As you and your family grow, it’s quite easy to outgrow your house. You slowly find that there simply isn’t enough space in the home anymore. Perhaps the kids need separate rooms or maybe you need your own office space. As we grow older, we always find ourselves needing more space. Once answer is to look at building an extension. This is one alternative to the expense and hassle of moving house.
You’ll open up tons more space and give your house a fresh new feel. Today, we’ll show you how to get started and begin the process of transforming your home.
What do you want from the extension?
First things first, identify the exact reason you need more space. Often, our homes begin to feel claustrophobic and crowded. But, sometimes we can’t figure out why. What room would give you more space? Does the answer lie in an en-suite or a second bathroom? Do you need a quiet office space or a third bedroom? If this is the case, you could extend into the loft or down into the basement. One other option is a conservatory or extended kitchen. This can breathe life into your downstairs living area.
Restrictions and permissions
Before you get too deep into the process of planning, check to see what restrictions are in place. Before any work can take place, you’ll need planning permission from the local authorities. You’ll also need a series of permits and licenses for the work that takes place. If your community is managed by a company like Cedar Management, check if there are restrictions here. There may limits on aesthetic and structural changes within the community.
What’s your budget?
Money is always a big factor in big projects like this. There will typically be hidden costs so try to research thoroughly in advance. Get quotes from architects, tradesmen and building suppliers. Take into account any time off work you’ll need to oversee the project too. Costs can mount up when it comes to building so always over-budget. Keep a small pot of money aside for any surprise costs that spring up. Remember, an extension usually adds value to your property so you will probably make this back.
Drawing plans
Now comes the fun part: drawing up the plans. Make a few rough sketches yourself so you can get a shape of what it will look like. Once you have that, it’s important to involve a professional architect. They’ll take your sketches and turn them into full structural plans. They’ll help take into account plumbing, electrics and heating extensions too. After that they’ll liaise with the tradesmen and keep your project focused.
From there, it’s up to you how involved you want to be. In some cases, you can help lay the brick work and get involved with other labour. When it comes to an extension, it’s entirely possible for you to project manage and oversee the build. You’ll keep costs down and gain a huge sense of achievement.
