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Building work cost
 

Building work cost

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About to embark on a kitchen renovation but looking to get some initial costs sanity-checked.  Had a quote to open up a 2M wide window vertically to accommodate bifold doors, brick up an existing external doorway and open up a previously bricked up doorway that current has a window in it, again on the same external wall.  Essentially, we're reverting what the previous owners did and swapping the door back to where it was :). I say 'brick up' the outer leaf is stone, inner is block.  Work includes making good the reveals of the new openings ready for the new doors and windows.  Total for the work is £4650, does this sound reasonable?  It was more than I was expecting, perhaps I'm just tight!  Thanks.


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 5:55 pm
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Worth knowing location so anyone local can add to this. Also think about how long stuff takes, eg 2 men how many days to strip out, get skip, remove walls after propping, check services, prep for plaster, block up, stonework to match, level doorways, etc not sure what rate but at £35/hr equates approx £600/day plus hire and materials, so one week, sound about right...it's always more than you think/want:)

If it opens up your space and makes it a nicer living space, it'll be worth it and the cost eventually recedes from memory, may take a while though 😉


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 6:30 pm
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Posted by: mattrgee

Total for the work is £4650, does this sound reasonable?  It was more than I was expecting

 

what were you expecting as a matter of interest? 

 


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 6:36 pm
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Doesn't seem outrageous tbh. Stone building can be slow, skilled work. Is what they're knocking out enough material to fill the door without sourcing matching stone?


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 6:55 pm
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I'm in the North-West not far from Stockport.  I was hoping it would be closer to £3k.

Yes, the stone coming out to make way for the bifolds should be enough to fill the doorway, although I'm sure abit extra will be needed.


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 8:45 pm
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I'd bite their hand off for that, but then maybe I'm jaded after receiving a quote of £11,000 to build a 1m high and 14m long retaining wall. 


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 9:32 pm
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Do you need bi-folds if the width is only 2m? Normal twin patio doors could knock a chunk off. And you may be able to get them to open flat against the outside walls.


 
Posted : 06/07/2026 9:36 pm
joshvegas and Ambrose reacted
 nbt
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I'd say that sounds like a very reasonable price. I'm in Marple, we've had work done in the last couple of years and that looks not bad at all. We used these guys and would be happy to use them again, maybe ask them for a price

https://whitehallbuilders.co.uk/

Would be interested to hear who quoted your price and how you get on with them


 
Posted : 07/07/2026 8:21 am
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Does the price include the doors? And is there a lintel in the 2m window (ie, is there anything structural needed to accommodate the new bi-folds)?


 
Posted : 07/07/2026 10:19 am
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Posted by: johndoh

Does the price include the doors? And is there a lintel in the 2m window (ie, is there anything structural needed to accommodate the new bi-folds)?

 

No this doesn't include the doors and no lintel is required above the bifold opening.

 


 
Posted : 09/07/2026 8:52 am
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Get a couple more quotes.

It sounds expensive to me by maybe a thousand??

See what they'll do if they supply and fit the doors


 
Posted : 09/07/2026 9:07 am