Am I spending too much on my house extension?

[BaileyMyDog]

We initially budgeted £150k for a 2-storey side extension and complete replan/renovation of our downstairs living area.

Problem is that I can see costs going up and up every time we look into something (Kitchen, Appliances, Underfloor heating, wooden parquet floors, Doors, Lighting etc.) we always seem to want better than what we budgeted for! It's now looking more like £180k. Houzz defo doesn't help!

On one hand, we will be living here long term so rather than doing bits later it makes sense to do it now. On the other hand our house will defo hit the ceiling price for our road.

What are Mnetters experiences? Do you wish you had paid that little bit extra to get your dream home or were you happy that you didn't get 'carried away?'

@Comefromaway

Thats beautiful flooring. I think it would go very well in the hallway of my Newhouse!

The best one I found is Woodpecker Haze Goodrich Oak, at an eye-watering rrp of £116 per sqm. I have found it for £80sqm, but that is still not including fitting 😭

This is the plan, the doors would go from kitchen/diner to snug and the living room

We gave up on the extension idea after potential costs were already spiralling out of control before we even had proper plans. Our budget is smaller than yours though (100k), now we are just planning a refurb instead.

Interested in your rough locations, op and also Puff. It's 6 years or so since we last did an extension but we are eyeing one up on our potential new house and these costs might make it a non starter (not our forever home).

Tentative we are in Greater London. Rough initial quotes for a 4m back extension came in at £70k plus VAT. Add to that a new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, sliding doors and whatever other extras and we are way over £100k. A lot of money!

We are moving at the moment because we’ve been told that in our location with a shared driveway we wouldn’t make back on any extension. Would be fine if we wanted to stay here long term but we don’t (due to shared driveway!)

So I think if you see yourselves somewhere long term it doesn’t matter so much if you’ve gone over budget.

Love those doors, would like something similar

We are having a complete refurb of our flat 1500 sq feet. I didn't know we could spend do much money without extending. Biggest bedroom will become kitchen with double sliding doors to the lounge and lots more. Originally we guessed 50k, now up to 100k but had money from selling the family home so we will still have some left. Trying to economise on some aspects (IKEA in the walk in wardrobe). And going a bit crazy in other areas such as pull down mechanisms in all the top kitchen cupboards (I am 5ft). Then we will get new furniture. I'm almost 60 so this is going to be exactly what we want and should last a long time.

Trying to choose timeless styles do it stunt look old gained in ms few years so Art Deco style furniture, matt white kitchen but an unconventional worktop.) Levven by Cambria. I just love it!

I do not like the idea of it completely open-plan, I feel it's too big (80 square metres in total) and want to have separated spaces but still have lots of light flowing through

Given that you’re future proofing for teens, I think this is vital and really sensible. We’ve done the same. Lots of light but the ability for them to have space to hang out with their mates downstairs away from us. They’re little now so currently they space is a playroom that has a door with glass panels but if I shut it in the evening, I can’t see the mess without looking and can pretend it’s not there

I think your plans look great and if it’s a long term thing then do it to the best standard you can now. Or with the ability to upgrade without causing yourself a load of new work. A friend of mine moved in the end because the work would have been significantly over the ceiling price and she couldn’t guarantee she would be there long enough to manage to break even. But with not much in it, then if you’re happy, improve what you have.
The only thing I’d change is not having the toilet backing onto the snug wall if possible. Either switching where the utility is or just it’s position. That’s just me not wanting to hear weeing or flushing when in the snug relaxing!