www.tensquaremetres.com

This website documents a self build extension from initial concept through to completion. This is a step by step photographic diary of a project to extend a house by ten square metres.

Self build house extension diary: Winter 2010
The project is nearing completion

At the start of this project I knew very little about foundations or planning applications or roof structures or drains. The build has involved a considerable amount of research and learning, mainly via the internet, about all aspects of planning and building an extension. This project was only financially viable if I did all the work myself. The only exceptions, where I brought in the professionals, have been to install the steel beams, render the walls and fit the certificated 17th Edition IEE electrics. We also had the glass roof at the back made and fitted by a specialist company.

Getting someone else to build an extension is hideously expensive. Our rough guess is that it would have trebled the price. Even without any building skills or experience it is possible to attempt a project like this. If you are reasonably practical, are prepared to put in a lot of time and can handle some fairly heavy duty work, then you can do this. For us it was the difference between having an extension or not having an extension.

This website is specifically intended as a resource for anyone who might be contemplating a project of their own. Hopefully it conveys the scale of the task in terms of time and effort. Our extension wouldn’t have been possible without the web and I am particularly grateful to all those helpful forum users who have patiently answered my questions. The intension of this website is to share all the information I have gathered during the project.