My Single Story Rear Extension

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4 Jan 2014
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Norfolk
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United Kingdom
Moved into a 1970's detached house about 6 months ago. Have two young kids and a partner and always intended to add a rear extension to increase size of kitchen/dining area.

I have got architects drawings, approval for permitted development and approval from building control. The size of the extension is about 37m2 and I will have to do it all myself as we have no money to employ a builder!

I have so far started to clear the site, rip up patio, dig down to find drains, cost materials and find suppliers.

 
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Going to be a big project!
 
Haha - I would like to think that by next Christmas we can use the kitchen and have people over for Christmas dinner! Time is the biggest issue. I've put up some lights and just received some tarpaulins to make a temporary shelter so the rain and the dark doesn't stop me. I've been doing bits in the evenings after the kids go to sleep but no rush yet as just trying to plan in a weekend to get the digger in and get the foundations dug!
 
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Should be good when done, adding a lot of space there. Take lots of pics and keep us updated.
 
I shall be eagerly following this thread. Good luck fella. Keep us updated.
 
Haha - I would like to think that by next Christmas we can use the kitchen and have people over for Christmas dinner! Time is the biggest issue. I've put up some lights and just received some tarpaulins to make a temporary shelter so the rain and the dark doesn't stop me. I've been doing bits in the evenings after the kids go to sleep but no rush yet as just trying to plan in a weekend to get the digger in and get the foundations dug!

When I was building a garden cabin earlier this year, I bought a headlamp -I found it absolutely brilliant for working as it gets dark. Much more convenient then a site lamp which never seems to be in the right place. I found the headlamp gave a broad enough light for where Im working and of course as soon as you turn your head, the light follows. Mine was about £30.
 
I bought a headlamp this year just for the BT cable in the loft. Now use it whenever going to the loft or shed. Amazing. My son had one that I used to borrow, but this is much better. I didn't pay much, can't remember where from either
 
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Trying to get ready to do the drains and foundations in a few weeks. One of the jobs was to sort out the soil stack that was built into the wall of the house. It was also in the wall that I want to knock through. So I decided to keep the vent but just tee off it to the outside where I will run it about 3 meters across and down to the drain.

At the moment it's just dropping down temporarily.

 
Been digging out the foundation for last three days solid! I have a cover over the whole lot to keep rain off but still had trenches collapse. At one end I'm digging about 1.5 meters down I'm then adding two steps and digging about a meter at the other. The ground us generally good but have found a lot if very soft sand which isn't fun. Also managed to replace the main clay drain with plastic. Hopefully on Monday I will be pouring (currently Friday).

 
That’s a weird place for a soil vent pipe.

You must be enjoying the digging :)
 
So I have started laying trench blocks! THis is the first time I have layed them and the last time I did any brickwork was about 15 years ago and that was only for a couple of days.

They are much heavier than expected, especially when in the trench with noweher to move. I started with the bigger corner which is 5 deep and then did the smaller corner which is only three deep. Somehow I have managed to be about 10mm higher than what I wanted one end and 5mm higher the other end! Its a learning curve and I should have paid more attention but I will have to sort it out with the rest of the laying.

Hopefully get some more done this week..

 
Well done m8

I agree the Trench blocks are a right & %+@# in confined areas, I laid them in my footings, one end is below ground and the other above due to the demo work but they were heavy and just made heavier with the rain.


Scaff
 

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