Home Extension Thread 2018 - summer edition

[DustandRubble]

A thread to share the highs and lows of all things extension, loft conversion, renovation related. Bring your own dustpan and brush.

4years, totally feel your pain of wait. We have been in planning and quotes cycles since last April. Still don't have any commited start date with any builder. In my mind I have already gone through whole build, lived in a new house and bored of it all

That's incredibly frustrating @mum2015 ! Why have they not yet given you a start date?

We chose our builder in January and he gave me a start date of July. If I'd gone with the other builder I liked then it would probably have been finished by now

4years,
It is long story. Our original architect got seriously ill, work handed over to someone else who took a while to complete. Also when we drew up initial set of plans, we showed it 5 builders. All with recommendations. They gave us a ballpark estimate which was in our budget. Then after approved planning and full structural drawings, only three out five gave quotes which also took weeks. And these quotes were a lot more than what they originally said. DH refused to take any loans and meanwhile we had put our house on market and realized it is not easy to sell and we do need to see how much we should spend on this house. I don't completely agree with DH on this but anyway... I fought with him and gave up...
So then we went for new cut down set of drawings and planning application, architect again taking long time in process. Now new plan is approved but none of original three builders are replying to me anymore. We have got a new builder now lined up but no date yet and still waiting for new structural drawings for the plan.

After those very high quotes, when we were trying to sell our house and buy a bigger house, someone guzumpted us and that also wasted time and money on solicitors, survey etc

Ahhhh what a nightmare @mum2015

I’d totally choose a new builder @4yearsnosleep trust is so important for this!

Oh @mum2015 what a nightmare! I hope the new builder is more helpful, you need some luck.

I think if my original builder had kept us in the loop, it wouldn't be such a big issue, but all his quibbles before delaying and zero contact since July when he told me a 12 week delay has pissed me off

Yes we didn't have good luck with extension or moving. New builder is with good recommendation so fingers crossed it would all go fine. First, we need structural drawings from architect and its been over six weeks since I instructed ... I have learnt a lot of patience now even before we have started!
4years, good luck to you too. May be our projects will start within 2018!!!

I am looking at a house which will require a big extension.....

For those of you who bought your house knowing it was a big project - did you get a builder to come and view it with you? How did you work out a ballpark figure in advance? (as it obviously affects how much we'll offer!)

Don't believe any ballpark figure is my lesson learnt

The builder we asked before getting the finance quoted £1500sqm + VAT plus extra for bifolds, skylights etc. But that's just the shell and very basic electrics. To add in flooring, decor, kitchen, heating etc (plus a new boiler 😒) plus a decent amount of sockets and lights adds in a lot more

Before we started a lot of people said double the time double the money-I didn’t believe them-they were right. They also said builders won’t turn down work so keep stringing you along whilst completing other projects-this, too, happened to us. They also said choose cheap, quick or good... you can’t have them all...

I think you need to feel confident with the end product quality; look ; -at what they’ve done-good builders you will have to wait for-ultimately we will have waited nearly a year for ours-I’m pleased with the emerging product though.
Other factors I had given loose thought to but influenced our decision; I physically can’t be on site every day: once a week for a whole day is my limit. I’ve spent the year waiting really deciding what I want-the builder isn’t having to wait for any decisions from me or to order anything it’s all in my front room 😀

'Double the money'

Hi all - have to say woman that's been our experience as well...double the money, double the time! Our September finish date is way off and we're now looking at mid to late november I reckon. And also what mum said about the ball park figures. Ours were well off!
Our budget increased so much mainly because we decided to convert the loft now. We were having pretty much an entire new roof anyway so we decided it made sense to get the building and foundations structurally right, then one thing led to another and we have gone the whole shaboozle.
4years I think it sounds like you really have made the right decision, as frustrating as that is to have to wait even longer.
Mum my gosh it sounds like you've had an even more frustrating wait than most. If you can bear to hear it.....it will be worth the agro in the end!
I am totally distracted by the kitchen at the mo. I am so close to the layout being right...then it's the colour. We were supposed to order this weeks ago! Good job they are quite slow! However, progress is good. There is plaster on a lot of the new walls upstairs - hurrah!

After the first week we’ve got trenches dug for foundations to go in in Monday!

Good progress birdie!

I contacted my existing builder to check we were on for our rescheduled date of the first week of October and he responded 'at least the New Year'. Thus I've decided I need a new builder as I just don't think he wants the job.

Builder that's highly recommended locally failed to turn up for the second time now I'm starting a new search

Oh that is just shocking for you 4years what a major pain in the bum. So frustrating to be in limbo with the whole thing

It's always worth waiting for a good builder but if he can't be bothered to tell you of a delay in good time then perhaps he's not the one.

Our build is 2 months behind so I imagine that is impacting on someone else.

Ah no 4years that’s such a discouragement! :(

We just got back after two weeks of holidays and are mostly pleased with progress. All the electrics, radiators, shutters, heating and ventilation system are in and the driveway is nearly finished. Tile is all done too. They only have a week left though till our builder comes in to paint, so I’m a bit worried about the amount left to do! They still have to install the wood flooring and skirting boards in our main floor and master bedroom, finish the drive, put in doors, finish off a bit of plastering in some areas, install toilets, install all the handrails in the stairs and balconies, and tidy up some bits that are a little scraggly. Looks like a lot to me! Having said that though it does look like it’s in the final stretch, which is hugely encouraging. Here’s the entryway and a pic of the kids bathroom which (even sans shower glass and vanity) is looking quite smart these days.

I also agree with above comments about double the money and double the time. We were supposed to be finished in May and are moving in October. 😅 And our budget has basically doubled once we account for all the extras we didn’t expect we’d have to do. Honestly I’m so frustrated by the practice of builders giving quotes whilst knowing full well that things will be much more expensive once done. Our guys said it would be 16k initially to finish off the loft and is been about 30. 😒

@thehousethat I agree completely and we've been waiting for him since last January but it's got the the stage where I'm not convinced he's ever going to start!

And I'll be fine if a replacement builder isn't free until next Summer, if they actually want the job 🤷🏽‍♀️

Hello! I hope I'm not too late to the party to join you all?
I've RTFT and I started feeling inspired, then felt true awe at what you women are doing and now feel a mix of excitement and angst!!! Oh my word. So many things we've not thought off!
Double the time and money? Time, fine, money?!! How can you do that?!
Cats, didn't think of that!
Storage, didn't think of that, hoping to squeeze into the rest of the house!
We're doing a second storey extension and changing the layout of the kitchen/diner/utility/study...hopefully!
I'm currently going through a spreadsheet and working out how much everything except the build costs so that I know how much the build can cost!!
How did you do all that?
#spottyenewby
#sorryforthestupidquestions

Welcome Italianna! I think it’s normal to expect some slippage in costs within the overall project and there are some things we didn’t give enough thought to e.g we will spend close to £6k on boundary replacement, £2k for a patio and more on garden landscaping and planting (if you’re spending £10k on sliding doors then you want a garden which doesn’t look like a building site). We’ve taken the chance to deal with some things which would need dealing with in the longer term anyway-boiler, roof repairs and requiring costs. If you don’t have the money available then obviously you wouldn’t do some of these things but it may cost you more in the longer term IYSWIM?

Also check what the spec is that the builder has included. We upped the spec on internal and external doors, boiler and sockets etc.

We also had to have an existing room replastered as the plaster was blown.

Additionally a chimney breast wasn't properly supported so an extra lintel went in. None of this was in the original budget so you do have to hold back for unknowns.

Also work put your kitchen budget that's where a huge chunk of money goes, flooring too.

We haven't any left for landscaping the garden which is a shame as it kind of ruins the effect! Next year...

This is all v useful thank you. @thehousethat the kitchen budget has gone in! We're reducing the number of units and repurposing some of the current into the new utility. Are your builders fitting yours or have you gone with a specific kitchen fitter?

@Whattodowithaminute good to think about. I'm trying to factor in costs such as a new boiler, having to move it, re-doing part of the paved driveway, Eeek, so much! Bound to have overlooked loads.