Hello again!! Just short of 2 years later, my den is finally finished and looks pretty much like how I've envisaged it. Few months ago, I was extremely lucky to meet this carpenter who is really good and doesn't mind building my 'designs' :)) and we got to work. After finishing the hall and main bedroom (http://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/723044/hall / [https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/colour-for-unit-top-dsvw-vd~2977620[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/colour-for-unit-top-dsvw-vd~2977620)) we finally started on my den. As you'll notice, in planning the space, I've used a mixture of your ideas above: it has a secret door, a (folding) desk, it's a bit of an art gallery and has a few other surprises! The initial plan had to be altered to accommodate my new hobby :)). Almost one year ago, I had this mad idea to start painting (on) glass and then to make silly clay figurines, so I adapted the space to suit my pursuits (like the slightly tilted shelves for paints, peg board for scissors, top shelf for expo, etc). Plus, you can't really tell which of the panels are in fact secrets doors!! As for the rest, I bought a rubber mat to protect the oak floor and I'm using a trolley for the rest of the materials, so it can easily be moved out the way in case we need access to the back. Carpenter insisted on the LEDs, I'm not that keen on them. So, ignoring the arty-farty clutter, what do you think of my space?

Hi daitomk, I have used Howe Green and Arcova. I think once I saw them in the floor, the Arcova ones looked less obtrusive. Both companies provide the option of finishes of the edge which is really important and the depth of infill is something you need to check (I think for one project I couldn't use one of them because I had a really thin build-up). I don't have photos unfortunately but the polished brass finish with a solid oak floor looked ok. I suppose I was always surprised how obvious it was, even when they matched the direction of timber or tile. I wished the frames were much more narrow. Im working on a project at the moment and it is a lot more "low cost" than the projects I mentioned above and this time we are specifying Clark Drain. The quality and edging look equally as good, but the finish will be an infill of screed with rubber on top as it is in a garage. It isn't built yet, so can't offer more than that on the Clark Drain except for the fact that the technical team were helpful. Hope that gave you some direction. Let us know which one you chose in the end and why. Also would love to see photos. Jo

Sounds like there are several things to take into account: 1. cost - it could add cost to move the manhole 2. time - it may delay the project on site to do it 3. technically possible - usually it is possible to reroute drains and make sure you have drains and rodding eyes outside of the building, it depends on the site and location of waste outlets, the pipe falls, etc... - quite a lot of technical things to take into account. What you can do: 1. Check your contract and drawings - should they have done this work and is it work they included for in their tender: if so they have to do it at no added cost 2. again looking at your contract - if the work is included then it's up to them to manage their time and if this is not an extra piece of work then they can't claim for an extension of time to do this 3. check with your building control officer (as suggested above) to see if there is a solution which meets building regulations - building regulations apply for any drain regardless of if it's a shared or private one. Also if you used an architect or an architectural technologist then they should be able to answer questions about the drains. Good luck!

You can get drain covers which you can fit tiles into. That way you have a drain cover that sort of blends in but you can still lift it for access to the drain if necessary. Here’s one on my patio.