poppet27

Hi We are thinking of a painter decorator to come do our hallway, landing and stairs. It's already primed but don't think we can cut in ourselves on the stairs as obviously it's high up. Trouble is, the quotes I've had differ wildly. It's a small house. It makes me suspicious that decorators are plucking figures out of the air in the assumption that everyone in ED has forgotten what value things are. Can you help - how much did you pay for decorating of a similar space?

Superb, thanks. Yes, the John Lewis Croft collection in particular is really nice but absolutely out of budget

What's the best way to save and (avoid costly traps) when carpeting a flat? Any tips and tricks welcome. I'm surprised how much the local carpet shop has charged for Cloud9 underlay, grippers and fit. Even when carpet was about ?22msq. It's 2 reception rooms, plus landing and corner stairs, so totalling about 55m sq. We were looking at an 80/20 wool to poly in a twist. Do you have to negotiate hard? Do we buy underlay off eBay? Something else? Thanks.

I agree with Carbinara

Used to live in Brighton and tbh it's very busy, littered and over crowded so I didn't notice the difference THAT much when moving to London. If I was reading between lines, it sounds from Tor post that you're not as keen, deep down. I always say: doubt means don't.

Well that settles it then. To Battersea we go! Thanks

My message seems to have disappeared but I was just going to ask if sonic plug in devices are harmful or annoying to cats, if we adopt one sooner rather than later. The flat has no skirting boards at the moment and gaps in the ceiling/ wall join where rotten cornicing was removed. In this room we have been keeping food to snack on * face palm * Poison worries me a bit. We have toddlers around..

We're renovating a flat and just saw two mice scuttle through the makeshift kitchen. How do we quickly and effectively get rid of them? Should we borrow someone's cat?! Don't really want to bait them. Is there another method? high frequency plug ins? Ergh, worried all our food including baby food is contaminated :(

This isn't our cat, but we have done the same thing. It was on the advice of our vet, so no, not stupid at all. Our cat got overweight, then ill as someone was continually luring him and and tempting him with food. As a pet owner, there's nothing nice about having to pay ?500 in vet bills and medicine because he's eaten something meant for humans. Letting the neighbours know not to feed is the only preventive thing. Fully support Toby's owners

This is terrible Andrew, I'm so sorry this happened to you. You must have been terrified. I don't agree at all with Kid Kruger. You've done the right thing letting the community know, and it's up to us to spread the safety word. You/we could drop in to your local councillor or MP's surgery too.

Arthur, let us know how you get on. I've had a few companies based in SW London not get back to me.

They also expanded to Crofton Park so business must be good to have 4 vets within a 2mile radius. They've always been a lovely team. I hope they'll always stick to their high standards and friendly care.

Does anyone have acoustic glass in their windows? We recently had our aluminium 1980s windows replaced with double glazing and acoustic layer. To be honest I can't notice any difference in noise reduction. Am I being unrealistic? For example; in the upstairs bedroom, I can hear cars on the main road which is about 60 doors away, or can hear the noise of vans reversing, or the chitchat from children on their way to primary school. As a shift worker I was hoping for a bit more of a noticeable difference. Have I been had, or should I also get wooden shutters to block noise? Thanks!

Let us know how you get on Weathergirl. We also have pebbledash which was painted the colour of egg yolk! I hate it! McMahon and Essex Brickwork both quoted about ?5K plus VAT for removal of the pebbledash and repointing up to 90 bricks. A few people have had it removed on our street and it looks great. But Jeremy's point about the possibility of bricks being roughed up is one I hadn't thought of. Our other options (until we can save up the big bucks!) are 1. Smooth render over it and paint it. 2. Have someone just repaint it so it's at least not yellow. I know either is ideal. Unfortunately all our pillars and decorative mouldings around the Victorian window were also dashed with something, so whilst they're white, they have a rough coating. I'm all ears for advice.

Talk to me about white goods. We're planning a new kitchen and might get as much as we can in the sales. We need (all integrated): double oven, hob, microwave, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher and a fridge freezer. There's only 2 of us now but we're trying to think ahead about sensible choices in case we have a family. All I know is that I really don't want a combined washer-dryer, I'm 'meh' about fancy brands and features on fridges and dishwashers, and I really need a delay time on the washing machine. What am I not thinking about? What has been a lifesaver for your family? What do you think was a fad, in hindsight?

Thanks, I will do.

My issue is though, that we have a combi boiler, not water tanks. I don't think you can pump water from a combi boiler as the water is heated as its used. Do you know if thr Megaflow can be used on a combi? I would really like a powerful shower!

We?ve just moved into a 3 bed, 1 bath house. It has a new Worcester combi boiler, but not a very big one. We were hoping to install a downstairs loo under the stairs, but otherwise, no plans for a second bathroom for at least 7 years. Our current shower however, is like a dribble, so we?re having to use baths. It?s just a hose connected to the bath mixer taps. Is there any way to fix this in the short term or will we always have a low pressure problem with a combi system? As we?re updating the bathroom we would like to install a new standalone rain shower, but put off if it?s never going to be powerful. Do we switch to a a cold water tank system, or is there another way? Thanks neighbours!

Wait what happened to the London Bridge trains?! Thought there were several from platform 2. I need to get to LSO St Lukes every day for a new job. It's slightly quicker to walk from Old Street than Farringdon. Does the London Bridge train (connecting me to Old St) not run anymore?!

Seamaster on forest hill road

I'm selling a flat with a nice view opposite. Out on the street if you bend your head you get great views.

I'd say Crofton is slightly younger, artier and hipper due to proximity to Brockley. Syd is marginally quieter and more family orientated but you're sort of comparing apples with apples. No idea whether long-term, your money is best invested in one over the other postcode.

Just go register on every agent on lordship Lane, do a search in Rightmove for SE22 and just bloody go and view things. Only then will you get a feel for the place and the view!

100% a mouse

I will also second the excellent teaching at GG school