Zoe St Pierre

Jan 31, 20192 min

13 week plan to extending

Updated: May 8, 2019

This simple guide will help you plan your extension and give you the technical knowledge to ensure your project comes in on time and to budget.

WEEK 1

  • Double check all Contractors are booked in

  • Ensure clear access to site

  • Bricks, blocks and materials delivered to site

  • Double check site safety with the builder

WEEK 2

  • Ground workers dig foundations

  • Building control inspect and approve foundations

  • Reinforcements laid if required

  • Pipework, drainage and services laid within foundations

  • Concrete footing poured and levelled

  • Building control to inspect works and approve

WEEK 3-4

  • Bricklayers build up to damp-proof course

  • Drains installed and trenches dug for associated pipework

  • Insert concrete lintels into brickwork if required for drainage

  • Sand laid then damp-proof membrane put down

  • Insulation fitted

  • Concrete slab poured

  • Building control to inspect works and approve

WEEK 5

  • Check materials on site for superstructure - lintels, door/window frames and wall ties

  • Blockwork starts

  • Cavity wall insulation fitted

  • Wall ties inserted to fix the new wall to existing

  • Lintels for windows and doors fitted

  • Door and window frames fitted as walls are built

WEEK 6

  • Internal walls constructed

  • Check materials on site for roof

WEEK 7

  • Carpenter starts building the roof structure

  • Carpenter to fit roof lights if required

  • Domers will be constructed at this stage

WEEK 8

  • Roof membrane is laid over newly built rafters

  • Roof battens cut and fitted over membranes

  • Tiles/slates laid

  • Ridge/hip tiles laid and bedded

  • Valley tiles laid along with flashing

  • Fascias, soffits and verges primed/stained/painted

  • Floor screed laid

WEEK 9-10

  • External rendering if required

  • Windows and doors fitted into linings and frames

  • Guttering and downpipes fitted

  • First fix carpentry, plumbing and electrics

  • Studwork walls built, door linings fitted and pipes boxed in

WEEK 11

  • Seal off old home from new extension

  • Steels and pad stones put into place - sizes approved by building control

  • Joins made good

WEEK 12

  • Walls boarded - insulation fitted where applicable

  • Plastering - followed by a period of drying out

WEEK 13

  • Second fix electrics (sockets/switches made live), lights fitted

  • Second fix plumbing

  • Flooring laid

  • Kitchen units installed - if applicable

FINAL WEEK - SNAGGING

Snagging - set a date with your contractor/builder to walk around the site and agree a snagging list with a completion date. Get both parties to sign this document. This will eliminate the erosion of good will and keeps everyone focused to complete your project on time and to budget.