Investing in extending your property is a serious undertaking, not to be taken at all lightly, but can add to the value of your home.
There are numerous steps, many of which can be handled by the team you hire to build an house extension, but even outside of such considerations as planning permission, the steps to getting it built can be confusing.
Here, then, is a simple guide to approaching an extension build for your home.
Understanding Your Extension Goals
Before you start. it is imperative to clearly outline your objectives, expectations and budget to ensure your house extension project is achievable. Ensure you are not in a listed building, be aware of any party wall on a semi-detached house, terraced house or flat.
Lets define things, it’s likely being driven by a need for more space, with common reasons for a home extension for additional living space like an extra bedroom, open kitchen and dining area, office, playroom, gym or just to increase property value. But also consider cheaper options, like renovating any outside space.
It’s commonly for growing families, homeowners who work from home, or those who simply want more room for entertaining or hobbies. But whether you plan to extend your house to add value, to accommodate a changing lifestyle, or simply to realize a long-held vision, a clear understanding of your goals will ensure you extend your home to its fullest potential.
You do need consider the pain points too, as you will likely need to live in the existing property while the work in being undertaken. The time taken for a house extension project varies based on size, complexity, and the availability of materials, contractors or labour. For example, the need for electricians, plumbers, plasterers, painters, surveyors, all are subject to their time and schedule.
Plus simple maths says the more labourers on site, the quicker the work is done. Now factor in the potential loss of being able to use the kitchen, or keeping the house warm with a hole in the house. This is simply a reference to realities, and it always helps to visualise the end of the project and what you are gaining. It really is short term pain that needs to be managed.
Where to Extend?
Having clearly defined your extension goals and purpose, the first decision you need to make here is a fundamental one: where are you going to extend from? Depending on the shape of your property and size of your land plot, this may or may not be a simple question to answer.
If yours is a terraced home, you only really have two options in up or out. So this is a porch with potentially a room above, or at the rear, a single-storey or double-storey extension. It’s good to get inspiration from neighbours which indicates what planning permission will be approved, but also as it’s an expensive mistake to get wrong.
For a detached home, the possibilities are endless as it opens up a side extension too. It really depends on the property and available space and logical flow of the house, plus the purpose. For example loft extensions suit an addiotnal bedroom and ensuite, while you’d want a gym or home cinema to the side of the house.
Adding double bedrooms and bathrooms tends to increase the value of the property the most, but it’s worth considering that a small garden size may limit the appeal for bigger families.
Budget and Funding
Speaking of which, your next consideration will necessarily be how you intend to fund your renovation. An understanding of extension cost is crucial, as the price difference between a single storey extension and a two-storey extension can be significant. Extensions are not cheap; as a matter of fact, they are one of the most expensive interventions you can make with regard to your home.
A well-planned large extension can add value to your home, making it a worthy home improvement project. With this in mind, financial concerns are key to iron out ahead of making further headway. Solicit a quote for your house extension from several contractors to ensure you’re getting a fair deal and can raise the capital.
There is an outside chance that you have already been saving for this project, and have the right amount of money saved up and ready to invest. However, this is not the case for the vast majority of homeowners, many of whom would need external funding to complete such a project. Indeed, financing an extension via a home improvement loan can be a great option. Choosing a secured loan is particularly useful, in that interest rates are generally lower for secured loans – meaning a cheaper, less stressful time paying off the extension over time.
Contractors
While there are many different costs that make up a given extension project, one of the core costs is that of labour. Choosing the right contractors can make all the difference in the quality of your finished extension, as well as ensure the project goes smoothly. It’s crucial to hire contractors who are adept and proven at handling home extension plans, ensuring your existing home is thoroughly integrated with the new extension.
Getting value for money can be intimidating if you haven’t solicited such services before. The best place to start is with customer testimonials and personal recommendations from friends and family. But you can also drive around and see companies working in your area who will have a good understanding of the type of house you own plus local building regs.
After having shortlisted a number of local and regional teams, you can examine their track record on domestic extension building, and get the measure of their competency. With a further shortlist created from positive reviews, you can speak to them for quotes and find the perfect middle ground.
Make sure your home is safeguarded by confirming that they provide extension insurance to cover any potential damages or mishaps during the construction process.
Understanding local building regulations is a critical aspect of any property extension project. These rules ensure the safety and quality of the construction and future proof your property.
Your extension must blend seamlessly with your existing house and meet the standards laid down by the local planning authority. Gaining planning permission and complying with building control can be a complex process but both your architect and builder should be experts at the planning application process.
A building notice will be essential to confirm the need for planning and to ensure your design complies with the building regulations. It is also advisable to consult the local council to ensure your project is up to code.
Finishing
With the bones of your extension complete, the final piece of the puzzle is decorating. If you want to keep costs down, this can be achieved virtually completely through DIY. The only challenge is matching your new interior with the character of your existing home!
