Rob's Renovation... Part 5! No More Excuses

March 29, 2015 by Rob Kahl

No More Excuses!

That’s it! The time for talking is over, no more excuses. We are nearly ready to start work on our house in what already feels like the largest building project that has ever been undertaken in Leigh.

I appreciate that I may be exaggerating a bit and that my little extension & loft conversion may not be the biggest building project ever, but, it certainly feels like it is and that is before we have even started.

I believe that we have managed to jump through all of the administrative hoops that has been required of us. The architects have been very patient with the thousand stupid questions that we have already asked and we now, have the building regulations for the ground & first floor extensions; something called a certificate of lawfulness from the permitted development rights for the loft conversion.

One last thing that is required apparently is a party wall agreement with both of our neighbours. This should be a formality as we are extending our property to be in line with their already extended homes but, it is another piece of paperwork that needs signing and another expert that needs paying.

Theoretically though we could start work tomorrow!

The next process could be the scariest yet though. We have had builders drawings produced and have already had to decide things like where plug points are going along with T.V’s and washing machines. These new plans should enable prospective builders to give us firm detailed quotes so that we know what bits we can afford and what bits we have to reign back in.

We have had a few guesstimates and quotes written on the back of fag packets but now it is time to get down to the nitty gritty to see what it is all going to cost. It is unfair for builders because as a client, you want them to give you an idea on price as early as possible and as soon as they mention a figure you hang on to that and base all of your plans on it, but, until they get the detailed plans it is really only guess work. No wonder they suck their teeth and scratch their chins so much before committing to a price.

Coincidentally there is a programme on BBC2 that has just started called ‘Britains got the builders in’. My wife is already addicted.

I watched one with her and have point blank refused to watch any more. It follows builders and clients while they have work done and how the relationship between the two parties either blossoms or sours. The only one I saw, everybody fell out with their builders and everybody went at least £25,000 over budget.

The series started with the statement that the stress levels that building work causes are right up there with moving house or getting divorced. Hopefully we will only experience the building work and not the other two!

Ths article is by Rob at Scott & Stapleton Estate Agents
Tel: 01702 47 11 55