Self build extension

[Diyextension]

Noticed a few threads on people building extensions / knocking down conservatory etc , so I’m just about to start doing mine.

I thought it might be good for anybody thinking about building one or for people that have no experience/ idea what the process involves.

i will probably be doing about 80% of the work myself , and then using certain trades , plasterer/ electrical as and when.

Old conservatory will be removed and. Single story (bedroom ) extension will be in its place. It’s 5m x 4m .

progress will be slow as I work full time so days of and holidays only.
it should be a straightforward job , but the only downside is we live on a hill so everything has to be carried up/ or down.

if anyone has any questions , feel free to ask and I’ll try to put pictures on as and when there is any progress.

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Great progress in this heat. Keep going it’ll be worth it. I’ve just started researching brick laying courses. I plan to sort out the end of our garden first, which is a waste ground and needs retaining walls. For practice 😂

Thought I’d update due to another post about digging foundations popped up .

im probably about 2/3 of the trench dug now, but have run out of space to dump it. I’ve got a week off in October so hopefully get a 12 yard skip in , get to the right depth and get the building inspector in to see if it’s deep enough ?

Strangely one side of the foundations is relatively soft clay, the other side is dry solid clay and is like digging through rock !!!!!.

@Handsnotwands hope the bricklaying course is going well 👍

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I’m very impressed with what you’re doing.

Where did you find the bricklayer? And will the plans you have be enough for them to follow?

@Rummikub my cousin will be doing the brickwork , I’ll be doing all the ordering , labouring, mixing , cleaning up. He’s been a bricklayer all his life and his work is top notch , he likes working for me because all he has to do is lay bricks / blocks. And I do everything else 🙄. He still charges me the going rate as he takes time off work to come . Said it will take a week

it’s a really simple build 3 walls one window and a roof , all I have on the plans is the overall size. And a specification sheet (regs ) to follow. I can’t see any problems at all to be honest.

Good deal I think!

im wanting to build a small extension (3mx 5m) but it’s so much money now.

ive been looking into seeing if I can get someone to do the foundations then take over after that (or find a bricklayer)

I’m a bit out of touch with the costs of paying to have building done nowdays, but reading some of the eye watering prices people pay on here I’m not sure I could afford for someone to build me a outside toilet 😀

the main reason I do building work myself is because I enjoy it, but also it means I don’t have the stress and hassle of dealing with people who don’t show up/ rip you off/ do shoddy work/ let you down etc. I do most things myself now and just source individual trades as and when I need them , people I know.

Hi - Interesting that you mention the idea of building your own extension. I did exactly that. It ended up costing me about £25,000 instead of the £125,000 I was quoted. It's not for the faint-hearted but is very doable if you're competent. For anyone interested I blogged every step to give you an idea of what's involved. It's here for those that are interested www.diyhomeextension.co.uk Good luck

Finally finished digging foundations, building inspector is happy so it’s all ready to concrete ( Tuesday) Thought I’d better get it done before it fills with water and collapses in .

So concrete and pump booked, had to wait a week till my next day off ………..in that time ( well 4 days ). We had more rain than we have had since I started in may ☹️ Everything collapsed and it all went to pot. The pictures are after just one night ….. it got a lot worse 😞

Had to take drastic action to stop it getting worse.

Finally got it done today 🙂

Amazing job, OP!

Well done op, I'm so impressed. Glad you managed to get the concrete in. Keep us posted!

Fascinating, op. I've been following with interest. My dad built his own two storey extension about 20 years ago. He was always quite handy but did courses to learn plasterwork and some other things I can't remember. He did everything himself - foundations, electrics, brickwork, plastering, stairs, everything. It took a long time but still looks good now.

Well done @Diyextension on saving the trenches.
Loving this thread, you have a beautiful plot there.
I would love to build a teeny tiny downstairs WC extension on my mid terraced house so reading everything I can.

Great thread. Having now completed my own two storey extension I encourage those with the time and the confidence to save loads of money and do what they can themselves. For anyone interested I blogged my entire design and build here www.diyhomeextension.co.uk I hope it helps others. I did my own Building Control drawings - there is a page in my blog about this. Good luck everyone.

Thanks all 👍. I knew it would be a lot of work due to the location but it’s how long everything takes that slows everything down. Time is the one thing that I’m short of ,as I only have Sunday and a day off in the week so if it’s raining on those days of you can lose a week easy. It’s probably going to be worse now heading into winter but I’ll keep updating any progress , next job is to clear all the clay out so there is room to start putting stuff and space to work. Costs have been a bit more than I thought but think it’s still on budget at this stage.

Just came across this thread and really keen to see future updates. Great work. Will be following your progress, it’s very impressive

Amazing!

Great progress! Looking forward to seeing more (no pressure!). We've done a fair bit of work over the years but never foundations.
Love that the house has a bit of history with the Victorian aspect.

Will be following with interest - we are just about to start!!

Also following with interest and admiration @Diyextension 😁😇 We might be doing something similar in the near future so look forward to seeing your updates 😉