Building an extension

MasterKZG

Looking for a reliable and well-known builder in the Arklow/Gorey for a 300sq.ft extension.

Plan A - Extend the existing dwelling by 300sq.ft in the rear end, push the existing kitchen/dining area into the proposed area of 300sq.ft.

Plan B - Extend the existing dwelling by 300sq.ft in the rear end of the build.

1- Would i be reastically expecting too much if i ask for a project to be done within the 75-85euro sq.ft quote.

Maximum budget is €26k , could push upwards €30k

RKQ

€75 - 85/sqft could be possible, you won't really know until you get at least 3 written quotes.

There are many factors that affect price -

• location - prices tend to increase the closer to Dublin you are.
• house type - Terraced, detached or semi?
• access to the rear of your house for workmen and materials.
• number of new walls to extension.
• Proposed roof to extension.

LevelSpirit

We got a 350 sq ft extension built this year on Dublin/Meath border and it cost €22K finished apart from kitchen.
This included knocking down existing outside wall to join existing kitchen into extension, knocking and clearing a 10x10 ft conservatory away. Plumbing, Heating, French doors, a little wood stove in the corner and windows, painting and footpath around the outside. The roof was a complicated roof on our. Two sides pyramid shape coming down from the gable. Without this roof it would have been even cheaper.

We put the kitchen in for another €4K.

We got 8 quotes in all and were quoted anything from €40k down to €20k.
We went with the 22k guy because he was doing another extension down the road. We asked him to finish that one, show us (we were very impressed) and quote us on ours.

He quoted €28K and we said "no thanks. Unless you can come back a lot lower we're going with someone else." He came back the following week with €24K. And we then got him down to €22K.

Other builders over the few months after we got quotes kept ringing up and dropping their quotes. Ended up most of them dropped them by around 25%. And we didnt even have to call them.

My advice is get a heap of quotes and just say no to them if they dont suit you. Wait it out and they'll come back to you without you having to do anything. When they are finished phoning back you ring them and ask them if they can do better again. Then you should have near enough to their lowest price. You can then decide who you like.

Definitely dont accept any first quotes and just wait them out.

You being in Arklow/Gorey should beat our price easily as this ours was Dublin prices.

MasterKZG

LevelSpirit wrote: »

We got a 350 sq ft extension built this year on Dublin/Meath border and it cost €22K finished apart from kitchen.
This included knocking down existing outside wall to join existing kitchen into extension, knocking and clearing a 10x10 ft conservatory away. Plumbing, Heating, French doors, a little wood stove in the corner and windows, painting and footpath around the outside. The roof was a complicated roof on our. Two sides pyramid shape coming down from the gable. Without this roof it would have been even cheaper.

We put the kitchen in for another €4K.

We got 8 quotes in all and were quoted anything from €40k down to €20k.
We went with the 22k guy because he was doing another extension down the road. We asked him to finish that one, show us (we were very impressed) and quote us on ours.

He quoted €28K and we said "no thanks. Unless you can come back a lot lower we're going with someone else." He came back the following week with €24K. And we then got him down to €22K.

Other builders over the few months after we got quotes kept ringing up and dropping their quotes. Ended up most of them dropped them by around 25%. And we didnt even have to call them.

My advice is get a heap of quotes and just say no to them if they dont suit you. Wait it out and they'll come back to you without you having to do anything. When they are finished phoning back you ring them and ask them if they can do better again. Then you should have near enough to their lowest price. You can then decide who you like.

Definitely dont accept any first quotes and just wait them out.

You being in Arklow/Gorey should beat our price easily as this ours was Dublin prices.

Did you sought for an Architect for some drawings to provide the builders your extension??? Did it cost much?:

LevelSpirit

MasterKZG wrote: »

Did you sought for an Architect for some drawings to provide the builders your extension??? Did it cost much?:

We got an architect to draw it before we went looking for quotes.
Architect cost €2350 incl submitting the planning application and all costs.
Some architects were quoting outrageous amounts. So we got lots of architect quotes too.

wirehairmax

Sent you a PM I think. I'm not sure if it went though. Give me a buzz if you didnt get anything

puss

Just wondering what time frame it took to finish your extension. I am looking at building a 40m2 extension to the back of my house. (no planning needed). I have a basic drawing from an architect which he says is fine to use to get prices from builders. I would appreciate if you could pm me the name of the builder you used Level Spirit. I am in Meath. Thanks.

Sellphone

Looking at having a utility room added on, size about 1200 sq. ft.
Living quite close to Meath border, on Dublin side. Would we be better getting prices from Meath area rather than Dublin?
Plan is to move all the 'white'machines, cookers etc to the utility, and make more use of the available space in the existing kitchen.

Poor Uncle Tom

Check the size again. 1,200 sq ft utility room?

Mellor

I'd reconsider putting the cooker in the utility room.
Usability wise, it would be a diaster

Sellphone

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Check the size again. 1,200 sq ft utility room?

A zero too far, 120 sq. ft.

wobbie10

Currently in similar position with building extension to kitchen,
Could anyone recommend an architect in the north dublin / Meath area that
might be suitable for a small job like this.

All feedback / recommendations welcome for decent builders also.

Levelspirit could you send me details for the architect & builder you used ?

Thanks all.

Wobbie