Paying for your extension

How to pay for your extension — and protect yourself in the process

One of the biggest concerns homeowners have when starting an extension is how to handle payments safely.

Some design firms will offer to manage the contract for you (for an additional fee). For most home projects, this isn’t always necessary — but it comes down to personal choice.

If you decide to run the contract yourself, here’s my best advice:

• Don’t pay a large sum of money before any work has started.

Why?

Because if your builder goes bust, or lets you down, you could be left vulnerable — and out of pocket.

Instead, agree to:

• A small initial payment to allow the builder to get started

• Stage payments as clear milestones are completed

  
  

For example:

• When the underbuild is finished

• When the main structure is built

• When the building is made watertight

• When the majority of the work is complete

• And finally, hold back a snagging retention to be paid only once all issues are resolved.

  
  

This approach protects your money, ensures progress is made at each stage, and gives you confidence that your project can always be finished — no matter what happens.

If you’d like more advice on managing your project safely, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help.