Beginners guide to building an extension

Beginners guide to building an extension

April, 2019

You’ve found yourself the perfect home, but it could do with a little extra space. The best way to achieve this – an extension! It can be the perfect way to add value to your home. We’ve compiled a little guide for anyone who wants to build an extension but doesn’t know where to start.

Planning

Not all extensions need planning, but you’ll find yourself in a spot of bother if you don’t follow planning requirements. Make sure to check with your local council before carrying out any works to see what the requirements are – the Planning Portal is also a good tool to use to find out what you need to be doing. If your building is listed, you’ll need consent for anything to want to change.

Consider costs

It’s tempting to spend all your budget on building the extension, but there’ll be other costs you need to consider. The outside might look amazing, but is there much point if the inside isn’t finished to the same standard? Some rooms will need a bigger budget than others, so make sure to cost up the interior before making a start on the building.

Getting stuck in might not keep down costs

One of the easiest ways to keep costs low on a project is to do some of the work yourself. However, a botched job will cost more money to fix and you may see your funds disappear before your eyes. If you don’t have much DIY skill, stick to painting, cleaning and helping to carry supplies. Feel free to do more if you have more skill, but don’t overestimate what you can do.

Make sure your happy with plans

Before work starts, it’s crucial to be happy with the proposed work. While you can change plans after they’ve been submitted for approval, it can take a lot of time and can end up costing you more money. Don’t rush into a decision – it’s a big one to make.

Remember it’s an addition

While you may want an ultra-modern, sleek and sizable new extension, your Tudor-style home might not be the best fit. An extension should complement the house, not stick out. That’s not to say it needs to be a carbon copy of the house (a bit of contrast can really make a home impressive), but be aware of the surroundings before carrying out the work.