No side access - extension costs

bts21

Hi
Without side access to back of house, how much extra can you expect to pay for a single story extension if only access is through front door? Or is it a case of just inconvenience and mess, but cost is the same?

FreeBear

If the builders were hoping to use a mini-digger for the ground works, they may have reservations about bringing it through the house - It is possible to get micro-diggers that fit through a standard doorway, but they make a right mess of the floor.. Digging the foundations out by hand can easily turn a one day job in to a week long one. But your builders should factor in any extra time during the quotation process.

Do not underestimate the amount of mess the builders will make traipsing through the house - Resign yourself to redecorating the ground floor once they have gone.

stuart45

Access makes a big difference. Apart from the foundations it's getting all the materials in. Trussed rafters are usually a challenge.
What's the parking situation like outside the house? It will add to the cost, if you can find someone who wants the hassle.

Section62

stuart45 said:

Access makes a big difference. Apart from the foundations it's getting all the materials in. Trussed rafters are usually a challenge.
What's the parking situation like outside the house? It will add to the cost, if you can find someone who wants the hassle.

Makes me wonder what is at the front of the house which stops all other access route(s) to the back... and whether some new (temporary?) openings in walls is a more cost effective approach.

OP, have you got a floorplan showing the ground floor and where the extension is going?

It is almost impossible to guess at the additional access costs without some idea what the site looks like.

bts21

It’s a detached 1930’s house with private drive. The small galley kitchen was extended to the side - full width c 2001 and completely removed side access. 

Section62

bts21 said:

It’s a detached 1930’s house with private drive. The small galley kitchen was extended to the side - full width c 2001 and completely removed side access. 

Is the kitchen extension also single storey?

bts21

Please see attached rough floor plan. The red shows driveway area at the front. Rooms downstairs are kitchen (this would have been a small galley kitchen now extended to side), lounge, dining room and conservatory. We would like to extend the kitchen diner length out to come in line with conservatory and make it all an L shaped kitchen diner 

Section62

bts21 said:

Please see attached rough floor plan. The red shows driveway area at the front. Rooms downstairs are kitchen (this would have been a small galley kitchen now extended to side), lounge, dining room and conservatory. We would like to extend the kitchen diner length out to come in line with conservatory and make it all an L shaped kitchen diner 

Is there access from the kitchen to the back garden already, or will that be added?

If the only route is via the hall->dining room->conservatory that will be hellish.

Are there any options for access via a neighbour's garden... obviously with some kind of (financial) compensation considered?

bts21

Sorry yes there is a back door in the kitchen 

travis-powers

If you factor in the cost of labour hand balling everything through the house, digging footings by hand etc your prospective builder could hire a crane, depends on access and the size of your back garden for storing materials.

naf123

Smash a opening where the kitchen is and they can work through that and rebuild the wall afterwards ?