A rear extension that did not overrun

The brief

Knock through the back, open the kitchen into the garden, and do it without the family moving out. Two children under six, both parents working from home three days a week.

What we found

A drain run directly under the proposed foundation that was on none of the drawings. We found it in week two, which is the good time to find it, and the diversion cost eleven days and four thousand dollars.

That was the whole contingency and it was the only variation on the job.

How we kept it liveable

A temporary kitchen in the front room from week three, a sealed dust wall rather than sheeting, and no noisy work before half past eight or after four.

The crew used the side gate and a portable toilet in the yard. Nobody walked through the house for fourteen weeks.