Plus Rooms, Build Team, More Space or My London Extension? Post Reply

[JandS]

I strongly recommend that you find a good architect and then let her/him do the drawings, get planning permission and put the job out to tender and then supervise the job. After planning permission is granted an architect will be sure that the extension that is actually built does not end up having to be taken down and re-built. This way of doing things may be a little more expensive at the outset. BUT you can end up losing tens of thousands of pounds and being unable to sell your house if you do not have an architect supervised job and what is actually built is not passed by the planning officer at the end of the job.

[Scottishdad]

We've gone down the route of getting an architect to help us with planning permission etc as we were keen not to use an all in one design and build company, but are now looking for someone to project manage the tender and build for us. Our architect doesn't do that, so we're trying to find a project manager who can deal with party wall agreements, tendering the work, sourcing certain elements, contracting, budgets and payments etc etc.
We're finding it difficult to identify people/firms who specialise in the management side rather than doing the building as well. any suggestions or recommendations would be gratefully received.

[jamie @ dRAW]

Hi Scottishdad,

We actually cover the project management side of projects and everything you're looking for. It can be tricky sometimes coming in to manage a project that other architects have started due to the liability. We have done this on projects in the past though. It would probably be best to speak with one of the Directors here at dRAW. Please feel free to call the number bellow and ask for Seamus or Adam. Alternatively you can send us an email explaining everything in a bit more detail or you can provide me with your number in a private message on here and I'll get them to contact you.

If nothing else they'll be happy to go through any concerns and questions you may have.

Kind Regards
Jamie

[olive]

Hello Scottishdad,
As I used an all in one company (big mistake) I have never used this but RIC’s website might help? It has “Find a surveyor in your area” search for surveyors who provide many kinds of specialist services. By the way I found a post by Belld in this old thread (http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/mums/view ... 71#p109571)
which is very informative. I wish I had read this before we did ours. Good luck with your project !

[Mills1234]

I've only just noticed this post in most read and would like to second Bel35's warning about My London Extension. David (who is the company) is charming, but ultimately is fundamentally a sales person. His contract removed any liability from him once the builders are on site, and he has worked through at least 3 different builders in the last 4 years. One of which being Acorn who went bust and didn't finish jobs that were underway, including ours. It seemed to be an issue of good builders being over sold/getting too greedy and taking on more than they could properly manage unfortunately.

[Balhammumwithbabies]

Hi
We are 12 wks into a side return and about 4-5 wks to go.
We used our own architect, got planning and then found a project manager who worked with the architect to get it out to tender. She got 3 tenders and we did our own in depth comparison with simply extensions, her guys worked out slightly better (including her own fee) and she'd liaise between them and architect to oversee things.
We compared all her prices with independent supplier/ surveyor/ structural engineer along the way and always very competitive.
Have been delighted with the builders so far - obviously not finished yet- but very considerate and pleasant which has made living in a building site for 3/4 months over the winter with a toddler and heavily pregnant/ newborn far easier than I expected.
Google clara bee project manager and call her for a chat.

[Gemma281]

Can anyone on this thread recommend an architect they have used? We're planning a large loft and side return but are struggling to finalise our plans and would like to take on an architect to move things forward.

Many thanks

[lhw123]

can anyone out there advised us on BUILD TEAM? we'd love to hear any good, bad or so-so feedback about the company. i know that no company will be 100% perfect but we want to do as much research as possible before appointing them. Other companies are mentioned on this website, but Build Team are based in Clapham which must be an advantage to have them nearby.

Thanks
Sunny

[Andrewthomas2000]

Don't bother with plus rooms. We used them for a loft conversion started December 2014, still not finished now in March 2015 and no sign of it being done soon. Project manager may as well not exist for the usefulness he has provided. All work is subcontracted anyway.

[Scribbler]

We used Christian Ducker at GundryDucker for a full refurb including side return. He was completely fantastic, and did everything from design to project management. I have no hesitation in recommending him; in fact we are using him again for our basement project.

[kellyelectrics]

I second all the warnings about big companies - they subcontract staff and vary rarely have good relationships or even meet the peoe working on your property!!

I'm in the trade and I see too many families left distraught after they've had bodge builders, we are forever cleaning up their shoddy work and it's heartbreaking to watch what the families go through. And shocking to see what the builders leave behind the nicely painted walls that you can't see!!!

Please please please be so careful about who you choose, go with a company who has a long standing history of recommendations from people you know or can talk to for references.

I'm a female electrician so I know lots of brilliant trustworthy tradespeople and contractors, if you need any recommendations just get in touch xx

www.female-electrician-London.co.uk
07515145608

Kelly Vincent

[Tigermum]

Hi Dnmama,

Would agree with Claphamfather, the branded building companies have been a bit of a disappointment for us in the past as well. We ended up using Bart: 07872 338 775 http://www.pristinefinish.co.uk for an extension, kitchen and bathroom refurb and some building. If he can't help, he will be able to point you in the right direction, great work, has a lot of time and patience as some of the mums on here know x

[soph]

My husband, a chartered quantity surveyor, runs a small local project management business. He would be more than happy to discuss how he can assist with your projects from start to finish using local architects and builders. If you would like more details please PM me or call/email Andy directly on 07980544809/ andy@runprojects.co.uk Thanks!

[Tash6607]

We have used Plus Rooms on a few occasion and have been pleased with the results. We have had two different teams working on the two major projects we undertook and I would say one was definitely better than the other. Having said that Plus Rooms have always been very quick at returning to fix any snags we may have had. In particular their project manager Daryl is excellent at keeping you informed on progress and returning phone calls ! I would definitely use them again if I need any building work done.

[clarita_red]

We recently used plus rooms for our kitchen extension and were really happy with their service. I found James ( one of the owners ) really helpful at the start when deciding on design etc - he offered up lots of suggestions... Price wise they were competitive & stayed true to their original quote !

We had a project manager assigned to us ( Alex ) who was great - he was on site every week , explained the different stages and if we had any problems quickly got them rectified .

The whole process has been a really positive one and I would highly recommend !

Clare