Properties

Beginners Guide to Building an Extension

It is no secret that building an extension has many positives, it adds extra value and space to your home, but on the other hand it can be reasonably stressful and can also cost a small fortune. This guide will take you through the important elements of planning and building an extension, whilst trying to save you a few pounds at the same time.

Planning permission

When extending your home planning permission is not usually required as you can complete this development under what is called permitted development. Permitted development allows you to extend your home as long as certain criteria are met. This criterion includes ensuring that your extension is not 50% larger than the land area of your “original house” and your extension cannot become closer to the public highway. If you need to raise roof beams or build above your current property planning permission may then be required. Once you know what extension you’d like to go ahead with please check all of these conditions, building regulations will also need to be met.

Research stage – planning & architects

When planning your extension, it’s good to have in mind a plan and specifics of what you’d like to achieve. The first place you can shave a little from the cost is designing your extension with a square footprint and a simple pitched roof. Search the internet for inspiration and start a mood board with your ideas. Once you know exactly what you want moving onto drawings is the next stage.

Depending on the complexity of your extension you may need assistance from an architect or building design professional, your builder may be able to help you at this stage. Be sure to speak to a reputable builder, take a look at the reviews and move onto the build with confidence, at this stage you can also suggest ways you could save on cost and get involved.

How to save money – getting involved

When speaking to your designer / builder be sure to let them know you’d like to get involved. You could save money by helping take care of painting and decorating, plaster boarding, laying floors or digging foundations. You’d obviously have to have the skills to be a help and not a hindrance on such projects but a conversation with your architect or builder would be a great place to start.

If you have the required skills there is no reason why you can’t take on the task yourself, don’t get us wrong it will definitely take much longer and there are potential risks involved but these days the internet is a great place to start. You will need to take into account the mass amount of equipment and materials you need such as bricks, concrete, electrical components, wheelbarrows, extension ladders and probably even a pair of wellies!

Other things to consider when building an extension

There are so many things to consider when planning and building an extension and in a basic guide it can be difficult to make sure we haven’t missed anything, so we’ll end this article with a few other things to consider.

Insurance – Consider additional insurance when the build begins. Taking out this type of insurance can provide additional cover should problems from the project arise.

Get on with your builder – You’ve checked the reviews and the quote works for you but be sure to get on with your builder. You don’t have to be the best of friends, but it really will help as the build progresses.

Stay in or move out – Staying at home during an extension can be stressful and even add delays on the build. Consider moving out for a short period of time.

Detailed rates and no day rates – When receiving the quote make sure it’s detailed to ensure there are no hidden charges. Day rates can also work out more expensive, so look out for these.

Plan for extra living costs – With an extension you now have extra space to heat to just be wary of this too when budgeting for any electricity and gas bills.

In summary, if you’re thinking about an extension you’ve got a big job on your hands and this article has hopefully made that task a little easier. You hopefully now know where to start and you can also try and save a little extra pounds on the way. The next step is to find some inspiration and get cracking!

Do you need custom forged fittings in your build? Our forgings manufacturing capability can accept custom jobs for any type of building components.

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