Kevin McCloud webchat - Monday 20th June - 1 - 2 pm

[RachelMumsnet]

He's been at the top of our webchat wish list for too long, so we're v excited to announce that we'll be joined next Monday (20th June) by Kevin McCloud who'll be answering your questions between 1 and 2 pm.

Designer, property developer, writer, eco-campaigner and television presenter, Kevin is best known for the Channel 4 series, Grand Designs. Kevin has a strong interest in sustainable building and his company Hab Housing's core aim is to construct beautiful, environmentally friendly housing. He's joining us in his role as ambassador for the Great British Refurb Campaign, which is committed to rallying the Government and business to help make every home in Britain as energy efficient as possible. The campaign is supported by Knauf Insulation, which has provided all the insulation products used in the campaign's eco-refurbishments to date.

Kevin is happy to answer questions on how you can green-up your home and eco-home design as well as chatting about his life as a campaigner, designer and broadcaster. So whilst we try to spruce up MNHQ, you put the date in your diaries to join us on the 20th. If you're not around at 1pm, please send your questions to Kevin in advance to this thread.

[KateMiddletonsMum]

Hi. My question is about solar panels on the roof of our south facing semi.
Should we get them! Is it really worth it?
Are they an eyesore?
Will it affect re-sale value of house?
Do i need planning permission?
Can they be fitted around a Velux which DH hasn't put in yet
Thanks!

[quercus100]

My 13 year-old son is dyslexic and very keen to become an architect. I have heard that dyslexics make good architects as they are great at spatial awareness. Is this true?

[Baronetdawntigga]

Mumsnet - can't you block this idiots IP address or something?

ReallyTiredOfTheSpamTiggaxx

[BupcakesandCunting]

Hello Kevin,

We really, really loved your Grand Tour of Europe and were sad when it ended! Please tell us that you're planning on doing something similar in the not-too-distant?

P.S Any chance of a signed book for my birthday tomorrow?

[AtYourCervix]

Hello Kevin.

Is there any hope for a 1980s red brick box furnished entirely from Ikea?

How can I make it grand? I really want a 16th century manor.

[BupcakesandCunting]

AtYourCervix

[StillSquiffy]

Having read an interview where I'm sure you mentioned that when you engaged in new conversations, you sometimes wished people could talk to you about something other than bloody houses.......my question for you is.... given your professed love of all things French, have you ever considered moving there permanently and if so, do you have a view on the educational system your children would experience versus the UK system?

[kittykitty]

AIBU to be every so slightly irritated by these government campaigns (whilst still loving Kevin obvs) They always seem to suggest we're all mad not to want to insulate our homes and make them more energy efficient, but they don't seem to take into account how incredibly expensive it can be. I'd love not to have the wind whistling through our Victorian terraced house, but I simply don't have the £2k it costs to replace each individual wooden sash window. Maybe if there were more grants available, they'd get more people signing up.

[GentleOtter]

How can you properly insulate a loft which is hoaching with bats?

[DiNammic]

Bonjour Kevin!
are you sponsored by NOrth face

[BoffinMum]

I thought I would follow on with another question. Kevin, for those of us doomed to living surrounded by Privet Drive style architecture in thin-walled, slightly naff houses built by greedy developers in the 1980s and 1990s, land of the pastiche Victorian door handle, the stippled pastel bathroom tile, and the fake marble kitchen worktop, what can we possibly do to improve our lot, given the current financial climate?

[Indith]

He is coming soon! Do you think he can see me? Do I need to get changed? Apply some make-up? I have a cold, what if I sneeze in his face?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Kevin,

I want to extend our 3 bed semi so we have more living space. Only have one kid so we don't need another bedroom.

I just want to do a nice downstairs extension so we have a rear sitting room over the garden, nice high ceiling with window things in the roof. Hubby says we should extend upstairs as well but only benefit will be our main bedroom is bigger and the bathroom will be bigger. I think they're big enough already and can't face having to redo the bathroom. The two story extension will cost more but hubby says it will add more value to the house, I think he's wrong as we won't get an extra bedroom

We've been arguing for eight years about this, what should we do. Please, please help. If we do the two story extension I won't get the nice roof window thingys.

[MmeLindor.]

Hello Kevin, welcome to MN.

I really enjoyed the Grand Designs Abroad series, as we live abroad (near Geneva) and it was interesting to see the problems that expats run into when they take their British mentality to a forrin building site.

The French chalet (with Monsieur Bastard) was great viewing, and I wondered if you knew if the chalet rental had been a success.

Do you still have a house in this area? and would you like to pop round for tea and scones the next time you are passing

[JustineMumsnet]

So Kevin is here and just settling in. Fyi we've got 5 pairs of tickets to Grand Designs Live in Birmingham (in October) to give away during this chat. All you have to do is ask a question for Kevin and mail us at [email protected] saying you'd like a ticket. (Winners to be drawn from our hat) Nb Kevin promises to meet the winners in person!!!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Where does the web chat take place, here?

[Buddhastic]

Hi Kevin,
As we live abroad and box sets are our lifeline to decent TV and Grand Designs is our favourite. Thank you

[VivaLeBeaver]

Xpost

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Have I got the right place?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Have I got the right place?

[KevinMcCloud]

Hullo everyone!

[franke]

Huzzah!!!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Hi kevin

[Indith]

[Buddhastic]

Hi Kevin