If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
A great rundown of the basics of a cheaper extension. We soon plan to do a single story extension and have a limited budget. This will really help. Thanks 🙏🏻
Interesting. Can you give detail about why the prefabricated extension wont save any money and why they aren't the answer? We've been getting quotes in and they are considerably cheaper as builders quote's have gone crazy. They also appear to have way better U value's and are just much quicker and more efficient to build. Maybe a video looking into this and all the different technologies that kow exist?
Could I build a timber framed single storey 3m x 6m extension on concrete or steel beams sitting on concrete pads, as opposed to conventional foundations?
I’m exploring garage conversion into ideally a bed room or a living space and bath, in my 3 bed-semi in London but the problem is that current access to the garage (attached to the side of property) is from back garden. So I have 3 options, make a door way from existing kitchen and lose 3 kitchen cabinets and also get a new kitchen or put an expensive extension to the rear of my already extended property and provide access via existing door or extend my current garage to another 4 meter to include an existing side door (external). Last option may be the cheapest but in order to get 2.4m height to classify it a bed room I will need to lift the roof for a meter. I don’t know how much it will cost. Side extension in third option will be about 2.5m so should fall under permitted development but the length added to garage will be 4m. Would this be the best and cheapest option and also not required planning permission? I believe a building control notice should suffice? Many thanks
Thanks for getting in touch, I suggest you consider an online consultation where we can discuss options in detail www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services
Thank you for the video! Like the fact you are present in the videos. Would be nice to see New Home Quality Control guy on your podcast. Discuss the typical construction issues.
Really enjoyed the video and excellent information. I noted you mentioned not considering pre built extensions, ive seen a company on UA-cam callued HUP that does bespoke metal frame insulated extensions..wiuld you include this type in your steer clear group 🤔
Hi I'm looking to build an extension ony mum's house. As I've saved for years but still not enough for a house as rents just to much. Nothing fancy just a livingroom/open plan kitchen bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Would it be cheaper to do 2 storeys or 1. I'm new to all this and it's so Co. Fusing want to get it right first time as mistakes seem costly
Thanks for this. Currently going through a extension Build in Glasgow. Having gone round all options I have ended up with a steel framed timber infill concrete floor square box with loads of glazing and zinc cladding - hmmm.
No. There needs to be a ventilated layer behind the cladding. For zinc, check out the VM Zinc website, lots of technical info on there. Also, you should take advice from an experienced local architect ASAP.
Why would a pre fab kit not work, I am within 8m of oak and sycamore trees from outside wall of extension, could a pre fab kit with steel base not significantly reduce the foundation required and hence cost?
In theory yes but so could a timber frame construction built from loose timber, as is common in Scotland. If build off a steel frame, with pad foundations, as you described. Pre-fabrication is only cheape when mass produced. It works for property developers but not on one-off houses.
I would caveat the "flat roofs are cheaper" scenario to say that they're cheaper if it has a soffit and fascia as opposed to a parapet style and if you don't want any skylights. A lot of builders I know are put off lots of skylights in flat roofs, both from a detailing and longevity point of view.
I honestly can’t begin to express how unworkable those things are. They are too small to be useful and lose structural integrity if holes are cut in them. The only people who push this idea are outside the construction or property industries. You don’t hear larger numbers architects, engineers, contractors and developers demanding shipping containers. I first encountered this idea back in 2002. In the intervening 20 years it has gone nowhere. Put simply, if housing containers were the answer our cities would already be full of them. Rant over.
If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services
Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
A great rundown of the basics of a cheaper extension. We soon plan to do a single story extension and have a limited budget. This will really help. Thanks 🙏🏻
Glad you found it useful
Interesting. Can you give detail about why the prefabricated extension wont save any money and why they aren't the answer? We've been getting quotes in and they are considerably cheaper as builders quote's have gone crazy. They also appear to have way better U value's and are just much quicker and more efficient to build. Maybe a video looking into this and all the different technologies that kow exist?
Excellent Neal. Pure gold.
Thanks
Could I build a timber framed single storey 3m x 6m extension on concrete or steel beams sitting on concrete pads, as opposed to conventional foundations?
I’m exploring garage conversion into ideally a bed room or a living space and bath, in my 3 bed-semi in London but the problem is that current access to the garage (attached to the side of property) is from back garden. So I have 3 options, make a door way from existing kitchen and lose 3 kitchen cabinets and also get a new kitchen or put an expensive extension to the rear of my already extended property and provide access via existing door or extend my current garage to another 4 meter to include an existing side door (external). Last option may be the cheapest but in order to get 2.4m height to classify it a bed room I will need to lift the roof for a meter. I don’t know how much it will cost. Side extension in third option will be about 2.5m so should fall under permitted development but the length added to garage will be 4m. Would this be the best and cheapest option and also not required planning permission? I believe a building control notice should suffice? Many thanks
Thanks for getting in touch, I suggest you consider an online consultation where we can discuss options in detail www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services
Thank you for the video! Like the fact you are present in the videos.
Would be nice to see New Home Quality Control guy on your podcast. Discuss the typical construction issues.
Thank you, I will look into that topic
There is also Asheville on youtube involved in construction and materials.
Really enjoyed the video and excellent information. I noted you mentioned not considering pre built extensions, ive seen a company on UA-cam callued HUP that does bespoke metal frame insulated extensions..wiuld you include this type in your steer clear group 🤔
Hi I'm looking to build an extension ony mum's house. As I've saved for years but still not enough for a house as rents just to much. Nothing fancy just a livingroom/open plan kitchen bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Would it be cheaper to do 2 storeys or 1. I'm new to all this and it's so Co. Fusing want to get it right first time as mistakes seem costly
It sounds like you need a consultation, have you checked out my online service www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services/altering-your-home
Thanks for this. Currently going through a extension Build in Glasgow. Having gone round all options I have ended up with a steel framed timber infill concrete floor square box with loads of glazing and zinc cladding - hmmm.
Sounds nice, do you have photos? Link to an Instagram post?
Hi can u pls provide more detail going thru same pain cheers
How much did that end up costing? I'm trying to work out ball park figures for my extension in Fife.
Very good thanks. With having metal cladding, is it just inner blocks, cavity insulation then cladding as the wall construction?
No. There needs to be a ventilated layer behind the cladding. For zinc, check out the VM Zinc website, lots of technical info on there. Also, you should take advice from an experienced local architect ASAP.
@@RealLifeArchitecture thanks!
This is an excellent video. Thank you so much!
No problem, let me know if you have any suggestions for other topics.
Why would a pre fab kit not work, I am within 8m of oak and sycamore trees from outside wall of extension, could a pre fab kit with steel base not significantly reduce the foundation required and hence cost?
In theory yes but so could a timber frame construction built from loose timber, as is common in Scotland. If build off a steel frame, with pad foundations, as you described. Pre-fabrication is only cheape when mass produced. It works for property developers but not on one-off houses.
This is brilliant. You have a new sub 😂
Welcome to the channel 👍
I would caveat the "flat roofs are cheaper" scenario to say that they're cheaper if it has a soffit and fascia as opposed to a parapet style and if you don't want any skylights. A lot of builders I know are put off lots of skylights in flat roofs, both from a detailing and longevity point of view.
Great advice, much appreciated...👍
No problem
How about a shipping container home as house extension
I honestly can’t begin to express how unworkable those things are.
They are too small to be useful and lose structural integrity if holes are cut in them.
The only people who push this idea are outside the construction or property industries. You don’t hear larger numbers architects, engineers, contractors and developers demanding shipping containers.
I first encountered this idea back in 2002. In the intervening 20 years it has gone nowhere.
Put simply, if housing containers were the answer our cities would already be full of them.
Rant over.
Step 1, get a remote job.
Step 2, move to Portugal.
Step 3, don’t look back.