What changes did you make to your extension plans that minimise the cost of the build?

[hiccup88]

We are planning a small extension and were hoping to put a gabled roof on the rear extension. However, everyone on the internet says a flat roof is much cheaper to build. We are thinking about other ways we could make this build cheaper, like using less glazing.

What have you done on your own builds that minimised your cost? Was there anything that you've done to save cost but didn't end up being much of a saving in the end? Thanks!

We asked for a builders finish and did our own painting and coving. We reused our kitchen and bought cheaper worktops. We spent well on stone flooring, underfloor heating, windows and doors because we didn't want to replace those in a few years.

We went for as structurally simple an extension as possible. We also went for a simple pitched roof rather than flat, as I was concerned about a flat roof.

We did stuff that was easier to do with builders on site, like a basic patio, which obviously added to the cost of the build but was cheaper than doing it separately.

We used DIY Kitchens, which saved enough for us to afford the quartz worktops and the flooring I wanted.

Ask your builder to quote for both gabled and flat roof OP. Like a PP we went for pitches over flat roof for our extension - the latter always have leaking issues.

We got the builder to do first fix and decorated from there to keep costs down, but we’re pretty handy. Glazing wise try and use off the shelf units (E.g. standard sized velux) as anything custom is spenny.

What is the extension going to be?

It will be a rear extension and the resulting space will be the new kitchen and dining area.

I've never had Velux windows before. Are they difficult to maintain? Was thinking of adding roof windows (Velux) but don't know how to clean them or control the light coming in (e.g. when it's too hot in summer)

You can get blinds for velux that you just shut and open with a pole, very simple.
We got a builders finish. We painted and decorate ourselves with a view that we would experience something me cracking em would end up decorating anyway so wouldn't want to spend too much on the initial finish anyway.
We also did the plumbing/electrics ourselves BUT my husband is very handy when it comes to these things so that's helps.

I hate to say it but none.

If you can't afford it don't do it.

Plan standard sized doors and windows so that you don’t have to get them made just for you. These days flat roofs are ok as long as they have a good warranty. My other savings were having it block built and rendered. You could also clad it. Velux windows aren’t a saving but they are so good it’s worth cutting back elsewhere and spending money on the veluxes.