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I would expect a competent self employed craftsman to make a reasonable living - a little more than the average UK salary of £33k. Say £40k. Although I am/was capable of most of the work they do, it is clear they work a lot faster and harder. Assume: 200 days work a year - 40 full 5 day...

Some 8-10 years ago we had all the doors changed from hardboard faced flat to softwood (pine??) 6 panel in a four bedroom house - approx 10 doors. The guy who did the work did nothing other than doors and was very efficient. He did all 10 in a (long) day which included handles, locks, hinges...

Getting a quality finish by repairing what is there is debatable and time consuming. Alternative approach may be to: remove the tongue by running a saw down between the distorted boards which should relieve the pressure add a couple of new rails to the frame screw through the gate panels to...

That craft skills are dying is no surprise - industrialisation and mass production is far cheaper than one off items. For some items there is clearly no real demand however skilled the artisan may be - eg: stone arrow heads. That some craft skills die is inevitable - the alternative being...

I would guess that a couple of low voltage cables would be (a) fairly flexible and (b) small cross section (below 4mm diameter?). Chasing out the existing plaster to a width of (say) 5mm would be easy to fill and repaint almost invisibly (assumes painted not papered!!)

This may be a heresy and something about which I know little to nothing - but I believe you can buy bluetooth audio transmitters and receivers. As a solution it would avoid a lot of disruption although I am not clear how hi the fi is.

I would like to report some very positive council experiences to balance the negative. Our last house was adjacent to an urban green area (for dog walking etc). There was a very large conifer and nearby large beech, both of which were threatening damage to house roof and side path. Called...

It's about managing risk. The consequences of being held responsible for illegally cutting down trees subject to a TPO vs £1-200. Entirely your choice!!

Anyone behaving recklessly and causing death, injury or damage to another is legally liable. This applies equally to cyclists. It does not need a new law. Mandating insurance requires enforcement. As drivers with their 1000kg++ lumps of metal capable of 100mph++ often drive with substantial...

Depending on the finish you could consider spraying. Unless the pencil lines dissolve in the (probably) acrylic or cellulose spray, after one or possibly two coats the pattern would be sealed. Not much use, I accept, for oil or waxes which need to penetrate the surface, take longer to dry, and...

To be sure - get a proper arborist to provide you with a letter confirming their condition. You then have evidence that you acted appropriately should the council take action.

You may find it easier to use glue down which needs no expansion gap and can be cut (I am told) with precision to leave the existing skirting in place. If you have no choice but to use click LVT, bear in mind most machines will have a minimum cutting height (~8mm) likely to be more than the...

"I have not failed. I have found 10,000 ways that don't work." ― Thomas Edison One can only hope they do better next time!

I can measure with absolute precision. Cutting is a different issue. I deliberately cut a little bit oversize - I can trim whatever I have cut, but can't put it back. Big mistake on my part - trimming 1 or 2mm is never as tidy as accuracy in the first place.

Difficult to find out much about the Salisbury Review. A limited company set up using the name has an income below £40k. The directors are long retired - the oldest now 83. The main journalists are also elderly and appear not to be remunerated - I assume they see it as a "calling" rather...

Unless the passing of time adds to its import, it is possible that proof of argument based upon a quote 133 years (about 6 generations) old is somewhat dubious.

It is possible for a word to have two meanings, just as it is possible for a word that sounds the same to have two different spellings. Strangely the political conservative in favouring market forces over legislative control encourages risk taking in the pursuit of profit - the antithesis of...

I empathise being just a little under 3 score and 10. Living each day as if it were the last suggests gross over indulgence - not my thing. Taking enjoyment from each day is - I feel no guilt about the simpler things in life - good food, a little alcohol, friends and family. That I will...

Open shelves, hexagonal, rectangular or any other shape also collect dust - at least they do in my workshop despite some efforts at dust extraction. Having just moved house, I am in the process of working out how to fit out the workshop - but a given is that all storage will be fitted with...

Drill from one side only. Drilling from both sides (unless very accurately aligned) risks creating a "V" shape hole and a dowel or bolt will never go through. The only evidence that the hole is not at 90 degrees to the post sides will be the entry and exits on different sides of the post...