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

May I join? We find out if planning permission has been granted next Friday, 22 March. We’ve been waiting to talk to builders until we have permission and more detailed drawings from the architect. Does that sound like the right order in which to do things or does it not matter that much? I’m worried that we will be ready to start but our preferred builder won’t be available for 6 months! Anyone have experience of this?

Hello everyone! Loving the updates and welcome new posters!

We are in month 5 of our 2 storey side extension and the end is almost in sight here. We have plastered walls (and we've actually managed to get the watered down first paint on the walls!!) Main progress last week was the downstairs floors were screeded. 4 week wait though till we can tile them though.

Next weeks plan is 2nd fix is electrics and hopefully joinery. My plumber seems to have gone to ground though

Still a fair amount to do though - we are having the fascias and guttering replaced on the orginal house so that still nèeds to be done, garage door is ready for fitting but was delayed due to the plasterers.

Its still a work in progress and tbh the rest of the house really needs decorating now so even when the extension is done i can see many months of decorating ahead. Hopefully if we work hard that might be done by Christmas ......

Hi Mimi yes that's the right order. You get planning, then the architect draws more detailed tender plans for the builders. We went to 5 and then second tender with 2 to try and meet expectations on prices.
It has taken us about 4 months to go through all of that, but most couldn't have started til now anyway - one gave a June start date which was a deal breaker for me.

Part of the delay was our fault too - we both work, Christmas came in that time. It's hard to find time to do everything!

Hi Stokey will you have to move out for any part of your build? What’s your estimated build time?

We already have PP for a two storey side extension.

We are now talking about adding a utility room onto the back of the house - I’m talking 4m2 or thereabouts, just a box! Would a builder do this work sketches we’ve done does anyone know? Obviously that wouldn’t need planning and it seems ridiculous to use an architect for something so small and simple.

dressinggown sounds like exciting plans. Are you sure you wouldn’t need planning for your utility? An architectural technician will be cheaper than an architect. Are access to plumbing and electrics straightforward?

I just thought it would fall under permitted development with being so small but I’ll look into it. Thanks!

We’ve just had our neighbour in the attached semi over to look at plans and reassure before we issue the proper party wall agreement letter. We get on great and she is seemingly very chilled about it, so I’m hoping they won’t require us to do a survey!

Our planning permission goes in today. Eek!

Others on the street have done exactly the same so we're not anticipating any problems BUT did any of you chat to your neighbours about things or just wait (and hide!)?

We didn’t talk to neighbours but had mentioned planning to extend when we first moved in. I couldn’t believe how many people they had to letter regarding our plans.

We did try to talk to our neighbours - managed one side and they were great, very positive and felt it would only enhance our house and therefore positive for the street. (they have done a similar extension to the back) Other side we just couldn't get hold of, but when the build started we went round and explained and they mentioned they had seen the plans - so had been online. We also took them both a bottle of something nice at Christmas as it had been very noisy and various fences had had to be removed etc. They were both touched by the gesture.

We spoke to all neighbors when we first started planning and then took them all a box of chocolates to apologise in advance for the noise/vans/dust. I also gave them a card detailing the schedule and giving them my number in case there were any specific issues. We've not had a peep, but our builders are very fast and tidy!

That’s a good idea re the chocolate 4years, I will do that too. I put a note through the other sides door today to say we wanted to discuss so hopefully she’ll be in touch.
Our planning is in for validation and we’re getting building control quotes now. Eek!

Hi everyone,
Just jumping on here as we are on day 2 of our single storey extension build. The builders have already done loads! Very exciting and noisy!

We told our neighbours. Both sides have been very tolerant and look forward to doing similar to their house. (They’re both wanting to buy their property - and both are great neighbours.)

One neighbour Whatsapped me as she was frightened that the back of the house was exposed but she was concerned on our behalf.

Hi 👋🏽 can I join?

We have planning for a single story rear and two story side on our semi. @Arnoldthecat thank you so much for this info no one has ever mentioned this before!

@4yearsnosleep I can't believe how quick your work is being done! So so exciting!

I'm in the process of getting quotes from builders but really struggling tbh. I think I've spoken to at least 6 and so far only got 1 quote back after about a month! Is anyone else finding they're incredibly slow?!

@avocuddl I ended up speaking to probably 11 builders in total and got 5 quotes. We found our current builder after the original fell through. It was a recommendation from a Mum at ballet class, so my advice is ask everyone possible for recommendations!!!

Hi @avocuddl , we're planning the same... single on the back double on the side... it will entail moving the stair case, new kitchen etc... it's going to cost a lot as it's basically like 2 extensions! We've got an architect coming out this week to see what options we have... exciting!

So far we've had 2 recommended builders out for ball park figures.. one was cheaper than other but fortunately I remembered to ask if it included fitting the kitchen or just the basic build... the cheaper on was just the basic build.. with kitchen fitting they were roughly the same.

Hmm yes costs beginning to spiral already 😱
Need to make an appointment with a mortgage advisor to finalise things!

We might end up doing ours in 2 sections @elasticfantastic , not ideal but budget might not stretch

Mimi we're planning on staying. They're not doing much upstairs - just removing boiler and also nothing in living room and other front room. Although already wondering if we're mad, there's stuff everywhere. Trying to explain to Dds is just like A Squash and A Squeeze as everything will be much bigger later. They reckon it will take 4 months.

Newhouse we did talk to our neighbours and they nodded and smiled and then objected when we were in planning. Rather galling as their 80s built extension is double what we have planned. But planners upheld the objection so we had to alter plans. To add insult to injury, they then moved out.

New neighbours are very nice but still not keen on original plans although we did ask so have left it. They did sign the party wall agreement very quickly, worth noting they have a month to sign before excavation within 3m of their wall can start.

@avocuddl we are doing ours in 2 phases as it was just going to be far too much to do all at once without being able to remortgage to do it

Just got building regs through 🙌🏽

Hello!

I'm also struggling to get builders to quote. So far the strangest one was where I was told they couldn't come out until Sept to quote! We are hoping for a kitchen and utility extension. Fingers crossed it will be a building warrant via permitted development.

I'm regretting now not starting the planning in Dec but I naively thought that starting in Jan would be fine for a summer build. The few builders I've spoken to seem to be booked until Aug at the earliest :(

Some days I really wonder if it'll all be worth it but then I look at some lovely kitchens on pinterest to pick myself up again.

So lovely to have a thread where other people are going through it. The build pics are so good to see!

@soakedat3 it will definitely be worth it!! What sort of kitchen are you thinking? We actually went to visit the DIY kitchen showroom the other week and I was really impressed!

@Mummyshark2018 that's so exciting!! How's it all going? How long do they anticipate it all taking?