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Original poster

Support thread for those crazy enough to be extending their homes this year!

820 replies

ilikeyoursleeves · 30/03/2010 20:19

Hiya, after hijacking another thread about massive extensions (not massive erections LOL) there seems to be a few of us who are about to embark on building projects this year. So if you are one of them come join in so we can share all the excitement, nervousness and bewilderment at everything that needs done!

We are currently awaiting quotes from builders for a two storey side extension plus a single storey at the rear. We had our first quote in today which is £64k. Not sure if this is good or bad, it will be interesting to compare the quotes when they are all in. We are also awaiting planning permission but should get it fine as our house already has planning for the extension that came with the sale of the house (but we had to resubmit as we have changed it a bit). Awaiting a building warrant too.

I'm very excited but frankly crapping it re the costs as we are going to have to remortgage plus DS2 will start nursery so we will have 2 lots of chilcare costs too.

ARGH!!!

So I for one need my hand held throughout all this process I just keep thinking of the end product and hoping it will all be fine.

What's everyone else doing and when?

OP posts:
Freezingmyarseoff · 21/04/2010 18:55

I know Rebl it sounds mad, but architect spoke to them so I don't have the full story (although I believe architect). I will contact next week to find out more details.

We already have planning permission so we could just go ahead anyway but since we need party wall agreement for the foundations as we're building on boundary line, and we will ask for access for building material deliveries I will need to tread carefully and find out full extent of the concerns

uglymugly · 21/04/2010 19:39

Freezing,

Obviously I don't know the details of what your planning, but are the windows be in a wall that is on the boundary line?

I vaguely recall a news story about someone who bought a farm house where one wall of the house was immediately next to farmland that was still owned by the farmer. The new owners put in windows in that wall and the farmer didn't like that, so he built a breeze-block wall right on the edge of his side of the boundary line such that the new windows couldn't even be opened. Ok, it was pretty obvious there was no love lost between the new owners and the farmer, so a party wall agreement probably wouldn't have been forthcoming, but in your case it might be worthwhile if it could protect you from any future development of the car park being two inches away from your new windows.

uglymugly · 21/04/2010 19:42

Oh, good grief, I actually did a course in proofreading:

"Obviously I don't know the details of what you're planning, but are the windows be in a wall that is on the boundary line?"

Freezingmyarseoff · 21/04/2010 19:58

uglymugly
yes the window will be in the boundary wall. I'm getting a teensy bit worried now because the architect did make a comment that the church property director was probably thinking about future developments and all that. It could be years off, or not happen at all but would change a lot of things for us. (like not do the extension at all and look for another house etc). Bit dramatic perhaps.
Not quite sure I follow what you mean in your last sentence. Are you implying that a party wall agreement could protect us from future development?

The window issue is actually separate from the party wall thing at the moment. It only came up because our architect was making initial investigations into the party wall agreement and then the property director mentioned his concerns about the window. Our architect was also about his concern, he's heard lots of different objections but this was a first for him. Apparently the property man doesn't object in principle to the party wall agreement but obviously we need the formal written agreement

Sorry that turned into a bit of an essay

Freezingmyarseoff · 21/04/2010 20:01

Sweetkitty architect fees sound ok. Ours is also going to be check up on the build although not project manage.

uglymugly · 21/04/2010 20:49

Freezing, I know little about party wall agreements except in terms of building works involving semi-detached/terraced houses, and that generally concerns work done in one property that could affect the structural integrity of the adjoining one.

I should have written 'could' as could, to stress that I don't know if the party wall agreement you need for your windows would be binding on any future development or future owner (bearing in mind that if the church land were to be developed it's most likely to be sold to a property developer). I think that's something that your architect, or a solicitor, would be best to advise you as to whether a party wall agreement for the windows would be binding on any future development on the site next door.

I wrote the bit about the farmer just to ring a little alarm bell. You obviously like your architect, but I'm thinking this is something he should have thought about when drawing up the plans. The 'right to light' is a tricky situation, and if you absolutely need those windows for light and ventilation you might find yourself in a difficult situation in the future if the plot next door gets sold to a developer who doesn't feel bound by any agreement between you and the current neighbours. Church people are often very kind and accommodating, property developers sometimes are not.

I hate to be an alarmist, but I think your architect should be thinking beyond the plans and into the future. Essential windows on a property boundary only work if there's a guarantee they won't subsequently be blighted by a future development, and I'm rather doubtful that a party wall agreement would be sufficient. (But I could be wrong.)

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 21/04/2010 21:01

Freezing what a nightmare about the daylight thing! I am too, no idea why they would object to such a thing? Hopefully it will be a bit clearer once the architect finds out more.

OP posts:
Freezingmyarseoff · 21/04/2010 21:15

Agree with you Uglymugly, I also doubt that a party wall agreement would really protect us from future development. I will discuss again with relevant professionals.

TBH until now we hadn't really seriously considered any issues about future development on neighbouring property given it's current use (it's not just a car park, there is also another building on the land too). Possibly a bit naive of us but we are a bit new to all of this. As I said the party wall agreement is actually for the foundations but since this has raised other concerns (about the window) it's made me realise we need to think even more carefully about the future.
So thank you for being a little bit alarmist.

ImSoNotTelling · 21/04/2010 21:15

Gosh that daylight thing sounds harsh. And baffling

hope it turns out to be something easy and sensible instead.

We have structural engineer coming tomorrow, and architect hs sent through a load of building regs drawings... all getting exciting. maybe.

we haven't got the money yet though, will hear next week hopefully it will all be OK...

Horton · 21/04/2010 21:40

Really sorry, as if it was me I would probably be crying, but I have laughed actually properly out loud at 'there are concerns about our proposed new window because it means we will have access to sunlight from the next door property'.

Sorry.

WTF? Are they totally nuts? I totally see that people can complain about being overlooked but they can't complain about sunshine from their side of the fence falling on yours. Surely?

May I ask about glass splashbacks? Anyone else considering one? Do you think bright yellow would be insane? Or bright zingy green? I think I like the idea of yellow best but DH is balking. I would also quite like bright orange. I'm actually considering glass all the way round between the low and high cabinets if we can afford it as it just seems like it would be super easy to clean. Or am I kidding myself? I am totally planning this room around never having to do anything non-essential to any of it.

Also, terracotta or fake porcelain terracotta (similar prices)? Will real terracotta be much more prone to breakages? Am also considering a sandstoney kind of colour for floor tiles. The units will be either white or cream, I think.

Was just browsing upthread and saw that someone was talking about rubber flooring - go for it! We have it in our bathroom and it is just lovely to walk on, really warm and friendly, v hardwearing and needs the minimum of care.

Freezingmyarseoff · 22/04/2010 12:46

No need to apologize Horton afterall it is totally mad

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 22/04/2010 17:10

We are just back from a meeting with the bank and I am feeling a mix of 80% crapping it and 20% excitement as we have borrowed an extra £90k on top of existing mortgage. I thought I'd be more excited but the thought of our mortgage jumping so much is scaring me more than I thought now that we have actually gone and got the money!

I just need to remember that it won't be lost money (hopefully) as our lovely new extension will add lots of ££££ on to the house (I hope x 10000000000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Builder is calling tonight to agree start date

OP posts:
sweetkitty · 22/04/2010 17:22

ilikeyoursleeves - that is SO exciting. Wish we were at that stage actually I don't considering it is 13 days until my due date eek! My MIL died last year and left us half her house so we will be putting the proceeds to the extension and will only need to borrow 20-30K which is great (not great that she died obviously would much rather have her here) but we are getting the money and want to onvest it wisely.

rebl · 22/04/2010 18:37

How exciting sleeves . I wish we could get the starting date sorted but dh still doesn't have a job . He had an interview yesterday and they said they'll let him know in 2 weeks time which is ages to wait.

ImSoNotTelling · 22/04/2010 19:54

sleeves that is so exciting!

we had the structural engineer come today, and have been copied in on emails between him and the architect so they're obviously getting on with it.

also rang current mortgage company and had offer extended. is a back-up in case our remortgage doesn't come good but am confident we will get the cash one way or another!

sweetkitty I had a glance at your profile this is your fourth child? blimey! and you're taking this on, on top of a new baby - wow!

rebl good luck to your DH

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 22/04/2010 19:56

Thanks sweetkitty & rebl, yes it is exciting but the reality of it all about to start is slowly hitting home and I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy the actual building work... I just need to focus on the end result!

Sweetkitty- good luck for the new arrival! What #DC is it again? Hope all goes well.

Rebl- good luck for your DH getting a job

Oh, and the builder called tonight and he is going to meet his joiner and agree start date and put it all in writing (we've had nowt in writing as yet), he says mid May looks fine. That's only a few weeks away!!! Better get the garage cleared!

OP posts:
Horton · 22/04/2010 21:16

Good luck with the new arrival, sweetkitty, how lovely.

We also had an inheritance so are hoping (once the tender offers come in) to only have to up our mortgage by about £9K max. I really hope this is the case as we are so skint at the moment. 9K on the mortgage is going to mean a lot of lentils for all of us, short term.

sweetkitty · 22/04/2010 21:23

Yes this is number 4, a DS after 3 DDs still in a bit of shock about this.

The thought of starting major building work with 4 young children scares me silly but so does moving house in a way and this way is a lot cheaper. We cannot live in this house the way it is.

I don't even have family I could go and stay with for a few weeks, we will have to live through it all.

Original poster
ilikeyoursleeves · 22/04/2010 21:36

Congrats on our future DS, I have 2 DS's and they are just fab fab fab I'm sure you will cope well through the building works (I say hopefully as I am in a similar situation albeit with 2 less children).

Make sure you let us all know when DS arrives!!!

OP posts:
Freezingmyarseoff · 22/04/2010 21:47

Fab new Sleeves

Am in great admiration of you sweetkitty it might sound a bit scary but you'll have a new baby -sorry I always go a misty eyed about babies!!

Really feels like things are starting make progress for people.
We just got another quote through. Thought it was mega scary but realised it was only one that included VAT so now just mildly scary. Expecting final quote early next week and am hoping we'll make a decision on builders by the end of the next week

sweetkitty · 22/04/2010 22:13

Thanks a new baby but no room to put him in, maybe fingers crossed by the time he is a year old........

Builders quotes are scary, that makes it a bit more real.

ImSoNotTelling · 24/04/2010 20:00

Gosh sweetkitty it does sound daunting - I feel daunted too - but I think the trick is to keep your eye on the finished result. I am dreading the build when they knock through to competion, it will be awful, but then it will be done and we'll have a wonderful house.

We're probably going to have to stay here for the whole thing too.

On the upside, we have decided flooring for the man room, and samples starting to arrive for bathroom floors. We are keeping it cheap and simple and the same in both - and easy to clean - lino on the floor, easy tiles and plain white fittings. I really don't fancy the idea of cleaning grout on the floor...

The architect has started the building regs drawings, the structural engineer says he has electric underfloor heating in bathroom and it's only the cost of a couple of lightbulbs to run and reccomends it so we are thinking about that.

All moving on really... excited

ImSoNotTelling · 24/04/2010 20:02

man room ?

in DHs dreams! (visions of banks of computers and all his hobby stuff)

Main room, of course.

sweetkitty · 24/04/2010 20:50

Imsonottelling - yes it's this or move and that would be a nightmare as well

As for man room we are planning a man room, a small office at the front of the house which DP has claimed.

ImSoNotTelling · 24/04/2010 21:04

@ man room.

I think DH might inhabit the bedroom that will be spare. He has so much stuff