Extending your home can be a fantastic and cost-effective alternative to moving, but there are many factors to consider before you commit. Rushing this process could lead to wasted money and avoidable issues. To help you plan effectively, we’ve outlined some key considerations for your home extension project.
By addressing these questions in detail, you’ll be more organized and better prepared for a successful home extension. It’s important to get it right the first time, so let’s explore what you need to know for extending your home in 2024!
What’s Your Budget?
The very first thing you should establish when it comes to extending your home is your budget. It’s so easy once you meet with architects or builders to get carried away and end up overspending. So, if you’re paying for the extension in cash, then make sure you have a strict budget of what you are able to spend. If you’re thinking of remortgaging for the work, then speak to your mortgage advisor and bank beforehand to help give you an accurate budget to follow.
It would also be worth speaking to local estate agents to find out how much value the extension could add to your house, for example, if you’re adding an extra room or two, or if the kitchen space will be significantly larger, which will add to the value. Being informed about how much value it can add will help you be more sensible when it comes to your budget.
What Type Of Extension Are You Having?
Once you know what your budget is, you can start looking at the type of extension you’re having. Here are a few of the most popular choices when it comes to a home extension:
- Rear Extensions (single or two-storey): the most common and popular type of extension is a rear extension. This is an extension on the back of the house, either a one-storey extension, which is usually to make a larger open plan kitchen area, or a double-storey extension that also adds an extra bedroom and potentially bathroom onto the top floor of the house. This is a really diverse type of extension, as you can tailor it exactly to what you’re looking for.
- Wraparound extensions (single or two-storey): for homes that have space around the sides, a wraparound extension is common, which creates an L shape at the back of the property. It’s worth considering that you need to follow the neighbours’ boundary, so you’ll need to check how close you can extend to the boundary.
- Loft or basement conversion: While it’s not technically an extension, a loft or basement conversion is a great way to make the most of the space you already have in your home and can add significant value. A basement conversion for a cinema room or home gym, or a loft conversion to add another bedroom and bathroom to the space, can transform the home whilst you live in it and also help you maximise the return on your investment.
- Conservatory: Another great extension option is to add a conservatory. They add value, help create a nice connection between your garden and home, provide extra space and are low maintenance. Make sure that you also invest in conservatory roof insulation, as this can help to ensure that your space is livable all year round as well as energy efficient.
Do You Need An Architect or Project Manager?
Now that you know what kind of extension you might want, it would be worth speaking to architects or project managers. For quite a large project, you’ll need to use both of these, however, consulting with both at least at the beginning is really important to make sure that everything is done properly. Some extensions will only need a builder; however, any predominant extension will need supervision, so it’s important you find out whether this is the case or not for your project specifically. A project manager will also help to manage everything from material deliveries to dumper hire, so it is definitely worthwhile to take the stress away.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Next up, you need to find out if you need planning permission. When you’re building something new or making a big change to a building, like an extension, you need to contact your local planning authority through your local council to find out whether or not you need planning permission. If your project needs planning and you go ahead without checking, then you can be ordered to undo all of the work that has been done, so it’s absolutely essential that when you’re making any changes to your home, you get in touch just in case!
Have You Chosen A Reliable Builder?
Another key consideration is to choose the right builder. Unfortunately, the industry, like any, has unreliable people in it. So, it’s key that you choose someone who is well-recommended. The last thing you want is to end up having to pay for repairs later down the line because you opted for someone cheaper to begin with. Pay to get this done properly the first time around with a reliable builder and you’ll reap the benefits later down the line.
How Are You Making It Eco-Friendly?
Last but not least, you need to consider how you’re going to make the extension eco-friendly. Here are a few things to think about:
- Will it be made with sustainable materials?
- Will it be insulated?
- How will it be heated?
- Will you fit underfloor heating?
- Can you install solar panels?
- Can you fuel with electricity or wood rather than gas?
Choosing the right project manager, architect and builder will help you make these decisions and find the right solutions! Making your extension eco-friendly can really help with value when you do go on to sell, as well as making it more affordable for you while you live there by saving energy bills with it being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.