Extension - Considerations

claretmatt

Hi,

We are planning a two story side extension and have gone through the planning stage and chosen our preferred builder who we are meeting this week.

I am realistic that it will create a lot of disruption and also more than likely go above the quote provided.

I was wondered for those with experience what questions we should be asking the builder when we meet and any other expectations and considerations we should take into account before the project commences.

Thanks in advance.

Doozergirl

Thought I'd bump this as it was a pretty good question but hard to answer in general terms.

As well as plans, if you can have a detailed specification, then that will help price things correctly.

As you are building to the side, the Party Wall Act may apply if you are digging within 3 metres of your neighbour.

Any drains in the area? You may beed a Build Over Agreement from the water authority if it is shared with a neighbour.

Who will be dealing with building regulations?

Check your builder's insurances and inform your own buildings insurer to ensure that everything is covered during the works. There is no legal requirement, but we carry expensive contract works cover which covers the full building work in the event of something bad happening. Your insurance may only cover the existing building until the work is complete. Public liability is not comprehensive.

Check references and go and see your preferred builder's other work. Nobody bothers making visits but I think it can help with ideas too if you like the way they've done something.

Always pay based on a valuation of what has actually happened on site. Our quotes are usually broken down into sections and so during work I keep a spreadsheet of what % we are in to each section in order to invoice. It keeps me on track with my budget so I don't accidentally overcharge.

Most builders are trying to get things right but problems are most likely to occur if they're billing ahead of the actual work, even unintentionally. That's when they run out of money. Paying in advance is really, really not a good idea. We get so many people come here with problems and it's virtually always that they've paid ahead and so the money isn't there and neither is the right amount of building work. We can only complain that they didn't come here first to ask how to run things, which you have done and so rightly deserve an answer.

This sort of thing actually deserves a sticky post.

Spender£

I would do everything Doozergirl says plus if at all possible pay £100 or more on a credit card for a bit of section 75 protection also try and get an estimated completion date in writing.
With such a big project some Solicitors offers a service for about £90 where they guide you through everything you need to do and they also look at the contract for you to check if everything is above board, might be worth a look.