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.

I actually feel quite comfortable with our decision. Our house needs a lot of updating so seeing the changes is amazing. I always intended to do it in the autumn so we might just do it in autumn 22.

@Baxdream

I actually feel quite comfortable with our decision. Our house needs a lot of updating so seeing the changes is amazing. I always intended to do it in the autumn so we might just do it in autumn 22.

It is good that you are taking your time. It is sometimes needed to take stock of what you are doing.

We also hope to start in autumn, September ideally to match with the 4 yr old starting school so that the noisiest and busiest of the work takes place whilst she is at school.

Plastering done. Just need the step to be built, window ledge fitted and the radiators plumbed in by the builders and that is them done: almost 6 months since the day they broke ground. Unfortunately the sparkie decided to take this week as holiday so we won't have the electrics sorted till next week. But once he is done it will then be down to us to paint and put the flooring down.

I’m getting impatient, and we haven’t even got a builder yet. Had basic plans and side is permitted development so good to go, but I need the CAD drawings for the builders to quote and one has already said he’s booked into next year now. Which is fine, I’d rather wait for someone who’s going to do a good job - but it’s hard when you just want to see something happening.

Sounds like you've got good progress CaurnieBred, it's so good seeing it all come together.

Definitely worth waiting for a good builder Dontrainonmyparade, ours is currently booked until September next year now, but I'd use them again if I had any major building works to do.

We have the plasterer in today, windows went in earlier this week. It's lovely to see it all coming together. We have about four weeks left on the build and it's on track to be done on time. They've been working from within the extension to minimise disruption to us, so even though we're living in half of the house it hasn't been that bad really.

I just can't wait to get it all finished and get painting etc!

Hi everyone, we are 9 weeks in to our single storey rear extension. All external work done and ready for knock through into our kitchen. It has been up & down as builders not doing full days or even turning up at all sometimes

I wanted to ask if anyone had experienced issues with roofing. Tiles used are curved which wasnt what we wanted and we were away at the time of fitting. Apparently due to roof pitch (17.5 degrees) the roofer is adamant these are the only option (they are curvy and dark brown - doesnt look very modern!
I have tried looking online but cant find a definitive answer to say that this is right. Obviously I dont want leaks but equally im sure I have seen plenty of extensions with flat tiles. So confused and fed up so any advice appreciated!

Hi everyone. Very quiet on here. Hope everyone is busy building!

We have our first proper quote back and it's £225k. Not entirely unexpected but was hoping for a lot less to be honest. That doesn't include the bathroom or kitchen appliances or any landscaping, decorating, or moving the gas and electric meters either

Had one 'estimate' of £165k, despite this builder coming recommended he doesn't work to milestone payments and we pay weekly a set amount. Too risky for me I think.

We had two other builders interested so just need them to come round and quote. Looks like we may have to think about what we can do later (not much to be honest) or save like mad people.

Hi everyone! We start next week….anyone else? Any advice? Thinking of buying lots of cheap mugs!

That’s exciting Noteaforme! If you won’t have a kitchen I’d highly recommend an air fryer- we couldn’t have survived our extension without it! We have been without a kitchen or washing machine since March and in the final few weeks now. I’m excited it’s nearly done but we are all so exhausted from living in utter chaos- does anyone else feel like this?!

What are you having done @Sewfrickinamazeballs?

@newyorky09 we will be without a kitchen at some point. Was thinking of getting a little camping stove/hob for it. Will look into an air fryer - don’t actually know what one is!

We’re mainly excited but slightly daunted too. All being well it should take around 4-5 months. Biggest thing we’ve ever done and now we’ve paid the deposit and the first payment we’re wobbling about how much building costs have gone up and if we’re paying above the odds for it. Just normal wobbles though, I hope!!

I think it’s totally normal to feel nervous! I think once you start seeing progress that helps. We’ve found there has been a few unexpected costs but not too many. What are you having done Noteaforme?

@newyorky09

What are you having done *@Sewfrickinamazeballs*?

Almost everything! Side and rear extensions (about 2m depth each side), extra bedroom upstairs, moving stairs, moving front door, rewire, replumb, new kitchen, new bathroom.....pretty much the whole house.

We were hoping to be around £180, and I think we could have done it for that before this crazy hike in prices.

Have a few more builders to quote yet, but currently thinking of a plan B.

@NoTeaForMe

Hi everyone! We start next week….anyone else? Any advice? Thinking of buying lots of cheap mugs!

We have a crockpot that you can roast, steam, slow cook and sear in. Our oven is crap so we pretty much use it as an oven now. Highly recommend.

I also read somewhere that getting the builders a mug each with their name and tea/coffee order written on the side has gone down well!

We’re extending out to the side, rear and front. Adding two bedrooms and a new kitchen, diner, family room downstairs. Re-wiring and all new radiators too. New bathroom and adding an en-suite too. Every thing needs decorating as nothing has been touched since the 70’s! We moved recently!

@Sewfrickinamazeballs do you mean buying the builders a personalised mug each?!

@Froggles1

Your builder is mistaken or lying. You can use Marley modern tiles ( smooth) and they are recommended for roof pitches of 17.5 or over.
The pan tiles you have ( curved) can go down to 12.5.
You see a lot of modern houses now with Marley moderns or similar on and they look good .
My current house built 40 years ago has Marley moderns on and the roof pitch is 15 degrees, I’ve had no problems with them.

We have one week to go! I’m feeling super stressed!
Tree guys here cutting back the huge fir from the neighbours that cuts off our light.
Still waiting on useless architect to confirm the water build over agreement thing.
Party walls done and neighbours have agreed to shared party wall on side return side so super happy about that.
I’ve decided on soft pink tiles for the splashback.
Husband still hasn’t decided on cooker.
Boxes all over the house
Told my boss I’m not going to have a production week!

I'm waiting for the quotes too @Sewfrickinamazeballs and am petrified the cost will be double what we mentally think.
We're moving on with electrics and plumbing now as it makes staying put easier but have the huge structural work to go. That might be one way to do it?

@Sewfrickinamazeballs

Hope everyone's projects are progressing. I'm finalising the list of things we need to consider ready for builders quotes. One thing was deciding on flooring throughout the downstairs. Was going to ask for a quote for underfloor heating throughout with the aim to fit LVT on top. I got curious, and lifted up the carpet in the living room to find this! Hoping it's still all there and we can save it! Changes the plan somewhat.

Can I ask what you decided to do in the end? I absolutely love this flooring..

@newyorky09

What are you having done *@Sewfrickinamazeballs*?

*@Sewfrickinamazeballs*

Also curious, please share. Thanks

Tentatively joining as we’ve been planning our extension for YEARS and May finally be making moves to actually do something about it. DH spent ages in lockdown 1 drawing up the plans (we have an awkward corner plot) so he has a good idea of what it could look like - I’m terrible at visualising so desperately need one of those VR things on your home made perfect!
Anyway. We’ve discussed a further advance with our mortgage company and we have over £100k savings so think we’re in a position to go. We just both need a kick up the arse to actually get on with it!
It’s going to be an approx 60sq meter 2 storey extension and I’m worried it’s going to cost the Earth. But we hate our house. And can’t move without a £400k jump in price over what we originally paid for this house… aargh!

@NewHouseNewMe

I'm waiting for the quotes too *@Sewfrickinamazeballs* and am petrified the cost will be double what we mentally think. We're moving on with electrics and plumbing now as it makes staying put easier but have the huge structural work to go. That might be one way to do it?

We thought about this when we moved in 2.5 years ago, but the final location of all the gas/electric meters and the current boiler means we would have to move it all again so it would be prohibitive.

@Callmejudith may I ask why you've gone for a shared party wall? We've got agreements in place from both sides, and one of then has enquired about the possibility of this. What are the pros and cons?