biffvernon
Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Location
- Lincolnshire
- Thread starter JoceAndChris
- Start date
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Hello Schoolmarm
Yes it would be wonderful if a C.O. could come around as a friend.
A friend would be wonderful too.
I am not in a position to criticise Peter Ward's company, though as an ex-English teacher think I can say the writing does not "argue, persuade, advise". I would only give it a C+. Much of the writing on this forum is pure stylistic joy and a real treat to read; how glorious that expressivity marries love of history.
Yes it would be wonderful if a C.O. could come around as a friend.
A friend would be wonderful too.
I am not in a position to criticise Peter Ward's company, though as an ex-English teacher think I can say the writing does not "argue, persuade, advise". I would only give it a C+. Much of the writing on this forum is pure stylistic joy and a real treat to read; how glorious that expressivity marries love of history.
skier-hughes
Member
- Messages
- 3,414
- Location
- Staffs, UK
JoceAndChris said:
u wot?
Gareth Hughes
Member
- Messages
- 2,741
- Location
- In the wilds of East Anglia
Mmmm. And the vast bulk of this page:Schoolmarm said:
http://www.heritage-house.org/pointing.html
appears to have been lifted wholesale from this, published by the Northern Ireland Environment Department:
http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/repointing.pdf
Given that even the spelling mistakes have been reproduced, one wonders if it's actually been read or understood, rather than copied to pad out a website?
Jon Maine
Member
- Messages
- 1,197
- Location
- Shepton Mallet, Somerset
I despair, it is so unfortunate that the game of conservation attracts so many whose heart is not in the work but their bank balance. If the cap fits........
biffvernon
Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Mmmmmwwwhhhhh.JoceAndChris said:
Schoolmarm
Member
- Messages
- 1,894
- Location
- edgworth, lancs
Thanks for pointing to that page Gareth, I missed it.
Brilliant, they say this at the top of the page;
"....If in doubt, you MUST insist on the tradesman or company showing proof that they know how to rake out, mix and use lime mortar, sometimes referred to as hydraulic lime mortar. We are NOT talking about buying a bag of sand, and a bag of lime from the builders merchant – this will not do the job, and is NOT the material we are talking about. ...... There are several grades of NHL lime – (Natural Hydraulic Lime) – and the three commonest grades are used for pointing stonework, brickwork, and where additional strength is needed, for eg., chimneys. "
And this further down;
" BS 3148
Lime - Lime putty should ideally be used, although bagged hydrated lime is more commonly used, and can be slaked prior to use to increase qualities and improve workability."
Absolutely hilarious.
Brilliant, they say this at the top of the page;
"....If in doubt, you MUST insist on the tradesman or company showing proof that they know how to rake out, mix and use lime mortar, sometimes referred to as hydraulic lime mortar. We are NOT talking about buying a bag of sand, and a bag of lime from the builders merchant – this will not do the job, and is NOT the material we are talking about. ...... There are several grades of NHL lime – (Natural Hydraulic Lime) – and the three commonest grades are used for pointing stonework, brickwork, and where additional strength is needed, for eg., chimneys. "
And this further down;
" BS 3148
Lime - Lime putty should ideally be used, although bagged hydrated lime is more commonly used, and can be slaked prior to use to increase qualities and improve workability."
Absolutely hilarious.
Gareth Hughes
Member
- Messages
- 2,741
- Location
- In the wilds of East Anglia
doesn't look anything like her :twisted:biffvernon said:
Schoolmarm
Member
- Messages
- 1,894
- Location
- edgworth, lancs
No the statue isn't as beautiful 8)
biffvernon
Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Ah me, I seem to have omitted the caption.
"Nemesis - Greek goddess of retributive justice"
"Nemesis - Greek goddess of retributive justice"
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Ah yes, but when they do go off, everybody hears it!Stephen said:
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Pay no attention, Jocelyn. He says that to all the girls.biffvernon said:
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Well Eeyores have to get their kicks where they can. (all puns intended)
So Mmmwhh back Stephen.
So Mmmwhh back Stephen.
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
I that's likely to upset Biff.
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
If anyone is kind enough to be remotely interested in an update, thank you.
I had a few builders and stonemasons round and there was one I liked: Chris Stratford, local builder in South Lincolnshire and clearly very experienced in old properties, prepared to work with traditional materials and highly appreciative of my house. Said he'd worked on Belton House.
He just quoted 6k to remove render and repair the stone. (The figure does not include re-rendering in a suitable material or lime-washing; but until all the render is off we can't really make a decision about the final finish) Does that seem like a reasonable figure? it's four rooms long by 2 rooms wide and is a low building that would not require scaffolding. He warned me that the figure could go up if the stone is really bad underneath. He wants to repair using stone that is lying about the place(it's the same sandstone)
Approx 6 weeks' work, 2 men, 1000 per week, 500 each,actually that doesn't seem too bad. Any thoughts?
I had a few builders and stonemasons round and there was one I liked: Chris Stratford, local builder in South Lincolnshire and clearly very experienced in old properties, prepared to work with traditional materials and highly appreciative of my house. Said he'd worked on Belton House.
He just quoted 6k to remove render and repair the stone. (The figure does not include re-rendering in a suitable material or lime-washing; but until all the render is off we can't really make a decision about the final finish) Does that seem like a reasonable figure? it's four rooms long by 2 rooms wide and is a low building that would not require scaffolding. He warned me that the figure could go up if the stone is really bad underneath. He wants to repair using stone that is lying about the place(it's the same sandstone)
Approx 6 weeks' work, 2 men, 1000 per week, 500 each,actually that doesn't seem too bad. Any thoughts?
Jon Maine
Member
- Messages
- 1,197
- Location
- Shepton Mallet, Somerset
I would ask to see some of his work elsewhere, sometimes people talk the talk without being able to walk the walk and maybe talk to a past customer or two if you can.
Labour rates seem very good if he knows what he is doing, If it is on day work just confirm if it is for 8 hours on site otherwise you could end up paying for their travelling time to.
Of course watch the temperature whilst doing lime work you want it consistently above 5 degrees.
Labour rates seem very good if he knows what he is doing, If it is on day work just confirm if it is for 8 hours on site otherwise you could end up paying for their travelling time to.
Of course watch the temperature whilst doing lime work you want it consistently above 5 degrees.
CHRIS
Member
- Messages
- 421
- Location
- ESSEX MATE!
Sounds obvious but make sure you get a contract in writing and both agree what will happen if some unforseen work comes up etc.
Also check for insurance - you would not want a wall falling down with out any cover.
Also check for insurance - you would not want a wall falling down with out any cover.
JoceAndChris
Member
- Messages
- 6,606
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Great advice, I'll follow that through, thanks.
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
A hundred quid per man/day seems pretty good, subject to Jon's good advice about checking him out with past jobs/customers.
Chris also makes a good point about telling your buildings insurer that you're having work done. You may well find that it's a requirement of the policy to do this - it'll be on page 87, clause 566, sub-section 18, in 6-point type.
I would also suggest that you get the builder (whoever you end up with) to sign a note indemnifying you against any claim for injury incurred during the work on your property.
Chris also makes a good point about telling your buildings insurer that you're having work done. You may well find that it's a requirement of the policy to do this - it'll be on page 87, clause 566, sub-section 18, in 6-point type.
I would also suggest that you get the builder (whoever you end up with) to sign a note indemnifying you against any claim for injury incurred during the work on your property.
£100 a day for skilled labour sounds a bit cheap to me - I'm paying about £17 an hour + VAT for semi-skilled up to £20 for a carpenter in South Norfolk.
Check if his quote includes VAT and materials and what happens if it runs on beyond schedule. If you're paying by the day then keep a record of who is on site and when. Personally I was told that by the hour is generally better as it allows the builders to come and go when they need to or the weather forces them off early. However you're paying make sure you get it crystal clear before they start.
Check if his quote includes VAT and materials and what happens if it runs on beyond schedule. If you're paying by the day then keep a record of who is on site and when. Personally I was told that by the hour is generally better as it allows the builders to come and go when they need to or the weather forces them off early. However you're paying make sure you get it crystal clear before they start.