With the property market in a regular state of flux in many parts of the world, more and more people who have found themselves in need of more space in the home are opting to extend the home that they are in rather than buy somewhere new. This is a great option for many who don’t wish to uproot their lives and move somewhere else and for people who simply want exactly what they have, with just a dash more space.
If you are thinking about getting an extension then here are the things which you need to consider.
Money
Housing extensions are not cheap and you need to understand that even if you have been given a quote from a particular building firm, they very rarely come in at budget. For this reason you need to ensure that you not only have sufficient money to pay for the extension itself but also that you have enough money to cover any additional charges which will be added on to the cost of the project. On top of this, you need to ensure that you have enough money to furnish, decorate and kit out the new space which you have created.
Permission
Before making changes and alterations to your property you will need to seek planning permission from your local authorities. This is not always a given and there are many laws in place for the protection of others which could prevent your from making changes to your home. Aside from speaking with the authorities, you should also make the effort to speak with your neighbors to inform them of what will be taking place. It is not just the change to you home which may affect the neighbors but also the amount of noise and construction vehicles which may be coming in and out during the project.
Stay or Go
The ideal situation is that you and your family are able to move out for the duration of the extension. This will allow the builders to get on with their job to the best of their ability, it will ensure that the job is finished as quickly as possible and it will mean that you do not put yourself in any danger whilst the work is completed. Not everyone has the means or money to move out for such a long time however and you should understand the consequences if you are not able to move out of your home during the project.
These are the three key things to consider when deciding on whether a housing extension is a good idea for you. Regarding the planning of the extension it is important that you work closely with the architect to talk about exactly what you need from the additional space and find the best way to do it. Whilst this will be an expense operation, you should bear in mind that you will be adding value on to your home and most extensions actually end up paying for themselves when the home is eventually sold.
