Right, I've had enough. I have planning permission to build an extension to my house?

Question

BUT, for the fifth time, I've been let down by a builder. Suddenly putting another £5000 or so on the price, or suddenly deciding that they can't do it till.... whenever... Groundwork.. as far as I can see, its basically diging holes. I'm not being flippant here, but I have 4 strong lads, a fair bit of land to put topsoil in, a trailer to take rubble and stuff to tip 1/4 mile away, and I feel like tackling it myself, then getting in brickies and plumbers etc etc... I'm I mad? any encouraging words out there? I've been quoted £12000 just for the groundwork.. starting whren they feel like. I'm so fed up

someone asked were I live, it's North Wales

Answer 1

You might surprise yourself with what you are capable of. Seams like you have got the man power problem sorted already. Hire a mini digger, make sure the area you want to dig is free of any under ground hazards,cables, drains etc. Read the plans that you have had drawn up. Dig down to the stated depth and line the trenches. Get the building inspector to check the work. Order in the correct spec ready mix and pour. Have a vibrating poker available to push into the concrete to remove any trapped air. Use a float to give it a good smooth finish. Let it cure for a few days before laying correct block work up to just below ground level. Don't forget the building inspector is there to help you with the job, so use him as much as you need to. Good luck and get stuck in.

Answer 2

I'm a contractor in the states so I don't know if the quotes are fair or not, nor do I see the property that has to be prepped, but if you already have a house on it, I can't see a reason, legal or otherwise why you can't AT LEAST do your own grading.

Without knowing your zoning laws or code issues in your locale I suppose you might have to have permits and inspections for the actual addition you want to construct, for those various trades.

Certainly any slab/foundation would have to be up to codes as well, but you can subcontract out as much or as little of the work as you want, as long as you remain within the legalities already established.

Steven Wolf

I will offer this thought however. It isn't uncommon for a contractor to increase or submit what seems like a HIGH monetary amount IF they really don't want the job.

Answer 3

From a Contractors point of view: When I hear stories like this, I suspect that the person telling the story does one of two things:

1) They "add" things on to the project after the bid is submitted. Now, they may think it was included in the original bid, but if it isn't in the contract, it wasn't. So the Contractor submits a "Revised bid", and sure, that might be $5,000 more.

2) As the Contractor gets to know you better, it becomes apparent that you are going to be "difficult" to work with. This doesn't necessarily mean he thinks you aren't a "nice" person, but in one way or another it becomes clear you are going to take a lot of extra time, which, in contracting, is, quite litterally, money. There are a thousand things that can give this impression. The first sign is complaining about other contractors. Not that their aren't bad ones, but, from our point of view, there are plenty of "bad" customers.

3) This one is possible, too, though less likely. Steven W. is right. We WILL submit a high bid if we really aren't enthused about the job. But that's rare. And it means too much is unknown for a lower bid, usually. If we don't want the job, we'll say so, almost always. And feel good about saying it, too.

Just my two cents.

No one has walked away, or "upped" the bid, after a contract has been signed. You've received "Revised" estimates. They are "revised" because you added something.

Good luck building your own addition. It's doable. But, looking back, unless your are "handy" to begin with, it's nowhere near as simple as digging a hole, and hammering some nails. Most peoples time is worth quite a bit more than the time they will spend on the project itself. Few people who hire a Contractor make less than the Contractor, and even those who do would take, on average, three times as much time as the contractor to do the same work, which means, effectually, the job will have cost you three times more, in your own time. Work some overtime at whatever it is you do, and hire someone to do what they do.

And get everything in writing. The biggest problem with customers and contractors is each understanding EXACTLY what is covered in the job. That's easy, you put it in writing.

And for what it's worth, any bid is (roughly) about 60% materials, 40% labor, and profit (70/30). So, on a $12,000, building it yourself won't save $12,000, it will save $4,800. But wait! Contractors get discounts of, about, 15%. So, in reality, you will only save $3720. So the question you should be asking yourself isn't whether you should do it yourself and save $12,000, but whether you should do it yourself and save $3720 (as you won't get our discounts on materials). Is your time worth more than $3720?

Answer 4

Basically you should be OK but building inspector will want to keep a close eye on things. Most of the good builders merchants Wickes, Jewsons, Travis Perkins have "How to do it" PDF files on their websites, check these out and then decide if you can do it yourself. Drainage is also a bit more difficult. Where are you based £12,000 for the foundations sounds extortionate unless you are building a mansion.
Concrete about £60 per m3, Reinforcement about £750 a tonne.

Answer 5

That must be very frustrating. When we built out extension we did exactly what you are thinking of doing. Each stage we organised ourselves. It took a bit longer perhaps but it did get done. Even then the bricklayer let us down a couple of times by going home for lunch and "accidentally" getting drunk. He was suprised we didn't pay him for full days on those days. I wouldn't recommend trying to dig the footings by hand though, consider hiring a mini digger, it'll get the job done in no time.

You can do it yourself, it isn't rocket science, and there's loads of help and advice out there for people who self build. The main problem you are likely to find it keeping the momentum going and getting the timing right for all the different workmen but if you write a realistic schedule, and stick to it, you should be fine.

Good luck

Answer 6

a skilled ground worker with a mini digger could do the lot in a few hours for 500. i'd do it for 1000 including the foundations. pity your in wales, im in ireland. at most it should'nt cost more than 8 grand for the full job. 2 brickies and a skilled labourer/groundsman could do it in 2-5 days for about 10 grand. but above all else you need a skilled! groundsman; drainage pipes and fresh water pipes and all that. shop around for quotes and keep it between you and the lamp post as far as the taxman is concerned.

Answer 7

Do it yourself - I did.

Tell your local authority building control, they are usually helpful and will let you know what they need to see, my building inspector offered advice as well as checking all was OK.

Rather than get your 4 lads digging get them a wheelbarrow each and hire a mini digger to fill them.

Only thing you really need to check is the location of underground services, if you damage them there could be a hefty bill. The utility companies know where their stuff is buried and will let you have the information for a nominal fee.

Good luck, buy me a drink on the ten grand you will save.

Answer 8

telephone your community authority making plans workplace and ask them the utmost length conservatory that would not require making plans permission. Then ask them to look into in case you think of your neighbour's conservatory exceeds the suitable discern. If it desires retrospective PP you will get a word from the l. a. which provides you with an danger to submit your objections, in case you so pick. it extremely is then as much as the making plans Committee to compliment to grant permission, or refuse. If refused it extremely is going to the two could be changed or bumped off as required.

Answer 9

Go for it but try and get someone who can give you some assistance but not actually do the job for you. My Mother-in-law got a concrete mixer for her 40th birthday and helped build the house that she used to live in! She is now 64 and in the last five years has helped her grandson (25) put an extension onto her house and is currently working on another smaller project of adding a porch to the outside of her house. Go for it but be careful - seek advice and assistance when you need it.

Answer 10

Plenty of people build their own houses, literally. You should check out some of the self build magazines and books available and see what they have to say about groundworks. As long as they are regularly checked to make sure they comply with safety regulations, I wouldn't see a problem with you doing it yourself.

Have a look at:
Self-Build
Build it
Homebuilding and Renovating.

Good luck.