Angel

Having read the comments above am now very nervous about buying windows for our new house. We obtained quotes back in May from Internorm (Cherwell), Nordan (Elford Facades), Origin (Cherwell), Ideal Combi and Kloeber. 4 months later these are now 10% to 15% higher. We've eliminated Kloeber and Origin because they cannot make one of the windows as a single pane and this is a key element of the design. We looked at Smart Systems and the same applies. Comments above suggest Ideal Combi should be much cheaper than Internorm but they are similar price (odd?). We prefer the outward-opening Nordan windows with neater trickle vents but Internorm is a bit cheaper. Both seem to have unreliable delivery times. Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks Ferdinand that's useful. @ Big Jimbo and Redoctober: The bungalow is in Wiltshire not Surrey and we weren't looking for high end finish for kitchen and bathroom, it just wouldn't make economic sense. The figures were based on quotes received for those aspects in the larger new build. We plan to use an architect and main (local) contractor rather than subbies, because we're not close enough to manage the work on a day to day basis. Access is steep, limited to 7.5t lorries only and drive 60m long so probably need to keep materials to be brought on site including concrete for foundations to a minimum. Sounds like we may just need to get the options worked up and costed up properly to decide but this comes with more time delays and sunk costs. However, if anyone has any idea how much in broad terms any of the following may cost: a new roof (re-using existing tiles), converting 2 hips to gables or a new flat-roofed first floor it would be really helpful. 1088_A01_010_Existing Plans Measured Orme.pdf 1088_A01_020_Existing Elevations Orme survey.pdf

We're not planning on doing any work ourselves. House needs re-wiring, re-plumbing, replacement bathroom (allow £4K fitted?), additional shower-room (allow £3K fitted?), new kitchen (say £14k incl appliances fitted?), minor reconfiguration of one ground floor wall (removing non-load-bearing wall and repositioning), insulating, new windows and doors (allow £18K fitted?) plus re-felt roof and rebuild existing dormers (there is a mirror dormer on back). Would £100K / £120K plus VAT cover this? How much extra would be needed to buy us the full extra floor or the hip to gable conversion? Having twice thought we could afford to build something we really liked, on the second occasion getting it costed by QS before tender [there was a much bigger budget for that project], we don't want to waste our time again, which is why I'm asking for ball-park figures.

Thanks - that was our initial plan but we've had two new build options priced up and cannot afford these, hence the change of strategy. You are correct that there is some asbestos that needs removing, but fortunately not much.

We are planning to renovate our 1960s chalet bungalow (cavity walls, reconstituted stone). Photo attached. Footprint is 11m x 7m; ridge is 3m long. Building is structurally sound and existing foundations are good enough to build a new two storey, timber-framed house on them. Before we get carried away with ideas, we would like an indication of the relative costs of three options: (i) Re-roof and re-do the existing dormers and probably remove both chimneys (this is base level option); (ii) Remove chimneys, convert hips to gable ends (with hipped or gabled dormers for better kerb appeal) to provide a bit more interior space; (iii) remove roof and chimneys, replace with timber-framed, flat-roofed timber-clad, first floor extension giving a lot more upstairs space (+ cosmetic alterations to give a contemporary look). I can work out demolition, flooring, walls, bathrooms, electrics and so on but have no idea about the roof and exterior wall elements. Just wondered if there was anyone on the forum who could give ball park range of figures for each option as a starting point for us?

Thanks both. I was trying to get in through the 'create' on top left. Now I do as you say and then enter the forum, a 'create new post appears'. Will see how I go.

Please can someone help me with use of forum. I'd like to post a question about relative costs of certain works but in the drop-downs all the forums except this one (and the building land one) are greyed out for me so I can't make a post in the forum I'd like to. The email I received when registering said "Once you have made your first post you will get access to the members only forums too". I have done the 'Introduce yourself' post as requested. I emailed forum@buildhub.org.uk a couple of days ago but haven't received a reply. Can anyone advise me what to do?

Couldn't agree more about ugliness of meter boxes. Not keen on gas boxes either - some look like the things you use to catch vermin or water meter covers that seem to be trip hazards in lawns. I guess the utility companies are not interested in aesthetics but surely architects can be persuaded to think about the issue and disguise them better? With smart meters, will they all disappear?

Thanks folks for comments for and against. Access is difficult (tight turn from narrow road) so demolition and bringing materials in was going to be expensive. The existing place is basically sound (except electrics and plumbing) and almost big enough to suit as we can convert outbuildings for additional living space. This looks to be a better option now, and should give us more financial headroom. We are fortunate and don't have to move out of existing home until new one is finished.

We bought a plot with an uninhabitable 60s chalet bungalow for its location. Our plan was to demolish and build a contemporary house. Unfortunately we cannot afford to build the house of our dreams on the plot so are now looking at a smaller renovation project using the existing bungalow. I've joined the site to get an indication of costs for a number of options.