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Extension thread 2022 part III.. celebrations, crises and will it be finished for Christmas?!

768 replies

NewHouseNewMe · 19/09/2022 16:49

3rd thread of 2022 - can't believe I'm still here!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
71
Baxdream · 17/10/2022 12:42

We haven't paid any deposit and have only paid a third of our total bill. We have about 4 weeks left. Most importantly the builders have done more work than we have paid for.

Martinisarebetterdirty · 17/10/2022 12:52

We paid 2k deposit and then have set stage payments throughout the work. I don’t think I would have felt comfortable putting 17k down at the start.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 17/10/2022 12:56

I've only paid every few weeks when work has been done and not upfront.

NewHouseNewMe · 17/10/2022 13:12

We paid for some materials directly at the start so the builder wasn’t out of pocket and we hadn’t handed over money. That might be an option?
We pay fortnightly on receipt of a detailed invoice.

OP posts:
plumstone · 17/10/2022 16:00

I've paid all trade in stages, each one has had two payments, and the remaining payments are being withheld until I am completely happy with the work that has been agreed to and its completed to what I call completed!!!

This week, third week in house, and still the snagging continues. I have been told that the joiners will be out by Thursday nights. Trying to get hold of a plumber to fit the suite in the downstairs shower room and the Electricians to fix tv to wall.

Painting the stairs has started, very relieved that I like it (F&B off black) was a bit gutted that the wood on the newel was in such bad nick that I couldn't stain them. However its looking OK!

This week:
Pantry door installed
Extension painting finished
Shelves and tiling in kitchen
Utility room painting finished
Shower room - suite plumbed in, door stained and handle and lock put on
Stairs - painting finished
General: pictures up, mirrors up, couple more sockets installed
Shelves in wardrobe and mirror and sockets installed

Next Friday I would like to have a glass of something fizzy (could actually be sparkling water) and know that come 8am a week today, no one else is coming in!! I feel this is a pipe dream

RidingMyBike · 17/10/2022 19:11

We haven't paid any deposit - work started last week. We're expecting a fortnightly valuation of work done so far, then another week after that to pay so not expecting to pay anything for another fortnight.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 17/10/2022 19:12

Grumpy plumber turned up this morning and from what I saw he has just been getting air out of the ufh. Plasterer turned up and then left as plumber was in the way.

Hopes and dreams for this week:
Builder to accept re-installing roof lights!!!
Finish plastering
Skirting and architrave upstairs
Pocket doors on
Utility cabinets fitted
Entrance hall bench seating and cupboard fitted
Progress on electrics 2nd fix
Valuer coming on Friday so hope the bank sends us more money soon as we've spent up!

I would also like someone to come and tidy up downstairs. It needs a really good sweep and clear out of materials and energy drinks cans!

BananaChunk · 17/10/2022 20:06

We pay in stages too

@NewHouseNewMe they were demolishing a 2 storey extension and rebuilding it. It's 2 rooms deep of an extension. Ground floor at the back 2nd room has had its foundations done and the roof on the 1st floor 1st room has been done. The floor of the ground floor has been raised to be the same level as the front of the house but the floor of the 1st floor hasn't been moved yet. I can see why you're struggling to understand it 😂 - I should have taken a picture and you would get it straight away. Thankfully Dp can go round tomorrow with the architect and they can sort it out I hope!

BananaChunk · 17/10/2022 20:07

Whatever happens I don't think we can avoid the new structural work and that's almost all my contingency eaten up. I just hope nothing else goes wrong eeek!

How are the group getting on who wanted to be in by Xmas?

NewHouseNewMe · 17/10/2022 20:25

I did actually follow that @BananaChunk !! Hope it can be easily and cheaply sorted out.

We are in well before Xmas but it won’t be done until December.

OP posts:
Tranquila22 · 17/10/2022 22:05

Thanks all. Will definitely push for something in writing. Haven't needed a deposit.

MyBuggyIsOutToGetMe · 18/10/2022 00:02

@GardensandGrandDesigns , what is it about the energy drinks cans?!

In good news, I managed to collar our builder in person today (he’s been very elusive the last few weeks and responds much better in person than via WhatsApp or email). Think we have now worked through most of the snagging list so it is all at least on his radar…

Deposit: we were asked for a 10% deposit to secure the date. We then paid in stages according to a schedule. The final 5% or thereabouts is due on completion once all snagging is complete to our satisfaction. I also felt uneasy about having to put the deposit down as I know not everyone does that. But it has all worked out ok.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 18/10/2022 07:12

Is everyone paying on completion of snagging being completed and certificate of works or holding back a % for say 6 months after build is complete.

BananaChunk · 18/10/2022 07:23

We have a retention - I forget the percentage - maybe 3-5%

plumstone · 18/10/2022 08:16

@GardensandGrandDesigns I am paying the final invoices on completion of snagging. Spoke in length to the joiner today, and stated that I would not be paying any of his final invoice until the hall window is fitted as i have already paid for the windows. he was really understanding and agreed that this was fair.

Builder has been paid some of his in cash, and the rest in invoices. I had no problem with this, he asked last week if I could get him the last cash amount paid on Monday, and he would pop round and pay it. All good I go to the bank, get the cash, have it in an envelope, message him to come and get it and he didn't appear. He may be fine with this, however I do not like having large amounts of cash in the house. So even if I have to drive over to his this evening, he will be getting this cash today.

Totally agree about the energy drinks - it seems to be a standard beverage amongst all tradesmen.

Joiners are back today, to finish off, however they have said that they won't invoice till the end of the month, think they are hoping for the window to come in!! But they said it will allow me a couple of weeks, to find anything else for snagging, and they'll pop in and complete. They asked if they could do a bonfire in the back garden and burn what is rubbish, will be the fourth bonfire this week - I have had a lot of cardboard, and the weather only seems to be bonfire ready for short periods of time.

Painters back in for round two of the stairs. And I would really like an electrician and a plumber.

Have found a use for the unused bits of work top. Shelves, having a couple put up in the kitchen and then a couple added to my wardrobe - painters have agreed to paint them so that's nice! Really didn't want to throw out solid wood work tops that I had paid for.

Hope everyone has a good day - and is one step closer by bedtime.

Littlessweepy · 18/10/2022 08:43

I paid a 10% deposit to secure the date too. We then pay in small fortinightlyish payments (like a pay as you go). The final 10% will only be paid when all snagging done.

LivingInaBuildingSite · 18/10/2022 14:46

I know we have a retention, can’t remember the percentage now.

We were set up to pay something every few months but it’s lapsed a bit. Hoping for one final bill left from the main builders - will be painfully big I think and I feel a little nauseous about it all.

I have paid the tiler and coving guy today. Anything else I need to go back to my brother cap in hand. He does know there’s more to pay but I hate asking each time.

After hopes for a quiet morning, voices downstairs at 8am made me get up quickly (DC had left for school):

Today I have a guy making a step in front of the side extension - semi temporary as will need to do the driveway one day. But probably not for quite a while!

Also, seem to have two electricians, thought they were PAT testing but seem to be having some complicated wiring discussion, can’t really imagine what about at this point 🤷‍♀️

whensmynexthol1day · 18/10/2022 17:01

Thanks everyone- really good to hear the range of views. We've spoken to the architect and now the builder and are goo by to negotiate down significantly....

GardensandGrandDesigns · 18/10/2022 19:50

Plasterer turned up as promised and finished off today but my lovely electrician didn't. So hopefully he is with us the rest of the week. Turns out boss builder is on hol for 2 weeks and didn't tell us!! Not great when we have spotted major issues with the roof lights and need to be ready for the valuation on Fri. Give me strength!

nomoneytreehere · 18/10/2022 20:01

Don't do what i have. I've used a totally dishonest project manager who also appears to be an alcoholic.

RidingMyBike · 18/10/2022 20:37

Any tips on choosing internal doors? Builder has asked us to confirm what we want and sent links to Howdens and Jewsons.

We have no idea! Don't know what type is better. Howdens doesn't have the prices on so can't tell if anything is really expensive etc. There will be quite a few of them (8?) so need to keep an eye on costs mounting up.

MyBuggyIsOutToGetMe · 18/10/2022 22:14

I’d probably pick a style I liked, or which matched the age of the house (eg 1930s style) or the other doors if I wasn’t replacing them all, and have a Google. Loads of suppliers out there - but the same doors seem to get sold by a lot of different people.

We just bought some double doors for dividing off a front sitting room - we ended up getting them from Homebase as they only charged £6 for delivery!

If you pick a style from Howdens and browse online, you should get an idea of the going rate. But don’t be afraid to ask your builder for costs. Or to source them yourself if you get a better deal.

Fun fact: our doors came with nothing so we have had to source hinges, handles and latches separately. I assume this is standard…. Speak to your builder about what you need and what to buy.

GardensandGrandDesigns · 18/10/2022 22:31

Todd doors were recommended to me but my main thing was I wanted solid wood doors not hollow so one thing to think about.

LivingInaBuildingSite · 19/10/2022 06:29

We had to get fire doors due to loft so check your building regs requirements too.

ours came from Magnet, they are the closest to the original doors that we had to take out - which i was sad about until the new ones went in, no bending or bowing and all the doors just open and close normally now. Old ones each had a knack to close IYKWIM.

some builders due back today, still not sure what the electricians were up to yesterday, seems to have been about too many live wires in a cupboard…

they are hopefully going to chuck down loads of type 1 (makes me sound knowledgeable lol, bashed up rocks in other words) onto the mud that is half our driveway. Driveway will need doing properly, after we win the lottery I think!

and finish the concrete step from the side extension.

not sure what else.

LivingInaBuildingSite · 19/10/2022 06:31

These doors are our downstairs ones, have cheaper versions upstairs.
As that’s how the originals were.

www.magnettrade.co.uk/joinery-essentials/doors/internal-doors/oak-hardwood-doors/dx-30s-style-internal-fire-door-30488899