Single storey extension quote

saver_newbie

Hi,
I have just been quoted 38000 (approx) for a single storey extension measuring approximately 9m*4m along the entire length of the back of a detached house.
The new extension will accommodate an enlargement to the existing lounge, a bedroom and an ensuite.
3 new windows and patio doors need to be installed.
The roof will be of a flat flat type built to current standards.
There is relatively easy access to the site, and materials can be stored off road.
I will be doing the decorations myself though the ensuite will be fitted for me.
The build, I guess is straightforward except for - the existing drains run through the front of the house and since the ensuite is going to be located at the back the drains will need to be connected. I guess the new drain will need to run 10m around the house to meet up with the main drains with 3 new chambers.
The quote is inclusive, the only items I will buy is the bathroom fittings and the tiles.
Location is Hertfordshire and is not a conservation area or a listed building.
Hope this information is sufficient.
Does this quote sound fair (to me and to the builder) ?
Thanks a lot in advance.

darich

I've been told as far as conservatories are concerned, budget for £1000 per square metre for a good one.
The area of your extension is 36sq m. The price quoted is 38k.

I've no direct experience but on the face of it, it seems fair.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be in soon with some better advice

west_ham_till_i_die

I would get some more quotes it's a shame you don't live in essex as I am a builder and am 100% sure I could have given you a much cheaper quote

saver_newbie

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your responses. I am getting a few more builders to see if they concur.

owlsareus

The quote is high I would think £25,000 would be nearer the mark.

punknzippy

it also depends on what type of builders you had a quote from as in do they have lots of vans and a nice big office etc or are thet just a small company with an average type van .... if you see where i am going with this

a small builder who doesnt have the big office and lots of vans will have lower overhead costs in relation to one that has and will obviously be reflected in the cost .
as an example for you ....
i was asked a few years back to price up the repointing of an end terraced house , with scaffolding and materials and my labour (work would take roughly a week so i quoted 2 weeks labour to cover myself) i would have been taking a week or 2 off from where i was working at the time to do this job as it was to much for a weekend job , after giving they person my quote he rang me back a week later to ask what i had missed off my quote as it was well over less than half the amount of his other quote , i asked who his other quote was from ..... a very large builder with lots of vans n big office etc , me a small self employed bricky , no big office no overheads and yes i would have made a nice profit from said job ...... had i have got the job
i was to cheap to be any good aparently !!!!!
and i was recomended to this person from a previous customer .

we built an extension 5m x 2m ish for a downstairs toilet + hallway a couple of years ago for a company i worked for , the customer told us it was costing £25 000 , but that was complete everything

dander

I had a much smaller extension than that built by a nice small building firm in Stevenage. If that's anywhere near where you are in Hertfordshire I can give you their details. I was very happy with the work.

saver_newbie

Hi,
Thanks for all your replies. Yes the quotes are from companies, I find the companies use quantity surveyors to do the estimates and the couple of quotes I have got so far are very similar (give or take a couple of hundreds) .
Does anyone have experience with quantity surveyors - how do they estimate for materials and labour and how much of a markup do they add in ?

I am also getting a quote from a smaller builder - haven't had any yet, but I am promised a quote this weekend.
Thanks.

Darkstar

Do you have accurate drawings for everyone to quote against. I had been trying to get a budget sorted but without a architects drawing I have been told by my local builder he can't realistically give me even an estimate.

Regarding the big firms they all have software to quote and probably are using the same package so result in very similar quotes.

Radsteral

1000per sq m is roughly the going rate in london and around it.
Who ever is quoting now is thinking materials will be a bit dearer after new year.
i ve done a extension on 850 per sq m and that was my first.. it doesnt get you any money.. just a basic low wage.And building a extension is like building a real house but in a smaller scale(which works against the builder s proffit)
Make sure who ever you choose, set a small contract and state payment terms properly

saver_newbie

Darkstar wrote: »

Do you have accurate drawings for everyone to quote against. I had been trying to get a budget sorted but without a architects drawing I have been told by my local builder he can't realistically give me even an estimate.

Regarding the big firms they all have software to quote and probably are using the same package so result in very similar quotes.

Hi, yes, I have got drawings done. Paid £500 for it and £100 for engineering calculations. I am assuming this is economical and I am pleased with what my architect has done.