Shire2020

We’ve recently finished a reasonably sized extension and the process is scary how everything has gone up. I can’t definitively relate to the comments about kitchens and bathrooms, we haggled less as it went on as we just wanted it finished and the builders gone. Hard work but we’re delighted with the space, but need to work hard to recoup some money elsewhere in life for furniture and landscaping! Good Luck

Hi All, This post was really helpful for us as it managed to get our ASHP working properly and gave us heat throughout the winter. Now that the weather has warmed up and we’ve turned the heating off, should the Water Law numbers be reduced to save electric? Thanks for any wisdom as we’re still quite new to the ASHP.

I felt compelled to comment as I’ve had the same system, and have been trying to figure out what’s gone wrong! I’m adjusting the figures and gradually increasing the high number as instructed. There’s definitely more heat flowing through so I’m hoping by the morning it’s fixed the issue!! On the low number, did you leave that at 55 or pull down to the pre set number that was 35 on the guide above? Thanks for sharing, really appreciated!!

I wish we’d have made more time throughout as others have mentioned. A 4 month extension has evolved and turned in to a 9 month full renovation etc and I’ve given up breaking down the costs between new building, old, furniture, returnable cost etc. Good luck!

Mine was a little cheaper for a large extension, multiple steels etc. By a little, I think total bill paid was about £1400

Sorry to see these pictures, looks shocking and hope there is a quick resolution somewhere.

Hi @adisbob How’s it going?

Definitely recommend pre planning, it really worked for us. Good luck!

We’ve used it twice and found it to be well worth the money. For the latest application for a large extension we had the architect prepare some basic drawings so we could get detailed feedback. Overall detailed feedback, helpful conversation and we followed most of the advice. They did advise on a slightly smaller extension but we put it in anyway, being prepared to adjust if needed but because we’d made the other changes they passed it. Reading the comments it does sound variable by council but for us it’s been great. Good Luck!!

Hi @SarahG we’re probably a bit further forward than you and just gone through the same process. We found individual trades as still very busy and ultimately have awarded the job to one company as by the time we self managed it, the saving didn’t feel worth it. Last time we completed major works we employed each trade but this was years ago prior to a skills shortage, materials challenge and the last couple of years. We roughly worked out what the core components would cost so we knew what the fixed costs were. I.e Backdoors quoted at £6k, windows £8k, garage door £2k so we knew these coats weren’t really variable. Good luck finding a builder as we engaged with 5 (always would have preferred 3 not to waste peoples time) 1 of them didn’t really seem to want the job as he kept telling me how busy the new builds are for him, 1 ghosted us, 1 quoted but they felt like this was a big jump for them, which left 2 we really liked. One took so long to return a quote (months) we decided to proceed with the one who we had mutual connections with, had seen his work and been the most professional to deal with. Although, their quote was the most expensive, we want to work with them and have confidence. If the project all goes to plan and only minor inconveniences then the additional money will have been worth it! Good Luck, to get meaningful quotes has been a job in itself for us due to the level of work locally.

Got to say… I prefer the tile! Build looks great btw

Reading the latest it feels like you’ve cracked the door issue and for the last one I’d do what you’d recommended and just make another work. Reading your journey the builder has let you down so many times I think it’s time to call it, get the doors on and then get rid of him! I hope the wait has been worth it as know this hasn’t been straight forward for you all.

Thanks everyone for your advice. We’ve short listed 3 main contractors now and are hoping to have all quotes through within the next week or so and then can make a final decision. Unsurprisingly a couple of the good ones we spoke to are fully booked for 18 months. If financially these can’t work, we know we’ll be working with individual trades. Fingers crossed!

Hi OP, What did you do in the end? The prices I’m getting back per sqm are £2k per sqm +VAT and excluding large items like windows etc. So overall around £3400 per sqm completed.

Thanks All, feels like I should continue looking for 1 Main contractor. When we’ve renovated previously it was where we grew up so much easier as all my friends were the trades! Since we’ve moved we’ve got a great carpenter, electrician and roofer but not the others.