Knockthrough to new extension

Mrsher

Hi all, my names David and I’m new to the forum. Tried a search but can’t quite find an answer to my problem.
So, I live in a detached 3 bed house, my plan is a single story extension 3m out the back from the kitchen diner. This is for extra living space. On the extension I want bifold doors across the whole width into the garden, with the current external wall knocked though into the extension. My query regards building regs, my builder (a company my friend works for) has give me two quotes. One with building regs and one without. He says unless I’m planning to sell up within 5 years (I’m not) then don’t worry about the regs. Back door and window will be removed.It will have an rsj put in. Am I right to be a bit concerned?
Thanks in advance.

Doozergirl

Oh my god.

Please don't use this person. He's the sort that gives the rest of us a bad name.

Your entire extension needs 'building regs' so it costs nothing for the knock through to be a part of it, in fact, it would just be considered part of it anyway.

You NEED a structural engineer to calculate the loads for you. Do not allow someone who blatantly doesn't give a flying horse to chuck just anything in there to hold up the back of your house. The SE doesn't cost much in the grand scheme and they are ensuring (and insuring!) your safety. The builder is NOT qualified.

This just isn't the sort of short cut to be taking. I'm horrified. I've been horrified once this morning by the news, already.

Please find another builder. One with integrity.

Edit: Is he actually suggesting that you build the entire extension without his work being inspected at all?

I can't get my head around this. I am proud for building control to inspect our work. It's a legal requirement anyway, but it's no stress and the building inspector adds something to the team.

This isn't just about selling - it will be raised, there are work arounds (that cost money anyway) and some people will potentially withdraw on the basis. But this is primarily about quality, safety and security. This is your biggest asset, protect it!

It just doesn't sit that someone builds to a high quality but doesn't want their work inspected. Run.

Aylesbury_Duck

I think you knew the answer before Doozergirl's comprehensive reply.

I can't believe the idiot has actually spelled out his credentials in two quotes. Was he wearing a Stetson and spurs as well?

Run for the hills!

FreeBear

Doozergirl wrote: »

Please find another builder. One with integrity.

I can't get my head around this. I am proud for building control to inspect our work. It's a legal requirement anyway, but it's no stress and the building inspector adds something to the team.

Guess who will be prosecuted for any failures to comply with building regulations and planning - It is the home owner, not the builder. If you need to pursue the builder through the courts (and you probably will if you give him the job), he will wind up the company and start up again under another name.

Find an established, reputable builder with integrity and honesty. Yes, it will probably cost more in the short term, but you will have the paperwork and confidence to say the job has been done right. In the long term, it will add to the value of the house and you won't be chasing a cowboy through the courts with little prospect of getting any money back.

Grenage

Mrsher wrote: »

Am I right to be a bit concerned?

Hell yes; there are alarm bells, and then there are booming klaxons.

Ganga

Doozergirl wrote: »

Oh my god.

Please don't use this person. He's the sort that gives the rest of us a bad name.

Your entire extension needs 'building regs' so it costs nothing for the knock through to be a part of it, in fact, it would just be considered part of it anyway.

You NEED a structural engineer to calculate the loads for you. Do not allow someone who blatantly doesn't give a flying horse to chuck just anything in there to hold up the back of your house. The SE doesn't cost much in the grand scheme and they are ensuring (and insuring!) your safety. The builder is NOT qualified.

This just isn't the sort of short cut to be taking. I'm horrified. I've been horrified once this morning by the news, already.

Please find another builder. One with integrity.

Edit: Is he actually suggesting that you build the entire extension without his work being inspected at all?

I can't get my head around this. I am proud for building control to inspect our work. It's a legal requirement anyway, but it's no stress and the building inspector adds something to the team.

This isn't just about selling - it will be raised, there are work arounds (that cost money anyway) and some people will potentially withdraw on the basis. But this is primarily about quality, safety and security. This is your biggest asset, protect it!

It just doesn't sit that someone builds to a high quality but doesn't want their work inspected. Run.

What horrified you on the news? i am only curious :rotfl:

Doozergirl

Ganga wrote: »

What horrified you on the news? i am only curious :rotfl:

It wasn't Bury being expelled from the football league, but that's pretty shocking too.

Mrsher

Yeah just exactly as I thought. Thanks for confirming. You know when you know it’s not right but you think a mate would look after you. Back to finding a reputable builder. Thanks everyone

Grenage

Familiarity breeds contempt; my sister recently had a load of refurbishment done by the son of a family friend. I advised against it.


She ended up with a 16k bill for a series of bodges. We're talking laying new wall tiles over old (including the wall mirror) levels of bodge.