Is it cost effective to get extension and reno done by same

purrfection · Oct 26, 2015 4:42 pm

I am extending out and then also doing a reno on the existing house. it has to happen in that order and it was suggested to me by my draftsman that it would be cheaper to get whoever does the extension to also do the updating (kitchen, bathroom, ensuite/WIR, flooring, painting, etc.)

I thought it would make more money sense to separate one from the other. what's your personal experience/professional opinion?

thanks.

StructuralBIMGuy · Oct 26, 2015 8:23 pm

Hi purrfection
Will you be selecting the Builder or will the draftsperson tender the design/build out to a number of builders for quotes.... Just curious?

purrfection · Oct 26, 2015 8:27 pm

I'll be choosing the builder after pimping out the design for quotes myself.

purrfection · Oct 26, 2015 8:28 pm

he did say he had a few he could refer me to... and only now I just understood why you asked.

StructuralBIMGuy · Oct 26, 2015 8:34 pm

purrfection

I'll be choosing the builder after pimping out the design for quotes myself.

Ha Ha, like your style

All Good..steer clear of hidden commissions (that aren't disclosed to you) paid by builders to designers
That money is best in your pocket...

dolphinblu · Oct 27, 2015 2:53 pm

We have recently completed a similar job. We went with the one builder completing the whole job and that is also how the tender went out. One persons responsibility and one persons job to know the whole construction/ reno job. Less chance of stuff ups along the way and one communication point to have things rectified if required.

We did get the designer to put the job out to tender. We asked them to send it to companies they have worked with in the past and also send it to builders that were recommended to us by friends.

In the end pick the less stressful option.

Good luck.

purrfection · Oct 27, 2015 3:39 pm

thanks dolphinblu.

did your builder complete the extension first and then do the reno part as a second stage or did you live through your whole house under attack at once? I'm trying to get a feel for the level of inconvenience involved.

dolphinblu · Oct 30, 2015 11:34 am

During the tender process a couple of the builders quoting did advise that it would be a quicker process if we were able to move out. For example all demo could be completed at once, trades when on sight can complete/ install most of the requirements without having to work around us and also if it rained at all during the construction process they can still work in the existing house.

We were lucky though because we were able to move in with family for the 5 month process. If we had to pay rent we would have tried to stay and save the rent money.

I have a friend who is currently renovating and extending upstairs whilst living in the house. I know she is forever removing dust and cleaning the toilet they are sharing with their builders :-)

Builders are finishing off the extension upstairs and then they will move up whilst the builders complete the required works to the downstairs section.

Main inconveniences I would think are having kitchen/ bathroom facilities ( I have another friend who stayed during her reno/ extension and the only place she had to clean kitchen pots, utensils etc was the bath tub), the amount of dust (which was a factor to us because I am allergic) and sharing any bathroom facilities with your builder (sorry but they can be filthy).

Also if you have any young kids- ensuring they remain safe on what is essentially a building site and if god forbid someone gets hurt what are the legal ramifications for the builder?

Good luck.

purrfection · Oct 30, 2015 12:01 pm

ugh... I would gladly pay for a portaloo to avoid that.

all valuable advice, thanks. sounds like some major work was done to your home; we are tacking on a few rooms and a deck so it *shouldn't* be as disruptive unless they do the kitchen at the same time, which would also leave us without a laundry and bathroom. hope not!