Adding an extension to your home is no small matter. It takes a great deal of consideration into what exactly you want, how much you can afford to spend and who you are going to entrust to carry out the task. Lucky for you – at Prime Building Project’s – we have your back with this handy guide on the key things to think about before extending your home!
Is a Home Extension worth it – value wise?
Whether you are reluctant to uproot yours and your family’s life by moving, stressed about costs or simply unsure of whether it’s worth the effort – considering the value of a home extension should be your first thought.
Economically speaking, a house extension should add more value than it takes away (AKA how much the project costs you). A trustworthy industry expert (such as the team at Prime Building Projects) should be able to answer this question for you. Alternatively for those who like to do their own homework first (which we encourage) you can compare similar properties within your area and how much they have sold for with / without house extensions.
Building regulations – your extension will need to comply
While regulations may sound like a drag and not the most exciting thing to consider, it is vital that you ensure your planned extension is approved by your local building regulations. Not only SHOULD you do this, you SHOULD also WANT to pass building approval. Why? Because it considers important requirements such as the structural integrity of your extension, fire safety, energy efficiency, whether it is damp proof, ventilation and other important safety points.
Ultimately, meeting building regulations will solidify the value, safety and integrity of your home extension.
How big should I go with my home extension?
A debate as old as time, is bigger better or does the way you use it count more? At Prime Building Projects, we argue that less can be more when it comes to house extensions and there a number of ways to make your extension FEEL bigger than it is. How? It’s simple; clever designs. Optimising the space you have, using modern unique design tools and working with your chosen designer to maximise your extension.
Who should I hire to build my house extension?
Well, call us bias but of course you should hire Prime Building Projects for your home extension. We have years of experience designing beautiful home extensions for every kind of client’s taste, needs and budget. We offer honest advice, the highest level of skilled workmanship and provide a professional service every time.
It is worth noting that when it comes to extending your house, you can choose to enlist the help of an architect, an architectural technician, a specialist designer or a package build company. Another option may be to pop up a post on Facebook and see who your friends and family have used. Or you can simply jump onto the Prime Building Projects website or Facebook and read our happy customer’s reviews of a 5 star service.
Adding a house extension above a single storey
Have you thought about whether you want to extend out or up? We always recommend, where possible, extending out. As an extension above a single storey comes with a whole other set of considerations, such as whether your current structure can support the load of another level.
Of course it has and can be done should you wish to extend above a single storey. We can consider demolishing certain sections of the ground floor to rebuild a stronger framework, but again consider the impact this will have on the project timeline, cost and your experience.
You will require preliminary servicing before any work begins
Let’s say you have decided to extend your kitchen out, there are a number of things that need to be serviced / checked before this can even begin. Your chosen designer / builder will need to check the position of your units, cookers and white goods prior to commencing any work. Why do they need to do this? So that your electrics, ventilation and plumbing can be properly accounted for! The same goes for a bathroom extension or inclusion as part of your design.
Living at home or moving out during your house extension
We are going to give it to you straight – living at home during your extension will make it take longer. For obvious reasons, such as being in the way and that builders have to work around your schedule.
While you technically can live on site throughout the project, we strongly recommend against it. There will be builders coming in and out, a LOT of dust / mess and NOISE. Book a staycation in, annoy your inlaws or go camping! It will make the entire experience a lot less stressful and quick.
Access to your property
Access to your property can strongly implicate upon your extension project. Builders need to get in and out safely, as do their tools and materials. Some homes, such as terraced homes, come with restricted access.
Think about whether you may need to temporarily take down a fence, if a neighbour is impacted by the project (for those who share a driveway) and how you can work around it.
Do you want to complement your current home design or contrast with it?
Another key consideration that falls under your design is whether you wish to have your extension seamlessly blend in with your current home design or rather contrast with it. This is completely up to you of course but a good designer will offer a range of options when planning for your extension’s design.
You have GOT to consider insurance
As with most things in life, insurance is a MUST when it comes to any kind of home improvement project. An extension in particular should be insured so to avoid any nasty cost surprises down the line and as protection for you and your home in general.
Also, not only should YOU have insurance but so too should your BUILDER. Make sure to check their insurance policy is up to date and does not put you at risk for anything. At Prime Building Projects we have the most up to date insurance and always ensure our clients are also insured.