Top Tips for Planning a Home Extension Do you love where you live, but need a bit more space? Your family has grown and now you need a bigger kitchen, a gym room or a home office? Extending your home is a great way to gain that extra elbow room, without the hassle and upheaval of moving to a new house. If we remember 2020 for one thing, it’ll be the year we spent at home! And with current restrictions and changes to the way we live, many homeowners are taking a serious look at their homes and the best way to extend them and gain extra space.
As a team of the specialist builders in North London, Combit Construction understands what it takes to plan and achieve a great home extension. That’s why we’ve taken the time to jot down our 7 top tips for success:
1. Plan, Plan, Plan! Yes, we always say this… but we’re stressing it again! Planning is one of the most essential parts of your extension. Think about the extra space you need and the most effective way to achieve it. While the overall floor size is important, it’s also important to think about other factors such as bringing in as much natural light as possible: rooms drenched in sunlight often feel a lot bigger than they really are.
Consider re-purposing the existing space as part of your home extension North London plans. Can you remove an existing internal wall to increase the functionality of your living space? Time spent planning is never wasted. A clear vision of what you need to achieve, and the finished look of your project is super important. Check out different ideas online and pull together images that suit your style: this will help when you meet with your builder and finalize plans.
2. Get the Necessary Approvals Depending on the size of your project, you may need to get planning permission. Finding your way through all the technical jargon can be a bit confusing, but there are professionals available to help you: approach your local council and find out exactly what you’ll need to be able to complete your project.
3. Get the Neighbors Onside An objection from one of your neighbors can be a real snag in your project, so communication is key: talk to your neighbors and get them onside. Talk to them about your house extension plans – a simple chat might go a long way.
4. Set Your Budget Building an extension on a budget is nothing to be ashamed of – most homeowners have saved hard for their extensions and it’s important to get the best bang for your buck. Allocate funds for each area of the build – this is something you need to discuss with your chosen builder. It’s important to note that extending an existing property can sometimes have hidden costs, so allowing extra for those ‘unexpected’ expenses will help to avoid budget blow-outs.
5. Choose Your Builder When it comes to building companies, North London has plenty to offer, but remember your builder can literally make or break your dreams, so don’t rush
into this decision. Research online, ask family and friends who have recently built or extended homes, and visit display homes or showrooms. Get several quotations and compare them, noting how much detail has been included in each quote. Meet the builders in person and discuss your ideas – a face-to-face meeting allows you to judge the builder’s approach to your project.
6. Clear Communication Always keep the lines of communication open during your build. Clear communication with your builder and any other parties involved will help to minimize misunderstandings and ensure 100% success!
7. Don’t Forget the Landscaping Although it’s not part of the building itself, your landscaping is also an important part of planning a house extension. Will you need to remove trees or bushes to build? Will you require a new driveway? Carefully planning your landscaping will ensure that the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ areas are well connected, and street appeal is maintained. Extending your home is a great way to add value to your property. For many North Londoners, our homes are our biggest single asset, so it’s important that any home extensions or renovations are designed and constructed by a team that understands property values and ways to maximize return on your investment.