Quoted waaaay more than expected for extension

[TweeterandtheMonkeyman]

Think I got over excited with the architect and the builders quote has come back much much higher than expected- anything obvious that you did to bring the price of a similar project down ? (It’s a single story extension across the back of a 1930s 3 bed semi detached) . At this moment I’m thinking to write off the money already spent with architect and scrap the whole idea …

They dont want the job. Get two more quotes. Study the detail and look up average costs online.

How much were you quoted and what does it include? Building costs are astronomical at the moment.

Get more quotes. Then ask the builder you like the most what is driving the cost

Extensions are costing a lot at the moment I believe. Put it off for a few months. Something to do with the price of materials.

How much was it?

It may be that they don’t want the job, but prices are high right now.

Hi, we're currently having a single storey extension on a 1930s semi done. The type of roof you have can make a difference. For example we are having a sloped roof which is cheaper than a gable roof. Also we are having the outside rendered rather than brick as this matches the front of our house which is also rendered but has also made it a little cheaper.
Hope that helps a little

I think I’m right in saying it used to be £1500 - 2000/sq metre to get the building done to a watertight glazed finish. That’s with “standard” windows and doors.
That’s just a basic ballpark starting position, and probably out of date now.

Architects make a domestic project very expensive. You don’t need an architect, if you get a good builder and get proper structural calcs done by an engineer. Your builder will know a structural engineer, who he trusts to do the calculations. Most builders round here are booking six months in advance, but it’s worth the wait for a good one. Also the costs of all materials have gone up. It’s worth it in the end, though!

@LemonMuffins yes we were warned about the costs being very high at the moment.

I know people who have used these builders and I have seen their work so am keen to use them . I need to think about getting more quotes then .

£87k (including vat)

I was thinking more like £50k!!

That is with them doing everything , taking away old conservatory and fitting flooring and kitchen.

There isn’t a full price breakdown so I can’t see which bits are more/less expensive.

Thanks @RettyPriddle I need to get the builders back and talk to them again so you think?

Walk around your neighbourhood looking at other extensions. Knock on doors, ask them if they are happy and if tgey would recommend their builders.

How much?! I would have said around £40k.

Ditch the architect and start again! Our single storey 1930's semi extension cost £40k, this summer, all in! That's kitchen, bathroom, windows, flooring,paint, everything!

Omg thanks everyone!!

I feel like crying!

Kitchens themselves are expensive, I think that price sounds about right.

We are having a two storey side extension, new bathroom but not a kitchen and we are in the realms of 160k.

We’re doing similar and were shocked by some quotes. We had three - one was bonkers so we ignored him. Other two we’ve picked at and reduced on various areas - mainly roof and glazing. Reduce the need for any steelwork that you can too.
However - It’s still way more than we originally planned - we released 54 in equity and in total will be 70. Not sure if we were way off or things have gone up lots. Or both.
Materials are mega pricey right now as well. We’re aiming for June time so doubt they’ll have gone down much by then.

What a pity you went with an architect. That project would probably only need a decent builder and I would have said 40 to 50k tops.

Similar as in conservatory knock off and removal, knocking through the kitchen and dining room and then adding a small shower room off the side.

A quote should contain detail, otherwise it is an estimate.

Ours was 60k including a mid-range kitchen from DIY kitchens in 2019. It was a standard extension on the back of a 60s end of terrace. Brexit had a big impact on the cost of building materials and our neighbours who did roughly the same with the same builders 18 months later paid 80k in the end. They compared their quote to ours and very little of the increase was for labour, most was materials. They also had to deal with materials being delayed.

Yes get the builders back and ask their advice, if you have a good relationship with them. We did the same. Got architects in, went mad with loads of amazing plans, couldn’t afford what they came up with, as they went wildly over budget. Then back to the drawing board with the builder, who kept strictly within our budget. You’ve done the hard part, if you’ve found a good builder.

How big is the extension in m2? Also which area of the country are you roughly as some areas attract a premium.

I feel your pain! We got 3 quotes before covid, all around 40k, for a 20sqm extension. This year they all are saying 75k+vat . There has been no spec change and it is literally a box added to existing house no new kitchen or bathroom or anything fancy! Our neighbour is getting an attached garage knocked through, insulated and decorated and it is 30k. It is crazy out there at the moment!

@twolittleboysonetiredmum ok that sounds similar to what we are doing . Ok so 70k not crazy.

Would it be worth an honest chat with the builders and see how /if we can scale things back a bit?

We already decided to leave in some support to avoid the mega steel reinforcements

HOW MUCH? Bloody hell.
I had an extra bedroom built over the side a couple of years back for £30,000 and thought that was high enough!