Extension quotes of £4,875 per sq. metre 😧

[KimKardashiansArse]

I've had 2 quotes so far for my 16 sq. metres single storey extension (in the South East, not London) and both are £65k plus VAT (i.e. £78k). This is just the structure to a plaster finish with plumbing but no electrics. I budgeted £35-45k inc VAT.

Please tell me these builders just don't fancy the job and that this isn't the going rate for a little single storey extension to a modest terraced house.

These were almost all builders recommended by "word of mouth".

I'm not sure if this would be an option, but would you consider project managing yourselves and hiring separate trades to bring costs down? We're doing a self-managed double storey extension in SW London - measuring 8.5m by 5m (ground) and 3.5m x 5m (first floor). We've been quoted £26k for demolition, foundations and exterior brickwork from a builder and £23k for a pre-insulated Timber Frame. We need sliding doors (£8k), a polished concrete floor (£7k), a rooflight (£2k), first floor windows (TBC), roofing (TBC) and a mid-range kitchen (up to £10k - probably from DIY kitchens) I'm hoping that we can get it done for around £80k (£1.5k per square metre), although I'm sure it'll go up and luckily DH will do all of the internal work on the kitchen (plumbing, electrics, kitchen fitting). The self-made route will probably lead to us having a breakdown, but it's the only way we can afford it ...

Wow loopy that is scary, I was hoping we could get the build done we are planning by next August but that sounds like a nightmare to find a builder ☹️

Have you tried pre-fab as that could be cheaper and it could still be finished in brick or render so wouldn't look any different from the outside. It would be a lot quicker than a traditional labourer/brick build too.

Wow - very depressing. I am about to tender mine.