We got offer accepted!!! Anyone knows about 1-storey extension cost?

[Raislander]

So we got our offer accepted and we will be moving to Sawbridgeworth I hope soon.

The property has currently a conservatory 3mx3m at the back linked to the kitchen but we would like to make it with brick walls at least on the sides and do an open kitchen/diner extension, maybe a lean-to conservatory, any ideas about what cost that could have?

Potentially we would do 3mx5m or so, the house is 5.7m wide. Any ideas are really welcomed!!!!

Sounds like you are planning a single storey extension, knocking down some internal walls, new conservatory, new kitchen flooring etc. Depending on spec 50-75 k

Wow that much? I was thinking that could go for 18-20K? I mean we won't touch the kitchen, and maybe open some walls without touching the bearing beams, and most of the conservatory maybe glass with low (60cm) brick walls? Maybe the specs for 50K might be really high specs?

So about 15 sq mts single storey extension, depending on spec but around the 20k to 22k mark

Ok so extension plus new conservatory plus knocking down some walls plus bifold doors (?) plus flooring but not a new kitchen? Or just the shell of the extension?

raislander it might be wise to get proper quotes from builders on this before you proceed with the purchase of the house! If you love the house as yet is then crack on, but id you’re buying it banking on being able to do your extension then you need to do your homework! We bought a house two years ago thinking we’d do the extension we wanted (and the house needed) on 80k we’re now in to the time of 150k I’m not saying for a 3x5 extension you’ll have costs anywhere near that BUT you might find you’ve grossly inderwestimated what it’ll take. FWIW, we had two sets of builders and an architecyvout with us before we bid on the house and that’s where the 80k figure came from, so even with expert advise you can still run into unforeseen costs

Wow, Badweekjustgotworse, that's doubling the cost. No, we like the house as it is, but we are trying also to find options that in the short term 1-2 years, would permit us to extend a bit space in the property. We've seen that other neighbours in the same street have this sort of extension, but it's a conservatory type although running side to side of the house, so ours might be a bit more extension than conservatory I would say.

As it is right now it's ok, but it would be a nice thing to have later on. We will try to bring a friend to check what could be done next Saturday and give us a rough estimation, I guess the best option would be also to bring some builders to quote and give their opinion.

But still, the house could work if that's not possible to be done. There is also a garage conversion that could be done, that the current owners had quoted at 10K so we know there is potential to extend to a certain level.

We were looking at a 2x5m side return extension and were quoted £60k as the lowest basic cost. We had very slight access issues though and a drain that needs moving so that's what increased the price. Just bear in mind that it may seem straightforward but have hidden costs.

£60k is a crazy quote for a 10 mt sq extension!

I know. But we had 3 quotes and that was the lowest. We're not doing it. We think the builders didn't want the job as it was difficult

I think it depends where you are - not necessarily a North / South type issue as everyone also seems to quote, but whether you're in an area where lots of people build / extend - so here for example the jump from a 3 bed to a 4 bed is massively more than the cost of extending so people extend & therefore demand for good builders outstrips builders and it's more expensive than other parts of the country.

I think as a minimum you're looking at £2k plus VAT per sq m plus extras (such as bifolds / kitchen If you need it / decoration).

We got quoted £100,000 for a single storey extension.

We have managed to get it down but will be looking at costs of around £70000 including tiling and kitchen fitting.

We are in process of doing something similar a 2.8 x 3 m extension to create a kitchen diner. In our case the house needs rewiring and central heating so our quotes were based on shell only no electrics, no plastering, no fittings. We were quoted between £10-15k for a flat roof with one window and a door.

Our final design has been more thought out, to avoid the extension looking like a box attached to the back of the house. So mono pitched roof, tall windows and doors which will increase the cost but totally worth it.

We did a 3.5mtr by 5 m extension on last house, to first finish was £35k in se London. No internal walls knocked down. Took ten weeks

We're doing a 6×3 metre rear extension. Build cost is about 30 (including taking out one wall and a window), 25k on bifolds and a roof lantern. Plus about 10k for flooring (incl underfloor heating) and other assorted bits.

We had a quote for about 10k cheaper but prefered the bifolds from the more expensive place.

I’m speechless, I can see prices are all over the place, I suppose it depends on what you want to do and up to what extension of work. We are going with our friend on Saturday so we’ll see, still we like the house even without the extension right now, we could always do it down the road once there.

Do you have to leave the house if they work on the back of the house? I suppose that until they don’t start knocking walls if needed it shouldn’t affect that much right? There is a side access to the property if that helps.

@Raislander have a look at AliceinScandiland she has done a fantastic budget extension:

aliceinscandiland.com/2017/03/12/how-to-extend-your-home-with-style-for-less-than-you-might-think/

Good luck x

Thank you for that link 4years - we’re also potentially buying a house we hoped to (and need to) extend but don’t think we can afford to - never considered a modern conservatory, that’s such a good idea

We have done 1.5 story 50 sqm for 25k however all we paid for is a brickie and electrician as we have done the rest ourselves . Extremely hard work though .

Short answer rough guide £1200 sqm probably closer to £1500 with finishing inside well! I notice the more Gemmed up on building you are the less they pull the wool over your eyes

Thank you so much!!!! That is exactly what I was looking for!! That’s what I had in mind I will read through the post and everything although I suppose now it may cost a little more but still it’s a great idea.

I will say we were told £1.5k per sqm but that didn't include Velux windows, doors, anything more than sparse lighting or heating/radiators. That's also not including internal finishes: painting/flooring/kitchen etc. Plus 80% of the time, that figure is +VAT which is 20%. Before we researched our extension (9.8 x 3) I was expecting it to be £40-50k. With a 10% contingency, we're looking at £83k finished with kitchen & flooring. I'm a bargain hunter too so nothing has been full price!