With the benefit of hindsight..Mistakes you made: building your own house / extension

S

stapler

Registered User
Messages
19
I will be putting an extension onto my house shortly.

I am interested to know, with the benefit of hindsight, what mistakes did you make when you were building your own house / extension? What do you wish you had done differently?

I will compile a list of any replies received and post it here.

Just to start the list off, when I built a previous extension, I should have made the utility room bigger (at least 11ft x 6ft).
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

With any building works, work out your budget and add on 10% at least contingency, it is always more expensive, there are always extras you want!
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

- not enough plug sockets
- not thinking of all the electrical wires etc that should have been hidden before any plastering was done
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

IMO only...
increasing the communication (pressure) on the builder as the job goes on - i.e. last 30% of job is the most visible part but also the time at which the builder loses interest and starts thinking about next job ... so it is really important to put the hours in at that stage, talking, observing, snagging - keeping them on their toes really - to ensure that the contingency costs and timing of the job stay as close to plan as possible ...
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

There have been a few threads similar to this here. Check out this one specifically on wiring, and this wish list for new houses.
Leo
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

Think very carefully about the direction doors and windows open.

What is your extension for, e.g., kitchen, living area, bedroom?
 
Re: With the benefit of hindsight.... Mistakes you made

TreeTiger said:
Think very carefully about the direction doors and windows open.

What is your extension for, e.g., kitchen, living area, bedroom?
Click to expand...

The extension will add on a living room and dining room.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register