This is your starting point if you are considering extending your home.
Are you considering an extension on your home? Read this article first for a step-by-step guide to getting started.
One of the main reasons families move in the UK is for more space. Traditionally, as our families grow, we upsize our homes, looking for an additional bedroom or more storage before the expected downsize in later life when we have an empty nest again.
Many of us love our homes, though, and don't want to move to somewhere new. It may be in the perfect location, and the sunlight shines into the garden just right. If you are still absolutely in love with your home and are not ready to leave it but still need extra room for the family, an extension could be the answer. Here are a few things that you should consider if you're thinking about extending your home.
Is it possible to extend your property? - Many homes are eligible for an extension. First, you need to know if the area you wish to build in suits you and your property. There are many options here: building upwards and converting the loft space or building above a garage. Or, if you have enough garden space, consider building outwards, making the property's footprint bigger. This way, you can increase the ground-floor area and the first-floor area above, altering the overall square footage of the property considerably.
What do you actually want from the extra space? Of course, making the property bigger will give you more room, but think carefully about what you want. Do you need more bedrooms for your growing family? Then, some form of first-floor extension or loft conversion is likely. Or are you looking for a fabulous kitchen-dining space to feed everyone and entertain friends? In that case, you might only need to look at the ground floor.
Employ an Architect. - Of course, you can DIY this, sketching out your ideas and submitting your application to the local authority, but this project is a huge undertaking, and the few thousand that you pay to an Architect could be the best few thousand pounds you ever spend. Having an idea of what you want from the property will save you money in the designing process, but leaving the creation to the design professional will undoubtedly result in a show-stopping finish that does exactly what you need it to do. You wouldn't want to go to all the effort and expense of extending to have a mediocre home at the end of it, would you?
Planning permission? - You may already be aware that some projects will fall under 'permitted development' rights, an allowance that a homeowner can amend their property without the need for planning permission. However, an application is still needed, and the local authority will need to give you a certificate to say that your project was granted under the permitted development rules. This will be vital if you ever decide to sell the property, so don't cut this corner.
Then, when the admin and permissions are all in place and your design is finalised, it is time to get stuck in. You will need to arrange the funding, whether from a loan or savings, set a budget, and bring in the builders. Living in a building site for a few weeks, or perhaps even months, can be tricky, but as the project comes together, you will soon be able to see the finish line. This is probably the most exciting part when you can put those finishing touches in. Then, sit back and enjoy your extra space in your cherished home.
Adding square footage is a great way to increase the value of your property, so if you have just finished an extension project and are keen to see how it has affected the value of your home, why not arrange for a valuation with a member of our team? With no obligation to sell, it can be a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of your home's value should you need to raise finance or sell in the future.