When Marble Construction programme a loft conversion or extension into start, the build duration is one of the most thought about concepts out of the whole process. There is nothing on this planet that is more stressful (apart from moving house) than having an extension take place in the back garden. When Marble Construction commit to a start date, we have already booked in the vital contractors to come in at the most convenient time to make sure your building experience is as stressless as possible.

This diary below is a real life building log from an extension we started in February 2010. This extension took 5 weeks to build (17 working days, start to finish) and was located in Chelmsford, Essex. Being based in Farnborough, Hampshire this two and a half journey to and from the site was only going to make this build more complex

Week 1 (Monday – Thursday)
It’s day one and the skip has arrived, the digger has arrived and our ground work team have started to clear the site, the team leader has introduced himself to the customer and has briefed the guys of what is about to happen over the new 4 days.

Within the first day the site was cleared and digging had commenced, once the ground condition was reviled, the concrete was booked in to deliver the next working day. By the end of the second day the foundations were completely dug (down to 2 meters), the soil was excavated and removed from site and the site was tidied. The building inspector visited that afternoon and the concrete was poured before dark. On day third day, our team began to bring the extension out of the ground and up to DPC level and left to set overnight. The insulation, the steel reinforcing and sharp sand was ordered and delivered in the same day. On the forth day of the week, the insulation was laid, the reinforcing bars were in and the building inspector visited the site for the second time to check the over-site layout before the over-site pour. By 3pm that afternoon, concrete lorry arrived and the over-site was poured. By 6pm that day the team cleaned the site for the weekend break and began to set off home.

Week 2 (Monday – Wednesday)
Our bricklaying team arrived with the materials already delivered to site. The brick match was made over the weekend and a brick sample was brought back at the end of the first week. The bricklaying team completed the extension, a long with four window/door openings and two gable ends within three days and the job was ready for the roof to be pitched next week.

Week 3 (Monday – Thursday)
Our roofing team, along with Marble Plumbing Ltd and Marble Electrical Ltd went to site and began the roof and 1st fix plumbing and electrical. The Velux roof windows were installed and and tiles were ordered for next working day. The plumber and electrician had a meeting with the customer to discuss the final electrical points and radiator locations. The existing window and doors were re-used and installed into the new window and door openings. On the last day of this week, the site was cleaned and and guys left site.

Week 4 (Monday – Wednesday)
The plasterers arrived on Monday and plastered the new extension. The screed was laid and left to set over the long weekend.

Week 5 (Monday – Wednesday)
The 2nd fix carpentry team started early and got straight onto the 2nd fix work such as swinging doors, fitting the skirting and architraves, being closely followed by are decorating team. Marble Plumbing and Marble Electrical came on the last day once everything was completed to hang the radiators and install all the spotlight fittings and power points.

This 17 day extension was a real test of our project management and internal systems that we have been working on over the last few months.

If you would like to talk to this customer about their extension experience with Marble Construction please call us on 0203 411 7025 and we will be happy to arrange this.

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