Extension - where to start and cost?

[LittleCactus]

After a lot of back and forth on whether to move or extend, we have decided to stay and extend. But I have no idea where to start with it all!

Who do we even contact first? How do we get the ball rolling? I'm aware this can be found on Google probably but there's so much information it's confusing!

It would be a pretty straightforward, two storey extension, roughly 2.7 x 5.8 m to include a 'snug' type room and perhaps a downstairs loo downstairs, and a bedroom upstairs.

Had anyone done anything similar? How much did it cost roughly? I'm aware that costs depends on a lot of factors but I don't even have a rough idea on how much it will be at this point!

Whereabouts are you?

not less than £40k but depends on so much

I'm south west. We've just been quoted 60k for a single story rear extension. We spoke with builder first bit you're going to need architect drawings and a submission to building control even if within permitted development.

Reckon on about £3,000psm here in the North East. So you're looking at about £47,000 for structural, drainage and electrical works, without fixtures and fittings.

It would have been £2,000psm before COVID.

We are in the East Midlands. It's so hard to try and get started without any idea on cost or who to ask to get a rough cost!

Two years ago we started planning our single rear extension, pretty much same size as you're looking at (ours is 3mx6m). Architect who drew up our plans said it should cost approx £35k to build. We got four builders in to quote and costs were between £47-70k. And that's just the shell, not the kitchen we also need 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Safe to say we've put plans on hold!

We've almost finished ours, which has taken the best part of 10 months due to various snags and hiccups.

We started with an architect who drew up plans and got them through planning. We then got 3 builders quotes and references for the one we decided we could work well with.

The builder guided us on electrician, plumber, carpenter etc but we sourced our own kitchen and kitchen fitter.

I won't share the cost because we had a few horrendous issues that weren't expected and that caused the cost to skyrocket. It'd definitely put you off! But I agree that costs have risen about 50% since 2020 (when we first started getting quotes).

I'm Midlands - paid £1300 p/sqm for single storey full width rear extension plus full length double storey side. Top end quotes were £2100 p/sqm. Build completed 12 months ago to a finished shell with electrics and fitted my kitchen (not supply).

I don't think any builders will quote without drawings as it's not worth their time. You can find architect technicians who are usually cheaper. Then find at least 3 builders to quote for you. Any drain surveys needed will cost extra, plus planning submission fees which you can find online.

When our architect came to measure up he asked the budget and advised what we could do within so they should be able to give you an idea.

Appreciate this is an old post but I’m in the same boat. Currently getting quotes from architects for an extension wrap around and new kitchen . Quotes are varying by 1000s. Would anyone recommend an architect they have used ? We are in Kent . Slightly panicking as materials seem to have gone up so much .