An extension is a great way to give you extra living space without the hassle of moving home. Maybe you need an extra bedroom, another bathroom, a conservatory to enjoy the summer in, or maybe just some extra storage space? Extensions are the perfect solution to all of these problems. But what do you have to consider before undertaking an extension on your home?
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Before you start
The first thing you should do is ask yourself a few important questions regarding the extension: Are you building a one storey extension or two? Do you have planning permission? How will builders access the property?
Everyone who plans an extension on their property always misses something, so make sure you sit and ask yourself the important questions before you go ahead.
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Advice
This ties in nicely with our first point. In order to gain a clear picture and to ensure you ask yourself all the right questions, get in touch with an extension veteran; either a builder directly, if you know one or know someone who does, or talk with someone who has had an extension done on their property. If you can’t find anyone you know there are plenty of independent forums online where you can find all the information you need.
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Costs
Most building projects go over budget so it is important that you take into account the complexity and quality of the design and whether it fits in with your budget. As a rule of thumb, the average extension costs roughly £1,000-£2,000 per square metre. Designing the extension yourself can save money but if you don’t feel confident or are not equipped to do so you will need to factor in the cost of an architect, designer or structural engineer.
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Finance
Knowing how you are paying for your extension is something you may need to organise very early on to ensure you don’t fall into any financial difficulty. Very few homeowners are lucky enough to be able to pay for an extension outright. Most small extensions are paid for using an interest free credit card. Larger extensions tend to opt for a personal loan, a home remortgage, or a secured loan.
Rhino Piling provides piling in Manchester for extensions of all shapes and sizes. If you are thinking of extending your property, get in touch with the team today.
