SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

Sistergold

Reflections for today
Happy Monday morning ladies
Woke up to a beautiful morning. Everything is very quiet as it’s only me and oldest son in the house. Mr Ex picked the other 3 yesterday. Son trimmed the lawn early evening yesterday and also watered it as it was looking dry.  Past few days have been extra hot here in London and I have been “laying low to keep cool”. 

I am having to be very patient in proceeding with nominating an architect as the prices as I said before are very varied? I had two people recommended to me and was told that their quotations were reasonable but it has turned out for me that they have been some of the most expensive? So now I am wondering whether I am the one who was under the wrong impression of possible charges for drawings or the recommended architects just decided to charge me that? Is it that the people who said they were reasonable were charged a “mate’s rate”? I think now I have had about 10+ different prices ranging from as low as £2000 to £12000 which has now left me very confused as to whether the one charging £2K is not good or just a fraud or if the one charging £12K is very good or just a fraud? Of- cause there are prices in between these figures are they the ones who are good or are they all still just a fraud?

Also I have now come to understand that those coming along are 1. Architects, 2. Surveyor, 3 structural engineer. So all of them I guess have trained in elements of architect/drawing. Anyway I have one more booked to come in this Friday and I think I will then just have to choose one from the lot by end of this coming weekend, I think even a bad decision is better than no decision at all? Some of the quotations are giving for most elements like drawings to planning permission, plus building regulations,  and structural calculations which is good for me as I can have an idea of the whole cost. Some are giving only for drawings and saying they can not charge for building regs and structural as they need to get the final approved plans first to give next cost which makes me worried as their quote for drawings might look good and then they slap me with a ridiculous charge for the next steps! 

Most architects have said they can do the drawing plus building regs but they then get another quote from structural engineer. So I guess it all has different advantages? Some practices have to outsource structural quote but others it’s all under one roof so they can do the whole process. I think I will now narrow down who to choose by selecting those who have given a quotation fo the whole process?
I am just feeling very confused and overwhelmed as all of them come with a different way of doing the same thing? I don’t want to pay so much for drawings as I would rather spend on the actual build later. I will not take any of the highest quotes as I think it’s way too much! Probably will just choose one of the average ones? None of those came from recommendations so it’s just a matter of luck! Will planning permission and builders save the day if choice is bad? 

Laddies say I chose one and say unfortunately they were not so good, is it that I will end up with a building which is poorly functional and will collapse or I can take it that the functionality might not have been optimised due to poor advise/drawing but the building will still be structurally okay? What I am asking is, should I take it that the planning process and building regulations will make ensure that the structure is safe? So if I chose a surveyor to draw for me that should be okay and also even if I chose a structural engineer to draw for me that will be okay? 

Is this the kind of time when I need a man? 🐒
I need to get it right first time! I am calling for help ladies! 

Xx

HelloB

Morning @Sistergold and other ladies.

What a scorcher of a weekend. I took a camping trip and forgot about being frugal as I bought a load camping gear which I had lost custody of previously. But I really enjoyed myself making new memories!

@Sistergold I don't have meaningful input, as I only got as far as architects drawings. But if I did it all over again, I would get a builder in first. They will then have preferred architects, whom they work well with and can project manage. Building regs will ensure basic specs are adhered to.

sofarbehind

I wish I could help SG. I know how you are feeling, it's very overwhelming and those quotes are SO different it's difficult to know what to think. I'm thinking that maybe I would be better off moving and just avoiding having to deal with all this on my own. I am so accustomed to doing EVERYTHING on my own with no help but this feels pretty rubbish. Meh. Maybe my attitude is all wrong. I am scared of it costing way more than I was quoted and becoming a financial nightmare, that is my main fear. Perhaps I am just having a bad day.

You have done amazingly well to save so much so quickly by the way! I couldn't save that in year and OP.

Sistergold

Hello @HelloB
I have gone down all routes. I have been to two builders who have given me their architects two of whom have come and they did give me quotations and were talking of all sorts? One of them when I said I am in a conservation area they argued that I was not in a conservation area? The second one from the other builder was saying I would need to have upstairs 1m narrower than downstairs and that it was a regulation this was the first architect to tell me this? So again the builder recommended architects came up with random arguments which were not said by any other architects and they seemed so uptight I did not feel they were taking what I wanted onboard? 

Well will get there eventually!
 It is comforting to know that “Building regs will ensure basic specs are adhered to.” At least if the building structures can be sound then that’s a good start! 

Sandyra

Sorry ladies, I’ve been very MIA! There
 has been various reasons for this:
1. Schools out and the last weeks were manic in preparation for September.
2. Been dealing with Identity fraud.
3. Been out on the bike and walking as I’m not at school.
4. Like you SG slow on the OP other than my monthly target and save 12k Savings trying to keep to £1250 a month but I have been naughty.
5. HB like you I love a Mulberry bag and after being so good for 3 months I splashed out and bought 3 🤦🏾‍♀️.
6. Revamping my balcony, so been sanding, painting and decorating.
7. Currently enjoying the Kent seaside cycling 🚴🏾‍♀️ 🏖.

Managed to catch up, lovely to hear the new posters. Glad you are making headway on your renovation savings SG. As for advice, I would agree with HB about looking at builders. Sorry I can’t be of more use.

Gone back to my reserved spending so hopefully next month I can make more mortgage OP. 

Hazelnutty

@Sistergold I don't know if it helps but the architectural designer who did the drawings, got the structural engineer calcs and submitted for building regs for the two projects (garden room and downstairs renovation) has charged £1200+VAT - contact was through the builder and we went through quite a process of reviewing designs and talking about budgets with the builder before the final plans were submitted. This is outside London and small property (3-bed ex council house). I think having one person in your corner (probably the builder) helps as then you can use them to ensure the architect/engineer/designer are working to your specs and needs and address any issues such as planning restrictions.

Sistergold

@sofarbehind
That is the problem really that if the drawings are already costing so much what more of the build? I am sure it will cost way more than anticipated! I have now decided that in as much as as I am applying for many aspects to be done I will do it in phases so that I don’t end up with a big job half way done and funds running out! It feels like it’s really not within my control as people just charge what they like! 

Sistergold

@Sandyra
I hope the identity fraud is now completely sorted out? Looks like you have been having a good time going out and about and lucky you as you have a beach close by! 

You have a balcony? I like the idea of having a balcony but planning permission is so restrictive and I don’t have a beach view so I just accept it! 

Sistergold

@Hazelnutty
Thanks for that figure as it somewhat puts things into perspective. London has really proved to be the wild Wild West for sure! Everyone is looking for money and so it’s difficult to find someone who just wants to earn a fair wage! Even the builders will “darling” me out of the money and leave me with the mess to deal with! I guess I just need to be patient somewhat! If I was in a hurry I would have been parted with the money a few weeks ago and might still not have had a drawing! 

At the moment they keep sending me emails “to find out what I have decided so that they can schedule other enquires that they have”? I can easily guess that people are not splashing out on anything major at the moment. If only I can get either a genuine builder or genuine architect as you have said I need one person fighting my corner! 

Xx

Sistergold

Reflections for today
Chronicles of finding an architect. Pt2
Good evening ladies, I hope you had a wonderful week? My week has ended on a high note as I have finally nominated an architect to go ahead and do my drawings. This process has really been long as I have had 16 quotations altogether. The architect I finally went with was architect number 16 and the last appointment I had booked! So ladies I have finally committed!

 I hope I chose the right architect so please cross your fingers for me and with me. Lovely young man who came this morning to have a look at the house. Had been communicating with him through email past weeks and we fixed an appointment. It was a bit of a wait as he was away on Holliday. He finally came for our pre-booked appointment and everything went as hoped. He was easy to talk to, listened, made suggestions, took measurements and left. He had given me a pre-visit quote but after coming today and with me having increased the scope of works he then sent me a revised quotation which had gone up by £700. 

I must say he was not one of the cheapest but was not one of the most expensive either. Could have chosen a cheaper quote/architect but I seemed to just prefer him and seemed to feel he was the right fit for me and my expectations. 

So he will now go on and do the drawings and he says it will take about 3 weeks. He will give me some options and we can review the drawings. What I liked was he was one of those who also gave me what it will cost for all three of elements that is drawings/planning, building regulations and structural calculations. It made me feel better to know what I will pay right from start. 

So that’s this stage done and hopefully I will get good drawings! Please find below communication I got from him