Would you do a side return build if pregnant? How bad are they? Post Reply

[tin man]

Hello everyone.
We recently purchased a house with needs everything doing to it. 

We want to do the side return and kitchen first but I have just found out that I am pregnant and the timing will mean that it will be happening from when I am round 5 months pregnant onwards?

Everyone seems to say that this build is awful to live through and I am now getting cold feet although my husband wants to push on as we have a builder lined up.

Is it really that bad?  Would love any feedback?

Thanks.

[ASD2023]

If you don't do it now when would you do it? With a baby or toddler underfoot? That would be far worse.
Ultimately do the maths on whether you can afford to move out for a bit (and whether you could do that with a baby or toddler) and think about whether you can just camp out upstairs during the build.
Its a bit grim any which way but think of the long term gain and best time to do it.

[MummyontheGo]

This is exactly when we did ours and it’s the best thing I ever did. They left the day we came back from hospital and I got good value out of our new extension by using it on maternity leave. Totally worth it. Plus the nesting mode kicks in and then I loved it haha! Also once you have kids it will never be a good time. Feel free to msg me

[this_is_cat]

We did exactly this on 2021!

The builders started demolishing our kitchen when I was 6 weeks pregnant with our second, and finished everything when I was 7 months.

We used a local firm called Reliance Design and build, and they were absolutely brilliant. It won’t let me post a link but they are on Instagram as @reliancebuild

Despite unexpected setbacks (cracked drains under the floors, torrential rain delaying the brickwork, huge brexit supply chain issues and a nationwide shortage of plasterboard), they stuck to their predicted timetable and we finished within a couple of weeks of their original estimate.

And we had a lovely new kitchen and refurbished house by the time the baby arrived

My top tip would be to make sure you know what you want as early as possible, and don’t cause any delays by changing your mind on the design or finish. Even a few days debating tiles, position of light switches etc then starts adding up and then has a knock on effect with other parts of the project.
And make sure you have a contingency in case they come across any unforeseen issues so they can be dealt with straight away

Good luck!

[dudette]

We did a big renovation (which included our kitchen and lounge - we camped upstairs) when I was pregnant. They were supposed to finish before my due date but obviously didn’t. Someone else mentioned the nesting instinct and it’s quite strong. My body didn’t want to give birth while we had the builders in so I eventually (temporarily) kicked them out. My baby was very late and I had to be induced and then when she was very little we were still camping out upstairs (we had our bedroom fortunately). If the work will be going on around your due date I would think very carefully about doing it.

[iowfan]

We also did a big side return extension and renovation when I was pregnant and had a toddler.  For us it was absolutely fine, because the building team were so lovely and the project was delivered on time, despite extra problems with drains etc.  One of my all-time fave photos was of my 15 month-old trying to stomp around the then wreck of a kitchen in the kind and rather indulgent builder's size 14 workboots!  One of my least favourite memories of that time is of me, seven months pregnant, on my hands and knees working with my husband to lay underfloor heating matting in a large kitchen, after a day at work, the evening before the floor was going to be laid, to save money.  So my advice is - find a great building team, as far as possible make sure you've included everything in the specification, and budget for it!

[szerma]

We did a side return when pregnant. It all went completely wrong with builders from hell. I also didn’t want to give birth in a house that looked like a building site! And yes there is a lot of work, cleaning, dust, which is not ideal when you are already tired and not sleeping well.

But… there is never a good time to do it and a baby doesn’t need a fully functioning kitchen. So if you are prepared for the very real risk it won’t be finished in time (most projects aren’t), then go for it. Just remember - good builders are booked out months in advance, so if you haven’t yet found someone, you will be cutting it fine - and do a really thorough job checking references, and don’t underestimate the “micromanaging” and mini decisions you will have to make throughout. Best of luck!