5 Essential Tips for Home Extensions

As property prices increase significantly, many people are choosing to renovate their homes for the purpose of adding value and adding more space in cities and towns where space is increasingly limited. Extending a house can have a great impact on your lifestyle because your home won’t be the same, and there will be a lot of mess and inconvenience during the extension period.

It’s imperative you build your extension the right way, as you really have only one chance to do a proper job.

For young families looking to add more space to their home, or to extend and even convert a space, there are 5 essential tips for home extensions that you should consider before starting.

Try to avoid living on site

Extending your home produces plenty of dust, mess, and dirt and it can also obstruct the overall project because contractors will have to work around your life and schedule.

The solution? We recommend you consider staying in temporary accommodation. This could be taking out a short-term rental, staying in a hotel or perhaps staying with friends or family.

Although it may seem like an additional outlay, staying elsewhere while extending your home could potentially save you a lot of time and money.

Some people choose to live in their house while extensions are being done which is certainly possible, it all comes down to what you’d prefer.

Choose a Designer Wisely

House extensions have many aspects and when it comes to the design of your extension, there are several options you can choose from.

These include some of the following:

• Architects
• Package build companies with in-house design teams
• Specialist designers

Transparency is key when it comes to working with a designer. It is hugely important that you ensure they understand exactly what it is you want, and what it is you are looking to achieve with your home extension.

This is not to say that there won’t be some sort of compromise during the process, but your designer should meet with you to discuss your brief extensively before identifying feasible plans that fall within your budget. This is the fun part, so make sure you bounce all of your ideas off of them.

Comply with the building regulations

Although some people perceive this step as a hindrance, building regulations are there for a reason:

• To set out minimum requirements for structural integrity
• Fire safety
• Energy efficiency
• Damp proofing
• Ventilation

At Reno8experts, we govern the entire process and know these building regulations inside out. Some new buildings such as sheds, outbuildings, and conser­vatories are excluded from these regulations, but all new building work, including altera­tions and house extensions, must comply with them.

We will guarantee that the regulations are adhered to, every step of the way.

Set a budget and stick to it

When extending your home, it’s easy to overspend on even the smallest of projects. We recommend budgeting for around £1,000 – £2,000 per square meter, but the best thing for you to do would be to get a completely free, no obligation quote through Renov8experts.

It’s important to be realistic with your budget. If it’s your first renovation, then working with a project manager from start to finish is your best bet. They will assist in identifying everything you need in order to execute your plan.

An experienced project manager won’t miss a thing, and trust us, once the renovation is well underway, you’ll find refuge in that.

Use your space wisely

A lot of the time, home extensions are conducted because of the need for more space. Although space is a premium, it’s easy to be absorbed by thinking in square metres, as opposed to thinking about how effective you can be with a certain amount of space.

Bigger is not always better when it comes to house extensions, and there are often ways of creating the feeling of more space, without adding a massive, costly, and unnecessary extensions.

This can be achieved through strategically placed furniture, natural light, and décor. By removing clutter, painting the space with a light colour, and even adding a mirror, you can make a room feel much bigger than it is.

Being conscious of these 5 essential tips for home extensions before, during and after extending your house will go a long way in maximising your space and budget. It pays to be savvy, and to have peace of mind.