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Original poster

Is there a 2021 extension thread?

986 replies

Yellownotblue · 13/01/2021 01:30

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.

OP posts:
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MissFritton65 · 14/08/2021 22:49

@Terracedtardis

I’m feeling really downhearted about our build now. It’s been 2 weeks and we’ve not even got the foundations done yet. I know the rains we had delayed things but our builders didn’t even work today. They say they are dismantling our kitchen this week so that they can break through while we are on holiday next week. But since there’s not a single brick been laid I don’t see how that can happen?! Plus our velux roof lights won’t be here until September. Shouldn’t they be installed before breaking through??
Unfortunately patience is the name of the game; our build started in February and they still haven't knocked through. Our kitchen is arriving in 5 weeks and we don't even have the complete room! Admittedly ours is a big project but I feel your frustration which isn't helped by the weather, Covid and Brexit none of which we can control.
Callmejudith · 15/08/2021 08:38

@Terracedtardis can you share your before and after plans? You’re right it doesn’t make sense to be knocking things down before walls are up. I found the digging foundations stage ridiculously long and painful.

Could you meet with your builder and agree a schedule between now and when you return from holiday so you’re in agreement of what you’ll return home to?

Terracedtardis · 15/08/2021 12:01

I’ve not got the plans to hand. Basically it’s just a single storey kitchen extension. I’m going to ask the builder for a meeting tomorrow to find out what they are thinking as it makes no sense to me. I know they need a picture frame steel so maybe that’s it - who knows! But I don’t want to be without a proper kitchen for longer than necessary that’s for sure.

Callmejudith · 15/08/2021 13:50

Forgot you are living there then definitely they need to work with you on timings

TakeMeToYourLiar · 15/08/2021 21:08

Argh just got back from week away. I don't think o will be able to stand under the shower!!

MoiCnoi · 15/08/2021 21:15

@TakeMeToYourLiar we are in the same boat. we in WK 10 of loft conversion. I'm so impatient but our windows have been thrice delayed and it's out of my hands. I'm also focusing on the paint charts. What colours will you go for?

@purplebutterflybiscuits we have lived in ours throughout and it's been OK. Dusty and disruptive, but mostly OK. (Unlike when we did the kitchen which was unliveable as I realised too late)

MoiCnoi · 15/08/2021 21:17

@TakeMeToYourLiar wait what? Why? Is the ceiling very low?

cancancan · 16/08/2021 11:13

Has anyone self project managed?

We know it could save us quite a bit, but it's rather daunting! Both of us work full time, from home.

X

Callmejudith · 16/08/2021 12:37

I couldn’t self PM I just don’t know enough about the stages or any of the terms.

wonkylegs · 16/08/2021 14:10

@cancancan
It's really hard to quote for stuff at the moment
Builders were telling me this morning that they ordered some paving for another job and it arrived a week later but the price had gone up 20% in a week. Unfortunately it was an extension to an existing paved area so no choice but to accept it as there was no alternative.
Prices are changing day by day. I was reading about a construction firm this week that did lots of fixed price commercial contracts and it's gone bust due to the cost rises as they can't cover the contracts and can't renegotiate them.

We are still waiting for windows but paving (which I ordered way in advance in a fit of foresight) is going down now and plasterboard arrived this lunchtime so they can board everything up to the window reveals. Progress is very slow due to materials. The one good thing is the delays have meant we've earned more money in that time which should cover some of material cost rises 🤦‍♀️

LATBOTG · 16/08/2021 19:24

@cancancan

Has anyone self project managed?

We know it could save us quite a bit, but it's rather daunting! Both of us work full time, from home.

X

I would also like to know this! I’m trying to persuade one of the retired grandparents to take the role of project manager 😆
cancancan · 16/08/2021 20:59

My DH and I are going back and fourth!
We finally got a second quote which has come in pretty much spot on to the last one.
So nearly 10k over our budget and doesn't inc a kitchen, utility fittings, toilet etc, flooring 😭 so we are looking at nearly £90k
We can "afford it" but we can't get our head round it! And seriously don't know if we'd get the value back when we go to sell in approx 5 years.

Do we do it or do we not?!!!

Callmejudith · 16/08/2021 22:35

I say if the end result will make a big difference to your lives then do it!

Decided today with our mate who is a gas engineer that we'll move the boiler up to our bathroom - really pleased about this as it was previously in an awkward corner of the kitchen.

Loads of timber arrived today and we are going over the roof design tomorrow morning - will feel so much better when we have a roof!

NewHouseNewMe · 16/08/2021 23:30

Hi, can I ask a rookie question? How many builders did you ask for a quote and how long did they take?

We're struggling to get 4-5 builders we've had recommended engage properly to quote. We've had one "back of a fag packet" quote that make us gulp!

cancancan · 17/08/2021 06:20

They say get 3. We've just managed to get 2 and it's taken weeks! We have one other builder due at the end of the month.

I honestly don't know if it would change our life lol it would be so handy to have a downstairs loo!! But I have been worried the kitchens too small. Are we squeezing too much in....
would our life be better improved having a smaller monthly mortgage....

BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush · 17/08/2021 07:09

@cancancan. We won’t get the money back either, although it will have increased the value. But we’ll prefer it as a house to live in and will be here at least 10 years.

We could have scaled back the plans, and are still wondering about that. Also, unexpected costs, you need a contingency. We had 20k contingency on a 110k build. It has been swallowed by unexpected underpinning and the garden. Garden was destroyed digging for drainage and although a certain amount of paving was included while they were there we put a patio in the sunniest spot.

BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush · 17/08/2021 07:11

Also @cancancan. If you are not going to be there ‘forever’ seriously think about whether to put the money in or save to trade up to one that is done…with a downstairs loo.

Sewfrickinamazeballs · 17/08/2021 07:16

@NewHouseNewMe

Hi, can I ask a rookie question? How many builders did you ask for a quote and how long did they take?

We're struggling to get 4-5 builders we've had recommended engage properly to quote. We've had one "back of a fag packet" quote that make us gulp!

I created a 10 page document outlining exactly what I wanted to be quoted, right down to what type of internal doors, skirting, and all the odd jobs (replacing windowsills etc), included the plans from architect and structural engineer and an email with my expectations (staged payments, flexible on start time etc). Sent this to 12 builders, got 2 replies quickly, then a further three quotes after this. Took about 3 months from start to firming up the builder (January 4th yay!). Our quotes ranged from 180k to 300k, but when I look at the detail of them, the cheaper ones had loads missing that would need to be added, so all pretty comparable.
NewHouseNewMe · 17/08/2021 07:19

Thanks @cancancan - makes sense. I suspect that we might get 2/3 quotes from these 4 builders. It does seem that we are pulling teeth a bit! They clearly have a lot of work on.

StrongArm · 17/08/2021 09:08

@Callmejudith

I say if the end result will make a big difference to your lives then do it!

Decided today with our mate who is a gas engineer that we'll move the boiler up to our bathroom - really pleased about this as it was previously in an awkward corner of the kitchen.

Loads of timber arrived today and we are going over the roof design tomorrow morning - will feel so much better when we have a roof!

can you put a boiler in the bathroom? the plumber who lives across the road here said it wasn't the done thing (mixing electrics with showers/baths)

we are going to have to redo the pipes in the house as they have an 'old' (but very nice) heating system where there is a hot water only heating system upstairs but when it goes, it will go as they no longer make them! I just hope it holds on till we refurbish

our garden guys are finishing late which is causing huge problems because they have blocked the driveway with rubble so no other workman can park and we don't yet have our residents permit which allows visitors. So far 2 parking fines down and it's only 907am!

TakeMeToYourLiar · 17/08/2021 10:06

Phew the shower is fine when you get in, optical illusion

I had a quite fora built in wardrobe though £5k, that can't be normal surely?

TakeMeToYourLiar · 17/08/2021 10:07

@StrongArm we have put a boiler in our new bathroom. It's fine

Callmejudith · 17/08/2021 12:39

@StrongArm our bathroom is really big so we can put it in the far corner and it's fine.

@NewHouseNewMe I think we got 4 quotes in the end but that was like pulling teeth

Roof is going up today - super excited about that. The huge 2800x1200 rooflight isn't going to work so we have to scale back to 2200x1200 but will be cheaper so that actually good.

Also got DH's bestie over who is an all round handyman and he was absolutely brilliant with the builders, asked tons of questions I hadn't thought about. He also made an excellent point that the utility room needs to be wider to get things in and out. So we are losing 20cm on the kitchen size so need to work that out. I think it'll be fine as long as i can persuade DH not to go ridiculous on the fridge.

StrongArm · 17/08/2021 12:39

thanks @TakeMeToYourLiar that's good news. I've just googled and seen how it could work. Our bathrooms are quite small so it might not be possible but at least it's an option. I'm just thinking of how much work there will be when this hot water heater goes as essentially the whole house will need to be replumbed! I think dp has finally seen the sense in us not getting the floors done till last Grin.

btw on the project management, I did it twice (managed it while both me and my then dh were working full time) but I must admit, I do think it hastened our path to divorce Grin. I think WFH helps (we were both WOTH at the time) but if you can afford someone to project manage, it is infinitely easier! on the last project, I got someone from the architect's office to manage the work and it was brilliant - there were all sorts of depths of things and measurements that I would never have picked up (but it was a big job!).

StrongArm · 17/08/2021 12:42

@Callmejudith that's good news on the bathroom! where is the utility room in the layout vs your kitchen? ours this time is looking like it will come off the kitchen by a door which sounds similar to yours (last time I had it sort of parallel if that makes sense, basically behind a wall that had kitchen cabinets on). Roof light still sounds fab! Can't wait to see it!