Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Modular/prefab extension?

166 replies

SpidersAreShitheads · 13/06/2022 08:34

There has been lots of threads on here recently about rising costs of extensions/building materials.

We've been caught by this too, but we have other complications (DM isn't very well and might struggle with 6 months+ building work).

Just browsing the renovations group on FB and the idea of modular extensions caught my eye. Delving further into it, there seems to be lots of people who have had it done who are really pleased with the result.

Most of the work is done off-site and it's about two weeks work at your house. Brick-clad exterior to match main house and rated A for energy efficiency - which given the soaring energy costs could be really helpful!

We won't be selling for years - probably two decades or more - so I'm not too fussed about whether it could put buyers off.

Has anyone here had a modular/prefabricated extension - if so, what was your experience? And do you have any companies to recommend/avoid? Vita Modular and EazyBase are two that seem pretty good....?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
74
Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 03/02/2023 11:29

Oh FFS! I forgot to name change again on my last post!!! I give up 😅

OP posts:
CellophaneFlower · 03/02/2023 13:26

StalkedByASpider · 03/02/2023 11:28

@CellophaneFlower - thank you for commenting on this thread, I couldn't remember which username I'd posted under and there are about a million I created last year because the house move was such a fiasco 🤦🏻‍♀️

So, yes, the 10 year thing is misleading. The 10 years just relates to the warranty/guarantee. And that's the same as the standard 10-year warranty on a traditional new build.

My modular build is made from galvanised steel, with timber and insulated panels, plus insulation. It should actually last longer than a traditional build because there's no concrete to crumble. It won't corrode and it's not at risk from mildew and mould. In North America and Europe, this is a really common way to build whole houses, and it's gradually starting to increase in popularity over here.

There are different types of modular builds so it's always really important to make sure you're comparing like with like.

I'm having some work done internally by traditional builders. I had them round yesterday to start planning. They've never come across a modular build before, and they had a really good chat with the installation team before I got there, and then later chatted to the head guy, the structural engineer who obviously designed it all.

Worth mentioning that I originally got these builders to quote for doing the whole extension, in the traditional way.....so did feel a bit awkward haha! But the guys were absolutely blown away by the modular build. They told me later that the level of insulation was really, really impressive. They were joking that we'd have to walk around in just our pants in the winter 😅 They were also impressed with the level of detail, and how the flooring is properly levelled with screed. Basically no corners being cut.

The head builder guy rang me back later and said that being honest, he thinks I made the right decision for the extension build and he said he can't compete with what they're offering. (He's a lovely builder - really upfront and honest, which I value).

So the fact that traditional builders (who really know their stuff and are very experienced) were seriously impressed with the modular build has given me even more confidence that I've made a good choice.

Probably also worth pointing out again that there are modular builders out there who maybe don't have this same attention to detail. Our traditional builder said he was really impressed that the whole installation team seemed to really know their stuff, it wasn't just a bunch of guys digging up the ground with no idea of the technicalities.

Early days, but so far I'm really happy. The fact that a traditional builder has said how knowledgeable they are and was impressed with the quality of the end build - against his own interests - really has just confirmed in my own mind that I picked the right firm.

I promise I'll write a shorter reply next time 😅

Show quote history

Thank you! That's just the kind of detailed stuff I like to know. Sounds like you've done well on all accounts here, so hard to find a decent honest tradesman these days (or ever!).

The name change doesn't throw me - I hate the bastards too (but can't kill them 🙄)

StalkedByASpider · 03/02/2023 15:48

CellophaneFlower · 03/02/2023 13:26

Thank you! That's just the kind of detailed stuff I like to know. Sounds like you've done well on all accounts here, so hard to find a decent honest tradesman these days (or ever!).

The name change doesn't throw me - I hate the bastards too (but can't kill them 🙄)

Show quote history

In fairness, we had an absolute bastard of a time last year when we were buying this house. Not with the seller, who was lovely, but with solicitors and with the mortgage company - Barclays, who were utterly, utterly shit. We had to pull out of the mortgage when we were about to exchange. It's on about a gazillion other threads of mine 😅

And then we had a shit architect who turned out to have lied about being an architect.

And then planning permission took 6 months+ because a new manager had changed the procedure and everyone's applications were sitting there and couldn't be signed off....

So I reckon we're due some luck 😅😅

Also, being autistic and ADHD, half of my brain is a whirlwind of activity that's constantly spitting out new ideas that need to be done RIGHT NOW....while the other half of my brain insists on meticulous research that involves hours and hours tracking down the tiniest detail.

I researched the modular building firms and our traditional builder in such detail, I practically know what pants they wear 😅I drive DP bonkers haha!

It's killing me not being at the house today. I want to see the progress!!! I might need to "take some things" over there.....

safeplanet · 03/02/2023 19:33

I'm interested in this so following with interest!

StalkedByASpider · 07/02/2023 11:06

@safeplanet - yay! If people are interested I feel less like a self-indulgent arse for sharing photos 😂

The ground screws went in yesterday - they’re HUGE. They’re putting up the main house extension first and then doing the annexe after (as the annexe would block access). The screws were put in position first and then screwed deep into the ground.

All of the framework is laid out on the lawn. I believe it will be up and in place by the end of the week!

Modular/prefab extension?
StalkedByASpider · 07/02/2023 11:09

The screws after they had been screwed in.

For some reason I can’t add multiple photos 🤦🏻‍♀️

Modular/prefab extension?
StalkedByASpider · 07/02/2023 11:11

Everything laid out in the back garden 😊

Modular/prefab extension?
notangelinajolie · 07/02/2023 11:29

This sounds like something I should be looking at 😀
We’ve had 5 months of builder hell for a loft conversion that should have taken 8 weeks. There is no way we are letting our builder anywhere near our kitchen extension. We held off from letting him start downstairs until upstairs was finished and thank God we did.
Our money pot has vanished with builder asking for all kinds of extra payments for stuff that ‘is extra’. To be fair sone things are extra but not all of it.
@StalkedByASpider I am very interested in your build and look forward to as many photos as you will give us. Loving the details, my kind of thing. I detest the builder we have now - he won’t tell me anything 🤬
Off to Google modular builds … I’ll definitely be back!

CellophaneFlower · 07/02/2023 12:38

StalkedByASpider · 07/02/2023 11:06

@safeplanet - yay! If people are interested I feel less like a self-indulgent arse for sharing photos 😂

The ground screws went in yesterday - they’re HUGE. They’re putting up the main house extension first and then doing the annexe after (as the annexe would block access). The screws were put in position first and then screwed deep into the ground.

All of the framework is laid out on the lawn. I believe it will be up and in place by the end of the week!

Oh wow, they are actual giant screws 😱😂 Thanks for the update!

BlooDeBloop · 07/02/2023 12:40

I'm interested in this type of construction. Does this type of extension affect the mortgage eg if you sold, could buyers lend against it? I've heard lots of non standard buildings are not mortgageable and that frightens me.

ABitOdd · 07/02/2023 12:51

it’s a myth that you can’t get a mortgage on a modular house/extension yes the old fashioned kids but not todays my entire house is a modular build I had access to every lender no issue whatsoever with construction! The house is built to a high standard and extremely energy efficient.

ABitOdd · 07/02/2023 12:52

“Old fashioned kinds” not kids!

Diyextension · 07/02/2023 17:27

Following with interest

C4tastrophe · 08/02/2023 07:03

Yep, also following. Daily pics would be great, ask the builders to take a few if you’re not there.

Floppy12 · 08/02/2023 11:58

Please keep updating with photos, looks amazing.

StalkedByASpider · 08/02/2023 14:10

I'm about to go over there in a moment so I'll update later on what's happened today.

Yesterday there wasn't a lot of visible progress outside because they had to run the pipes beneath the flooring through the existing annexe because we're having two new bathrooms put in out the back (one in the annexe and one in the main house extension).

Ignore the state of this annexe bathroom - it's old, damp and a bit scabby, hence why a new one is being put in at the back. This is going to be renovated to become a utility room. I wasn't there yesterday but Mum sent me this photo halfway through the day.

Apparently the walls have arrived and are piled up at the front of the house so excited to see what's there today!

Modular/prefab extension?
StalkedByASpider · 09/02/2023 10:42

Ok, so in one day they’ve done the base, put up the frame and screwed in the first layer of wooden flooring. There’s about another foot of stuff to go onto the flooring before it reaches its finished height but we can see now how big it will be and stand in it…..

They’ve not started the annexe yet - that’s being done after the main extension is finished.

The team work their absolute arses off all day. My mum says they don’t stop grafting and they only leave when it’s starting to get dark!

They sent me some photos before the flooring went down - via the head guy who forwarded them to me - and then when they were gone I went out and took some photos in the dark 😂😂

Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
StalkedByASpider · 09/02/2023 10:44

My photos in the dark with the first base of flooring down.

Oh and a random photo of one of the big piles of insulation and other stuff 😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
Modular/prefab extension?
C4tastrophe · 09/02/2023 11:00

I was going to ask, some of the screws don’t go in 100% vertical, so the floor doesn’t sit absolutely flat on the top of the screws.
Do they need to pack the gap or it doesn’t matter?

Handsnotwands · 09/02/2023 11:14

i love those giant screws, something about things being massivly out of scale really appeals to me 😂

CellophaneFlower · 09/02/2023 11:26

Handsnotwands · 09/02/2023 11:14

i love those giant screws, something about things being massivly out of scale really appeals to me 😂

Same here 😂I also thought how refreshing it would be to build something and not have to hunt on your hands and knees for that damn screw 😂

StalkedByASpider · 09/02/2023 15:50

C4tastrophe · 09/02/2023 11:00

I was going to ask, some of the screws don’t go in 100% vertical, so the floor doesn’t sit absolutely flat on the top of the screws.
Do they need to pack the gap or it doesn’t matter?

That's possibly my wonky photography skills 😅

I think it also might be just where the screws were put in position and before they were screwed down into place?

Now that they're in the ground properly and the first boarding is over the top, it feels completely flat. We had a walk over the boarding and it doesn't feel wonky anywhere. Obviously I'm not a human spirit level haha but there's nothing noticeable.

There are quite a few more layers to be added before it's brought up to the final level. The last step is a self-levelling screed which will make sure it also aligns seamlessly with the existing main house floor level. It should all be completely flat and level - our traditional builders were really impressed with the construction of the flooring, they asked them loads of questions and said later to us privately that it was really good, no cutting corners.

StalkedByASpider · 09/02/2023 15:51

@CellophaneFlower and @Handsnotwands - we were joking about feeling like we'd landed in Gullivers Travels with those giant screws 😅 They're really surreal in real life and absolutely massive!!

MollyMillieMandy · 09/02/2023 19:09

Watching with interest! It's looking great already. Thanks for the thread.

Delectable · 10/02/2023 00:09

So excited for you! Thanks for sharing these. Sending you a PM.