Rough costs

[Cresswelle]

So we’re in the process of getting quotes for our side extension and have no idea what to expect. I know most posts say around 1300 per sqm but is this with vat on

top etc

 

we have planning for a single storey at 9.8 m x 3 metres so this would be approx 38k + vat. Is a double usually double that? Less or more? 
 

just trying to prepare ourselves as much as we can so we know what is considered standard. 
 

thanks 

Emma 

 

 

 

[Bozza]

Going up shouldn’t be double the cost of a single extension, as you only need one set of foundations.  But a single storey flat roof extension might not need full scaffolding, whereas a double storey one will.  General rule is going up is cost effective.

 

Its incredibly difficult to give you an idea of cost here you’ll really have to get as many quotes as you can for your area etc and depends on spec etc.   It won’t be £10k & it shouldn’t be £100k.
 

My 6x3 m single storey Flat roof extension 12 years ago was £20k-£25.  Something like that.

 

being 10x 3 sounds like you are extending along one side of your house 3m deep..  if so, especially if you’re in a semi, don’t forget about natural light in the old bit of the house.  Our 3m deep extension really impacted on natural light.  Side windows, glass walls, roof lights etc are a must in your budget.  But also if south facing if fully glazed can cause to overheat.  Apologies if that’s already in hand just put that out there in case it isn’t.

 

 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Bozza

[Cresswelle]

Yeah we are extending down the side and would have bifolds in and lots of windows to account for the light. It’s a pretty light house anyway as it’s south facing. 
 

we initially had a quote for a single last year and that was for 85k+ vat which came as a bit of a shock so we just have no idea what is considered a “good quote”

 

we’re hoping to pay around 70 + kitchen but is that even realistic? 

[the_r_sole]

tbf £1300 falls into the very cheap end of things, our local authority uses construction costs of £1800 per m2 for ground floors and £900 for upper levels...

If you had a quote for a single storey at 85, have you seriously downgraded the specification to aim at less than that for two stories? or have you reduced the floor area?

[Cresswelle]

Tbf that was the highest quote we had, we also had one around £35k 

[Bozza]

Just make sure you exercise due diligence and actually seek out references / previous customers a good builder will be more than happy for you to speak to their previous customers.   Ensure you have a contract and document any issues or promises by email.  Thus protects both you and your contractor.  Pay them promptly at relevant stage or whatever.  Sorry saying this - just in case it’s your first big build project Etc.
 

I once had some building work done by a great bloke a friend of family.  We had a bit of friction over whether the quote included him installing a new window cill on an existing window to match In with a new window / window cill he had installed.  Found an older email referring this, he’d genuinely forgotten.  Friction over problem solved.