Overview
So our main plan was to build a double story extension at the side and a single story extension at the back. We wanted to create a space for our little boy to play with his toys so always had in our minds that to the right of the front door we would create a play room. This we did.
Upstairs we wanted to create a master bedroom with an en-suite that went from the front of the house to the back. Originally, we designed a small storage space within the bedroom space to use as our wardrobe, but after a lot of discussion we decided to knock through in to the smallest bedroom and use this as a walk in wardrobe. We then blocked the original doorway up to the small bedroom so that the only access to it was in our bedroom. This gave us so much more space in the master bedroom. We also, last minute, decided to have a vaulted ceiling, again to create space. This was definitely the best decision we made.
The single story extension at the back was the biggest transformation.
This was going to be the room we would spend the most time in, so we gave every design a lot of thought. We added a downstairs toilet, a utility room and then created an open plan family living space with a kitchen, living area and dining area. The 5m bi folding doors give us a sense of outside and they add so much light along with the 3 velux windows. Originally we wanted a flat roof extension to have something different, but after a lot of research we decided against this due to insurance purposes and also the cons of having a flat roof such as leaks etc. We went with a pitched roof instead. We had composite decking fitted level with the bifolding doors so that when the doors are open it brings the outside in.
Timescale
So we purchased the property in June 2018 but waited a while to get planning permission. Work eventually started in January 2019 and we were given an estimated completion date of April from our construction company. We were fortunate enough to stay with parents whilst the work was being carried out which was a life saver as we have a little boy who at the time was 3 years old. However, some parts of the renovation are yet to be competed.
In July 2019 our construction company ceased, leaving us with a lot of work still to do on the property. After a lot of blood, sweat and tears and hard work and dedication from ourselves and family members, we moved in at the end of October 2019 with the main living space, bedrooms and the master en-suite completed. The family bathroom, playroom, utility room, front living room, back garden and driveway were jobs for us to work on whilst living in the property.
To date, the only thing left to complete is the front living room. Lockdown gave us the opportunity to do the back garden and the driveway, which otherwise, we probably would have left for another year.
Budget
It’s hard to say how much our budget was or how much we actually spent as we made savings on certain things but then spent more on things like the kitchen. After getting a few quotes from various companies, the estimated cost came in between 80-100k. We wasn’t sure whether we needed new windows but then after speaking to professionals it was highlighted that we did, so that was an added cost. I must say, we got an amazing deal on the windows and bifolds due to having a contact with St Helens Glass. We also didn’t plan to have the roof on the old part of the house done as there didn’t appear to be any problems with it. However, when we realised how different it would look to the new part of the house we thought we might as well get it done now rather than later on down the line. Again this was a great deal due to a contact. We spent more than anticipated on the kitchen because we wanted it to be hard wearing and look aesthetically pleasing, after all, It was going to be somewhere where we would spend a lot of time.
We saved quite a bit of money on the back garden as my husband did most of the ground work with my father in law and my uncle, who is in the construction trade. My uncle then laid the artificial grass for us after my husband managed to grab 20% off the original price. We found most companies who sell artificial grass make most of their money on the labour, so we just did the labour ourselves saving a fortune.
Overall we definitely went over budget but we did anticipate doing this from the start as our budget wasn’t set in stone.
What was the most expensive part and what was your best bargain?
Apart from the actual build itself, the most expensive part would have to be the windows. We had all the windows in the old house replaced and then obviously all new windows in the extension. We decided to get aluminium bifold doors, as reviews recommended these were the best and lasted longer and we went with a matching aluminium kitchen window. We also had a new front door fitted within the package. We decided to go with grey windows which added an extra 10% to the overall cost. Definitely the best decision to go grey, we are the only house on the street to have them.
Our best bargain would have to be our oak dining table and coffee table. We had them bespoke made from a company called RCC Furniture. We shopped around A LOT to find an oak table but they were coming in around £1500-£2000. In the end we paid £600 for both and it was designed specifically to fit our space.
I must also say, our garden bench was a bargain. I originally saw a corner garden sofa that I wanted for £1500. After looking at it closely and after brushing up on his joinery skills due to our cowboy builders, my husband said ‘I can build that’. True to his word he did for £90! I have yet to buy cushions for it, hopefully I will source them before next summer.
Challenges and Obstacles
The biggest problem we had was our cowboy builders of a construction company. At first, work went well and seemed to be on track. Alarm bells starting ringing when we were getting asked for our regular 2 weekly payment when no work had been completed. We were told things like steel beams needed to be ordered in order for the work to go ahead once the weather picked up. We gave the company the benefit of the doubt. Long story short, we found ourselves chasing the construction company daily. It was hard for us to be on site during the day as both myself and husband were at work. Speaking to the neighbours, they would say that the lads came to the job around 10 and left no later than 2 most days. That’s if they even showed up. In July we received a letter saying that they had ceased the company, leaving our house inhabitable and needing a lot of work doing. We chased them up, emailed and rang several times but had no response. My husband did some research and found that this particular company had done this many times before; ceased a company and started up with a new name. When we started the project there were very little reviews on the company, however as the build went on more and more negative reviews came to light.
We came to the realisation that there was nothing we could do and we now had to put our heart and soul into finishing the house so that we could move in with our little boy as soon as possible. My husband watched A LOT of YouTube videos and became a bit of joiner fitting all the architraves and skirting boards around the house. Family and friends came in to help us paint and decorate. We got in touch with the electrician (who was subcontracted by the construction company) to come back and complete the second fix. Our neighbour next door is a bathroom fitter so he sorted out our bathrooms and down stairs toilet. We had to take out an extra loan to complete the work in the end, which was far from ideal, but our priority was completing as soon as possible and moving in.
Looking back, is there anything you would change?
We would probably add a few more inches on to our en-suite. The en-suite is an okay size now but maybe if it was just a little bit bigger it would give more room to move about. I would also probably add a few inches to the utility room, enough so that I could use that room for my ironing and to stand the maide.
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