Extension, Heating and Windows questions?

I am about a month away from starting an extension to the side of my house, circa 800sq ft.

I have decided to go direct labour as the variance in builders quotes (those who bothered getting back to me) received was crazy plus I want to be able to keep a handle/some control over the job itself and the finances.

The first issue is with windows/doors, I'll require the following white upvc windows/doors.......

2 bay windows
1 back door
2 small windows each maybe 4ft wide
2 sets of patio/french doors.

Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much i should be budgeting for these? and will the quotes I get from different companies include fitting of windows and doors, is this the norm?


I currently have Oil central heating which is connected to a boiler oustide the back of the existing house circa 1000sq ft.

I am looking at 2 options at the moment. 1) Extending this existing heating system into the extension and 2) Getting a wood burning stove in the extension which connects up to the existing system so there is 2 methods of heating the house.

The inlaws next door have a duel system where the can use their oil central heating and an old range style cooker in the kitchen to heats the radiators and the hot water, which is very handy.

Is it possible to connect a stove up to the heating system as described above and if so what do I need to get done.

Do i need a back bolier/new bolier or can it be connected to the existing boiler.

Is it a big job?

What size stove would be required and what price am I looking at.


Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

On the heating question, it depends on how old your boiler is, if its 10 years or older, then it might be better to replace your boiler with a new boiler which can heat the whole house as you will probably have to replace the old boiler anyway in a few years as they have a limited life.

Cant comment on the windows as we got wooden ones and the extension is smaller. The companies will quote supply only and supply and fit when you send them the details. Just wondering how you managed to assess your builder's quote if you don't know the cost of the windows!

The Boiler is only about 6 years old.

Basically I'm currently costing everything to get it done via direct labour.

Quotes received from building contractors to do the whole job varied as follows:

Got 4 quotes back for the exact same work.
€130k
€100k
€85k
€65k

None of the quotes gave detailed breakdowns of prices, even though it was requested, just a listing of the work that had to be done and the overall price they were quoting. After trying to get breakdowns off these guys for a number of weeks, I've got a pain in my This post will be deleted if not edited to remove bad language with them and decided that if I'm gonna have to be this hands on so early in the proceedings I might as well organise the whole project myself.

Whilst I am familiar with the work of the guys who gave me the higher 2 quotes, I am unfamiliar with the guys who gave me the lower quotes and am still waiting on references.

Thats why I've been pricing everything myself over the last week or 2 with a view to getting everything up and running and going direct labour starting within the next month or so.

I have got someone to to do the groundwork, blocks and electrics lined up. I plan on supplying all the materials myself too.

If you dont have a detailed list of work to be done and materials to be used, you will never know exactly what the builder is quoting for. The builders wont break their prices down into separate parts if no bill of quantities or detailed specification is supplied....

simply as each builder for references and example of previous work down... look for at least 3 exampls from each... if any of them get the hump.. then dont consider them....

Steve,
I would be very careful about proceeding with a direct labour build on your extension as your knowledge of construction does not seem up to scratch, I could well be wrong.
For example, how do you propose to frame the bay windows? What is going to hold up the wall over the bay windows? these are questions a builder will have experience dealing with. I would ignore the 2 lower quotes you recieved and negotiate with the 2 higher guys if your familiar with their work.

Thanks for the advice guys will take it on board.

Anyone able to give me a rough estimate of prices for the windows? or shed some light on the heating issues?

Windows replaced in existing house - 6
Windows in new extension - 10
French doors - 2
Back Door - 1
Front door with arch and glass panels
Prices ranged from €9500 to €17500. Eventually paid €15,000. Not yet sure about quality as I have a leak and a draught that I'm waiting on someone to fix.

Heating system - were running entire system on oil fired stanley with occassional assistance from open fire back boiler.
New system - new boiler, to heat everything. Stanley in new kitchen to heat new extension
Yet to be installed - Herald 80B Wet and I forget what parts of the house it will contribute to all working on motorised valves.

Hope this helps.

Have look at wood pellet systems or combi biomass systems, ther is a fantastic range out there, also pellet stove www.rika.at, boilers www.sht.at, and www.kwb.at . They are efficient and no emmissions if you are building an extension you will need to do something about your heating any way.

Pay for an engineer to call out that is familiar with oil gas and biomass, and get the proper advice, I can give you a number if you like. The call out may be well worth it expect to pay around € 200 to € 250.-- it depends on the location.