Help! extension getting really complicated, need advice

[lucysnowe]

Hi all!

A while back our neighbour suggested we go for joint planning permission on a one-storey extension over our kitchens. As the houses are close together and v. overlooking, there was no way we could get an extension on our own. So it was approved with the proviso that both extensions were done at the same time. We assumed we would use the same builder.

She had a cash-flow issue for a while (she runs her own business) so asked to wait until May. Now she wants to use her own builder and wants us to find a different one. The only problem is the extension includes a new party wall and possibly shared foundations (? we haven't had building regs yet).

Does this sound okay to you? I'm just worried it's going to get vastly complicated. For example, if we go ahead with our building and she's delayed and for whatever reason doesn't build, ours will have to be pulled down.

Could do with any advice (or comments like 'no that's perfectly normal' or 'no that sounds bonkers' :) ) TIA!

Why does she want you to find your own builder? To me, that would make most sense. But, my concerns would be:
What if "her builder" works on hers to the neglect of yours?
What if either of you fall out with the builder if use the same one?
What of her finances aren't sorted and hold up the build?
If you use your own builder:
What if your builders don't agree with how thing should be done?

Do you get on with your neighbour? She sounds a bit bossy.

Recipe for disaster! Did you even want a kitchen extension before your neighbour approached you about this?

We did an extension with our neighbours for the same reasons - our builders were too expensive for them so they decided to use cheaper builders (a decision they came to regret!). They were ready to do their works first so we agreed their builders would do the party wall and we'd pay half the costs - unfortunately their builders werent great (our builders told us they were doing a shoddy job because of x, y and z when they were on site - those issues we could legitimately raise with our neighbours we did while they were still on site and they rectified some of those issues) and we had damp issues in the party wall (which only showed up on our side) which took months and months to rectify (our neighbours had massively fallen out with their builders by this point- who had finished their build 4 months earlier) and was a reall ball ache.

I would definitely recommend you use the same builders - put it out to tender and you may get some costs savings as a result. Talk about the issues SwedishEdith mentioned above.

Hi guys

thanks for the replies! annh - haha! as it is, the way our houses face, she could probably get an extension on her own, but we couldn't. And the extension would get us an extra third bedroom we need. So it wasn't in our mind really because we thought we would never be able to get one, until she suggested it.

Swedish> so are you saying it's better to have separate builders? I can see the downsides on both sides tbh.

dinky>thanks for the info, v. useful! did you draw up a legal party wall agreement or if not how did you arrange payment for the party wall - did you just halve it?

thanks again!

we just halved it - though also had legal party wall awards

lucy no, I was thinking it's proabalby best to use the same builder (as long as he's good!) My post wasn't too clear

We used the same builders and I wd recommend that. You can then approach them, (as can she), about issues affecting both sides. Easier than talking to "her" builders, (who might not be interested in your problems).

Ours were done one immediately after the other though as my neighbour was delayed. The builder was aware of that and able to build foundations and a party wall, which could be used for one property or both. (Our situation was simple though).

We still had problems but they were because my neighbour did not treat me as fairly as I had treated her and there are still things not quite settled. Having the same builder helped rather than hindered when things got tricky though. (As long as he is good)

hmm thank you guys. Well, I think she may be adamant. To be fair I think she wants it a certain way to go with the rest of the house and we're not too bothered, we just want a third bedroom. But one builder come back to me now and said they won't do it if it's not both together, so eh. Looks like we may have to sell the house with all this hanging over it, oh joy oh joy.

tell her you're having trouble to get builders to quote for just part of the build - they are saying all or nothing.

Hey guys

Good news! it looks like (fingers crossed) her builder can do our house as well, and he appears to be pretty reasonable. I think she honestly didn't consider all the complications caused by using two builders. :-)