House Renovation - any advice / recommendations? Post Reply

[rossmalone]

Hi all,

Design and Build companies are OK in certain situations. With my company we offer both. I would say the design and build service is beneficial for clients on a budget or know exactly what they want. If you're building something special, just for you than I would 100% recommend an Architect designed project.

The builders design perspective can be a little dull / easy build route, not creating what you want which for someone like a landlord adding space is not an issue and keeps cost down.

I can see the reasoning behind why you would want an external 3rd party managing but would avoid the architect as the architect is naturally biased to their design and will continue to champion it even when the client doesn't want it or it is just not working. An unbiased 3rd party with no interest in either builder or Architect could help you get what you want if you feel this is necessary. This is something that I have been asked to do increasingly over the past 12 months.

Find the right building company, than you should not need external management and avoid the additional cost.

Best of luck with the project.

Ross

[actuallyadad]

My advice is just don't bother doing it. It's such a massive hassle. Builders are all annoying. It always costs more than you think and takes longer. We did it all and I'd wouldn't bother again, especially now values here are flat. Re-paint and buy a new kitchen, then just forget grand design dreams, avoid party wall awards, planning battles, lorry loads of steel, dust, "it'll be done next week love!" builders and just take some more holidays, pay off your mortgage etc etc - I think that would buy you more happiness!

[SomethingForKate]

Hi all,

My first post as I'm just about completing on a house purchase in Tooting, a purchase that was based upon extending. I didn't want to start a new thread as I know there's a lot on this topic.

The house is a standard L-shaped Edwardian terrace and we need to do a loft conversion and a kitchen extension / side return.

I've seen a lot of conflicting views on doing things separately vs. using D&B firms. I guess when it comes down to it, our limitations are:

- We cannot project manage ourselves as we both work highly demanding full-time jobs
- We have a limited budget, probably not enough to do both of the major works we would like to be honest
- We need to get as much of this work done as we can afford upfront following getting the keys - we don't need to live there right away, but soon!
- We are after very common extensions:

• 1. A loft conversion with 2 bedrooms and 1 separate bathroom
  2. A wrap-around L-shaped side return & kitchen extension + kitchen fit that looks like this: http://www.chrisdyson.co.uk/Projects/Whistler-House

- D&B firms seem appealing as we can get a good idea of total cost upfront vs. managing different parties

Given my thoughts, does anyone have any advice at all?

Also, we'll be getting people in ASAP to quote. Here is a list I have so far, would anyone strongly suggest I avoid any of these or have any specific recommendations?

Lifestyle Design + Build: http://www.lifestylebyasq.co.uk
Plus Rooms: http://www.plusrooms.co.uk/
nuspace: http://www.yourloftconversionlondon.co.uk/
Simply Extend: http://simplyextend.co.uk/

Thanks!
SFK

[VRB]

Hi SFK

I am also new to NVN, but we have just been through this process renovating our last house (just moved). We used the D&B route last time because, like you, we needed to know exactly how much it would cost and you have a fixed price with (most) D&B firms, plus this sort of building work is so common that we didn't think it needed a full architectural service. In our new house, which will be a longer project, the works will be much more complex and need more imagination, and so we will use a "proper" architect.

We used Simply Extend and I have to say our experience was absolutely fine - frankly, much better than a lot of friends had with other such companies. Having said that, I doubt there is a building firm around that someone hasn't had a bad time with - building works are incredibly stressful and, whichever firm you use, you need to keep a close eye on them and keep communicating. I would therefore go with whichever firm you get on best with.

If you don't have the money / inclination to do both the kitchen and loft extension together, my advice would be to start with the kitchen (unless you urgently need extra bedrooms). A larger, new kitchen will completely change the way you use the house - plus a kitchen extension is a huge upheaval and quite difficult to live through (although we did) with more dust than you can imagine. In comparison, a loft extension is pretty easy.

Hope that helps...

VRB

[APT]

Hi,

We are a local design and build team based in Clapham Junction, all of our staff are in house, Please feel free to view our website www.aptrenovation.co.uk if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself on 0207 223 6417.

Kind Regards

Hannah Price
Office Manager