Is there a 2021 extension thread?

[Yellownotblue]

Just that really, I found it very informative (and exhilarating and at times heart breaking!) to read the 2020 extension threads. I couldn’t find a 2021 extension thread. Please can you direct me, or if there isn’t one, let’s start it! All welcome.

As for us - we’re awaiting PP for our extension and our architect said the work might start as early as March (ha! I’ll believe it when I see it). It’s a large extension and we will need to move out for about 9 months so I’m a bit flustered at the thought of moving out in 7 weeks’ time. We’re extending over the garage, in the garden and in the loft, and doing a shedload of other stuff from electrics to roofing and redecorating everything. We’re in SW London.

[sst1234]

Hi OP, sounds like a citing project. How much floor space are you adding and how much is the work costing you in total? I am in the process of buying somewhere that will be a large project too, so curious to start understanding costs.

[DonLewis]

We need an extension, but keep putting it off. Partly because the last time we did it, it didn't impose in our living space and I can't imagine the stress of having to either move out, or live in a building site.

Did you start with an atchitect?

Our last extension was an annexe to the house. A ground floor, 2 bed granny flat if you like. This one would be similar to yours. Rear extension, possibly side, and all the way to the loft. Eeeek.

[Loofah01]

Think this is the 2021 thread then!
Did ours in 2020 so happy to give some input. Base cost was about 2.5k per new sqm plus kitchen, bathrooms and wall coverings.
When asking for quotes be VERY specific on what is in and out. You need (not want but need) a cost breakdown to see what they allocate for every aspect - they have a habit of putting lower spec costs against items to keep the cost down and you might find yourself adding money to boost the spec. (eg they cost for hollow internal doors and you want solid wood, huge cost difference).
Easy way around is to get a price to first fix so all structural stuff is sorted, plumbind, electrics etc then you can spec the finish and 2nd fix stuff yourself. Much stringer control that way

[Callmejudith]

Hi all, our side return kitchen extension is currently under planning. I went off our potential builder but had another company quote yesterday and I really like them and the quote was comparable. They have a 4 month lead time so we'd hopefully be starting in April! I need to sort out our party wall as our neighbours are tricky. We are in West London.
We'll also be moving out which is a bit daunting.

[CatkinToadflax]

We’ve recently got planning permission to extend our current dining room out and across to join up with the existing utility room at the back of the garage and create a large kitchen diner. The current kitchen will become a Teenage Boy Room! Currently I am swooning over kitchen websites (whilst frantically checking, re-checking and re-re-checking the budget). We’re hoping to start work in May.

[waitrosetrollydolly]

If you are thinking of May you need to start booking trades now. Lots I've spoken to are booked up father ahead than they normally are at the moment. Spoke with a sparky, kitchen fitter, plasterer and builder and Mumsnet favourite, Karen at OnePlan too. They are all oversubscribed currently!

[Isolatedizzy]

Good luck all of you! I was on the 2017 thread & it kept me sane!
Whatever happens it will be worth it in the long run!

[Skylucy]

Ooh, hello!
We're currently meeting with architects and hoping to choose someone to work with to remodel our ground floor. We're in a Victorian terrace and want to open up the back two rooms and WC to create a utility room and big kitchen/diner. We'd rather not do the classic side return because our side access is a godsend (kids, dog, bins, muddy running husband!). Challenges: our budget is tiny and we live in a conservation area.

[NotmyfirstRodeomyfriend]

Our loft extension starts Monday! It was due to start March last year, but well... you know!

[Shoeoholic]

I was due to have my loft conversion in March but because of the new national lockdown, the builder has pushed it back and said he can’t give me a start date. I really hope it starts by April/ May.

[Renovation2021]

I have saved all the previous threads and they are fast becoming my new Bible!! So I’m super happy to see the 2021 thread, I’ve even got myself a new username for the occasion !

We are about to undertake a full house renovation (get the keys next week!), which will include a 3 x 6 extension (where there is currently a conservatory) and moving internal walls around. As well as all new bathrooms, new boiler and rewiring etc.

We've had our first builders quote in - £100k excluding VAT, the kitchen and flooring. We are hoping for the other quotes by the weekend, then we've provisionally booked a few in to start Feb/Mar...

[CatkinToadflax]

@waitrosetrollydolly

If you are thinking of May you need to start booking trades now. Lots I've spoken to are booked up father ahead than they normally are at the moment. Spoke with a sparky, kitchen fitter, plasterer and builder and Mumsnet favourite, Karen at OnePlan too. They are all oversubscribed currently!

Yes you’re absolutely right. We’re booked in already. We had a loft conversion done two years ago and we’re using the same guys again - they are builders who oversee the whole process and do every aspect of the job from digging the hole to the final lick of paint!

[Baxdream]

I'm hoping to join this year. Just waiting for our planning so we can get some proper quotes.

This is our second time doing an extension so feel quite confident that we know where to spend money and where not to!

[LittleOverwhelmed]

Hi

We have a start date of 1st Feb - both exciting and terrifying

Had a pre-start meeting yesterday with the builder and his team leaders (they do virtually everything in house). They will start setting up the week after next for Feb 1st start.

Also had a meeting with the kitchen design today. Already commissioned them (with deposit): checking measurements today and working out the last design details (nearly there).

We are doing a 3 X 7 (could be 4 x 7) extension to fill in a niche between the side of the back of our kitchen and the garage. We are knocking through the existing utility room and making our current “L”
shaped kitchen into a nice open rectangle kitchen/diner. The utility (good sized) will then be on the side of that, behind the garage. Will also knock through the kitchen/diner into the old separate dining room (which will become a new sitting area). Big bifold doors, UF heating in the kitchen/diner, new sitting room and utility. Should be amazing when finished. Expecting it to be painful...

Also taking the opportunity to update the plumbing (hot water system and some of the radiators) and getting the electrical stuff sorted out. Will be other boys if pieces too - depending on budget.

Schedule for main hoped to be 3 months. Kitchen would be expected early May.

Main worries are:

• government banning “non essential” construction.
  
• being without a kitchen (temporary kitchen planned, but expecting some time with minimal facilities).
  
• DH working from home plus homeschooling at the same time (I am currently on a sabbatical from work).
  

Haven’t ruled out renting for a while, but would rather save the money... Plus not many “short term rental” options available during lockdown

[Thisyearcandoone]

May I join please? Applied for planning today for the smallest extension in the world, but it's part of garage conversion etc so will give us extra room downstairs, downstairs loo and bike store.

We've winged it so far, done all drawing our self.

Hopefully it won't take too long to be approved as builder is starting in March / April.

(We were told by architect we didn't need planning - hence now we're going solo!)

[HouseyHouse21]

I'll be lurking, hoping to join later in the year but resigned to waiting till 2022, as we haven't actually completed yet, plus covid will slow everything down. I have a pretty good idea of what we need done (rear extension to fit kitchen-diner, utility & downstairs WC, plus rewiring and replastering the rest and new windows) but need to get in there to work out if we can afford it all.

We're going to have to live in to save money so will be keen for recommendations for temporary kitchens etc. While working from home! Lived through a side return extension a few years ago and it nearly broke me - can't believe I'm doing it again 🥺

[OBface]

Hello, long time lurker of this thread but hopefully starting our build this year...

Just after a bit of advice. We've had our first quote back from a builder and horrified at how much it is! Our plans are for a single story extension, approx 6m x 7m and the quote has come in at just short of 100k ex VAT.

This doesn't cover sliding doors, windows, kitchen, floor, wall finishes, any landscaping etc - is essentially just a plastered shell to second fix though does include demolition of an existing structure and underfloor heating.

Really hoping someone can come along and tell me these costs seem high! Almost dropped my laptop when I opened my email last night

Love watching everyones projects progress and have everything crossed I can join you soon

Oh and we're in the midlands if it has any bearing.

[LittleOverwhelmed]

@OBface

Which part of the country are you?

Ours is a 3m (just measure it) x 7m extension, single storey. We are having some internal walls demolished and structural steels put in and no-fold doors. Including underfloor heating and a budget for floor finishes, it is about £100k + VAT (so £120k). That excludes kitchen, utility room (cabinets, appliances and fitting) and landscaping etc.

Our work has been costed in detail - which gives me some confidence (although there may be drainage issues or other things that crop up). The builders so everything in house and seem really organised, including a project manager. I expect that we are paying a slight premium, but for less hassle and less surprises and stress.

I am not massively surprised by your quote - considering ours - but depends on the inclusions, quality of build and how much of it is managed by them (and how much managing and chasing you would have to pick up).

You need to get other quotes, but I think that things ARE generally more expensive than we expect.

[LittleOverwhelmed]

Midlands.... posh bit or non-posh bit?

I am in the SW - posh bit. Have chosen an independent builder from just outside the posh bit, but guessing some “postcode inflation”...

[Baxdream]

Gosh that seems pricey!

Our last two storey extension was £120k all in!

We haven't got quotes yet. Our plan is to get a builder to do the basic build up to plaster and source our own kitchen fitter/ bathroom fitter etc is anyone doing similar?

[OBface]

We're in the nice bit (if there is one) of Leicestershire

We are paying 25k for sliding doors on top with no allowance for flooring / decoration so will easily edge towards £175k when you include kitchen, utility etc.

I'm obviously out of touch!

[IndecentFeminist]

We are about half way through ours I reckon. Two stories to the side plus single across the back.

They are just cutting in the new roof to the existing...we will be moving out in 2 weeks. When we move back 6 wks later, we should have a dry plastered shell 😱

[IndecentFeminist]

Ours will be around £90k to plastered stage. Not including any kitchen etc.

[OBface]

@baxdream that seems more sensible!

I really hope cost increases (if there are any) aren't as a result of Brexit.

[FinallyHere]

Love this thread, thank you for this one

Mine (ours really but I am very definitely the driving force ) is completely stymied because I can't decide between two possible designs round the existing stairs / new hallway.

Got great builder / PM, but have of course lost my place in the queue at the moment. Shall just wait again til they are available. In the meantime have the options always at the back of my mind.

One is the 'better' , 'cleaner' design but it ends up with a really large hallway and takes space from the open plan living room / dining room and new kitchen. To incorporate that space into the open plan area leaves us with horrible dog leg walls and I can't quite imaging how bad that would be.

Feeling it's just too difficult.

Never left like that before. I've done a few smaller scale things and have always been absolutely clear what I want to do. Now it's a £120k project that I really can't afford to get wrong.

Any suggestions on ways forward very welcome.