Single storey extension, how to cut costs??

northender

We have a small extension to our kitchen planned. The end of the current kitchen is single storey, brick with a pitched slate roof. The extension will be a 2 metre extension of that. We have a builder in mind who has given us a quote for doing everything, however we need to cut costs.

So far we are looking at getting reclaimed slates for the roof, possibly getting the bricks ourselves. My dad and dh will get rid of rubble, anything for disposal etc. and could do basic labouring. We know a plasterer who is good and cheap so that could save a wedge too.

Any opinions on this or experience would be welcomed. This is the first time we've had major building work done so we're relative novices.

phill99

Gettingh the bricks yourselves wont save costs. Tradesmen get better prices on building materials than retail customers. Customers seem to make the common mistake that they can get everything cheaper and this isn't the case. Its OK using a plasterer of your own, but you need to guarentee that he turns up when needed, not when he feels like it or this will delay the project and add to the costs. I am always reluctant to use tradesmen on a projet that are directly contracted to the customer. It means the builder has no control over when and if the guy turns up or not. Best thing to do is talk to your builder and to the builder and explain you situation. There maybe things that the builder can identify to save costs that you haven't considered. Also remember that doing a job on the cheap isn't cheap in the long run. Sometimes best to invest up front and not have the hassle of things going wrong in the future.

northender

That's helpful, thanks. Our thoughts re the bricks were that the costs quoted then have the 10% added on for "profits and overheads" and then after that's been added there's 17.5% VAT so the "materials" cost quoted isn't what you actually pay.