5 questions to ask yourself before extending your home
We don’t want to put you off but taking on a home extension project isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world. It’s a big financial commitment, it takes time and there are lots of moving parts (although, if you work with us, we’ll take as much of the stress away as possible!).
So, before you take the plunge, here are five questions you should ask yourself to make sure it’s definitely the right option for you…
Can we afford it?
Many of our clients are surprised to hear just how much their new extension is going to cost. For example, you might think a 6x5m addition would make your life so much easier, but when you find out it’s going to cost around £45k, you might change your mind!
There’s no point in embarking on a huge extension project, just to end up working all hours to afford it, at the cost of spending time with the family you’re building it for. Your dream home shouldn’t come at a price. So, start small: plan and build something you can afford. Create a design that’s practical, which gives you the space you need and a few of the features you desire.
And don’t forget, there’s more to think about than architectural plans and the build. There are a lot of hidden costs that some aren’t prepared for, such as structural engineer fees, building regulation costs, etc.
Can we live with less outdoor space?
It’s inevitable. Extending your internal space is going to mean reducing your outdoor space. For most people, having more space inside to accommodate a growing family, or more needs is worth the reduction in garden size . But what if that extension means you’re going to lose a parking space? Not only could that have a negative impact on your day-to-day life, but you may run into issues in the planning stage. It’s something to consider.
Should we move instead?
The big question! If you think you need a big double storey extension, or even multiple extensions, to make your life easier or achieve that ‘dream home’ status, you’re going to have to be willing to spend big money on it. And a £100k+ cost might make moving seem like a better option. But then you’ve got to be able to find a new house that’s big enough, in the right location and for an affordable price. And moving comes with a whole load of extra costs such as surveyor fees, stamp duty, solicitor fees and the cost of physically moving your belongings.
Moving house can also take a long time and is often completely out of your control, Whereas renovation is something you can create your own timeline on.
There’s no right decision but the higher that build cost goes, the more important it is to really consider all your options.
Would a garage or loft conversion be better?
Before you go for a home extension, take a look at how you can unlock the potential of dead space in your home. The two biggest offenders are lofts and garages. They’re most often used for storage (for things you probably haven’t used in years) and a conversion to liveable space can give you everything an extension would - often for a lower cost. And in many cases, both would fall under permitted development, which means you wouldn’t require planning permission.
Will it add house value?
The value a home extension can add to a property is all dependent on how much the house is worth already, the location, the size of the extension and what is going to be used for. You should always be consider how much to spend on your extension if you want to get the value back at the other end. If your new extension is going to increase the value of the property by 20%, you can expect to have paid 15-20% of the end property value for the build itself.
And regardless of what you add to your house, there’s a limit to what people will pay for a property on your street so watch you don’t extend beyond the cap.
But, it’s important to extend for you, not just to add value. If you need the extra space and it’ll make you happier and more comfortable, and you can afford it, then go for it. Don’t worry so much about what value it’s going to add. As long as you don’t lose the investment in the long run, you’re on to a winner.
If you’re based in the East Midlands and you’d like to book in with our Nottingham team for a free, no obligation design consultation where we can chat about your home extension, please give us a call on 0115 874 8570 - or hit the button below.
You can also find out more about home extensions and the fees we charge here.
If you’re not quite ready to get started, or you’re based elsewhere in the UK, please feel free to check out the rest of our Advice Centre - and connect with us on Instagram and Facebook for tips and inspiration.
Other useful articles
5 things you need to do when planning a home extension
When’s the best time to start your home extension