Extension building

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:49 pm

Hi -

first timer here so be gentle!! We have had a villa for almost 20 years now in Carvoeiro, as you can imagine,its getting a bit tired now. Also, we are moving out there permanently in late summer and have decided that we could do with a bit of extending ie adding another bathroom and building an additional room downstairs. Does anyone know any good local builders who we could speak to please - preferably someone that you have used - afterall first hand good experience is the best way I think. Thanks

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:52 pm

As many much better qualified than I will tell you, check out first that you have all the required permits before proceeding.

shanagarry · Post by **shanagarry** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:22 pm

Welcome to the world of make-believe: For the past 3 years we have asked the same questions as you because we are going to move there permanently next year (2009) - without any success.

We have spoken to architects who want to be paid retainers before they will give you any indication - builders have promised to come around and give their opinion - but they never turn up. It's unreal.

We have paid so called architects/project managers to do work in the hope they might have something useful to show us - they are a complete waste of time.

At the moment I am waiting for an organisation who advertise heavily on Kiss FM to provide me with an example of what it is we could achieve. We are back in Cvo in mid Feb and while I am not confident I will get anything overwhelming, I am living in hope.

We got to the point where we believed selling and buying new was was easier but to get something with the view and ambience we enjoy - we are looking at 7 figures.

I picked up a lead from a pm I received on this same subject some time ago and am meeting with them in February. I was advised to be patient when I first posed the question - I have become accustomed to the malaise.

By way of a bit of light relief on a related matter, but relevant - we sought price quotations for a complete repaint in April last year and were amazed at the cost. A friend of ours brought 4 Poles from Ireland and did a first class job in 7 days at a fraction of the price we were quoted - including their flights and food (without the Vodka).

Could that be the solution for building - once you get the Camara obstacle out of the way?

If you go back through the various posts on this subject you may pick up on some names - good luck and be patient!

VON VON · Post by **VON VON** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:43 pm

suziebear wrote:Hi - first timer here so be gentle!! We have had a villa for almost 20 years now in Carvoeiro, as you can imagine,its getting a bit tired now. Also, we are moving out there permanently in late summer and have decided that we could do with a bit of extending ie adding another bathroom and building an additional room downstairs. Does anyone know any good local builders who we could speak to please - preferably someone that you have used - afterall first hand good experience is the best way I think. Thanks

We have been very happy with our builder who built from scratch they are based in Porches - Habitacaoalgarvia easy to speak to [Portugese and English] so if you want their email / telephone number then please send me a pm.

von von

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:50 pm

Hi - have been on prior to today regarding ext building on our house. Have been told that you first have to apply for planning permission which can take anything up to 8 weeks to get if indeed granted and then you have to submit architects plans which then could take who knows how long because the chief guy has to sign it off and he only visits periodically - is this correct?

Also, has anyone got the details of an architect called Stewart (first name) - I had his business card but got my handbag stolen with all its contents (in the UK I hasten to add!) and his business card was in my diary.

Could someone please clarify where we start the ball rolling as we are out there on 7 feb and want to use our time wisely.
Thanks

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:04 pm

First of all 8 weeks sounds optimistic.

First thing I would check is that your extension falls within the original build envelope of your property. ie if this was for 200m2 do you plan to go out side of this as this will complicate matters
You will certainly need to have the plans drawn up anyway to go with your submission .

If you want a contact who could help please send me a pm.

Rampage · Post by **Rampage** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:24 am

We recently extended our living room within the building plot by making better use of an under utilised patio area by incorporating it into the house. Our letting agent sourced an architect who prepared plans for us and which also required approval from a structural engineer. Plans were submitted to the Camara for approval - this was obtained approximately 1 year later! We have a good local builder whom we have used before but even then the construction phase lasted about 50% longer than first estimated. The message therefore is to be prepared for the long haul when entering in to this type of project.

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:09 pm

Oh dear! From the feedback up to now, doesnt sound too good on the time front. I have also spoken to a friend of mine who lives out there and he told me that they waited 8 months just to get planning permission! Better start now I think! Ha! Thanks