Extensions can be built in all shapes and sizes and once built gives you extra space as well as adding value to your home. From extending the front of your home with a stylish porch to two-story house extensions, there are extension options for a wide variety of spaces.

Before you get started it’s important to plan the work ahead of you to ensure you have the budget to complete the work and you have adhered to all building regulations.

Planning an Extension

Budgets

When working out costs for your extension it’s important to know that cost can vary depending on what you are trying to achieve and the builders and workmen you use, As an average, extensions in the UK can cost between £1,000 and £2,000 per square metre, however, complexity and quality can increase this price.

You should not need to purchase standard equipment such as extension ladders or power tools however you will need to pay for building materials such as bricks and mortar as well as the hire of more specialist equipment such as cement mixers, so please bear this in mind when budgeting.

Once you have in mind the type of extension you want the next step is to select a builder and get some quotes to give yourself a better idea of the overall costs.

Designing Your Extension & Finding A Builder

Once you have some ideas in mind choosing the right person to draw up your plans and carry out the work is one of the most difficult parts. Research is key at this stage, look at the past work and testimonials of builders and designers, meet up with them to share ideas and make a decision based on their experience, past work and if you feel you can work with them on a personal level.

When you have decided on the people to help with your extension your builder will usually set payment requests for each part of the project, try not to make block payments upfront and if you need to buy furniture and fittings order these personally and not in the name of the people carrying out the work.

Time Scales

As an average guide, a single-story rear extension usually takes between three and four months to complete. For larger rear extensions it can take up to six months. The time guide above does not include the design stage and is just a rough estimate of what you can expect.

Moving Out or Staying In?

It is not always essential that you need to move out of your property when building an extension. Before the work begins, speak with your builder about the issues you may face if living in your home, for example, if you are ripping out a kitchen they may be able to help give you a temporary area that can be used whilst the work is being completed. All work carried out is likely to be phased and your builder will advise if it is going to be dangerous for you to be living in your property during certain times.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission

Planning permission for extensions is usually not required as long as your extension is not any more than half the area of land of the original house. There are of course other limits and criteria for doing work under permitted development so please double check this before starting.

When building your extension, you must also take into account your neighbours, as part of the party wall act you must give notice to all neighbours affected. For more information, you can find this on the government website.

Other Areas to Consider

There are so many different things to consider when building your extension so please continue to do your research. A couple of additional things to take into account include;

Think about efficiency. When building your extension ensure that it is airtight and insulated to keep energy costs down in the future.

Check your boiler. When adding extensions, you need to consider if your current boiler will still be able to cope with the demand.

Take out insurance. Site insurance is a must when carrying out an extension. If your builder is already insured, you should check their documentation and have the correct liability cover.

Conclusion

Once the work has been completed your extension will give you an increased value of your home and extra space. There is a wide range of things you can use it for, and for many, it also means you don’t need to move home. We hope the above article has given you enough tips to consider and don’t forget before you start research is key!

Published: 2019-12-21 08:44:12