Ballpark idea of cost of moving external door please?

cpu

Our kitchen has a large double window, a small window and a door all on the same wall, like the layout below.

2' wall / large window / 3' wall / small window and back door (in one frame) / 2' wall.

As the door cuts right through the kitchen work area, we're thinking about blocking off the door to the same height as the small window and replacing both with a large window instead.

We would then make the other large window a little narrower (by 500mm probably) and turn it into the door, possibly french/patio?

I know we'd need a building warrant for this and drawings done but I have no idea of how much the work would cost so I can't decide whether it would be worth it or not. Builders round here are hard to come by at the best of times and they are so busy right now it's hard to get them to agree to come out to quote for such a small job.

Any builders around or anyone got any ideas as to rough cost please?

milkydrink

I can tell you, if you keep the new doors/windows the same size or smaller than the exsisting ones, it will be much cheaper as you won't be interfering with the lentels (sp ?)

I had a door bricked up & a small window put in place & a window turned into a large french door, it was £600 (windows & door not included).

They used the bricks from the french door cut out to brick up the door to a window, so a perfect match.

ormus

reckon about 4 days work plus materials.
so say 400/1000 for labour depending where you live.
window say 200 and patio doors from 300.
you may or may not require new catnic lintel/s, say 100 quid.

if you can keep to the same width on the opening/s then thatll keep the price down.

cpu

Thanks Kim. The new door/windows will definately not be any bigger, one will remain the same width and the other will be reduced. Our house has a rendered/harling finish so the look of the bricks aren't a problem.

£600 is much less than I was expecting tbh. Even allowing extra for reducing the doorway and harling the outside shouldn't be much more maybe?

Anyone else?

cpu

Thanks ormus. Cross posted.

What's a catnic lintel????

Will a builder supply the windows/ door needed or will I have to get the building work done then go to a window company? Sorry, I know that's a basic question.

ormus

either labour only or suppply and fix. builder can do both.
my prices are based on wickes materials. (local to me, and cheap).
product range is small though.

a catnic lintel is a steel lintel. strong and fairly cheap. its a standard building product. and builders generally just call em a catnic.

concrete ones are cheaper, but heavier, so maybe a 2 man job.

milkydrink

It was so simple, they had it done in half a day,

Took out the old UPVC doors & windows, used some giant cutter to cut downb from the window to make it into a doorway (bearing in mind I had the french door made to measure), then one guy cleaned the bricks up while the brick layer started blocking up the door (to turn into a window). Popped in the frenchdoor & window and that was it, amazing how quick it was.

They started around 8-9am on a Saturday morning & were done by 1 ish (3 of them).

But I did buy a french door & a window to fit the gaps, I think this made it easier.

By the way I live in Surrey & we don't get things done cheap in this area!!! So it might cost you less than you think.
When you think about it, they charged £200 each for half a days work:eek:

SamO_2

Hi, I'm new to this forum, came to it via a google search; I'm wanting to do exactly what you describe above and wondered if you needed to get any planning permission/building regs?

milkydrink

I don't know if you are refering to my post or the other posters.
I didn't apply for planning permission/building regs, for a simple swap I don't think you have to, certainly the window fitters didn't mention it!
I think if you want to change sizes or placement or if your property is listed or something it would be different.
I did have to get building regs to take out a supporting wall & put an RSJ in though.
Kim