Opting for a house extension can be a great way to increase the space you have in your living area as well as add value to your home. However, with a house extension comes planning and decision making that can’t be overlooked.
From deciding a budget, choosing a residential builder and knowing the logistics and legalities, home extensions require planning to ensure the process runs smoothly.
What Do I Need To Consider Before a Home Extension?
Do I Need Planning Permission?
In order to build an extension on your home, you have to take into consideration whether or not you have permission to.
The typical rule is you can build an extension that is no bigger than half the area of land around your house already, no higher than the original roof, and a single-storey rear extension can be no higher than four metres.
To find out more on whether or not you need planning permission, read our article on our blog.
Do I Need Building Regulations Approval?
So you can build an extension without planning permission, but do you have approval from Building Regulations?
The aim of Building Regulations is to ensure that buildings and extensions are made safe through the minimum requirements of energy efficiency, structural integrity, fire safety, ventilation, damp proofing and other aspects.
The majority of repair work is excluded from Building Regulations, although some conservatories, sheds and outbuildings must comply with the regulations.
Some of the typical jobs requiring approval are:
- Loft conversions
- Chimneys or flues
- Openings for new windows
- Installations that involve new drainage or waste plumbing
- Heating appliances installation
- Home extensions
- Some advanced disability adaptations
To apply for approval, you can submit a Full Plan submission or Building Notice.
A Full Plan Submission requires ongoing visits to your site during the process from a building inspector.
A Building Notice lets the local authority to know that you are undergoing an extension that complies with the regulations, in which they will have 48 hours notice before your building starts.
Do You Have Any Shared Walls?
Work will have to comply with the Party Wall Act if you are planning to build or dig around foundations within 3 metres of the boundary. Further, if you plan on digging foundations within 6 metres of a boundary.
The Party Wall Act 1996 allows you to build up to or on your neighbours’ land or building, even allowing access onto their property if needs be where planning permission allows.
Does Your Property Have Site Access?
When undergoing an extension, deliveries and builders will need to make their way in and out of your site. Is there space for cars to get by and is the area in which builders are working safe and accessible?
What Insurance Do You Need For a Home Extension?
When undergoing an extension and managing the project yourself, you should take the time to apply for Extension Insurance to cover the work. Initially, contact your home insurer as some provide extended extension insurance.
The insurance covers the original building and the new works that are being implemented during a renovation or alteration. So for example, in the awful event of your house becoming damaged or collapsing during construction, the insurance will be a lifesaver.
Speak to your building contractors to find out any worries you may have.
Will an Extension Add Value to My Home?
When building a home extension with the hope and aim to add value to your home, it is vital that the cost of the extension is less than the value-added to your home’s market price. This way you can be economically sure that the extension was worth the investment.
Read our blog to find out more ways you can add value to your home.
Does Your House Need An Update?
Undergoing a house extension is an exciting prospect and people tend to rush into it without taking into consideration the current state of the house’s facilities.
Extra demand for the heating and plumbing systems needs to be met when building new infrastructure.
Take the time to evaluate whether you can swap old for new. For example, could you switch your boiler for eco-friendly heated floors? This not only makes your home more efficient, but it also makes it appear more attractive to potential future buyers.
Technology is invading all our homes, from automatic voice-controlled blinds to refrigerators that display their inside content on a touchscreen panel. Keeping up with these trends can add value to your home and also make living a little easier.
Where Will You Be Staying During The Building?
Depending on the size of the project and in which part of the home it is taking place, living-in while the building is going on can have a disruptive effect on the progress of the project.
Taking into consideration the safety and security of living in the construction site, dust and dirt may get in the way of your everyday life and wellbeing. Further, the workers on the site may take longer to complete a project if they are having to work around you.
Decide whether or not you will be living on-site or in short-term accommodation such as a hotel, a rental or with friends and family.
How Do I Find Good Local Builders?
Choosing building contractors in your area can be a difficult task, with jobs being left uncompleted and poor quality work being done; this is the most important step to ensuring your house extension is executed with your best interest in mind at all times.
For our top tips on how to find a good builder in your area, read our blog.
Here at Form Construction, we work with you to achieve your absolute desired results and we act with complete transparency and trust. Get in touch with us now so we can take the stress out of your building prospects.