House extension - quote from structural engineer

somethingcorporate

Get a number of opinions, £3k to dig some slightly deeper foundations sounds expensive to me!

blackshirtuk

Structural engineer charges not only cover the actual but also his indemnity insurance, should your house fall down!

Clive_Woody

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Get a number of opinions, £3k to dig some slightly deeper foundations sounds expensive to me!

Thanks, we will be getting at least 3 quotes from builders.

There is good access to the back garden so if they need to bring in some sort of mini-digger it should not be a problem (not sure if a mini digger can go down 2.5m).

If 2.5m is only slightly deep then I am glad we aren't going very deep

somethingcorporate

Clive_Woody wrote: »

Thanks, we will be getting at least 3 quotes from builders.

There is good access to the back garden so if they need to bring in some sort of mini-digger it should not be a problem (not sure if a mini digger can go down 2.5m).

If 2.5m is only slightly deep then I am glad we aren't going very deep

:rotfl:

My BIL works in drainage and digs VERY quickly and efficiently! honestly, the professionals are machines!

Clive_Woody

So we got the first builder's quote in and it is almost £40k which was something of surprise. We are getting other quotes but now concerned at what they are going to come in at.

We had thought it was a fairly straightforward build, it's a 4 x 5m extension to be used as a second lounge, the only plumbing is a new radiator, electrics is 3 power points and a central light fitting. Brick walls, tiled roof, wood laminate flooring. Nothing excessive other than foundations going down 2.5m because of lots of large trees in close proximity to the house. Also widening of the current opening between the house and where the new extension will be.

We live in the South East (Sussex) so prices are higher but does this sound high to those who are more familiar with this sort of thing?

Moby_Tide

We've had quotes from£28k-45k for the same work about 3mx7m. Until you have had other quotes then it's hard to decide if it's over priced. Plus including things like flooring they will be adding on markup presumably than if you were just asking for quotes on the basic build

fluffymuffy

Clive_Woody wrote: »

... fairly straightforward build, it's a 4 x 5m extension ..

New extensions cost £1500 - £2000 per square metre. More if you live Down South. So about £40K then.

manda1205

To give you a rough idea, we're currently having a 5x4m extension done too. We live in Norfolk and our quotes had been around £20-25000. This was at the beginning of this year. We've now had my brother do it(he's in building trade) and we're so far at £9000, this is to get us water tight and includes all planning and building regs costs. We have the knock through, electric, plumbing, plastering and the kitchen still to account for and from estimates I have it looks like we have another £6-7000 to go. Bare in mind this is doing it with mates rates, except for plumber and electrics. Also me and hubby will do any finishing off, tiles, decorating etc.

notanewuser

We had an unconventional 1.5 storey 4mx5m extension built in 2010. It's not on the house, so there was no knocking through but a roofline needed some major adjustment (3 sides came off, were extended/moved and went back on incorporating the new building.

Including electrics, plastering, mains water, plumbing for a shower room, waste pump, feature staircase and balustrade it was around £40k. That's in South Wales.

Clive_Woody

Apparently £12k is for the groundworks the rest (£27K) is for the 3 walls, roof, windows, door, skylights, radiator, flooring, electrical fittings, rsj for opening and obviously labour for doing this.

There are no kitchens, shower rooms, bathrooms or anything particularly fancy being done.

Thanks to all for your replies