Building an extension is an excellent way to add more space to your property without moving a home. An extension not only improves the space and layout of your home but also increases the value of your home.
Moving to a new house costs money — there are agent fees, legal fees, stamp duty as well as the premium for that desired extra bedroom or bigger kitchen diner.
For much lesser price, you can build a decent extension, increasing both space and the value of your property.
Points to consider before planning a house extension…
This is probably one of the most important questions – and it’s usually the first thing you need to ask yourself.
Are you looking for a new living area that the whole family can enjoy, an extra bedroom for a new born, new kitchen or a home office?
House extensions depending on the size of the build can take several months to be completed – even getting a planning permission can sometimes take couple of months. So be patient and expect some interruption to normal family life while the build is going on.
For some property alterations such as loft conversions and single storey extensions you may not need planning permission. But you are well advised to check all local planning regulations and requirements first before making any definite plans to proceed. It may be better to consult a local architect who can advise if there is a need for a planning permission.
Projects such as loft conversions or house extensions are not simple DIY jobs, so ensure you seek advice from the professionals.
This is a particularly important consideration, especially if you are making major alterations to your property. Do you share a party wall with your neighbours, and will your alterations potentially damage their property?
If your home is in a conservation area or is a listed building, there may be very strict controls governing what alterations you can and cannot make, so make sure you do your checks with local authority and find out how this could affect you.
Unless you’re an experienced builder yourself, the likelihood is that you will need to get a professional building firm in to do the work – even if it’s a smaller job like a loft conversion. Choose wisely and take note of the recommendations of friends who have had work done on their properties or see if your architect can provide contacts.
It’s wise to plan well in advance. Set yourself a strict timetable for completion. The chances are that the project might will over-run, but if you lay down the ground rules for completion at the very start of the project you can avoid living on a building site for months on end. We have been building extensions since our inception and can advise, design and build the right extension for you and your property. All our work is personally supervised by our company directors to ensure it is carried out to the very highest standard. So, whatever your extension needs, we will manage all aspects of the project from the initial planning and design stages through to building work and anything else that may be needed.
