brick v render cost difference

twohooter_2

We are planning a kitchen extension and have to decide whether to have it built in brick (red) to match the house or block and render painted white. I don't have a strong preference as there are pros and cons to both so price may decide it for us. I had assumed block and render would be much cheaper but our architect says there is not a lot in it. I am not sure of his definition of 'not a lot' but before speaking to him further I was wondering if one of you good people could give me a clue.

Doozergirl

There really isn't a lot in it. As in, you could probably fit a piece of paper between them. There are always variables in the price of a particular brick and your labour rates.

Bricks are more expensive and will take a little longer to lay than block. Blocks and render materials are cheaper but then you have the labour costs associated with blocklaying, rendering and decorating.

Render will come with ongoing maintenance in terms of decorating. Buy through-coloured render and that will push your price up.

People think there's some sort of magic formula to claculating building work, but there isn't. Old artcile here - as clear as mud.
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/2008/10/15/how-much-will-your-project-cost-part-two/

twohooter_2

Thank you so much Doozergirl - that is very helpful. The article makes interesting reading. I now have to weigh up the pros and cons of each method and hope I end up making the right choice! In a way I had hoped one method would have been much cheaper than the other to make the decision easier

searchlight123

if you can get a good matching brick to your existing house then go that route without a doubt. it will look more like an integral part of your house whereas if the extension is a totally different finish it looks what it is - a box bolted on the back of the house.

i've had both and know which i prefer but it does depend on getting a good brick match.

System

An advantage of brick over block is that you can do a bigger run before you need a movement joint...
As you are doing an extension I would always be tempted to use a different material as it will be incredibly difficult to match the new brick with the old given the weathering your existing house has gone through

twohooter_2

Thanks guys for the advice. We have decided upon render as we feel it will look better with the anthracite powder coated doors and windows we are planning. It will look more contemporary and we quite like the idea that it will be different from the rest of the house. Brick would have the benefit of little on-going maintenance but on balance the modern rendered style wins.