Realistic costs for a full renovation in the SE

[vanillafudgecake]

We are purchasing a 2,000 sq ft detached house built in the 1920s.

Ideally want to add around 500 sq ft, if not more, with a double side extension and single rear extension. Full redesign both inside and outside (roof, windows, guttering etc) and not to mention updating electrics, boiler, plumbing and any unforeseen hidden issues.

Are the costs going to be ridiculous!?

@BooomShakeTheRoom I always think that when watching grand designs or George what's his face's programs. They go massively over budget and just find the money. I suspect its all borrowed on the never never. Or they have some investments they were not planning on touching (kids uni fund?) or wealthy parents who give them their inheritance early.

So you start out with a comfortable spend budget. And end up financed to the absolute max and never able to enjoy life again.

I know a couple of people who have overspent on things like this and they’ve either borrowed the extra from parents (in many cases the parents live in very humdrum houses), or remortgaged periodically throughout the project and ended up with a massive debt to pay off.

Big generalisation, but I think this is madness and I wonder how many people wander around their massive warehouse kitchens with state-of-the art fittings/ ground source heat pumps which don’t work/ double story glazing which makes the place like a fridge, and wish they’d just bought a smaller house or kept a lid on costs so they can go on holiday to the Caribbean!

I also think every project needs someone whose prepared to call out any vanity-gimmick type items and keep a real lid on the costs, but it is difficult at the moment to get anything for a realistic price. I’ve done 2 full house renos before but I am keeping out of it for the moment and just focussing on internal decoration!