Checkatrade?

[Crizzy]

So it looks like I am running out of options for deciding on a contractor to do our double storey house extension.

I've run into so many dead ends when getting people to quote, even from companies recommend by friends.

We are still waiting for quotes from 2 companies, one came out to assess the property at the end of May. I know everyone is really busy right now but it's been almost 10 weeks now, it feels like they aren't interested in the job anymore.

So I'm beginning to wonder where else I can look to get a quote and schedule someone to begin work, I can only think of checkatrade? But with such a big project I need someone with a reliable track record, and not sure if 20 reviews on checkatrade would be sufficient.

So far I'm 9 months in to exploring potential extension opportunities and so far all I have is an initial set of architect plans, this is such a long process!!

 

[Crizzy]

Has the architect recommended anyone?

We are 8 weeks in and it was all a ball ache finding someone to take the job on. But we found someone in the end. Just got to stick with it.

Yes we tried a couple of companies recommended by the architect, same story really still waiting for the quotes to come in.

This probably isn't the answer you want to hear but I personally wouldn't be doing an extension at the moment. Material prices are increasing rapidly, availability/logistics of materials is becoming a problem and the market is extremely busy. Even companies as big as Kingspan have had to delay all their orders and most decent builders have work planned in through to 2022.

You'll end up paying more and risking having a half built extension waiting on materials which could be an absolute nightmare on a two storey extension.

We plan to do an extension but will be waiting at least 12-18 months to see what the market does.

You are probably right, it's been a perfect storm with Brexit and Covid, but unfortunately we have a growing family and need the space. We've even tried moving house but one deal fell through and nothing suitable has come up since.

Unfortunately we don't really have the luxury to be able to wait so we might just have to just suck it up