My advice would be to leave the major works to a professional builder.  If you're short of money then just get the shell built (i.e. totally finished externally, windows and glass in, sealed up) but don't have anything done internally.

You can then diy at your leisure.

btw foundations can be a nightmare if you're inexperienced, cock that up and the rest is a waste of time.

Sorry One more quick question if possible

I have read on this sight that as a budget figure you can look at about £1000 per sq metre.  If it was a shell build as you suggested, what would be a more reasonable figure

Kind regards

Adrian

When I was younger and even more foolish than now I had an extension built.  I agreed with the builders that I would dig out the foundations [not helped by my mother in law sweeping muck back into the excavation as soon as I shovelled it out.  She really came close to being part of those foundations:-)], lay the concrete for the foundations and also the over site concrete.  This was done with much discussion wth a very friendly local council Builiding inspector.  Laying the foundations was a major effort using as I did a concrete mixer.  I still recall to my shame taking advantage of a work colleague who, in passing, offered to help me.  He had not realised that I had borrowed large industrial lights which allowed me to work into the darkness (no not the group).  He finally got away at about 10-30 as knackered as was I.  Forever after he walked the other way

I did all the fitting out, resiting boiler, plumbing, electrical work etc., other than the plastering - oh how simple and dangerous, was life before Part P and CORGI.  I still go cold at the sight of that little blue flame disappearing down the pipe on its way towards the gas meter (turmed off I may add).

The extension still stands 35+ years on.

But I agree with Jerry D - do the fun stuff and leave the digging, cementation, gas and electrical to the pro's.

Quote:


The bit at the end that involves levering the cap off before applying bottle to mouth  

As a novice who has an extension to start this year you are doing my morale a whole lot of no-good!!

However, thanks in part to this website the house has been wired, plumbed, plastered (badly, in some places, and surprisingly well in others), has a new fire back and surround in the lounge and laminate flooring throughout on part new floorboarding.

I think my current answer to 'what workload for a novice' is anything, given some experience, correct advice, suitable forward planning and a sympathetic building inspector - and a helpful website!!

John Davies

JD, and Theswimmerswimming(TSS) i have a local little builder mate, who when the client/customer asks what can i do to save money, actually has a small meeting with them (once the contract is signed/agreed upon!!) and will nominate SAFE jobs the home owner can actually do for him! this way, not only does the client/owner feel helpful, some of the work has been done at the weekends ready to start off on the following monday, and also the client/homeowner save a bit of their hard earned cash too!!!  and i don't just mean the tea's JD....

and as for the insurance, check to make sure your own (TSS) policy , has a good liabilities clause that will cover your good self when work starts!!! as well as checking the builder you have agreed upon has Public liability insurance too!!!!

As a little tip to anyone employing a builder to do an extension for them, here's what we expect (hope for) on the day we start:

1) All your cars parked well out of the way, preferably not in the driveway.

2) Work area totally clear.  How often have I turned up to start a job and the work area is covered in kids bikes, garden furniture, barbeque, hundreds of pot plants, washing line full of clothes, wheelie bins, that shed you promised would be gone, rabbit hutch etc etc.....

3) Please be out of bed and able to answer the front door!

4) Please have someone available to advise us where we can get water and power.

5) Don't invite relatives to stay in the new bedrooms we are building you - telling us they're coming in three weeks......


I'll add more as I think of them  

Couldn't agree more - in my experience many profesionals will quite happily divide up a job so that DIY'ers can save themselves a bob or two, as long is it is very clear who is doing what. Clearing the site beforehand, plastering, decoration, restoring gardens and turfing afterwards and indeed digging the odd hole can save time and money.  Just don't get under a professionals feet...............A friend of mine let me do all the central heating plumbing in our house,  supplied and fitted the boiler himself and commissioned and tested the system for me.  Friend or not, he downed tools every time I entered (which I did only once or twice) and only picked them up as I left - he can't bear being watched while he is working.  Neither can I, so that's alright!

Bets of luck with the building scheme.    

John D