Extension

JRJ

JRJ

JRJ

Associate
Joined
21 Oct 2010
Posts
1,458
Looking for anybody who has recently built a modest extension?

We have an architect coming tomorrow for an initial meeting but just looking for anybody's recent experiences that they would be happy to share. I'm hoping to manage it myself but not having done anything on this scale I'm just a little weary.
 
That's a pretty big extension, far from modest. I'm having a ~30m2 2 storey extension being built at the moment. The builder is putting the shell up, fitting the windows, drainage and floor boards but after that I am going to manage it all myself.
have you got planning permission yet?

Find an architect who can do your structural calcs as well and not sub them out (providing that they aren't complicated). I paid the architect £700 for building regulation drawings and calcs.
 
panthro said:
That's a pretty big extension, far from modest. I'm having a ~30m2 2 storey extension being built at the moment. The builder is putting the shell up, fitting the windows, drainage and floor boards but after that I am going to manage it all myself.
have you got planning permission yet?

Find an architect who can do your structural calcs as well and not sub them out (providing that they aren't complicated). I paid the architect £700 for building regulation drawings and calcs.
Click to expand...

who are these architects that are giving people structural calculations?
I know my PI insurer wouldn't be happy with me providing structural calcs and the arb would probably have some serious words with me about it too - the only person that can confirm structural calculations is someone that is qualified to do so - a lot of the time it's straight forward, but working with existing buildings can throw up problems and an architects insurance won't cover any issues caused by incorrectly specified structure
 
I'm midway through a 175m2 extension (2 storey side, rear, loft and garage)

Architect cost 1500 for planning drawings + fees, £450 for building regs + fees

I largely decided what I wanted by looking through local planning apps/new builds of a similar size for layout.
 
the_r_sole said:
who are these architects that are giving people structural calculations?
I know my PI insurer wouldn't be happy with me providing structural calcs and the arb would probably have some serious words with me about it too - the only person that can confirm structural calculations is someone that is qualified to do so - a lot of the time it's straight forward, but working with existing buildings can throw up problems and an architects insurance won't cover any issues caused by incorrectly specified structure
Click to expand...

I think I worded that incorrectly. The architect I had do the work, has a structural engineer that he works alongside who complete the calculations. A lot of other architects I spoke to would just send me onto a separate firm who would complete the calcs on their behalf and I would have 2 invoices to pay. I found it easier and cheaper to have 1 company do the work.
 
That makes more sense - it's likely they just paid the engineer on your behalf rather than you paying separately which at the moment is probably really handy, every engineer we work with is ridiculously busy at the moment!
 
If you manage it yourself the hardest thing to do is trying to co-ordinate the 'people' element. If your builder does most of the work that can be fine, but trying to get a builder, plasterer, roofer, sparky, interior fitters (tilers, joiners etc) can be a nightmare and if one doesn't finish on time that can throw the whole schedule off with people being committed to other jobs/builds.

Thankfully for me the builder did most of the work with the only little hiccup being the floor screeding company missed their date so the bifolding door company install happened before that which meant a bit of adjustment.

My architect was excellent, he did a set of plans, liaised with the planners, did us another set of plans when the first lot got kicked out, did all the planning work again, sorted out a company to do the structural calcs and have a visit with the building inspector and builder on the first day. All for £900 for him and £350 for the structural.

/edit. Should have said, my extension was a 27m2 ground floor off the back of the house including kitchen.
 
Last edited:
We had the meeting with the architect yesterday, we had a good idea of what we wanted before hand and had sketched some plans for him, other than slight amendments and suggestions from him he see's it as realistic and achievable for us.

Just waiting for him to get back now with a full quotation for his work, everything is done in house so nothing is subcontracted out.

I'm hoping to project manage myself, I imagine some conflicts and stuff on the way but I confident I can deal with it.
 
For those having recently used an architect how do these fee's look?

ZaUp3ftl.jpg.png


So far we've only had one quote as we chose the architect whose projects we liked the most, I'm just thinking whether its worth having further quotes?
 
JRJ said:
For those having recently used an architect how do these fee's look?
Click to expand...

MASSIVE (your image i mean) - too slow!

survey looks steep, rest isn't too bad considering you're over 100 sqm, wouldn't normally do a pre-app with an extension but again you are doing something big so probably worthwhile

you should always get a few quotes unless you really want this person to do it and they come recommended
 
From my understanding c) is an optional payment if we decide to do pre-planning.

So £3900 + VAT and at the end I will have all my planning and building regs and plans to hand to a builder?
 
the_r_sole said:
MASSIVE (your image i mean) - too slow!

survey looks steep, rest isn't too bad considering you're over 100 sqm, wouldn't normally do a pre-app with an extension but again you are doing something big so probably worthwhile

you should always get a few quotes unless you really want this person to do it and they come recommended
Click to expand...

Not really recommended, googled local architects and chose a list based on the work they've done, I think the best option is to try a couple just to see how they price compare.
 
JRJ said:
From my understanding c) is an optional payment if we decide to do pre-planning.

So £3900 + VAT and at the end I will have all my planning and building regs and plans to hand to a builder?
Click to expand...

I would double check that as otherwise the actual design phase has no fee against it!
(so it costs more to survey and draw up the existing building than it does to design the new bit)
 
JRJ said:
From my understanding c) is an optional payment if we decide to do pre-planning.

So £3900 + VAT and at the end I will have all my planning and building regs and plans to hand to a builder?
Click to expand...

Building Regulations drawings do not always necessarily mean construction drawings, at least on the engineering side. Double check with your architect.
 
the_r_sole said:
I would double check that as otherwise the actual design phase has no fee against it!
(so it costs more to survey and draw up the existing building than it does to design the new bit)
Click to expand...

I'll drop him an email just to double check.

Just booked two further local architects to come out and quote next week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom