Builder or project manage ourself.

Sedge123

We are planning an extension and have had a couple of quotes from local builders. The quotes were more than we anticipated so we are now considering managing the project ourselves so ordering materials and then paying tradespeople for labour e.g. Bricklayers, roofers etc. We can do lots ourselves including plumbing and window installation - we just need the actual shell doing.

I'm thinking this will be more hassle for us and take longer but I'm hoping it will save us money. Just wondered if anyone had done this? Any tips?
Thanks

MisterBaxter

If you get it right and can find decent quality reliable labour then it can definitely work out cheaper; however self managing is not without its pitfalls.

Have a proper project plan, know what needs to be done and when, know what materials you need and when, know what labour you need and know when you need it.

The main problem you may have is finding good quality, reliable labour that will be able to fit in with your timetable; obviously you need the various trades to turn up in the right order and in a structured manner; if someone doesn't turn up then it causes problems for the rest of the timetable.

If you are ordering materials make sure you know what you need and when; you don't want labour on site without the necessary materials to do the job at hand.

Make sure you have the time to do the job properly; if you can't be available when needed to make decisions the decisions either won't get made leading to delays and costs or the wrong decisions are made leading to delays and costs.

The key advantage with using the builder is that they take full responsibility for all of these organisational matters and if they get it wrong then it's on them, they will have to try and make up the time, pay for non-productive time and deal with the labour that has no work to do.

If you've never done it before it can be daunting but with careful planning and thinking the whole process through it is something that you can achieve.

Sedge123

Thanks. A close relative has experience and being retired will be around a lot to advise on the schedule and purchasing.

MisterBaxter

Another thing to consider; if you haven't already try and get yourself trade accounts set up with the merchants and any plant hire companies you will be using as that can make you some considerable savings. Different suppliers seem to have different criteria for setting up trade accounts with some being more lenient than others in what constitutes 'trade'.

Don't forget that as you are building an extension you will need to deal with Building Regs, many trades can self certify their works but if you are doing electrics and window installation or any other works that need Building Regs yourself and are not in a position to self certify you will need these signing off as part of your Building Regs.

You didn't mention it but I am assuming that someone has dealt with the plans etc, and that any planning and building regs matters are in hand; this is something else that a fully managed build project would often pick up for you but that you will have to do yourself. Don't forget to arrange inspections by Building Control/Approved Inspector at the right points in the project; you don't want to be opening up works for inspection.

Sedge123

Thanks for the advice and the tips re trade accounts. Plans are approved and building regs considered as part of the project- relative has done these for us.

I'm hoping that by putting in the work ourselves we can make our money go further.