First Extension - background reading

First Extension - background reading

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Discussion

John145

Original Poster:

2,447 posts

155 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
I'm thinking of extending our property and was hoping to get some advice on books to read so that I can increase my basic understanding to avoid the avoidable and find the best value for my investment.

We have a semi that is currently over 3 floors with the master bedroom in the roof. It's a new build (3 years old) and I was thinking a 3 part extension:
- Full height master bedroom (currently there is a small dormer for a window but most of the bedroom is restricted by the eves) to allow an en-suite and better storage
- Garage/office to the side - maybe even a full height extension to go from 3 bed to 4/5
- Rear extension, single storey and to the side to connect the office to the rest of the house and increase the square footage of the ground floor by about 10%

Guessing 100-150k!

Cerbhd

338 posts

90 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Always worth getting a local estate agent around to discuss especially if it's not your forever home. They can give a good idea of values before and after.

John145

Original Poster:

2,447 posts

155 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Cerbhd said:
Always worth getting a local estate agent around to discuss especially if it's not your forever home. They can give a good idea of values before and after.
Our next door neighbour has been through the process (adding a half dormer and extending the rear) and needed valuations to secure mortgage money, they've added 25% which has more than paid for the work! This is why I'm particularly keen, it'll be a great experience to manage and may even go as far as effectively paying me a salary to manage it part time.

Lesgrandepotato

371 posts

98 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
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I'd be nervous of doing that on a new build, there is a reason the developer didn't... you'll find a massive difference in costs depending on locality and your involvement. If you are happy to get trades in it'll be much cheaper. If you need it turn key you'll pay for that.

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Always go double storey if possible.

John145

Original Poster:

2,447 posts

155 months

Wednesday 30th November 2016
quotequote all
Lesgrandepotato said:
I'd be nervous of doing that on a new build, there is a reason the developer didn't... you'll find a massive difference in costs depending on locality and your involvement. If you are happy to get trades in it'll be much cheaper. If you need it turn key you'll pay for that.
I should expect all the work will be undertaken by tradesmen with an employed architect and possibly myself as PM - hence the request for background reading material.

omfgmynamewontfi

71 posts

88 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
quotequote all
you could try asking on a car based forum for advice


failing that try a forum more specific to your needs?

TheLordJohn

5,746 posts

145 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
quotequote all
omfgmynamewontfi said:
you could try asking on a car based forum for advice


failing that try a forum more specific to your needs?
fk off. You've been here for a month, just fk off and don't come back.
There's a reason this car-based forum has over 100 sub-forums.

Lesgrandepotato

371 posts

98 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
quotequote all
John145 said:
I should expect all the work will be undertaken by tradesmen with an employed architect and possibly myself as PM - hence the request for background reading material.
I'm doing very much the same thing at the moment, complete gut and rebuild, rewire, total replaster, new slab etc. I'll be back when I'm not snowed under with getting the details sorted for first fix :-)

But basically houses are quite simple machines, its all about being all over the details to make sure you get what you want. So understand downstands / upstands. Floorboxes, UFH, insulation etc then you can talk to the trades and it makes sense.

m3jappa

6,394 posts

217 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
quotequote all
omfgmynamewontfi said:
you could try asking on a car based forum for advice


failing that try a forum more specific to your needs?
Nice input nob pipe.