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We Were Gobsmacked by This Young Carpenter
Thanks to Eliot: https://www.instagram.com/ejd_carpentry
Thanks to MTwo: https://www.instagram.com/mtwobuildingservices
Dan Cox is working with Rob & Scott from MTwo Building Services and a new young apprentice carpenter, Eliot.
SHOPPING LINKS
🛒 Dan’s Roofing Square: https://www.essential-carpenter-tools.co.uk
🛒 Tracer AMK1 Deep Pencil Marker: https://amzn.to/3nlVsEr
🛒 Makita GN900SE Gas Nailer: https://amzn.to/3DggA6y
🛒 Dead On Steel Milled Hammer: https://amzn.to/2QSzQ6B
🛒 Swanson 7-inch Speed Square: https://amzn.to/3jigG5M
Boiler Replacement : Could You Save Money with Government Schemes?
Replacing a boiler in your home is typically going to be one of the most expensive costs that homeowners face, with new boilers costing anywhere from £1000 to £7000 depending on the work that needs doing and the model of boiler that you choose. However, the good news for some homeowners is that you may be able to save a significant amount of money by claiming a government grant toward the cost of installing your new boiler. In some cases, you may even be eligible to get your new boiler free of charge. There are several schemes including rental schemes, boiler grants, and the Energy Companies Obligations schemes that are all in place to help you avoid the initial upfront cost. Read on to find out more about the options that are available and how to find out if you are eligible for any of them.
Energy Companies Obligations Scheme
The ECO scheme was launched in 2013 with the main purpose of ensuring that the big energy suppliers offer help to homeowners and families who are struggling, tackle the issue of fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. This scheme is available in England, Scotland, and Wales. It makes energy companies obliged to install energy-saving measures in homes where they are needed, and there are lots of improvements that you may be able to get supplied by your energy company to make your home most efficient. Cavity wall and loft insulation are some of the most popular options, but you can also get support with replacing an old and inefficient heating system or boiler.
ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 scheme is the current stage of the ECO scheme, which obligates large energy companies to contribute a certain amount towards making energy-efficient home improvements. If you want to find out more, you can simply get in touch with your current energy supplier who can let you know whether or not you are eligible for an ECO grant. However, bear in mind that simply being eligible does not mean that your supplier will always have to install energy-efficient measures in your home. If this is the case, then it is worth knowing that you do not have to go through the energy company that you are with, and you can ask any of the obligated energy suppliers for help. Companies involved in the scheme include British Gas, eON, EDF Energy, Octopus Energy, Scottish Power, Utility Warehouse, Shell Energy, Bulb Energy, Ovo Energy, and Utilita.
ECO Funding Eligibility
There is limited funding for the ECO scheme and strict eligibility criteria in place, which can sometimes make it tricky to work out if you are eligible for anything, and what you are eligible for. Contact your energy supplier who should be able to provide you with more information. You will either need to own your home or have your landlord’s permission to install energy-saving measures in the property. People who receive the Warm Home Discount or claim other types of benefits including Disability Living Allowance and Child Benefit are usually eligible for the scheme. You may be eligible for some but not all parts of the scheme. For example, you may be entitled to free insulation in your home but may be required to pay some towards the cost of having a new boiler installed. Check out Next Energy for more information on the different energy-saving measures that are available under the ECO scheme including new boilers and more. Next Energy provides more information on boiler grants and who is eligible for them, including a handy online check tool that you can use to instantly find out if you are eligible for a boiler grant for your home.
Affordable Warmth
The Affordable Warmth scheme is another part of the ECO scheme that is designed to help people with the cost of repairing or replacing their boiler along with other improvements to save energy at home. If you are in Wales, this scheme is managed by British Gas and is known as Next. Like the other ECO scheme benefits, it is not always easy to know if you are eligible. You will usually be required to own your home or have your landlord’s permission to make the improvements. People who are in receipt of a benefit such as Disability Living Allowance, Universal Credit or Child Benefit are likely to be eligible, along with people who live in social housing with a low energy efficiency rating of E, F, or G.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
If you are not eligible for help with getting a new boiler or repairing your current boiler under the ECO scheme, then you may want to consider the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which was introduced as part of the government’s ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ in October 2021. Under this scheme, households may be eligible to get up to £5000 towards the cost of replacing an existing gas or oil boiler with a more energy-efficient, low-carbon heating system like a heat pump instead. The scheme is set to be available from April 2022 and has been provided with £450m in funding to install ninety thousand heat pumps in homes over a three-year period. If you are interested in adopting low-carbon heating as early as possible, it’s worth finding out if you are eligible for this grant. However, there are a few things to consider if you are interested in getting a heat pump, including the fact that they are better suited to homes that have good insulation and are already fairly energy efficient.
Other Options
If you are not eligible for any of the above grants, then another option to consider if you need a new boiler for your home is a pay-monthly option. Several companies now offer rental boiler services which can be an ideal way to spread the cost of having a new boiler installed rather than paying thousands up-front. Many companies do not require a deposit or upfront cost, instead, allowing you to spread the cost of your new boiler with affordable monthly payments that often also cover maintenance, servicing, and repairs cost for the duration of the contract.
If you need a new boiler, it’s definitely worth considering all the alternative options that may be available to you before you pay a huge upfront cost for boiler replacement.
Call For Heating Engineers to Deliver New £450 Million Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Hundreds of installers are today being asked to help deliver a £450million government scheme to heat the nation’s homes and small businesses with new green technology.
Installers can sign up to deliver the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme from midday today (11 April). Then from 23 May householders and small businesses in England and Wales will get access to grants of up to £6,000 towards the cost of replacing traditional fossil fuel boilers with more efficient, low carbon heating technologies. These include air and ground source heat pumps and, in some cases, biomass boilers.
By setting up an account early with scheme administrators Ofgem, installers will be ready to benefit by helping deliver up to 30,000 installations in the first year.
Philippa Pickford, Director of Delivery and Schemes at Ofgem, said: “We are delighted to be working with BEIS in administering the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) on behalf of government. Continuing to decarbonise heat is central to the delivery of Ofgem’s decarbonisation action plan.”
The aim of the scheme is to provide support to property owners, to help meet some of the costs of installation.
However, social housing will not be eligible for support, and neither are new buildings covered by existing legislation, except for self-built domestic properties.
For more information on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme visit www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus.
Today, Ofgem are hosting a BUS update event covering the consultation response and installer account creation. Find out more and register using the link below:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boiler-upgrade-scheme-update-event-tickets-304056269487
What to do if you’re an installer
- Sign up as a certified installer with Ofgem here ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus
Download an application form and provide your business address, bank details, MCS certification and proof of ID. Once registered you will not have to do this process again.
- Property owner contacts you about carrying out work
You agree a quote for installation. Make sure your quote deducts the grant amount from the total cost.
- You apply for a grant on behalf of your customer
The scheme is installer-led meaning you have greater control of timeframes. You apply to Ofgem for a voucher for the grant, and your customer will provide consent to Ofgem for you to act on their behalf. When the work is complete, you send in your redemption application and the grant will be paid to you.
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme property owners will be able to get:
- £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
- £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
- £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump
In addition to this, the government has recently announced 0% VAT on the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers, which will last for 5 years.
Protect Against Dampness in Walls with Drybase
https://www.safeguardeurope.com/products/drybase/drybase-flex
Roger is plastering a cellar wall and adds some extra damp proofing with Drybase from Safeguard.
Drybase Flex
A watertight low-profile sheet membrane for protection against dampness in walls without the need to drill and install plugs.
The membrane is a 1.5 mm thick flexible polypropylene sheet with a fleeced surface on both sides.
The two fleeces ensure good adhesion to the wall by means of Drybase Flex Adhesive, as well as the direct application of plaster to the face.
Drybase Flex Adhesive
Drybase Flex Adhesive is a polymer modified cement-based product used to fix Drybase Flex Membrane to walls.
It is supplied in powder form ready to be mixed with water, and applied using a suitable trowel.
Should You Put Concrete on Brickwork? – ASB #34
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In Ask Skill Builder episode 34 Richard Wain wants to know if he can put concrete on top of a brick wall.
Concrete on Brickwork?
With proper preparation and application, putting concrete on top of a brick wall can be a successful and durable construction technique, however there are some important considerations to ensure the success of this application.
Load Door Shield — Armour For Your Van
Load Door Shield From The Van Security Specialists
Worldwide Delivery and expert installation.
https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk
Jeff shows us the Ford Transit Custom (2012-On) Side Load Door External Repair Shield.
The problem?
With a lot of Ford Transit Custom owners now upgrading their vans with deadlocks, hi-security drivers door locks & loom guards, a lot of theft can now be prevented. This is good news for the Ford Transit and Transit Custom owners as the once easy drivers door attacks & front door loom attacks are becoming less frequent. But the problem has now migrated to direct attacks on the side load doors of the Ford Transit Custom Vans.
The solution!
The load door Shield by Sussex Installations gives you a good cost-effective repair solution if you have a hole in the near-side load door of your Ford Transit Custom van and/or to make your Ford Transit Custom van more secure against this type of hole through the door attack in the future. Made from high corrosion resistant grade stainless steel and designed by Sussex Installations, it matches the body styling of your Ford Transit Custom van. The shield comes complete with a gasket, stainless steel nuts, stainless steel washers and a fitting instruction document.
Crumbling Bricks on Corner Window — ASB 33
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Help! Crumbling Bricks!
In Ask Skill Builder episode 33 Roger takes a look at an Art Deco house with crumbling brickwork on a corner window.
Roaming Roger (ranting on the move) ~ Episode 1
Roger wanders around the Reigate area taking a look at various buildings and landmarks.
We explore wall ties, anthracite windows, Reigate Stone, LBC bricks, tank stops and the home of Cliff Michelmore and Jean Metcalfe.
It all ends with Roger’s old local, the Nutley Hall Pub, closing in 2013.
Our M-oast Unusual Build
YFOOD COMPLETE MEAL TASTER PACK – Use code “BUILDER10” for a 10% discount ? https://bit.ly/skillbuilder_yfood
Skill Builder meets Grand Designs as Roger Bisby joins Dan Cox on his exciting and unusual build – A Kentish oast house project.
SHOPPING LINKS
? Dan’s Roofing Square: https://www.essential-carpenter-tools.co.uk
? Tracer AMK1 Deep Pencil Marker: https://amzn.to/3nlVsEr
? Makita GN900SE Gas Nailer: https://amzn.to/3DggA6y
? Dead On Steel Milled Hammer: https://amzn.to/2QSzQ6B
? Swanson 7-inch Speed Square: https://amzn.to/3jigG5M
? Spitfire Amber Kentish Ale: https://amzn.to/3mChiV0
What is an oast house?
An oast, oast house or hop kiln is a building designed for kilning (drying) hops as part of the brewing process. They can be found in most hop-growing (and former hop-growing) areas and are often good examples of vernacular architecture. Many redundant oasts have been converted into houses. The names oast and oast house are used interchangeably in Kent and Sussex. In Surrey, Hampshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire they are called hop kilns.
The Hop Farm Country Park at Beltring.
? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop_Farm
The story behind those weird oast house buildings all over Kent and Sussex
? https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/full-story-behind-those-weird-3887160
A history and description of English Oast houses
? http://www.geograph.org.uk/article/Oast-Houses
Building An Oast House – Part 1
Watch This Before You Buy a Woodburner
The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/skillbuilder02221A
Are you considering buying a Woodburner?
Roger takes a look at the problems with burning wood, chimneys and flues.
What do the new rules mean for your fireplace?
? https://hoa.org.uk/2021/11/wood-burning-stove
Wood Burning Stoves
? https://www.stovesareus.co.uk/stoves/wood-burning-stoves.html
How NOT to Turn Your Woodburner Into a Bomb
A Common Door Hanging Problem Sorted
No More Door Hanging Problems
Hanging a door can present several challenges, especially if you’re doing it for the first time or in an old building.
Dan’s Roofing Square: https://www.essential-carpenter-tools.co.uk
See Dan at Toolfair – 29th & 30th March 2022
? toolfair.info/london
Tactical Edition F-16 Nighthawk Finishing/Framing Hammer
? https://www.kinetic-customs.com
Hanging the Doors from XL Joinery
Heat Pump Bill a Third Higher Than Gas Boiler!
Heat Pump Bill Reality Shock
When comparing the energy bills of a heat pump to a gas boiler, several factors come into play. The overall cost difference will depend on your location, the efficiency of the systems, the cost of electricity versus natural gas, and the insulation of your home.
Roger looks at the analysis of Ofgem figures by the Energy and Utilities Alliance.
Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA)
? https://eua.org.uk
Founded in 1905, the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) is a not-for-profit trade association that provides a leading industry voice to help shape the future policy direction within the sector.
Roger discusses air source heat pumps on Radio 2
? https://skill-builder.uk/bbc-radio-2-on-air-source-heat-pumps
PongoPay — The App For Builder & Customer Harmony
Pongo is the app that allows builders and clients to agree to job terms and make payments for work safely and efficiently.
Pongo is available to download now in the App Store (https://apple.co/3wd4Tg6) and on Google Play (https://bit.ly/3ifv79w).
Enter referral code SKILL99 when you sign up and we’ll send you an extra £30 in cash when you complete your first transaction.
Full Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/3ifv79w.
Website: www.pongopay.com
Snickers Workwear LITEWork Trousers – For Cool Comfort This Summer
Long-lasting, innovative new fabrics for comfort, sustainability and longevity.
While Fabric, Functionality and Fit are hallmarks of Snickers Workwear, it’s the innovation and sustainable fabric technology in the design of the new LITEWork Work Trousers that really set them apart from other brands.
They’re great for working hard in the warmer months. Delivering superior flexibility and cooling comfort, these stretchable, lightweight work trousers provide efficient moisture transport, ventilation and sun protection.
They also come with CORDURA® reinforcements for extra durability and they feature a 4-way stretch fabrics, the patented Snickers Workwear KneeGuard® system and detatchable holster pockets if you need them.
As well as being street-smart they’re packed with functionality and are specially designed for the fast-paced professional who’s always on the go and delivering top class work on site.
For more information on Snickers Workwear’s LITEWork range and it’s sustainability philosophy you can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk
Cracked Brick Wall – Should You Worry? ASB #32
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Ask Skill Builder Playlist: https://bit.ly/3j7heJT
In ASB#32, Tom King asks about a house he’s thinking of buying, but some cracks in the brickwork have got him concerned about the level of damage.
Crack stitching could be the answer but Roger doesn’t think it’s a big issue.
Builders’ Talk Group – Tool Theft Victim Support
Roger discusses the ongoing tool theft crisis with Liz Gribbin from the Builders’ Talk Group.
Van Security Talk Group: https://builderstalkgroup.com/van-talk-group/
Facebook Groups
Builders’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Btgark
Carpenters’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Woodisgooditsinyourblood
Plasterers’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/plastererstalkgroup
Electricians’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Electricianstalk
Plumbers’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Plumbertalk
Decorators’ Talk Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Decoratorstalkgroup
About the Builders Talk Group
Builders Talk Group is the only trade group run by builders, for builders.
It started with Plasterers Talk and Builders Talk in 2014, the groups have provided support, forged friendships, raised money for worthy causes, provided masses of advice, information and a bit of banter to all in the trades.
They have a classifieds area, so you can sell unwanted items or look for work in your area.
Hultafors Group PPE – Pioneering Sustainable Workwear and Footwear
Choose Snickers Workwear and Solid Gear footwear and take an important step in enhancing your company’s sustainability roadmap.
You’ll be making a conscious contribution to the environment and saving valuable resources through your buying decisions.
Snickers Workwear leads on sustainability by using the highest quality, most hard-wearing products that have as little environmental impact as possible.
New garments are made from ‘preferred fibres’ to create hard-wearing workwear with a long product lifecycle – the key to reducing waste.
The same applies to Solid Gear safety footwear which is continually reducing its environmental footprint by using longer-lasting, higher-quality footwear components and taking responsibility for the whole lifecycle of the products – from development and usage to recycling and disposal.
The combined result is environmentally friendly, ergonomically designed workwear and footwear that meet the physical demands that tradesmen and women face at work while reducing their carbon footprint too!
How to Lay a Block Paved Driveway Like a Pro
See the full range at: Block Paved Driveway.
Roger joins Sperrin Paving again to install a block paved driveway using a range of products from Tobermore who help make beautiful landscape environments with paving and walling products manufactured in Northern Ireland and supplied across the UK and Ireland.
Special thanks go to Sperrin Paving
http://sperrinpaving.co.uk
