Side return extension companies Post Reply

[Rodent]

Has anybody got a company they have used / could recommend? We are looking to do one but have an end of terrace Victorian property with the garden to the side and not a single right angle anywhere in the house so need somebody who can think creatively for us........

Thanks!!

[Joannabak]

Try Terra House Ltd .call Darek 07590608845

[PucciniKitchens]

Hi Rodent(!)

We recommend Lee Amis and his company Avalon Developments. He does excellent work and we know he has worked in the Wandsworth area before. His number is 07866 717 037.

Good luck with the project.

[jamie @ dRAW]

Hi Rodent,

I have come across your post with regards to your proposed side return; this is a project we would be able to help you with by the sound of it.

We are a design lead architecture practice based on Old York Road, Wandsworth. We have worked on many side returns and no project is ever the same.

We would be happy to discuss your project with you and go through any queries you may have. Please feel free to get in touch should you wish to talk with one of our architects.

Kind Regards
Jamie

[magnificentseven]

Has anyone used Build Team in the last year ? Can you recommend any one or advise people to avoid please ?

[belld]

Get a design sorted first - then start thinking about builders.
use an architect.
Only once you are best informed on design options, limitations, key factors that are unique to your property, and your aspirations are defined, should you start getting some hard costs in from builders.
At design stage an architect (RIBA registered practice) should be able to guide you on likely costs. once you have design fixed then exercise your right to get quotes - but make sure you are comparing apples with apples. We (atelierdb) provide clients with a scoping document that helps prices be returned without any great unknowns.
recommendations on this website are helpful - but also of course some indeed come from a biased source so do you own due diligence or appoint someone to do it for you - Architects save clients money in the long run - and certainly manage expectations in terms of cost, timings, and quality.
good luck.

[magnificentseven]

Yes - I agree with belld

WE have started down a package route to get the design, engineering & building regs done. Disaster. They want to finish the design before even talking to the engineer - so no options available. I dont even know if they let us talk to the engineer.

Also...The building regs are a package deal that they buy - so were is the unbiased opinion that's its right ? The contract with for the building regs should be taken out by us.

They give vague prices on option of fully glazed roof or velux's etc.

Then the terms are so one-sided that we wonder of they constitute 'unfair terms'. No liability to them at all, yet they design it and say it will work !

Their plans are not accurate .....oh dear

I WISH we had chosen and architect & then engineer and then found builders.

However, we wait to see - we can always abandon the package deal.

[magnificentseven]

Yes but Plus Rooms are just another package dealer with all the design up front.

The point is you need to

1. Think about what you want - your wants/needs

2. Get an expert to see if it will work in CONJUNCTION with an Architect (good for spacial design) AND and engineer (will it stand up, where will the beams and columns be?)

Our problem, and those with the packages deals is that they want the design finished for them to get the engineer to look at. But its catch 22 because you don't know the best design without knowing if it will stand up or you can afford it.

After all I could say I want an completely glazed rear & side extension and no beams showing below the ceiling. That might cost a fortune, and be outside my budget, but that fact only comes up when I have paid for all the design & structural work. So, naturally, I change my mind, and hey-presto the package dealer charges another fee.

That's why you should avoid them and go to an architect & engineer (and I should have been wiser). You may pay for extra time, but at least its at your control.

(PS : I do not work for a package dealer, an architect or an engineer)

[Tigermum]

Hi Rodent,

We used Bart, he was pretty good at answering these kind of questions and we are still happy with his work from last year. Very patient and happy to help, (with a lot of creative solutions and good ideas from him and his team) 07872 338 775, http://pristinefinish.co.uk/ . All the best x

[Ferrywind]

We have done 3 building projects, and for the smallest one made the mistake of using a team who were part of a package deal company (our neighbours had used them and they could do ours after they finished there.
The main problem we had was that our money was paid to the company - the director who we met then essentially sub contracts this work out so when we had an issue afterwards he just directed me to the builders- who were by then hard to get hold of. Eventually it got so bad I complained via social media and he did then finally get another team to sort it out- but I would say not to feel falsely reassured by these companies.
We have used an architect, structural engineer and builder (not part of a firm) in 2 much larger builds and much better result.
If you are concerned about the project management side then you can always additionally hire one and it may even be an advantage that they are not linked to the builders etc as more likely to spot any problems in the process too.
I'm not going to recomnend anyone or criticise personally as this is more a general warning about these all in one companies.
Appreciate it seems the easier option but even with recommendations you might not actually get the same building team.
Good luck with it whatever the outcome

[Davinao]

Huge recommendation for Ronnie Beacon at Bygga
He did our side return from inception to finish and solved all kinds of idiosyncratic challenges in a brilliant fashion
His team are wonderful polite and super hard working too
You can reach him at ronbeacon@yahoo co uk

[balhamkidwrangler]

Definitely do not use Increase Space! The build leaders are useless and rude. They say they always finish early or on time, but they run over by months, are impossible to get ahold of, don't show up for weeks and weeks, and don't seem even remotely aware of building regulations. Avoid unless you want to be delayed and frustrated for months and months and end up managing the build yourself. The only thing they haven't done wrong is running off with the money. Not cowboy builders, just incompetent and rude.

[Sarahsea]

Try Bashtan - http://www.bashtan.co.uk/
They did a job for me and were great. I've used a number of builders before and this company was by far the most honest, reliable and quality of work was very high. I missed them when they left.

[RupertRedBox]

Hi

We may able able to help you (or point you in the right direction). We are a building and refurbishment/decorating company based in Fulham and you can have a look at the kind of work that we do on our website (www.redboxlondon.com). We are also Which? trusted traders and you can find us on the Which? website. I would be happy to chat to you about your particular requirements - you can call me on 0207 381 1539 at your convenience.

Rupert
(RedBox Builders)

[kiwimummy]

Nice to see a lot of first time posters taking the time to tell us what a wonderful experience they had with Plus Rooms.