Building An Extension Onto Your Home: Making It A Practical Success
One of the benefits of having a nice big home is that you can do whatever you want to it because there's
an abundance of space at your disposal. But for others who don't have much in the way of space,
building an extension becomes a logical option. And while building an extension onto your home is a
perfect way to make your home evoke more of what you want, there are concerns that can threaten to
derail the entire process, not just practically, but stylistically. What are the things you need to look out for?
an abundance of space at your disposal. But for others who don't have much in the way of space,
building an extension becomes a logical option. And while building an extension onto your home is a
perfect way to make your home evoke more of what you want, there are concerns that can threaten to
derail the entire process, not just practically, but stylistically. What are the things you need to look out for?
The resale value
While most of us think that will stay in our home forever, if life throws a curveball, you may very well
have to sell the property. And for house extensions to make any sense in an economical manner, you've
got to make sure that the value that you add to the property is more than the cost of the project. This can
be difficult to find out, but this means you've got to find, not just the various components associated with
the market value in the area, but also what people desire from a property where you are. Something like
a garage is usually a safe bet because it serves many purposes. And when you add this garage, it's
about ensuring you've got the sturdiness and the practicality associated. An item like a
Precision garage door can work in this respect, but when you look at the entire resale value, practicality
needs to outweigh the overall cost. It can be a very expensive project, and if you don't make a profit
afterward, it may not be worth your while.
have to sell the property. And for house extensions to make any sense in an economical manner, you've
got to make sure that the value that you add to the property is more than the cost of the project. This can
be difficult to find out, but this means you've got to find, not just the various components associated with
the market value in the area, but also what people desire from a property where you are. Something like
a garage is usually a safe bet because it serves many purposes. And when you add this garage, it's
about ensuring you've got the sturdiness and the practicality associated. An item like a
Precision garage door can work in this respect, but when you look at the entire resale value, practicality
needs to outweigh the overall cost. It can be a very expensive project, and if you don't make a profit
afterward, it may not be worth your while.
Meeting building regulations
This can be a myriad of issues, but it all depends on where you are. Usually, you have to get permission
in order to make sure that you are covering every eventuality. A lot of people make the mistake of
pressing on and hiring a builder in the assumption that you will get approval, but when you think about
the overall requirements in terms of the structure, energy efficiency, and other components to ensure
that the building is safe you may find that your property needs a lot of work doing to it to ensure it meets
these regulations. Acquiring planning permission for a house extension is all dependent on your local
authority. Before you do anything else, you must get in contact with them and get the ball rolling.
in order to make sure that you are covering every eventuality. A lot of people make the mistake of
pressing on and hiring a builder in the assumption that you will get approval, but when you think about
the overall requirements in terms of the structure, energy efficiency, and other components to ensure
that the building is safe you may find that your property needs a lot of work doing to it to ensure it meets
these regulations. Acquiring planning permission for a house extension is all dependent on your local
authority. Before you do anything else, you must get in contact with them and get the ball rolling.
Picking the right designers
Designing a house extension is a fine art, and this means that there are so many different options to
choose from when it comes to designing the building. It's not just an architect, but there are people like
specialist designers and architectural technicians, as well as companies that have in-house design
teams. The latter may work in your favor if you want to save money, but when it comes to your dream
home, you have to expect to spend a pretty penny. It's worth asking for recommendations from the
people you trust, as well as looking for companies that have designed similar projects to what you want.
Ensuring that they are highly recommended is crucial. As tempting as it is to go for someone fresh out
of the gates, especially if they talk a good talk, it is your home we’re talking about!
choose from when it comes to designing the building. It's not just an architect, but there are people like
specialist designers and architectural technicians, as well as companies that have in-house design
teams. The latter may work in your favor if you want to save money, but when it comes to your dream
home, you have to expect to spend a pretty penny. It's worth asking for recommendations from the
people you trust, as well as looking for companies that have designed similar projects to what you want.
Ensuring that they are highly recommended is crucial. As tempting as it is to go for someone fresh out
of the gates, especially if they talk a good talk, it is your home we’re talking about!
Considering access issues
One of the big problems that can derail the entire project, especially after months of planning, is if
there becomes an access issue further down the line. It all depends on the type of home you live in. If
you live in a home that has restricted access, this could very well hinder your options for the right
extension. It's not just about being unable to build in a certain area, but there may be specific methods
of construction that you might not be able to use. This means that you've got to find another way
around the problem when you thought it would be straight-forward. As well as this, you may have to
speak to your neighbors to remove aspects of their property in the short-term, such as their fence, so
you can get the project underway. Dealing with neighbors is one of those components that nobody likes
to do, and this is why it's worth keeping them sweet.
there becomes an access issue further down the line. It all depends on the type of home you live in. If
you live in a home that has restricted access, this could very well hinder your options for the right
extension. It's not just about being unable to build in a certain area, but there may be specific methods
of construction that you might not be able to use. This means that you've got to find another way
around the problem when you thought it would be straight-forward. As well as this, you may have to
speak to your neighbors to remove aspects of their property in the short-term, such as their fence, so
you can get the project underway. Dealing with neighbors is one of those components that nobody likes
to do, and this is why it's worth keeping them sweet.
Will the house still retain its character?
A lot of people want to turn a home into something a bit more modern, but if you are living in a house
that's hundreds of years old, you need to decide whether you want the new extension to complement the
property, or contrast with it. There is no hard and fast rule, but if you decide to contrast, you have to find
ways to ensure that there is a link between old and new. You've got to look at why you are building this
in the first place. If you want your home to increase its market value, will a mishmash of old wood decor
and new metallic gray really work? On the other hand, if you're looking at it in terms of adding more
space, and cost doesn't necessarily factor in your options, you may find that the contrasting styles don't
work because you've opted for cheap materials. As such, it becomes a major eyesore that loses its
character, as well as resale value.
that's hundreds of years old, you need to decide whether you want the new extension to complement the
property, or contrast with it. There is no hard and fast rule, but if you decide to contrast, you have to find
ways to ensure that there is a link between old and new. You've got to look at why you are building this
in the first place. If you want your home to increase its market value, will a mishmash of old wood decor
and new metallic gray really work? On the other hand, if you're looking at it in terms of adding more
space, and cost doesn't necessarily factor in your options, you may find that the contrasting styles don't
work because you've opted for cheap materials. As such, it becomes a major eyesore that loses its
character, as well as resale value.
You also should consider, in terms of extending the property, whether you should be in charge of the
project or not. Nobody knows the space better than you, but do you have the skills necessary to project
manage the entire thing? Sometimes, it's better to hire a package company to do this, but while there
are people that can do all of this, you are the one that has a vested interest in the final product.
Extending a property is a long road, and can be fraught with financial and emotional trauma. But it's
about being aware of the pitfalls, so you know exactly what to look out for, not just in terms of the
aesthetics or the practicalities, but also ensuring that you don't stress out too much as well.
project or not. Nobody knows the space better than you, but do you have the skills necessary to project
manage the entire thing? Sometimes, it's better to hire a package company to do this, but while there
are people that can do all of this, you are the one that has a vested interest in the final product.
Extending a property is a long road, and can be fraught with financial and emotional trauma. But it's
about being aware of the pitfalls, so you know exactly what to look out for, not just in terms of the
aesthetics or the practicalities, but also ensuring that you don't stress out too much as well.
