Planning your home extension?
Here is what you need to know .
Planning your home extension from start to finish is the viable way to go, doesn’t matter if it’s just kitchen extensions, single storey or small house extension.
Planning gives you the cost of extension break down each step of the way.
Use this professional guide from the team at Diligent Development.
How to plan your home extensions from start to finish in 3 simple ways
You need the space, and you think it might be a good idea to start thinking about building an extension.
Planning your home extension from start to finish is the viable way to go. It really doesn’t matter if it’s just kitchen extensions, a single storey extension, or small house extensions, planning properly is important to give you the cost of extension break down each step of the way for adding onto your residence. Know “how to plan your home extensions from start to finish in three simple ways” is professional guide for your new addition. Here is what you need to know.
Proper planning saves time and money down the road
Know what is expected before the project begins
Proper planning a home extension project requires more than just making sure you have the proper building permits in place and follow regulations. Though, these are important aspects of any construction build.
Depending on the type of extension you are seeking, you probably won’t need to clear planning permissions unless you live in a historic home or natural Conservation area. However, there are things that may change this. For instance, if your new construction is going to limit off-street parking. It never hurts to ask to make sure of what permissions you need to obtain and what regulations you need to follow before you move on into more extensive planning.
Specific building regulations and measurements
Usually, you will need to use the same or similar building materials for external add-ons. Generally speaking you can usually extend a detached dwelling by 8 metres to the back of a single-storey home or 3 metres for a two-storey, and a single-storey extension may not be taller than 4 metres. Your extension will need to end before it gets within 7 metres of the back boundary lines. If you are extending forward or to the side, there are limited requirements that will need to be followed as well.
Things to consider in planning your home extension
Some things to consider in planning your home addition are things such as soil conditions, are there trees or rights of way, or services that could interfere with your build? Is there a history of flooding? Will you need to have additional heating or electrical circuits installed? What is the best path to get building materials to and from the site? Are you wanting to build out or up on a one or a two-storey house? What are the obvious as well as hidden costs. And, how long is it expected to take before it is completed?
How much will it cost to get the space you want?
Does your budget match the real expenses?
How much your addition costs will depend upon several things. For starters, if you have a simple layout plan, it will most likely be far less than one with lots of intricate designs and complicated features.
Plan for the cost of extension to be approximately between £1,000 to £2,200 per square metre for most average home extensions. If you seek the help of a structural engineer, which is usually a smart move when dealing with load-bearing walls, or an architect or interior design artist, the costs are going to be higher.
Paying for home extensions
Try to keep all of the expenses within your allotted budget, but also with the idea in mind of how much return you will get when you go to sell your home.
Don’t spend more on the home extension than is feasible to get back in added home value. When figuring in the costs, you will also need to have an idea of where the money will come from to pay for the work. Maybe you’ve been saving for this, and you already have it allocated to spend. Otherwise, you could use a credit card, a personal loan, or take out a second mortgage on your home, or apply for a home improvement loan.
How much time will it take, and how will you cope with the construction?
Time and peace of mind
Always ask about an estimated time frame as to when the project is expected to be done, and then plan that it will most likely take longer, in real time spent.
It’s also going to be dusty, noisy, and chaotic scene for awhile, so make a plan as to whether or not you will be living in the home while it’s undergoing construction or where you will be staying.
If you have no other option than rooming in a nearby hotel for the duration, this is going to be an added cost to filter into the bottom line.
Hiring the right extension builders is one of the most important steps to a successful home extension project
What to know about hiring a professional contractor
Don’t just hire the first architect, structural engineer, extension builders, or building contractor who comes knocking on your door asking for the job of completing your home extensions. Do some research to make sure they are honest and reputable and won’t take your money and bail leaving you with an unfinished job and a nightmare trying to get refunded.
Interview potential workers, and make sure you get along with them personally since you will spend a lot of time discussing details of the job back and forth during the course of the project.
Ask for credentials
Don’t assume every contractor is registered with a reputable institution, as it’s usually not required by law. However, look for one who has credentials with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS, or Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists CIAT, Association of Building Engineers ABE, Chartered Institute of Building IOB, or Institution of Structural Engineers ISE. If you want even more peace of mind, ask whether or not they carry PII Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Additional ways to save money when hiring a professional
When it comes to hiring a designer or architect, there are ways to save money and still get a professional result.
One of these money-saving moves is to check out architectural technologists, one who studied the trade but has not yet completed the exams. This could save you a bundle of money while getting a good response and end result. Of course, ask about warranties, and always get estimates and any quotes in writing.
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