Is there a 2021 extension thread?

[Yellownotblue]

Just that really, I found it very informative (and exhilarating and at times heart breaking!) to read the 2020 extension threads. I couldn’t find a 2021 extension thread. Please can you direct me, or if there isn’t one, let’s start it! All welcome.

As for us - we’re awaiting PP for our extension and our architect said the work might start as early as March (ha! I’ll believe it when I see it). It’s a large extension and we will need to move out for about 9 months so I’m a bit flustered at the thought of moving out in 7 weeks’ time. We’re extending over the garage, in the garden and in the loft, and doing a shedload of other stuff from electrics to roofing and redecorating everything. We’re in SW London.

@LittleOverwhelmed that is looking amazing! You must be so pleased.

I do wonder if I'm one of the few people doing an extension who isn't having bifolds, velux windows or a kitchen island

We are at first floor level now (double storey side extension- we're about five weeks into the 18 week build). It's great to see it shooting up!

@LittleOverwhelmed amazing extension! Very jealous of the state of your garden. Ours is a dumping ground for the builders materials

@LittleOverwhelmed

This was a sight for sore eyes today: bifolds, windows and doors in (we are not changing all of the windows). Now that can crack on with flooding, finish the plastering and do the decorating etc.

Looking great! The light flooding in after they removed the boards and installed the doors must be overwhelmingly exciting. And yes to the lovely green grass. I don't imagine our grass will survive the builders and materials. But maybe we could encourage them to use the side area for storage.

We are filling in the mortgage application form now and my goodness, I now remember why I kicked DH out with DD last time when we were porting. It is a very long form following the 2 hour application on the phone that we did five days ago. They are also asking for a copy of the planning application and BR.

Just a tip to everyone in the early stages...

@littleoverwhelmed and I are on another thread re. notifying insurance when you start building works, where some insurance companies are cancelling policies and causing massive headaches.

It seems it it may be easier to sort out a friendly insurer before you start work as taking out a new policy when the work has started can be very expensive.

We've had no issues with Churchill, but we aren't moving out or giving builders a key which probably helps. Recommend having a look at the other thread and thinking about this early.

Littleoverwhelmed that looks AMAZING! Such a huge space I am jealous.

Muststopeating thanks for the tip. I need to start that process thanks for the reminder.

We've signed our contract with the builder. They have said 3 months for the work which is amazing. Starting beginning of July.

I'm considering a side return extension (roughly 6.5 x 1.5m) but completely clueless on costs - I've seen anything from £30k to £150k on various threads. Anyone done something similar who could shed some light on costs? We're on the London/Essex border.

@LittleOverwhelmed I reckon our mortgage application will take longer than two months.
Our bank warned us that average times are 10-12 weeks at the moment. This timeline suits us at the moment as we are still waiting for planning approval and our designer only started on the BR drawings last week. SE has not been engaged yet as his contribution will be added to the BR drawings. We do, I think have a builder in mind but we have not had him confirm whether he can start in September/October.

@Muststopeating thank you for the heads up on the insurance. I will need to check our policy with Halifax at the moment.

@LittleOverwhelmed I have just looked at the photos again - The is a long span where one of the steel beam goes across! How wide is the gap?

@Muststopeating I'm on the insurance thread too we're with Direct Line who have been good too. We're not moving out but have given the builders the key, so we're not covered for anything the builders steal- fair enough. We have slightly higher excesses during the build for fire and flood too.

Talking of building site gardens, this is our front garden at the moment! We seem to get a delivery every day. Having a long front garden and drive is a definite plus at the moment!

We have our new set of structural plans, finally!
We now need to recontact all the builders to get new quotes. So frustrating that it's taking so long!

@perenniallymessy

Talking of building site gardens, this is our front garden at the moment! We seem to get a delivery every day. Having a long front garden and drive is a definite plus at the moment!

I think we have enough space round the side to store materials and other deliveries. Do you not worry about people nicking the stuff in the front garden?

@Baxdream

We have our new set of structural plans, finally! We now need to recontact all the builders to get new quotes. So frustrating that it's taking so long!

That must be frustrating, especially now that builders are very busy. How long do think it will take for your builders to quote?

I have a question for those that applied for a advance on their mortgage to fund the works. Did your bank ask for the planning approval and confirmation from your builder that all would be completed to Building regs? Ours has requested these. I understand that some banks can ask you for a copy of the quote from the builders that you are using.

@LittleOverwhelmed thank you for confirming the span. We have a phase 2 of our build where we shall extend downstairs after phase 1 which is the loft. Thank fully the loft bathroom is over a part of the house where we won't be removing structural elements underneath. I have read previously that if you are doing structural work under a bathroom then it is best not to tile or do any work to it until the work downstairs is complete. I expect that we might have cracks appearing in the bedroom upstairs though as they jack up the floors to fit the beams.

Notyetthere our builders are the ones who've chosen to put the stuff there, so their risk if anything gets nicked! Most of it is too heavy/awkward too easily take and it's actually not too visible anyway as we are in a cul de sac and there is a big hedge around the front of the garden. Plus we have cctv pointing down the driveway so should pick up any light fingered types!

It's taken some time but our plans have arrived and they look really good. Slight tweak on the utility room and then off to planning.