Home Extension Thread 2019

[4yearsnosleep]

Time to start another extension thread. 2019 for lots of newcomers and hopefully lots of finishers too!

We're Day 5 of builders on site and have a roof framed. V excited about the big velux

Can I join? We are planning a small 2 storey extension early next year...we have planning (ish - that’s another story). My architect is quoting upwards of £6k for technical drawings for building regs - is this the norm? Or should I use a builder to do the technical drawings/building regs? Will be reading back the whole thread later

@smilysmilysmily in hindsight I wish we'd used an architect as there are a few things with the steels, pillar and exterior that I feel could have spotted.

We didn't use one because we were just adding a box on the back. I think programs like Ugly House to Lovely House don't help architects as they massively over spec for the budget. The benefit of using a technician is we got the drawings we needed and I've brought the project in on budget.

We will be £3000 altogether for our architect with the councils fees on top. I think he’s worked it out as a percentage of the value/cost of the build.

@4yearsnosleep how much was your technician if you don't mind me asking?

@GookledyGobb welcome! £6k sounds a lot to me. We paid £1500 for ours but it was quite straight forward I guess. Then £4-500 for the structural, I can't remember the exact amount.

Ours was £600 including the tech spec for building control

We’ve already paid £2k for architects drawings for planning so it sounds as though £6k on top of that for technical drawings for building regs is OTT? When I questioned it I was told building regs need to know every material etc as well as the structural engineers calculations and that was why it was £££

Our technical drawings go into a lot of detail of all the material and passed building regs. Just checked was £475+vat

Structural engineer specs were another £500. I think £6k is bonkers

Ooh total plot twist! FB builders were really good! Really nice and knowledgeable and professional. Excellent quote too, right in budget.

Seem properly organised too, and their feedback is excellent. Can't start until September though, but I'm swaying more to them!

Said it would take 6 weeks! Think that's very optimistic though don't you?

What do you think?

@avocuddl ours to first fix was 4 weeks. There's a wait for the screed to dry but the actual work to finish is 2 weeks. I'd wait for the right builder x

I can't believe it was so quick! Do you have any pic updates to share? :)

I'm currently waiting for the flooring guys to arrive!

Kitchen is being fitted 20th May

It literally looks amazing!!! What did you decide for lighting in the end?

FB builders have just emailed a really detailed quote through! Very efficient!! I'm so impressed as they didn't take notes but were clearly listening as even tiny details I mentioned in passing are included! Think I've found my builders guys! Wahh I feel really nervous and excited! Bring on September!

Brilliant @avocuddl ! Great news. We have a lot of different lights going in, pendants over the island, a feature dining table light made out of reclaimed wood, wall lights in the living area and a lot of led strips 😬

Wow that sounds amazing! Where did you find the light made of reclaimed wood?! Is it bespoke? Sounds lovely. I'm so excited to see it all done! :)

It's me wood from a reclaimed wood place & components from Industville, hopefully the plan in my head works!

@4yearsnosleep exciting stage! Have you got underfloor heating under there?

Yes, wet underfloor in the new bit

Sounds like you've found "The One" Avo :D Phew!

@GookledyGobb, that sounds a bit much to me and we specifically didn't go for a registered architect because they had described something similar where they wouldn't release the detailed plans and we had to let them handle the tender. If we didn't use them to tender we would only get the basic planning drawings. Hmmm!!

In the end we used an architectural designer and the fees were similar to Avos. The drawings he submitted were detailed ones and the builder could see exactly what materials were to be used where.

That seems very expensive! Our total architect fee to take us from initial schematics to the building control submission is approx £5k and the BC drawing part of it was £2,100.

avo that’s so exciting re the FB builders!! And Sep isn’t too long to wait, it’ll be here before you know it!

4years that’s a fantastic sized space!! What are the measurements in there? Hope the flooring guys turned up.

Soooooo the concrete base that went down all went fine until the 10 year old let the dog out!

Oops!
How difficult is it to remove concrete from paws?

Oh dear 😂