Alison’s Story: Our Home Extension
After 23 years in the same home, Alison and her husband reached a turning point. Their much-loved property in Lancaster had served them well, but as the years went by, the couple found themselves debating whether to move or adapt their home to fit their changing lifestyle.
“We’ve always loved this house and the street we live on. It’s a great community, close to the railway station and motorway, which is ideal as I travel a lot with work. We kept looking at properties on Rightmove, but every time we compared the pros and cons, the reasons to stay outweighed the reasons to move.”
That decision sparked a new chapter: instead of moving, Alison’s family chose to invest in a house extension in Lancaster.
What followed was a 12-week project that not only transformed their property but also reinforced their belief in the importance of working with a builder they could trust.
Finding the Right Builder
Like many homeowners, Alison admits that the prospect of finding a builder felt daunting at first.
“It’s a minefield when you’ve never used a builder before. You need someone you can trust. We started asking around, looking online, but I actually found James in a funny way — through a decorator I knew who had worked with him.”
That chance conversation led Alison to dig deeper into Quayside Construction, a local company known as trusted builders in Lancashire.
“I did some Googling and really liked what I saw. One of the things that stood out was how James gives back to the community. That mattered to me. It told me this wasn’t just a company interested in quick wins, but one that really cares.”
Alison and James arranged to meet. Coincidentally, Quayside was also working on a project just around the corner.
“We kept walking past that build and decided to go and see it. We loved what we saw. When I met James, I instantly felt at ease. What really stood out was his honesty and transparency. He was upfront about the budget, about where variations might occur, and about how the process would run. That gave me huge confidence.”
Living Through the Build
Alison and her husband chose to remain in their home throughout the 12-week build. Although they expected disruption, Quayside’s approach made the process smooth and manageable.
“The team were brilliant — we didn’t want them to leave! They were trustworthy, respectful, and even great with our dogs. I could happily go to work knowing I could trust the people in my home.”
One of the most important aspects for Alison was communication.
“I really valued the daily and weekly updates. James would be on-site first thing in the morning, so I always knew what was happening that day and week. There were no surprises. That transparency took away the stress.”
Managing the Budget
Like any homeowner planning a home renovation in Cumbria or Lancashire, Alison had a budget in mind. What impressed her most was our ability to keep the project within scope.
“We had a clear budget and set aside a contingency for any changes along the way. We did make some additions, like plastering in another area and work on the garden, but because there were no hidden surprises, it was easy to manage. In the end, we came in just £700 over our original budget — on a project of this scale, that’s phenomenal.”
The Best Moments
For Alison, the highlights came as the build took shape.
“I’ll never forget the moment the walls went up. I stood there one night thinking, ‘Wow, we’ve created all this space.’ It was amazing to see our vision becoming reality.”
One design decision turned into a particular favourite.
“We were going to box in the steel beam, but James encouraged us to leave it exposed. I’m so glad we did. It’s a real feature now, and one of the things I love most about the space.”
A Stress-Free Experience
Looking back, Alison reflects on how easy the process felt compared to what she expected.
“We’d heard so many horror stories about stressful builds, but this was the opposite. There was no stress, no drama. Everything flowed smoothly, finished on time, and the relationship we built with James and the team was fantastic.”
The experience even sparked conversations with neighbours.
“I bumped into another Quayside client recently and we both said how delighted we were. We’d had the same brilliant experience. That says it all.”
Alison’s Advice to Others
Alison has simple advice for anyone planning a house extension or renovation project in Lancashire: choose a builder who values honesty, trust, and communication.
“For us, having Quayside manage everything — from trades to suppliers — made the whole process straightforward. I’d say to anyone: find a builder who will be upfront with you, keep you informed, and treat your home with respect. That’s exactly what Quayside did for us.”
Today Alison and her family are loving the fact that their extension has transformed how they live in their home — all without the stress of moving.
“We’re absolutely delighted with what Quayside achieved for us. It wasn’t just about the build itself, but the experience. We’d recommend them without hesitation.”
If you’re thinking of transforming your home and you live anywhere within North Lancashire or South Lakeland then get in touch with us and you could experience a bit of the Quayside magic for yourself.