Know What You're Doing: Getting a Home Extension
Do you feel like your home doesn't really fit your life? Are the walls bursting at the seams with artefacts and knick knacks? The question will eventually arise: do you move or do you extend?
At an average cost of approximately £1,000 per square metre, deciding to build a home extension is a hefty investment and done with the right tradesmen and materials can save you a fortune in the long run. A great alternative to moving house, building an extension enables you to retain the lifestyle you already have without incurring the additional costs that build up moving house.
Although a significant cost, a 10% increase in floor space is enough to add an extra 5% of the price of the property. In a time of self-efficiency and DIY enthusiasts, more and more people are turning to self-building to construct their dream extensions. The 'do it yourself' aspect of this type of build allows you to be in control of the project from conception through to completion. Although it is advised that you don't take all of the hard work on yourself, you can choose to dig some foundations or lay a few bricks if you want to. Aspects such as gas and electricity installation are, however, best left to the professionals.
Before you begin work on your extension, it is essential that you obtain planning permission from the local council. Armed with the plans for your building work, it is well worth asking for an architect to give it a look over if you have devised them yourself. It is also advisable to notify your neighbours once you've decided to start your project as issues such as loss of light or access required during the work should be made clear. The council will inform them once it's been approved but it is wise that you give them prior notice.
When it comes to the actual building, deciding where you're going to buy your materials and who you're going to employ to install the central heating should be planned way in advance. Even little things like where you're going to buy the laminate flooring or what you're going to do with all the excess building materials once you've taken down a wall are really important. Hiring a good quality skip company to advise you on your building material disposal is essential and will save you a couple of trips to the landfill. Some companies even sort and process your waste at recycling centres.
Whether you require office space, a utility room or further bedrooms, a home extension can be a more viable option. Sometimes the difference in price between your existing house and the next size up can be a daunting, and sometimes financial, burden. Apart from the ability to choose how your house is designed and the customisability of it, it can also be produced within a time limit and to a budget, unlike the dilemmas brought about when selling your property.
Do you feel like your home doesn't really fit your life? Are the walls bursting at the seams with artefacts and knick knacks? The question will eventually arise: do you move or do you extend?
At an average cost of approximately £1,000 per square metre, deciding to build a home extension is a hefty investment and done with the right tradesmen and materials can save you a fortune in the long run. A great alternative to moving house, building an extension enables you to retain the lifestyle you already have without incurring the additional costs that build up moving house.
Although a significant cost, a 10% increase in floor space is enough to add an extra 5% of the price of the property. In a time of self-efficiency and DIY enthusiasts, more and more people are turning to self-building to construct their dream extensions. The 'do it yourself' aspect of this type of build allows you to be in control of the project from conception through to completion. Although it is advised that you don't take all of the hard work on yourself, you can choose to dig some foundations or lay a few bricks if you want to. Aspects such as gas and electricity installation are, however, best left to the professionals.
Before you begin work on your extension, it is essential that you obtain planning permission from the local council. Armed with the plans for your building work, it is well worth asking for an architect to give it a look over if you have devised them yourself. It is also advisable to notify your neighbours once you've decided to start your project as issues such as loss of light or access required during the work should be made clear. The council will inform them once it's been approved but it is wise that you give them prior notice.
When it comes to the actual building, deciding where you're going to buy your materials and who you're going to employ to install the central heating should be planned way in advance. Even little things like where you're going to buy the laminate flooring or what you're going to do with all the excess building materials once you've taken down a wall are really important. Hiring a good quality skip company to advise you on your building material disposal is essential and will save you a couple of trips to the landfill. Some companies even sort and process your waste at recycling centres.
Whether you require office space, a utility room or further bedrooms, a home extension can be a more viable option. Sometimes the difference in price between your existing house and the next size up can be a daunting, and sometimes financial, burden. Apart from the ability to choose how your house is designed and the customisability of it, it can also be produced within a time limit and to a budget, unlike the dilemmas brought about when selling your property.