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Thanks, very helpful. But, just to clarify, you're saying: - to not use lining paper, and - to rake out and fill the visible cracks only...what about using scrim tape and feathering the filler?

But rake out first, right? Is lining paper not a better solution (as, when visible in winter, the cracks were very extensive)?

Hi, guys. Me again! The structural work has mostly been finished now. So i'm back on this. Funnily enough, as the temperature has risen the cracks have all but disappeared. I reckon this is due to the skim coat expanding a bit. Nevertheless, it's time to do something as the decorating work is...

Thanks, chaps. Had a chat with @zolco. He suggested leaving it till the remainder of the structural work, i.e. thru lounge, extensions etc. have been done. And then meshing or plasterboarding as appropriate.

Right, I'm going to try to attach some pics. Knocking on the wall doesn't seem to tell me much. Sounds hollow in places and not hollow in others! No idea what plaster they used, but they've done a relatively good job with the building work generaly.

Not yet, no. I didn't think of taking them when i was at the house yesterday. Will take some later today or tomorrow, however. If it helps, there is no uniformity to the cracks, i.e. they are in random directions and random lengths. Also, one of the bedrooms has, at some point, had the chimney...

As part of a complete home renovation, the existing bedroom (brick/block) walls were reskimmed and painted a couple of months ago. However, i have just noticed cracks appearing in the plaster. They are hairline cracks, but already fairly extensive. I realise some cracking is probably inevitable...

Sorry, been crazily busy and i am not particularly good at multitasking. Apart from all the building headaches, now my architect is feeling the heat and wants out! Where do i find these people? LOL After threatening that the contract isn't valid and saying they told me they wouldn't do the EWI...

Not at all. I've paid everything they've asked thus far, given them additional work (for which i'm paying a premium), and put up with a lot of crap from them. If they underpriced the job to start with, that's not my problem and they cannot expect any favours from me now. Of course i knew it is...

No, they did not provide a broken-down quotation. Said it was too time consuming, and i didn't push for it. I have to be careful about withdrawing work or cancelling the contract. Aside from the fact i have already paid them more than the value of the work they have completed thusfar, they also...

First of all, big thanks to @vfr12 for coming round today, and to Dansouthcoast84 for offering to help over the phone if needed. The builders didn't take kindly to my friendly advice to outsource or seek advice. They simply responded "we don't need a specialist", despite just this morning...

Greek - South African. Don't get me wrong, they clearly have significant construction experience, and most of their work is actually very good. I've seen one of their past projects and phoned two other past clients (who were both very happy). I think the problem is the boss is used to doing...

Good news is architect agrees i should get the pros in for this, so now it's just a matter of negotiating that with the builders. Oh, happy days.

@vfr12, thanks very much for the kind offer. i will dm you shortly. I've emailed the builders (and architect) to make it pretty clear it's in everyone's interests that the EWI be done properly. I can't force them to outsource it, but have suggested they do just that.

Harrow HA1

I'm in NW London. They are not registered installers, in fact i doubt they've EVER done it before as they have been doing their best to talk me out of it since the start. They keep on telling me it's a bad idea, that no one does it, that i don't need it as my windows will be new and loft...

@Dansouthcoast84, i've DMd you in regard to your kind offer.

Thanks, good to know they at least got the right product. But, as i said in the OP, they showed me a sample block today and hit it with a hammer to prove their point about it being easy to damage. And said it can't be repaired once damaged! It's not just one elevation; they are also doing front...

A) most likely. I had a quotation ages ago from a proper EWI company for 10k, albeit incl scaffolding etc. No wonder they are trying to avoid it! Problem now is i worry they are going to screw it up, hence why i'm trying to educate myself.

Yes, i'm getting it done. It was in my spec, and builders have to do it if i insist. Imo, i think they only now realise how costly it is and are trying to avoid it. In the attached pic, you can see what they are proposing to use. Does it look like EPS? They even asked how to handle the air vent...

I'm not. The side extension will be cavity wall; the EWI only goes above it.

I will ask them tomorrow to clarify exactly why they need an expansion joint. But my understanding is it's because they plan to do the gable whilst they have the scaffolding up (for the loft conversion), then build the side extension and finally finish off what they missed above the side extension.

Just an FYI: when i told them i had sought the advice of professional plasterers, they were very scornful. Claimed they have 20 years' plastering experience. LMAO. Thanks a lot, guys, for your help - really appreciate it!

Same builders that have f***** up my head height on first floor and want to lose the beam in the plaster are now moaning about my EWI requirement. I've specified 90mm EPS EWI, but builders are doing their best to talk me out of it. They say it is bound to get damaged. They even showed me a...

Getting yet another formal architect involved at this stage just isn't viable. Luckily, a friend of mine (who happens to be a commercial architect) is helping me out. But it sucks that i have to keep hassling her for advice when my paid architect is useless. 20-30mm wouldn't be an issue if i had...

Height not an issue above stairs, no, but this is not the loft; it's the first floor. Loft is actually quite good; there i will get just over 2.3m.

Yes, 2.3m was in the spec, but the drawings are not great and they are arguing that the schedule of works only stated floor to ceiling 2.3m as opposed to floor to ceiling finished 2.3m! They refuse to admit any mistake has been made. Yes, they are being a-holes, but my architect is proving...

Yeh, they need to be fireproofed, but an easy way around that is to use intumescent paint. Rather than 'feather the plaster', i'm inclined to tell them to either batten out joists and (single) board over everything, or board joists and then board again over everything. Either way will lose me...

Just a quick update: builders argued it was too difficult to raise the steels (as it would affect a lot of other stuff, which it would of course do), and architect didn't want to insist, so that idea was dropped. Builders then suggested they instead attempt to "lose the height in the plaster"...

Yes, she (and that's not a typo lol) had drawings and a schedule of works specifying the finished height on the first floor. Before installing the beams, she drew a line on the first-floor walls at the 2.3m level (and said my ceiling would not be lower than that). I told her that had to be the...

Thanks again, everyone. The architect has told the construction company to come up with a suggestion. So i'm awaiting their response. @flynnyman, it wouldn't actually surprise me if they suggest lowering the floor below. I have 6" joists there, so it may be feasible to shave a bit off. Whether...

@jet: think you've got the wrong end of the stick. it's not the loft ceiling, but rather the first-floor ceiling. as it stands, i'm looking at 2.32 in loft and 2.26/7 on first floor. builders knew first floor was more important, hence my annoyance. @Dropsalot, very good point - thanks. @zolco...

Thanks, everyone. @dsdave: you say to use fire liner boards over the RSJs. But if normal plasterboard is used over joists, wouldn't i get cracking risk at the fireboard/plasterboard joints too? I'm pretty sure builders will prefer to use intumescent paint on steels (to save money) anyway.

Thanks, as i feared. Unfortunately, bulkhead would look ugly i think. You're of course right tho about not hitting my head lol. But the annoying thing is spec was 2.3m finished, and i clearly told them that had to be the minimum.

In my loft conversion, builders have set the steels a little on the low side. And bottom of joists and beams are not flush - see pic. To avoid losing me any more headroom on first floor, they have suggested fixing plasterboards between beams (flush with joists), painting beams with intumescent...