DIY to reduce cost of an extension

Beenshute · 11 Jul 2019

I have planning approved for a two storey extension 9.6m x 6.5m but having received quotes from builders has resulted in a heart attack, with prices much higher than expected. I am a DIY novice but willing to take on anything that I could be capable of doing. Does anyone have any ideas of where I could look to cut costs? Any advice appreciated!

paulrockliffe · 12 Jul 2019

Everywhere. Those numbers are insane.

You could start by not having the roof gilded, I presume that's how you've ended up at over £60k for the roof? And nearly £20k insulation. WTF.

Harry Bloomfield · 12 Jul 2019

Have you got the decimal points in the wrong places? That is ridiculous.

Notch7 · 12 Jul 2019

what sort of builder? -is that a big firm with offices, contracts managers etc?

a quick add up makes it around £275k.....

A high spec job could be that, but a 2 storey extension could also be £100k to £150k

the figures dont make sense -why is there £47k for PC sums -is that for kitchen and bathrooms or something?

To cut costs:
Get a trusted local 1 man band builder with subbies that does 1 job at a time.

Simplify the job -get the builder to do the shell, electrics plastering you sort out tiling, fittings, maybe windows and doors

JP_ · 12 Jul 2019

Get some more quotes.

I saved with cheap kitchen (bought units, builder's chippy fitted them - cost was about £2k)
Did all the decorating myself.

But that quote is silly.

Brigadier · 12 Jul 2019

Notch7 said:
what sort of builder? -is that a big firm with offices, contracts managers etc?

a quick add up makes it around £275k.....

A high spec job could be that, but a 2 storey extension could also be £100k to £150k

the figures dont make sense -why is there £47k for PC sums -is that for kitchen and bathrooms or something?

To cut costs:
Get a trusted local 1 man band builder with subbies that does 1 job at a time.

Simplify the job -get the builder to do the shell, electrics plastering you sort out tiling, fittings, maybe windows and doors

I agree that the figures are stupid, even to my DIY eye, but....

...when pricing extensions / loft convertions etc, do builders look at what it would cost you to move into the finished article, then come in just enough below to make the work just about worth it, compared to moving house?
Could that be what's going on here?

pilsbury · 25 Jul 2019

Sounds like that builder doesn’t want the job.

garyo · 1 Aug 2019

I'd be fascinated to see how a realistic quote breaks down, having never seen one.

geraldthehamster · 1 Aug 2019

How can a roof covering cost 55k?

JP_ · 1 Aug 2019

Maybe those Tesla solar panel tiles?
Helipad?

JP_ · 1 Aug 2019

That builder is missing a trick actually. He has External Cavity Walls. £27,300.

What he should do is quote:
Outer Wall £12,000
Inner Wall £12,000
Cavity £9,000

And he'll get another £6k

Londoner2 · 21 Aug 2019

You need to get 3 more quotes.

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DIY to reduce cost of an extension

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