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Original poster

Extension Thread 2022....plaster, panic and pics

998 replies

Callmejudith · 21/01/2022 10:20

Slightly naff title but I haven't had enough coffee yet

OP posts:
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95
BlueMooMoo · 28/02/2022 18:52

To add: the 244 doesn't include flooring etc. So I think we are looking at 300 all in. cries

GardensandGrandDesigns · 28/02/2022 19:07

I swear 200k used to build a house not an extension! It's absolutely crazy. I'm happy to just get to water tight with our 150 budget. Definitely no new furniture, en suite will be first fix only and new bedroom might not even get plastered straightaway! It's still got to be better than the condition of the house now!

Littlemissweepy · 01/03/2022 07:48

It is insanity. I have costed everything up and this project is likely to cost us what we paid for our house in the first place. We won’t instantly double the value of the house of course :(

nomoneytree · 01/03/2022 14:13

Our quote doesn't include flooring either. I could cry. I thought with £350k we would get exactly what we want but am already trimming back window quality etc.

RinklyRomaine · 01/03/2022 14:51

We went to second fix on some stuff but not everything. Plastering, electrics and rads. Rest is separate to save cash and will be putting in a fair amount of DIY.

My anxiety is through the roof today. Builders wanted to be out this week, but have been slow on some second fox bits, mainly due to slow sub contractors. Spark is not in again, despite having sockets to move before the quartz is fitted tomorrow. Still have some plastering to finish, switches, and all the rads, and we have had no one in for days. Builder is humpy with me somewhat, mainly I think because they under quoted on some things and are keen to make up the losses elsewhere (another project) but we are not at their completion point and won't be until our doors arrive next week. And not even then if subs don't turn up this week. I hate any conflict, DH will not deal with it, and we should be ready to unpack some stuff to live and DIY around by now. Far from it. Just hate this.

BlueMooMoo · 01/03/2022 15:07

@nomoneytree

Our quote doesn't include flooring either. I could cry. I thought with £350k we would get exactly what we want but am already trimming back window quality etc.
How many sqm are you adding? We are adding 38 but removing a conservatory so gaining about 29 in total. Seems such an insane price - the oftquoted 2.5k psqm was so so so far off an accurate estimate
nomoneytree · 01/03/2022 16:25

Ours is big at least. We are 66m2 per floor for a double storey. But our build is straightforward and despite what the structural engineer is specccing is mostly addition rather than knock through. Our knock through points are existing openings.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 01/03/2022 16:44

That is huge, I bet it will be amazing!

nomoneytree · 01/03/2022 17:04

@BlueMooMoo are you going very high spec?

BlueMooMoo · 01/03/2022 17:10

[quote nomoneytree]@BlueMooMoo are you going very high spec? [/quote]
Not at all. Very midrange.
Out of our 3 original quotes- 2 were the same and one was 60k higher. I think it's we're just in an expensive part of the country and builders are hugely in demand.

BlueMooMoo · 01/03/2022 17:41

@nomoneytree

Ours is big at least. We are 66m2 per floor for a double storey. But our build is straightforward and despite what the structural engineer is specccing is mostly addition rather than knock through. Our knock through points are existing openings.
That really is enormous! What a transformation!
Myfabby · 01/03/2022 22:04

I am really hoping no one lives through this nightmare I am going through. My contractor has ' paused' the project because I refuse to hand over another 20k.

Contract was fixed paid over 22 weeks. Scope increased ( needed rewiring to existing house etc- charged insane amounts, but of course at this point I was locked in)

I think they then thought I was an easy target. Claimed the quote said install skirting, so wanted to charge £20 per linear meter to paint, even though the same room has a line item of £3000 for painting walls and ceiling. Gave in.

At week 18, I'm like there's lots undone, give me new date and lets adjust payments( contract said this should be assesed at wk 12) ( all by email)

Assures me finishing is quick. We'll have extra manpower etc.

Issues final bill less completion amount with the text, expected to finish in 12 days. sends strategic pics that show progress accompanying ( I'm in NY for work)

I pay.

Go to site day I arrive. shocked at what's undone. Site manager tells me in broken english, site closing because you no pay.

Try to reach builder, no response for the whole day. Next day writes that due to the bifolds I ordered arriving late and some tiles I ordered arriving chipped so waiting 5 days for more etc, 3 weeks to go and 20k to pay. Actually the cost is 40k but he'll absorb half

At this point I was physicallly ill.

I've emailed saying there is no basis for that in contract, in fact I should be claiming for you not completing on set date

As of today, site is locked up. I've had to issue letter before action. Place I am renting I need to move in 4 weeks, and he knew this. I really can't believe this is happening to me amidst all the happy stories on here!

NewHouseNewMe · 01/03/2022 22:44

Omg @Myfabby that sounds incredibly stressful! I can’t think what you can do other than meet him and discuss what it’ll take to get them back on site? They sound like utter charlatans!

@RinklyRomaine it’s a shame that your previously decent relationship with the builder is now being strained. I’ve done a few builds now and always find the end hard. In one case I got so fed up with them, I kicked them out before they’d filed the kitchen! I had just had enough.

It sounds like the builders are being pains all round here today.

NewHouseNewMe · 01/03/2022 22:46

Did anyone have very heavy roof windows installed? Mine are going to be very heavy and sadly expensive but we wanted solar ones to reflect the Uv light.

Did you need a crane to get it onto the roof?

BlueMooMoo · 02/03/2022 06:44

@myfabby that sounds so stressful. I hope you can find a satisfactory resolution

Littlemissweepy · 02/03/2022 09:18

Myfabby that sounds like a total nightmare, how dare builders hold people to ransom like that!? Not even sure how that sort of situation can be prevented, feels like consumer rights in this industry are hard to protect.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 02/03/2022 09:34

@Myfabby that is absolutely terrible, I can't imagine how stressful that is. I've never dealt with this before but I hope you find a resolution. Face to face sounds best.

Myfabby · 02/03/2022 10:21

Thank you for all who responded. Apparently it's more common than I thought, judging from all the horror stories I googled last night.

And I've now done some research and seen that my 'lovely" builder has dissolved 3 previous building companies( one I did know at the start and asked why - and he gave a me a story that checked out as his wife had been moved an expat to Hong Kong so he went along with her). Needless to say nice chatty wife isn't engaging with me anymore.

He is clearly a hardened criminal, and has moved on to the next job. The issue is finding someone who will finish his work. It's really just a crap situation all round

BlueMooMoo · 02/03/2022 10:41

@Myfabby

Thank you for all who responded. Apparently it's more common than I thought, judging from all the horror stories I googled last night.

And I've now done some research and seen that my 'lovely" builder has dissolved 3 previous building companies( one I did know at the start and asked why - and he gave a me a story that checked out as his wife had been moved an expat to Hong Kong so he went along with her). Needless to say nice chatty wife isn't engaging with me anymore.

He is clearly a hardened criminal, and has moved on to the next job. The issue is finding someone who will finish his work. It's really just a crap situation all round

It won't help you now but is it worth putting a post on a local Facebook group or neighbourhood app to warn others. I'm sorry this happened to you - I hope you can get something back through the courts or claim on your credit card if you used that. Is the house liveable?
Myfabby · 02/03/2022 10:58

@BlueMooMoo Thank you. I will bring an action against him for sure, but for now I won't to leave a review. It is also still within the 14days I have asked for a response.

No the house isn't liveable. And it goes to show what sort of person they are to leave it in that state.

RinklyRomaine · 02/03/2022 11:49

That's awful @Myfabby. Despicable person. It's part of my fear of any conflict over our final bits - I've read enough stories myself about builders deserting at the end. I'm fairly certain ours won't and I have now spoken to him and clarified the final steps. Fingers crossed that's us but I really feel for you.

nomoneytree · 02/03/2022 12:22

@Myfabby I'm so sorry to hear this. Money thieving scum bag.

If I was in your situation I would be reporting to police. They will generally say it's civil but actually this sort of thing isn't civil at all - it really is criminal and theft. But you will have to make a lot of noise and find others he has done this to. Also trading standards and action fraud. My friend had similar recently and her builder (also a criminal in my view) sent her back £30k as she caused such a fuss for him. Sadly if you just keep quiet you will never see your money again. Contact your MP too. They can be very helpful at putting pressure on police to investigate properly.

Has he done any of the contracted works. How much do you have left to spend to finish? Have you got any money left?

Does the wife have a profession? I would be threatening her with reporting for profiting off of proceeds of crime too particularly as she was clearly involved.

The whole industry needs more regulation.

Myfabby · 02/03/2022 12:46

@nomoneytree. You can't imagine how helpful you've been. I am truly grateful. I'm been in such a spiral and you've laid out very helpful options.

Industry needs more regulation, law needs reform,. but mostly these sorts of people need to just be a bit decent. profit is the aim I know, but not in this sort of blatant rip off manner.

NewHouseNewMe · 02/03/2022 13:12

I agree that the industry needs regulation.

We have a very plausible quote and presentation from a builder who was working on my street for a couple who were raving about him. Something sounded off to me so we did an enhanced check and he had also dissolved many companies. Various family members were then directors of the new companies. We went with someone else.
The couple who had praised them highly are still sitting with a mud bath out the front and have had to get some repairs done already.

It’s a minefield and it needs to change.

Myfabby · 02/03/2022 13:48

@NewHouseNewMe

Same. I recommended this guy within the first 2 weeks. He was so professional, turned up on time etc and his wife and I chatted about senior school choices etc. Only for her to say to me 20k shouldn't be an issue since I have two kids that go to x school, and cost of renting in this area for 6 months which is how long it will take me to find a reputable builder negates the 20k

I just really feel taken advantaged of, as they befriended me, knew I was recently widowed etc. I used to sneer at those holiday romance scams and recently tindler swindler, but here I am. Being held ransom. It beggars belief really.