How to COST and BUDGET a house extension - Pricing document download EXPLAINED

Here I’ll take you through my pricing spreadsheet and what’s required.
You can use this for garden rooms, house extension, attic and loft extensions and conversions.
I’ll show you how to set the tool up, and how to adjust it for you own particular project, and then how to add materials and labour to give you an exact cost. This will help you avoid square metre pricing which is a less accurate way for your home and self builds.
If you could hit the “thanks” button above and make a tiny donation, I’d be very grateful, there was an awful lot of work to get to this point, over many projects and several years. Otherwise just hit me a like and I’ll be very grateful, since that makes a difference as well.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
To see how this Works in a real world situation, see my video here.
How much did I pay to build this HOUSE EXTENSION? Full price, cost breakdown
• Cost to build this HOU...
To see how I use it to price a particular trade, in this case electrical work (go easy on me Mr Electrician..) see my video here
Safely run electric cables for your house extension, all you need to know.
• Safely run electric ca...
Any questions, let me know in the comments.

[@daraconnolly4158]

Thanks a million, a great resource for one to have before starting out on this daunting journey!

[@build-better-things]

Daunting but…rewarding hopefully. Thanks for the contribution. Really appreciated.

[@asif530]

Wow I just hope this channel grows. You are doing an amazing service. Can't thank you enough. All the best

[@SergeiArkadjevich]

I like what you do here.
Catch a Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@YoB-g7o]

Thanks!

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much.

[@dwayneharris4787]

Thank you!!

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much.

[@Prakriti-Architecture]

Many thanks! Finding your channel quite helpful, especially when starting out with independent projects in Extensions designing. Given the Market conditions since last 2 years, getting anything done is so expensive and from client's perspective that directly affects into deciding whether to hire an architect. Keep your videos coming.

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much for your support and let me know if I can answer any questions

[@simonchis9333]

This is amazing! Many thanks.....

[@build-better-things]

Thank you too

[@kieranclark5192]

Appreciate what you're doing so much chap 🙌 Legend 🤙

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to comment. Appreciate it.

[@richardcstockley]

This is amazingly useful. Thanks for sharing.

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot for the comment.

[@Kirtpincott12]

Amazing thank

[@drewan64]

Finding your channel very interesting. Looking forward to do a single storey extension on my bungalow and l think your spreadsheets will be very helpful in costing the project. Thank you Andy

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot for the comment and best of luck with the project.

[@mosesmugabi2927]

Thanks

[@kevocos]

Great resource, thanks for putting it together.
If someone is planning a self build and can't see the value in this spreadsheet good luck to them, they have a big surprise coming🙄😂

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. If you have any questions on it let me know.

[@kevocos]

@@build-better-things Not to take anything away from your brilliant spreadsheet! but have you ever tried a software called Price A Job?
I saw another youtube UK builder review it.
The estimating module costs ~£30p/m but I have to say I was very impressed with it. It has a massive library of rates and material prices which I believe are updated every 2 weeks. I don't have a subscription but I may give it a test run. They have a youtube channel, be great hear what you think of it.

[@makg4655]

Great info esp in times of so many people doing self build … can u look into doing a sips panel build plz

[@build-better-things]

Hi. I made a video about my attempt to do a self build using sips panels here….
What's best SIPS v Timber Frame - You won’t like what I’m going to tell you
czcams.com/video/xW-ePTqDaAU/video.html

[@jackhilder]

Could you share your Extension-prog : Prog document that you link with your costings?

[@dl5319]

Great work. Do you have a copy of the forward planning Gantt chart you could share?

[@ProSpase]

Thanks a lot for this. Any chance we can get your sketch-up model?

[@gwynmorris5852]

Super dupa.

[@MrGlenfraser]

Great information. Did the Concrete calculation spreedsheet ever get re-uploaded as have a path to do at home? Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Yes, go to www.buildbetterthings.com/resources

[@Seqhael]

I’ve just noticed skilled tradesman rate. I think I’m pricing myself far too low for my first UK job 🤦‍♂️

[@build-better-things]

Price the job based on what you think is right for you and your knowledge and experience. You will have a learning curve for uk work regardless of your expertise in another country. Take account of your overheads and don’t bother worrying about what others are charging, just do what feels right for you. Best of luck.

[@mosesmugabi2927]

Jerremy iam trying to assess the pricing tool on Google sheets but can't
Can you please point me in the right direction?

[@mosesmugabi2927]

Hi this is a great job you are helping lots. Where is the link to the spreedshits?
Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Hello and thanks a lot for your contribution. I really appreciate it. The link should be in the description. Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck.

[@mosesmugabi2927]

Hi thanks for the reply but I still can't find the link in the description or what I tried didn't work.

[@build-better-things]

Please let me know if this works for you. This is the same link that is in the description. You access the description by clicking underneath the video

[@mosesmugabi2927]

​@@build-better-things hi I have to give credit where its due I have gotten the cost sheets and iam impressed thanks again for helping out iam in a process to do my own self build and I know this is one of the best tools iam going to rely on.
Always moses

[@build-better-things]

Thanks again and good luck with your self build.

[@redmunds1565]

Does anyone know of an insurance company who will provide demolition cover for knocking through when building an extension? I've looked at a fair number of companies, including those like Self Build Zone, and when you actually read their policies none of them will provide cover for demolition by self-builders.

[@build-better-things]

I don’t really think there’s a qualification as such for demolitions so the question is whether you can demonstrate competency, and how your standard tradesperson would demonstrate the same. If I were you I’d be going down small trades insurance route, something like Tradesman Saver, where you have public liability attached as standard. I carry several £million and it covers all these types of risk and my understanding of when mishaps occur is that you need to demonstrate the appropriate due diligence to the loss adjuster . For example digging trenches for foundations and you burst a water main, you would need to demonstrate that you looked at service records and carried out a survey before commencing , so to manage risk. For demolition still about managing risk, so…providing method statement and carrying out per the engineering requirements. For regulated stuff like electrical work, doing it per the relevant regulations I’m not an expert in insurance so don’t take my advice as gospel. Speak to the brokers and I hope that helps

[@redmunds1565]

@@build-better-things Thanks for the reply. We have spent a long time looking at this issue and have reached a solution. I have done a few big projects since I retired the first being designing and building a bungalow, then a four storey listed building renovation, a coach house conversion and other projects. Previously when getting self-build insurance there has never been a demolition question but now there is - if you answer yes then that activity either will not be covered or the insurer will insist on a third party who has their own demolition cover doing the work - i.e. they won't provide cover. Eventually my son, by being quite pushy, got the customer service person from Protek to talk to a more senior colleague. Eventually they phoned back saying that, as far as they are concerned, demolition as part of a renovation project or breaking through for an extension does not count as demolition. I don't know whether other companies are the same - I wouldn't take it for granted.
So, thankfully, we have cover and we have that in writing! I still wonder whether the insurers, in the event of a claim, would try to deny cover. I briefly worked for an Insurance Broker many years ago and it was staggering how many people behaved as if insurance companies are philanthropic organisations.

[@AlanBall-pc6in]

Thanks!

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@stephenwaters7105]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate the support

[@daraconnolly4158]

Thanks!

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much.

[@hughodaly7304]

Thanks!

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much for your support. I hope it is useful for you.

[@jonmcmanus247]

Thanks!

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. If you have any questions please let me know

[@jackgodfrey7792]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. If there’s anything I can help you with about it, just let me know.

[@timjfenn]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@chrisgough2102]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. If there’s anything I can help you with on it, please ask and good luck.

[@EricDalgleish-qt8rc]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much.

[@SergeiArkadjevich]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much too

[@SBREMNER-hj8wu]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much. If you have any questions please let me know

[@mohammedaftab8458]

Thanks

[@mohammedaftab8458]

Hi I hopefully this will come very useful I am trying to do a project to extend our house to help care for my daughter who has Autism.

[@build-better-things]

Thank you very much and best of luck with your project and that it helps your daughter.

[@user-kn6cq1lq9g]

Thanks

[@user-kn6cq1lq9g]

This is great thanks Jeremy. Haven’t used it yet but have no doubt about its value!

[@build-better-things]

@user-kn6cq1lq9g thank you so much. If you want any help with it, please let me know…and good luck with your project

[@simonchis9333]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. Really appreciate it. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@simonchis9333]

@@build-better-things will do! I'm considering options for our house in the future and this is going to massively help estimate which of them I might be able to afford and which bits it would make sense for me to have a crack at and which to leave to the pros.

[@domsaneria7439]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. Let me know if I can help you with anything

[@domsaneria7439]

@Build Better Things thanks mate, will reach out when I start the extension in a few months, saved me loads of time with my spreadsheet I was doing, really appreciate the content.

[@JackdiyGarden]

Thanks

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. If you have any questions please let me know.

[@JackdiyGarden]

@@build-better-things I'm sure I'll have lots in the near future, just going though purchasing our first home and am going to be undertaking a self build extension 😬 I'm an electrician by trade but pretty handy and have built a few garden rooms for family and done some hard landscaping!
I just struggle with the design and regs side of things but I'm learning alot thanks to your videos, I've been binging them all over the last 2 days.
God knows how CZcams hasn't recommended your chanel to me sooner, really great quality production and well explained.
The only shame is that there isn't more of your videos to watch!

[@build-better-things]

@JackdiyGarden I’ll keep making them, I enjoy the process, it’s true I need to up the output however!!! Best of luck with the purchase.