inky pete Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 We're looking to have a dormer conversion plus conservatory put on our bungalow this year and have estimates from a couple of local builders. I say quotes, so far they have all consisted of just a one line text message with a price. No detail, no description of what is included and what is excluded, no mention of structural engineers costs or planning/building control fees, nothing. So far, I'm not terribly impressed. What I'm looking for is a company to take on the whole project, deal with architects or structural engineers, deal with planning and building control, commit to a timescale (since we'll have to move out while it's done), build the thing, and deliver it to me finished so we can just get on with living in it. Anyone got any recommendations of a Warrington area firm who could do this? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Inky, Before getting full blown quotes, I would get an architect in to do some drawings so that whoever you get in to build it knows exactly what you are expecting to get. Baz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wireboy Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Hello Inky, As Baz J says get an architect to do the drawings for you. Tell him how exactly you want it and he will draw it. Expect to pay the architect around the £400-£600 mark. You might get it cheaper if shop around. You then present these drawings to builders and they quote from that. Just be careful about cowboy builders. There is plenty of information available on the web with reviews about builders so be sure to always check them out before taking them on. Ratedpeople.com is a good also findatrade.com. They all have reviews good and bad from previous customers so it does help. Some builders come with there own structural engineers some don’t. If you have to get one yourself there are plenty about and easy to find. Again there fee will be few hundred pounds. Good luck. A job like this is a lot of paper work, expense and frustration but the end result will be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Tessla Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I knew someone who worked in waste management , but he was always down in the dumps - so he decided to go up in the world and went into loft conversion. He's previously failed at selling pasties that had beef at one end and apple at the other, he couldn't make both ends meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 What I'm looking for is a company who have, or can recommend, their own architect or structural engineer. I know exactly what we want to achieve, I just want someone to take the project on, do the structural calcs, produce the drawings, take it through planning and building control, and then build the bloody thing and carry away a big pile of my momey. What I don't want is lots of different fingers in the pie, because that just leads to mis-understanding and cost over-runs when all the different trades involved fail to talk to eachother. If they're all working for the same firm then none of that is my problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 What I'm looking for is a company who have, or can recommend, their own architect or structural engineer. I know exactly what we want to achieve, I just want someone to take the project on, do the structural calcs, produce the drawings, take it through planning and building control, and then build the bloody thing and carry away a big pile of my momey. What I don't want is lots of different fingers in the pie, because that just leads to mis-understanding and cost over-runs when all the different trades involved fail to talk to eachother. If they're all working for the same firm then none of that is my problem. I have a contact who is an architect and project manager who can put the whole project together for you if you want to PM me I will pass on details on Monday - and he is local! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 If it’s already a Dormer bungalow it shouldn’t be too difficult as all the stairs and stuff is already in place. I was in exactly the same situation when I moved into my Dormer needing a conservatory and a bit more living space. I did my own conversion that didn’t involve any structural work and other than a bit of plastering and the fitting of Velux skylight, all the jobs were not too difficult. If you’d like to see how it looks and how I did it Inky your more than welcome to come and have a look. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted January 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 It's the dormers plus conservatory that we want put onto it. At the moment it's a true bungalow - the only one left on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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