Green Building Forum - Proffesional or DIY? Mon, 25 May 2026 16:08:11 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91237#Comment_91237 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91237#Comment_91237 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:29:12 +0100 fostertom Posted By: owlmanwe're a nation of "jobsworth's" we love inventing rules and regulations and an army of enforcersNot till, I'd guess, the 1960s - till then, Britain was quite laissez-faire, pragmatic, unlitigious. Am I right? It definitely is a Napoleonic/EC tendency - but wd prob have happened anyway.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91242#Comment_91242 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91242#Comment_91242 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:47:08 +0100 barney
I quite understand the spirit behind CAT and I didn't refer to the individuals involved as numpties.

My point was that a suck it and see approach is fine if all it impacts on is you and yours. If however what you are doing impacts others (and that includes potential occupiers of your current property) then we need a little order to things - and with that order comes professionalism.

Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91258#Comment_91258 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91258#Comment_91258 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:29:54 +0100 sinnerboy Posted By: marktime
Hands up who didn't get the Walden Pond reference and couldn't be arsed to google it?
:swingin:]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91266#Comment_91266 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91266#Comment_91266 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:19:17 +0100 MarkBennett Posted By: sinnerboy
Posted By: marktime
Hands up who didn't get the Walden Pond reference and couldn't be arsed to google it?
:swingin:" alt=":swingin:" src="https:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/happy/swingin.gif" >

I would guess at http://george.loper.org/interests/housing/thero/thoreau.html and scroll to the bottom half of the page.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91267#Comment_91267 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91267#Comment_91267 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:24:30 +0100 Joiner Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91268#Comment_91268 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91268#Comment_91268 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:31:54 +0100 barney
I'm not in anyway against DIY - I do plenty myself, what I am against is the mentality that thinks it's above submiting to a simple checks and balances process and belives that all professional input is somehow not required in thier case.

Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91269#Comment_91269 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91269#Comment_91269 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:44:20 +0100 SteamyTea Posted By: Joinertheir surveyor don't like what they see

Are they not professionals?]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91270#Comment_91270 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91270#Comment_91270 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:45:25 +0100 evan
The latter is what galls people.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91271#Comment_91271 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91271#Comment_91271 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:49:38 +0100 marktime

Thoreau was certainly not the first to reuse and recycle building material, plenty of Roman stones to be found propping up Catholic churches to show that, but he was probably the first to document a truly green building built with his own two hands. And not a professional in sight.

And now you're going to say, "Well it's so much more complicated today." But aren't we supposed to be much cleverer than our 19th century cousins? Seems to me we've lost something along the way.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91275#Comment_91275 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91275#Comment_91275 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:24:37 +0100 barney
Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91278#Comment_91278 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91278#Comment_91278 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:04:51 +0100 tony Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91282#Comment_91282 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91282#Comment_91282 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:26:23 +0100 barney
Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91284#Comment_91284 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91284#Comment_91284 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:05:19 +0100 tony Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91286#Comment_91286 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91286#Comment_91286 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:06:40 +0100 bot de paille Skyscrapers
Nuclear power stations
Oil rigs
Off shore wind turbines
Cross channel tunnels]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91320#Comment_91320 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91320#Comment_91320 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:49:25 +0100 barney
I won't name the authority but I assisted a friend in this matter due to him deciding he wanted to rewire his house and new extension as a DIY - including installing Schuko sockets in his bathroom (german wife - don't ask).

At first the BCO was quoting this and that until I explained the wording of Part P and the obligations of teh BCO. In teh end the BCO had to arrange for inspection (at thier cost) to a harmonised european standard rather than BS 7671.

It did blow thier minds for a while but we got there in the end

Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91322#Comment_91322 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91322#Comment_91322 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:50:12 +0100 barney
Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91324#Comment_91324 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91324#Comment_91324 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:59:32 +0100 evan Posted By: barneyIn terms of building regulations Evan, would you care to give an example where you have to employ a professional rather than DIY


As others have said, anything to do with gas is one (including aircon / heat pumps). Not that I'm really complaining about it, but it's an example.

Wood stoves. Although I'm in the middle of installing one, someone very knowledgeable on here has said that by the letter of the regs I can't.

And any renewable at all, if you want to benefit from feed in tariffs and so on - there is no other option than to pay someone to do it or go though the hassle of becoming approved as an installer yourself (been there, done that, had the entire approval scheme scrapped from underneath, back to square one).


Yes, I know there are some valid reasons for this but to my mind it's too precautionary and restricting.

Everything is very much geared towards having a contractor working for a multinational company come in and do a very expensive job - small single traders and even small firms with employees seem to be muscled out.

Anyway, that's my moan for the morning out of the way :)]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91325#Comment_91325 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91325#Comment_91325 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:36:34 +0100 rhamdu
However, every tradesperson needs to know more and more rules. In a modern building, many complex and critical systems are trying to co-exist in the same space. Each trade has to do its bit without compromising what others have done to achieve structural strength, airtightness, energy efficiency, moisture control, electrical safety and fire safety... not to mention comfort, ergonomics and visual design.

Professionalism is increasingly about understanding the building as a whole. Electricians should know that downlighters can let noise and flames through into the room above, draughts can blow through socket outlets, and PVC cables are rotted by EPS insulation. Plumbers (I hope) know that hot pipes aren't good for electrical cables, and TV aerial installers should know how to make a waterproof cable entry.

I am all for DIY, but DIYers need to understand how each thing they do will affect everything else, and that ain't easy.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91341#Comment_91341 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91341#Comment_91341 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:22:25 +0100 barney
Not strictly true - all the GIUR requires is that persons are competent - if it's DIY on your gas system you don't need Gasafe registration - you can just crack on. Of course, if you make a hash of it you clearly aren't cometent so face prosecution.

Wood stoves. Although I'm in the middle of installing one, someone very knowledgeable on here has said that by the letter of the regs I can't.

I don't believe that to be true

And any renewable at all, if you want to benefit from feed in tariffs and so on - there is no other option than to pay someone to do it or go though the hassle of becoming approved as an installer yourself (been there, done that, had the entire approval scheme scrapped from underneath, back to square one).

More a commercial issue than one of building regulation compliance though Evan


As far as I can see, the only place you need an independant professional is in the lodgement of an EPC

Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91342#Comment_91342 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91342#Comment_91342 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:52:19 +0100 biffvernon anything to do with gas

I have bottled gas for my kitchen cooker. There's a 47kg bottle of propane outside, a regulator, and a pipe that goes through the wall to the cooker.

I am told that I may unscrew one side of the regulator to change the bottle but I may not unscrew the other side of the regulator to replace it when it gets very old and looks like a new one would be a good move.

At least that's what the bloke who sold me my new regulator told me.

Hmmmm.]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91344#Comment_91344 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91344#Comment_91344 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:04:17 +0100 barney
Regards

Barney]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91406#Comment_91406 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91406#Comment_91406 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:57:01 +0100 batkinson It basically syay that it is the installer,builder, designers responsibility for ensuring work complies with the regs

also if you do electrical work in my Local authority it wll be inspected properley]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91511#Comment_91511 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91511#Comment_91511 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:22:47 +0100 James Norton
:cry: :cry:

lost, lost, all is lost...

J]]> Proffesional or DIY? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91512#Comment_91512 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6367&Focus=91512#Comment_91512 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:00:56 +0100 Joiner