With a slow housing market that doesn’t show any signs of picking up soon, many people are opting to stay put and extend their existing home, rather than up sticks and move.
This may seem like a great idea and a good way to save both money and time, but before you jump in and start buying breeze blocks to get started on that house extension, there are a few things you need to consider.
So here, produced with the benefit of over 15 years of continuing experience in the building and construction industry, is the Harvey Norman Architects 10 Point Guide to what you need to know before heading off towards your new house extension:
This is probably one of the most fundamental questions – and it’s usually the first thing we have to ask our clients.
So before you do anything (and ideally before you call in your architect) sit down and decide exactly – or if you can’t be exact, come up with a good idea – of how much you have to spend. Don’t forget to include extras such as your architect’s fees and the costs of your planning application if necessary. Also most architects and many builders will quote net of VAT, so don’t forget to add the 20% on if need be.
Once you’ve given yourself a budget, stick to it – it’s all too easy to let costs creep up on that house extension.
Are you looking for a new living area that the whole family can enjoy, an extra bedroom for a new arrival or a home office?
What you want to use your extension for and what you want to do in it will determine what kind of alteration you make to your home.
House extensions don’t happen overnight – and even getting planning permission and building regulations approval can sometimes take months. So be patient, and expect some upheaval and interruption to normal family life while the building is going on. You may want to consider the time of year, factor in things like holidays, family events and other occasions for which you will want full use of your house without the builders being in. Once you do decide the best time window for you property extension to be built, the secret is to plan it ahead as far as possible.
For some property alterations such as loft conversions and single storey extensions, or certain types of sun rooms, you may not need planning permission.
But you are well advised to check all local planning regulations and requirements first before making any definite plans to proceed.
Check with your local planning officer for more information – or just ask your architect.
Harvey Norman Architects offer a Kick Start Consultation meeting that covers everything from planning permission, building regulations and how to go about finding the right type of builder to the smallest questions. The Kick Start Consultation can save weeks of your own time in researching everything yourself.
It’s not just because we’re architects that we say you should use a professional.
Big projects such as loft conversions or external home extensions are not simple DIY jobs, and we’ve seen them go wrong too many times when even skilled DIYers have had a go themselves. You will need the services of an expert if you are planning on making major alterations to your property, and in fact part of the planning application may have to include plans produced by a qualified architect and other consultants such as structural engineers.
You will need to factor in the cost of an architect and, if required, an engineer, to your overall budget.
This is a particularly important consideration, especially if you are making major alterations to your property.
Do you share a party wall with your neighbours, and will your alterations potentially damage their property?
There is also the social aspect – your plans may impact on their quality of life during the construction period, so it’s wise to keep your neighbours fully informed of your intentions right from the start. Once again, your architect will be able to advise on any potential issues.
If your home is in a designated conservation area or is a listed building, there may be very strict controls governing what alterations you can and cannot make.
You may not know if you’re in a conservation area, so check with your local council – or use your architect’s local knowledge – for further details.
Where you put your house extension is the next decision. Loft conversions are increasingly popular – so if you have the option of converting your attic space into a new room without any external signs of extending the property it’s definitely worth considering.
The most common option for simply gaining extra space either is either a single storey or two storey extension, for which you may want to build out to the side of your home. Again, talking to an architect will help you decide which is the best option for you.
Unless you’re an experienced builder yourself, the likelihood is that you will need to get a professional building firm in to do the work – even if it’s a smaller job like a loft conversion. Choose wisely, and take note of the recommendations of friends who have had work done on their properties, or see if your architect can provide contacts.
Word of mouth is often the best indicator of a quality tradesman, but make sure you have a first-hand look at examples of their previous work before taking the plunge.
As we said earlier, it’s wise to plan well in advance. Set yourself a strict timetable for completion. The chances are that it will over-run, but if you lay down the ground rules for completion at the very start of the project you can avoid living on a building site for months on end. Don’t underestimate the impact that building an extension can have on your quality of life, and try to minimise that impact.
Smiley Building Services are endorsed by “Trustmark”, who are the only UK Government
Endorsed Quality building Scheme for work carried out around your home.
Several motivations fuel TrustMark's mission, chiefly to assist homeowners with
implementing energy-saving upgrades in their dwellings and to bolster the level of
confidence they possess while engaging in such undertakings. It is imperative to possess a
well-defined vision of your intended home improvements, acquaint yourself with the
potential expenses and expected duration of projects. Bear in mind that proficient
professionals are typically sought after, hence there could be a necessity to be patient in
order to secure the services of the ideal tradesperson for your task.
Smiley Building Services are a full member of Federation of Master Builders, who vet all
members as reputable, and certify them as dependable local tradesmen.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) stands as the most prominent trade association for
the UK's construction sector, dedicated to representing the interests of small to midsize
construction businesses. Its mission is to serve as the definitive directory of reputable,
certified, and dependable local craftspeople.
To be part of the FMB, individual contractors and construction enterprises of small to
medium scale in the UK must have a business history of at least one year. The FMB isn't
exclusive to SME builders alone; if your activities intersect with the SME builder industry
and you uphold the FMB's commitment to excellence and industry standards, you may be
eligible for FMB associateship. For further information, consider reviewing the criteria for
becoming an Associate member.
The FMB separates itself from similar entities by requiring a membership that's not just
handed out; it's awarded based on merit. Applicants are subject to a rigorous screening and an
unbiased review of their work to ensure standards are met. This meticulous vetting is integral
to providing clients with the assurance that they are engaging with a business that upholds
quality and excellence in its services.