House Extension Build

[the_g_ster]

Evening all, like many on here, I am looking for some extra space, and specifically looking at a single storey house extension.

I was thinking of going down the route of hiring each trade, e.g.

- doing some groundwork myself with some help from a builder I know
- getting a brickwork done via someone on a day rate
- roof done by roofer
- first fix, probably me
- plastering and electrics in etc etc

Anybody tried this way, trying to save some cash as opposed to just giving 50k to a builder to do it.

Thoughts....

 

[sunnybob]

just watch some episodes of grand designs to find out how self builds go.

Are you still working? if so how many hours a week can you spare?

 

[Fitzroy]

Cost, schedule, quality. Pick two! For the type of folk we all are it's normally good quality but to save cost it takes time, be prepared.

F.

 

[RogerS]

If you have never done this before then do NOT underestimate how much time you will spend researching how to do things. Also don't forget Building Control...they need to be involved.

Who is doing the plans ?

 

[RobinBHM]

It is certainly possible and it can save money.....or it could cost you more!

It depends to a significant degree on what and who you know!

A good local builder will have the knowledge to instinctively know the order of work and he will know what materials and labour are needed at what time.

A good example is material delivery, an experienced builder knows, if he got to have guys on site on a particular day to wait for the delivery to arrive from the builders merchant, he will make sure that there is a job to get on with that day.

Trades: a local builder will have built up over a number of years really good reliable subbies that he can trust and that he can get to come and do the job when he wants it done.

A single storey extension needs lots of different trades, but each only for a short time, but often at critical timing. Its actually easier to schedule a huge job than a small one.

If you know the right trades and have some knowledge of building works, or can get good advice from a builder then it can work out well.

You may find a local groundworker specialist will be cheaper for the drainage and foundations, than getting involved yourself if they have diggers etc already.

Building works is all about project management. You require 3 basic things for any thing to happen: information, materials, labour -it sounds obvious but its what holds up every building project. (information includes decisions required by the client!).

If you have a very demanding job, then I would avoid trying, you may find too time consuming. If you have some time available that you can devote to the organising and you know enough trades people then you should be able to do it well.

If the builder you know well is a helpful guy, you might consider paying him a fee to provide advise along the way.

It all rather depends on the complexity of the project, site access, ground conditions etc

 

[Keith 66]

My wife & i had a large extension built 12 or so years ago, at the time i was at home doing the househusband thing so it made complete sense as i was there most of the time. We had one builder do the foundations, shell & roof with windows in, i worked alongside & i did the rest. The builder was a personal friend & fortunately still is!
I got trades in as needed either from recomendation from the builder or from others. Having me on site & running around saved the builder a lot of time & it was very useful me being there to keep the quality up.
Be nice to the building inspector, do not piss him off because he can make your life hell if you do!
In the end we saved a considerable amount over giving a builder carte blanche.
At the same time we did ours a friend did a very large rebuild & extension of a house & got royally striped up by the builder, everything from 30m deep piles put in out of position, walls in wrong position, timberwork done wrong, the lot. This included being charged for weeks of time when the builder had shifted his whole crew to another job. Of course when he got found out he got very nasty & it all ended up in court.
If you have the time to oversee it properly you will save a lot of money. If you cant be there it will become more difficult.

 

[doctor Bob]

I've just done a new build.
I investigated both routes, in the end the all in price I negotiated meant it wasn't worth me trying to project manage it. However I was 100% immersed in the project so could come home from work and spot any errors / issues before they became major problems.

I would be tempted to manage it if there is a next time but not first time around.

 

[slate1234]

Remember building control are there to help and advise if he/she is being awkward you can ask for another building control officer or go to a private company, as a joiner /builder I have seen a few people try and manage there own building projects some good some bad, but the worst part is seeing men taking the p..s because of those two magic words,,,,,,DAY WORK, the only advise I would offer get plans drawn up make sure everything is where and what you want and DO NOT change anything from the drawing the knock on is unbelievable also ask the architect if he/she would be willing to include a couple of site visits , leave the ground work to the ground worker to slab, work out the meterage of brick and block work and get a price, same for the roof from joiners, and again from a roofer, take a breather and then work out what you can and can't do, sparky and plumber should be able to give you a price from the drawings, fittings are always a prelim, what you will find is a local builder will get his materials a lot cheaper than you will, but if you do manage the project ensure all materials are on site when needed or the day work kicks in again.
Paul