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.

We had our extension done last year; it was supposed to incorporate a loft conversion too but frankly we didn't have the cash. Still don't, but I'm now looking at the plans again to make tweaks for when we can move forward... Can't stop 'improving'!

Just for ref, this might be useful as it's only from Dec - designfor-me.com/cost-planning/renovation-and-extension-cost-per-square-metre/

@Yellownotblue
"As for us - we’re awaiting PP for our extension and our architect said the work might start as early as March"

Just to dampen enthusiasm...this was pre Covid.

Plans drawn up. Sent back for changes and detail and then submitted for PP. council took nearly 3 months...total 5 months.

Tender exercise. Draw up spec, send out to builders with plans and give them a month to return. 1 month to work through as NON of them tendered exactly over the spec....ie one didn't include sliding doors!. Total 3.5 months as needed to negotiate with builders.

Builder appointed. No availability for 6 months. All were similar with work booked in.

Worked started 6 months on time and took 6 months. Total time 20.5 months.

Friend recently enquired with the known decent builders and 9 month wait

@Sunflowergirl1, yes, I’m well aware of delays and fully expect them.

Neighbour is a contractor - might start sounding him out on timescales now

Thanks @Sunflowergirl1, helpful to know how long these things are taking. I thought councils had to approve planning in 8 weeks so that's interesting. I think we're probably looking at a 2022 project, if I'm being realistic.

@HouseyHouse21

Thanks *@Sunflowergirl1*, helpful to know how long these things are taking. I thought councils had to approve planning in 8 weeks so that's interesting. I think we're probably looking at a 2022 project, if I'm being realistic.

Ours aim for 8 with a 12 week limit and you can assume passed if beyond that and you haven't heard otherwise.

Just discovered this thread. Placemarking for future. Freaking me out though. We're in the process of buying a house and hoping to complete by March. Plan was to do loft conversion before we moved in summer but sounds like we'll be lucky in terms of getting trades? We obviously can't get spec or plans drawn until we own house so not sure what to do to get ready (if anything).

@LittleOverwhelmed - beautiful combination! Where are you planning on getting the kitchen from?

Just joining in as well! We're around 18 months into our major house renovation project, 5 months since the extension was started. It's a fairly big extension at about 5m x 8m and is probably about half done now Am hoping to have a fabulous new kitchen by the summer (am currently using a v v dated and impractical 1980s kitchen). Although we lived out at the start of the project we are very much living amongst the chaos now!

Can I join in? We’re having a 2 storey side extension starting shortly - we have the pre-contract meeting with the builders on Monday.

I’m veering from being incredibly excited to terrified and constantly second guessing myself.

Please may I join? We are starting a 2 storey side extension, single storey rear extension and a detached garage at the bottom of the garden next month.
I too oscillate from very excited to thinking we must be mad! We downsized here in September and the plans increase our space by 80%.....so much for downsizing!

@LittleOverwhelmed

Thought I would share my current obsession:. Kitchen flooring at colours. Looking at oak engineered flooring, LG French Grey cabinets (equates at F&B Cornforth White) or possibly the tone lighter. LG Royal Navy for the island. Ok, nothing revolutionary there, but I really like them 💗

I’m looking at paint colours too - considering a similar colour scheme for our kitchen. We have Ammonite and Purbeck Stone in the hall and we have LG French grey in the sitting room.

If anyone has a project coming up, I need to practice a bit of planning. If you want to message me and I’ll try to knock up some plans for you (existing plus the proposed) that would be used for planning. It won’t include the site / block plan. You need to supply a sketch of the house plus all measurements and what you want done.
I’m not charging so first come first served and I get the practice I need, you hopefully get the plans you want.

@Loofah01, that's a very kind offer. I'll send you a pm. I've been putting off contacting someone for plans for a year or so....

@Loofah, thank you for the link to case studies and budgets. We are expecting our first budget from the architects tomorrow. I’m bracing myself for impact! 😁

@Loofah01 I would love some guidance as we are at the very beginning of the extension journey but I have no experience of renovations on any scale and feel very much out of my depth!

Happy to try and help, just use the ‘message poster’ function and let me know an email address

@Loofah01 id be interested too if you have the capacity.

I am just buying a house but its too small for us so I need to extend it. (Its the only way I could afford to buy a house )

I don't even know where to start with the extension, how much it will cost and if I can even afford it - I do however know what I want so I guess thats good.

[quote yellowbeaker]@Loofah01 id be interested too if you have the capacity.

I am just buying a house but its too small for us so I need to extend it. (Its the only way I could afford to buy a house )

I don't even know where to start with the extension, how much it will cost and if I can even afford it - I do however know what I want so I guess thats good.[/quote]
Just PM me and we'll take it from there

@Yellownotblue we're in SW as well and are waiting for final floor plans from the architect before we can start with surveys, PP etc. We're planning a 2 bedroom 1 bath loft conversion, complete redecorating of the first floor, and the ground floor will be reconfigured with a utility room and downstairs toilet added as well as a side and rear extension.

We can't afford to do it all in one go though so phase one will be the loft conversion - which thankfully doesn't need planning permission.

Roof got opened today for the first dormer and then it started raining. Husband says some water has come through the new bathroom ceiling but hopefully easily resolved.

@Loofah01 any help or guidance you could give would be very much appreciate should you have time.
We have just had an offer accepted today on a house and like @yellowbeaker, it's too small, we need to extend but have a limited budget.
If I send you the floor plan and you can spare the time that'd be great!