More and more people are choosing to stay put and extend rather than move. Moving costs a lot before you've gained any space, and decent family houses aren't easy to find. Whatever your budget, there's usually a way to get more room from the house you already own.
Start with what you need, not what you've seen online
Write down what's actually wrong with the house now. Is it a cramped kitchen? Nowhere to work from home? Not enough bedrooms? The answer decides the type of extension, and it stops the budget creeping towards features you don't really need.
Where the money goes
The big costs in any extension are the structure (foundations, walls, steel and roof), the glazing and the fit-out. A smaller, simpler extension with a good kitchen often feels better than a bigger one finished on a shoestring. Large bi-folds, lanterns and complex roofs all add cost, so use them where they make the biggest difference.
Smaller options that work hard
- A modest rear extension combined with knocking through to the dining room
- A garage conversion, which often doesn't need planning permission
- A loft conversion with roof windows rather than a full dormer
Where not to economise
Don't skimp on the bits you can't see. Foundations, damp-proofing, insulation and drainage are expensive to put right later. A good builder will tell you honestly where you can save and where you shouldn't.
We give fixed-price, itemised quotes, so you can see exactly where your money goes and adjust the spec before you commit. Call 07786 254637 to book a free site survey.