Extensions?

[MangoFive]

If you’re in the process of getting an extension costed up or just had one done what have been your experiences?

Been talking to a couple of architects and builders about the potential to extend our downstairs living space, so single storey.

I can’t get my head round the sheer cost for building work, and particularly when it’s set against said architects etc being very busy, and house prices.

We’re in Scotland, higher cost area so to move would be £££ in fees but I don’t think we’d add significant or much value to our house by adding this extra living space, though that’s not necessarily what we’re looking for.

not sure what your question is
yes building work is expensive

• need to factor in possibility of weather delays
• materials
• labour
• professional expertise/design qualifications

"adding value" is all about what your extension creates and how long before you sell up. After all, new build houses take time to recover their price premium.

very good point about new builds.

Looking for people’s recent experiences - if you looked in to it and decided not to for cost reasons, or you have gone ahead and glad you did etc despite cost.

We are nearing the end of an extension and found out this week our builders have most likely gone busy and won’t finish the work we’ve already paid for. Massive risk and stress and it’s massively overrun. I’m not sure I would do it again and I love renovating houses (we’ve done a few over the years).

In terms of value/ cost, our house won’t be worth as much as the previous extension value + extension cost, but is cheaper than buying a similar house locally (let alone the cost of the stamp duty) and we needed the space (Since moving in in Feb 2020 we’ve had 4 dc!).

It depends how long you intended to stay there.
At the moment If you think it won’t add value then I would or would plan to move as and when you are in a position to.
building is expensive now.

I am in Scotland (also in a higher cost area) and in the midst of a build project right now. After buying with the usual offers over nonsense (100k over HRV) we are almost certainly over investing in the property in the short term. However, this house should take us through the next 15 years+ of school years, so I'm not too concerned with short term ROI. I found it really hard to get a builder interested - there's no shortage of work for them despite the high costs!

My only tip is architects seem totally out of touch with actual costs. Unless a design and build firm expect what an architect says the build will cost to be way off. In fact even a builders quote: I’d double the cost and triple the time. Better to be pleasantly surprised than regretful and in debt.

I'm in north east England (where I'm told everything is cheaper....) and we're in the process of getting quotes for a 2-storey side extension. Had 2 quotes so far, both of which exceeded the architect's estimate of cost by over 100k.

It's insane.

I wish we'd never started, tbh. Thing is, we've now paid the (exorbitant) architect fees, surveys and planning fees, so it seems incredibly wasteful to back out now, but I don't see how we'll raise the money to actually do what we're looking for in terms of creating additional space.

Are you able to do any of the work yourselves? One builder (I'm still awaiting his quote) has suggested if DH can get stuck into clearing the site and if we can arrange separately to have the existing materials removed, he can look at a small reduction.

In terms of architect's underestimating costs, I think we've been really lucky because ours was absolutely bang on (unfortunately!) Probably because she works closely with a building company and project manages many of her designs.

We had a small side return extension 3.5 years ago and MIL/FIL kept going on about how much value it would add. They struggled to understand that it was not going to add anywhere near as much as it cost (especially by the time you included all the fixtures, fittings, new kitchen, flooring etc).

However it was worth it to us as it was cheaper than buying another house locally with it already done, once you factor in EA/legal fees, moving costs, stamp duty etc. The extra space isn't huge but its enabled us to reconfigure to accommodate DH working from home full-time (with cost and time savings on commuting) & have a kitchen-dining space which has worked so much better with small DC than the previous galley kitchen and small separate dining room.

I wasted money on architects fees plans and planning permission when construction costs doubled almost over night post Covid. I was having to borrow the money and it just wasn’t worth it. Gutted as I really need the space. I’ve just accepted it can’t happen as I can’t afford it.