clever ways to cut costs on a build?

[cooper44]

I am about to complete on dream house in the country - well more of a bolt hole than an actual house - and so need to add quite a big double storey extension which is basically the same size as the original building.

After meeting the architect, I know that I definitely don't have enough money but am hoping that I can do tons myself - definitely the project managing (am freelance so can be there a lot and have also managed another project before) and do things like get a mini digger to do some of the ground work ourselves. I also have a very handy brother but he has helped a lot in the past so don't want to ask too much of him. The architect is aware of limited funds - and even if it means just getting a shell that I do up over time then that's also fine.

Does anyone have any advice of ways they have saved money on building projects/extensions? I'm pretty good at sourcing stuff, scouring eBay/reclamation etc and happy to be totally hands on. All suggestions very gratefully received!

Have a look at homebuilding & renovating magazine's website. A few extracts for you here...

((www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/costs/ultimate-costs-survey cost summaries))
((www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/costs/build-costs/building-house-under-%C2%A3150000 tips on building a house to a set budget))
((www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/costs/build-to-budget an idea of how budgets break down))
((www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/costs/cut-costs-decorating labour costs))

There is a forum on there as well.

Depending on where you are, you could try getting some advice from experts at one of ((www.homebuilding.co.uk/shows these shows)), or ((www.nsbrc.co.uk/ this place, which is kind of a permanent exhibition)) but they also run special ((www.nsbrc.co.uk/the-big-home-improvement-show/ shows))

epic link fail, sorry!

yes I thought about going to one of those types of shows. thanks for all the links.

The best advice I've been given is don't change your mind as it always costs loads extra.
DH is in the business and has been ruthless about sticking to the budget so an expensive kitchen tap means less fancy plug sockets & so on. It can be frustrating but it does mean we can hopefully afford it.

Agree-- think through what you want in advance and do not change your mind.

Also, if you have the time and patience, getting the builder to do the structural elements and then organizing the individual trades yourself can save you about 15% relative to the builder organising the electrician, plasterer etc. However, that is money well earned by a builder as organising trades people is time consuming and requires skill.

thanks londongirl - our builder (used him on last renovation) is actually really great about telling me who to get and then let me doing the arranging so I don't end up paying his cut.
And good advice about not changing anything - I am very decisive and spending every evening on Pinterest right now so hopefully that won't happen. I'm just stressing because the budget is woefully low for the job.