Home extensions

[eek]

one thing to check is that some roads may have a plausible maximum value. If all the houses on the road are 3 bed semis the 5 bed semi won't be worth much more than a 4 bed one....

[Antman]

Generally more bedrooms add value, but you have to look at the other stuff too. So do you have enough parking spaces for the new sized house? Enough bathrooms? 3-bed to 5 bed with still only one bathroom wouldn't work for me.

We've just done a ground floor extension, the increased floor space has paid for itself, going up a floor would have meant an extra bedroom but awkward shaped rooms and associated problems (one room with a roof window because no normal window space available) meant we canned the idea.

[sasguru]

We currently want to do some extensive renovations/extensions.
The problem is that all the good builders are busy for months in advance.
Immigrants taking jobs?
I don't see it, at least down south - there are so many infrastructure/building projects going on that there's a shortage of all tradespeople.

[Project Monkey]

Just a few thoughts:

1: Start building before you've decided what you want it to look like -why waste time, let's get started.

2: Don't bother with designs or planning - just say it's an Agile project, no need for paperwork and it'll be done much quicker.

3: Pay for a 6 project managers, but ignore them and talk direct to the builders.

4: Sign up under a T&M contract, much more flexible and you don't want to upset your builders.

5: Use a offshore builder: cheap now is cheap for ever.

6: Leave the builders to get on with it and sign it all off at the end - don't worry, if there's anything you don't like it can be changed later.

FTFY - since most of us work in IT.

[Halo Jones]

FTFY - since most of us work in IT.

You would be surprised by how much that applies in construction

[sasguru]

You would be surprised by how much that applies in construction

Do you know any firm who could project manage extensive renovations with a turn-key solution (e.g. demolishing supporting walls, complete gutting and renovation of kitchen and dining space, brand new windows, garden landscaping etc) ? In the Surrey area?

[Pondlife]

Federation of Master Builders do a free "plain english" contract you can use and have a find a builder section

Free Contracts

[sasguru]

Federation of Master Builders do a free "plain english" contract you can use and have a find a builder section

Free Contracts

Yes I was looking for an FMB - the 4 I contacted are too busy/work is to small for them - and I reckon its a £50-100K job

[ZARDOZ]

Federation of Master Builders do a free "plain english" contract you can use and have a find a builder section

Free Contracts

The FMB used to be a bit of a joke. At one time almost anyone could join. Maybe it's moved on since then.

OP should maybe think about employing some builders from oop north? Will be cheaper.
Put the job on MyBuilder.com and would probably get a few bites.

[eek]

The FMB used to be a bit of a joke. At one time almost anyone could join. Maybe it's moved on since then.

OP should maybe think about employing some builders from oop north? Will be cheaper.
Put the job on MyBuilder.com and would probably get a few bites.

Would you really want a builder who isn't good enough to get work locally?