novate those duties to a Designer or Builder, just make sure its done legally, because from that date the Health & Safety Executive will be able to stop at your home if they see something unsafe and prosecute, issue fines, stop the work being done, etc etc, etc!!
So long winded post I know but I advise you to keep an eye out in two months time!! And make sure your architect or builder actually know what they are doing!! |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Building a 3 meter dormer, boarding the cellar out and replacing the stone tiles in the bathroom with marble
Do your worst
Envious. I want a cellar
Only way we could get a mortgage was to buy something that was pretty fecked. 16% deposit needed plus all the fees. Cellar was flooded (leaking water pipe) attic is stil uninhabitable - hence the dormer and 80% has been re plastered.
Luckily we have a family of tradesmen and plenty of people in helpful positiones, even the architect who submitted the dormer is a friend
"
I'm still envious. I've always wanted a cellar. I'd keep a stable of sub men down there. |
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"Ok I will kill the suspense!! There is a change coming in H&S law that the government is not actually doing much to shout from the rooftops. But from April 5th, this country will have new rules to follow on top of the need for planning and building regulatory requirements, the ink is still to dry on the changes but a construction project of any type regardless of size will meet the same requirement and rules that are met by the companies that build, refurbish, demolish, maintain or anything else you can think of, such as schools, roads, railways, those new barrat homes etc. As a resident you will be legally defined as a Client though you can novate those duties to a Designer or Builder, just make sure its done legally, because from that date the Health & Safety Executive will be able to stop at your home if they see something unsafe and prosecute, issue fines, stop the work being done, etc etc, etc!!
So long winded post I know but I advise you to keep an eye out in two months time!! And make sure your architect or builder actually know what they are doing!! "
Ooh, more forms then.
Those CDM regs were well-meaning too, but in the end just involved a series of forms!
Plus ça change!
Mr ddc
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Ok I will kill the suspense!! There is a change coming in H&S law that the government is not actually doing much to shout from the rooftops. But from April 5th, this country will have new rules to follow on top of the need for planning and building regulatory requirements, the ink is still to dry on the changes but a construction project of any type regardless of size will meet the same requirement and rules that are met by the companies that build, refurbish, demolish, maintain or anything else you can think of, such as schools, roads, railways, those new barrat homes etc. As a resident you will be legally defined as a Client though you can novate those duties to a Designer or Builder, just make sure its done legally, because from that date the Health & Safety Executive will be able to stop at your home if they see something unsafe and prosecute, issue fines, stop the work being done, etc etc, etc!!
So long winded post I know but I advise you to keep an eye out in two months time!! And make sure your architect or builder actually know what they are doing!!
Ooh, more forms then.
Those CDM regs were well-meaning too, but in the end just involved a series of forms!
Plus ça change!
Mr ddc
"
These changes are the new CDM Regs as rules are also changing for commercial construction sites as well but no-one is out there telling the public that their building projects will now be included, as is the case in Europe!!!   |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Ok I will kill the suspense!! There is a change coming in H&S law that the government is not actually doing much to shout from the rooftops. But from April 5th, this country will have new rules to follow on top of the need for planning and building regulatory requirements, the ink is still to dry on the changes but a construction project of any type regardless of size will meet the same requirement and rules that are met by the companies that build, refurbish, demolish, maintain or anything else you can think of, such as schools, roads, railways, those new barrat homes etc. As a resident you will be legally defined as a Client though you can novate those duties to a Designer or Builder, just make sure its done legally, because from that date the Health & Safety Executive will be able to stop at your home if they see something unsafe and prosecute, issue fines, stop the work being done, etc etc, etc!!
So long winded post I know but I advise you to keep an eye out in two months time!! And make sure your architect or builder actually know what they are doing!! "
I knew this from work lolol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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And I'm sure that will stop the dodgy builders. You have to catch and prosecute first whilst the good ones have more restrictions.
Think about it this way. You're in health & safety and saying ooh watch out its illegal and dangerous practice. The biggest accident killer is traffic accidents but how many say "80 is perfectly safe". It's a system to help prosecute after the fact is my thinking. Best advice, always use a good reputable tradesperson.
Now, back to chatting with fab people....x |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Ok I will kill the suspense!! There is a change coming in H&S law that the government is not actually doing much to shout from the rooftops. But from April 5th, this country will have new rules to follow on top of the need for planning and building regulatory requirements, the ink is still to dry on the changes but a construction project of any type regardless of size will meet the same requirement and rules that are met by the companies that build, refurbish, demolish, maintain or anything else you can think of, such as schools, roads, railways, those new barrat homes etc. As a resident you will be legally defined as a Client though you can novate those duties to a Designer or Builder, just make sure its done legally, because from that date the Health & Safety Executive will be able to stop at your home if they see something unsafe and prosecute, issue fines, stop the work being done, etc etc, etc!!
So long winded post I know but I advise you to keep an eye out in two months time!! And make sure your architect or builder actually know what they are doing!!
I knew this from work lolol"
Always one show off isn't there lol
You a builder then? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"And I'm sure that will stop the dodgy builders. You have to catch and prosecute first whilst the good ones have more restrictions.
Think about it this way. You're in health & safety and saying ooh watch out its illegal and dangerous practice. The biggest accident killer is traffic accidents but how many say "80 is perfectly safe". It's a system to help prosecute after the fact is my thinking. Best advice, always use a good reputable tradesperson.
Now, back to chatting with fab people....x"
Actually talking to people in the know, those reputable builders in some respect could find themselves not having the business at all |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor "
That side of it isn't totally clear in the regulations, but if you DO use a contractor there will be specific rules and regulations they will have to meet on your behalf, and if you haven't given them that fact in writing (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) then are you covered? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor
That side of it isn't totally clear in the regulations, but if you DO use a contractor there will be specific rules and regulations they will have to meet on your behalf, and if you haven't given them that fact in writing (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) then are you covered?"
More cost for the honest joe to cover , more red tape and more reasons why people will get ripped off by the dodgy builders that are left ,because all the good ones will just say bollocks to this i'am off |
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"Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor
That side of it isn't totally clear in the regulations, but if you DO use a contractor there will be specific rules and regulations they will have to meet on your behalf, and if you haven't given them that fact in writing (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) then are you covered?"
you would be if you used the JCT's HOB, HOC or HO/RMI |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor
That side of it isn't totally clear in the regulations, but if you DO use a contractor there will be specific rules and regulations they will have to meet on your behalf, and if you haven't given them that fact in writing (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) then are you covered?
More cost for the honest joe to cover , more red tape and more reasons why people will get ripped off by the dodgy builders that are left ,because all the good ones will just say bollocks to this i'am off "
Totally agree, and guess what, when it does come out the govt spin will be to show they are doing more to reduce red tape, cut out excessive H&S rules and improve the chances of the small and medium builder to be more successful!! |
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" (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) ?"
No it won't.
I was working as a Civil Engineering Contractor, but doing my year in design office as part of becoming Chartered, when the CDM regulations came in. I was astounded that such an important piece of legislation, which could have made such a difference to the industry, was instead bypassed and effectively ignored by designers and architects alike.
I'm sure, if you work in Health and Safety, you will think this will lead to a jobs bonanza, but sadly I suggest you don't hold your breath. Householder's responsibilities will be abrogated by a simple standard clause on all quotes.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Please expand :-
If I do any work on my own property it's ok
If I pay someone to do this for me I've got to
make sure that from now on all h&s issues are covered by the contractor
That side of it isn't totally clear in the regulations, but if you DO use a contractor there will be specific rules and regulations they will have to meet on your behalf, and if you haven't given them that fact in writing (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) then are you covered?
you would be if you used the JCT's HOB, HOC or HO/RMI"
Yes but how many builders who work on home improvements will know what a JCT contract is? And it only may be £30 to procure that contract but they need to know what they are filling in |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"will that be the same HSE that the present government has cut back on so much that workplace deaths are increasing as there are less inspectors to carry out random inspections..?"
Yes the same HSE that can charge £124 an hour if they come across an unsafe site. The govt is forcing them to be more self funding and you can make a lot of money at that hourly rate |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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" (will it need to be done by a lawyer??) ?
No it won't.
I was working as a Civil Engineering Contractor, but doing my year in design office as part of becoming Chartered, when the CDM regulations came in. I was astounded that such an important piece of legislation, which could have made such a difference to the industry, was instead bypassed and effectively ignored by designers and architects alike.
I'm sure, if you work in Health and Safety, you will think this will lead to a jobs bonanza, but sadly I suggest you don't hold your breath. Householder's responsibilities will be abrogated by a simple standard clause on all quotes.
"
The new CDM Regulations put more emphasis on the Client, the Health & Safety role (CDMc) is passed on to a new role "the Principal Designer". Estimates suggest that there will be a fair few thousand H&S professionals losing their jobs from April because of this (the vast majority are self employed), my job is at threat too!! So no I dont think there is a bonanza coming my way, actually the only person gaining will be down the unemployment office trying to find new jobs for builders and others because of this |
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