Home Extension- Idiot's Guide Needed

[Deleted User]

Anybody got sound advice on a "how to" for getting a home extension built? (Edinburgh Area). We are looking to add another bedroom and en suite above our existing Garage & Utility Room, but are totally clueless about process and, oh yes, likely cost? Possibly also looking at enlarging an existing small bedroom by using some of the newly created space.

Anybody done something similar recently or have suitably sage advice? ??? ??? ???

Slinky

We haven't done this yet, but an architect friend has drawn up plans for something similar to what you are suggesting. I think it is something around £110 to put them in to the council for permission, and he reckons if we allow £15-20K we won't be far wrong.

System

yes an architect and plans is the best way to start. usually its a fixed cost.

Murphy_The_Cat

As a rough guide if you have been advised 15 - 20 K prepare yourself for 25 - 30 k (the voice of recent experience !)


MTC

;D

Careful_Shopper_3

I Don't live in Scotland but last year we built an two-storey extension to the back of the house to provide another reception room and another bedroom with ensuite. We paid £25k to my father-in-law (builder) so thought this was cheap - for the south it is! In all we still ended up borrowing £35k because of all the 'bits and pieces' to furnish, decorate etc and those items that you forget when you budget!

Once you get your plans drawn up and planning permission approved you will get builders contacting you to offer their services.

Pinkleylandii

Hi when I got my extension done I employed an architect to do the plans for about £250 he then dealt with the process at the planning department for planning permission then it went for building regulations. The amount payable depends on the actual cost of the extension I would go with the other writer who advised 25-30k could be a little more. At the area I used to live in you could no longer have flat roofs and had to go for tiled and that made it more expensive. After you have obtained planning permission (a meeting takes place once every so often 1month? 3 months?). The application is then forwarded to building regulations to ber authorised. You then have the fun part of asking for builders to come out and give you quotes using the plans prepared. The builder will want a copy of the plan to take away to prepare his estimate. Note I say estimate, they very rarely give quotes but that is what you are looking for. An estimate leaves it open for the builder to add additonal things which he might say were not in the estimate. I would go by recommendations for a builder or try and ask advice from FMB (federation of Master Builders) they should be able to give you some contacts of builders in your area who are registered with them. I was told by one builder that builders only pay an annual subscribtion and anyone can get it but to be honest I would try FMB first. When the builders give you a quote make sure everything they are going to do is itemised as otherwise you may incure additional costs. Make sure you account for number of radiators, lighting, windows everything you can think of. The way I did it was to go by the architects plans and write down exactly what is down and make sure those items are itemised in the builders quote. I hope this help, be very careful about what you think the estimate cover. Go for a quote. I have had it said to me they only give estimates because there could be unforseen things and never give quotes. When work is under way building regs will come out and check to make sure the foundations are correct etc they will also come out at the end of the job to check everything has been completed. To keep costs down if you have a toilet upstairs and want another try to place them beside each other or near as possible as this will save plumbing costs.

I hope this is of some use. Elaine