to think that unless you spend £££, houses in the UK are not very functional??

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Seriously...what is it with houses in this bloody country (and yes, I am English!)...they are so NOT designed for family life....poxy pokey 3rd bedrooms, kitchens you can't swing a cat in, only one bathroom in most houses and no space for entertaining....

It pisses me off!! Struggling with space in our house atm and just thinking that if a bit more thought went into the design of it, it wouldn't be as much of an issue

And why are so many new builds so small?!!!!

Yes electrics and gas you need to be certified I think (I am no expert) but technically you can do other stuff yourself. Someone told me about a friend who'd gone on a plastering course at the local tech college and replastered her house

gas - requires gassafe certified person

leccy - requres 'competent person' even to,say, install a new socket. building regs approval if there isn't already a point in the room. 'competent person' means the council has recognised you as such - not sure how much it costs.

plumbing - installing running water where there was no supply before - buildng regs approval. gassafe if gas involved.

how much you feel the need to abide by these rules in the privacy of your own home....

though any gas works i'd deffo get a man in rather than getting DH to blow up the house.

the irony is the govt wanted to make it easier for people to modify their homes without govt interference by making these rules....