Extending your home can be an exciting prospect. Not only does it offer you the chance to drastically improve the utility and space of your home, but also to increase your property value. Do this right, and it could be the investment you make is more than paid off when you come to sell.
There are many motivations for extending your property. You might want to build a production studio for your freelance work. You might be expecting a new member of the family. You might have just experienced a large bonus or salary raise at work, and want that money to go towards a wise and functional investment.
However, no matter your noble goal, this is a large task to begin. There’s no doubt about that. You need to prepare correctly. Let this guide be your first port of call, helping you get started in the right way.
Planning Permissions
Planning permission might be named something different in your country, but you must make sure to ascertain it. Simply constructing on your property is not always an easy task. Many factors must be considered before you are given free reign. For example, if your property is in an area of protected beauty, then you might have a harder time constructing more. If it’s likely to be a job that takes years and causes significant noise pollution or unwarranted debris for a time, this might also be a problem. Planning for a project extension is going to require a budget to understand costs before starting. There are estimating services that can accurately prepare a cost analysis on projects.
For the most part though those who judge your application will do what they can to afford you the right to construct on your property, especially if you neglect to step on the toes of those around you. Fill everything out as perfectly as you can. If you are accepted, you must then enter a period where you display your intent to extend on the road or at the edge of your property. This allows any neighbors time to raise queries or even argue the decision with the local authority, which is perfectly within their right to do.
Hire Help
Now, unless you or your significant other have a history in construction, it’s likely your idea of the finished product is missing a few steps. From the beginning, it can be worthwhile to draw up plans with a general contractor, and if they do a good job consider having them on for the entire project. Be sure to treat this help well.
They will be able to tell you the realistic nature of what you’re planning, what compromises you might have to make, or sometimes how to utilize your space even better. They will give a suggested timeline and a primary quote that could be flexible depending on the degree of work needed. A good general contractor will assemble their own team, and allow you to decide on materials or hard equipment that needs to be hired.
Consider Your Living Situation
It’s important to know what to do in the months and maybe years of your development. For example, if you’re extending your property to house a new baby well, should you really be breathing in that dust during this period? It can be worthwhile to make arrangements well in advance, even if that means living off-site for a period. Even dust sheets and good planning cannot protect you from all of the effects of living in close proximity with a construction team. It can also help you see progress in increments, and not have to stress about the project day in and day out. This will also allow the contractors time to complete work under your direction, but without too much interference.
If this is not a feasible option, be sure to completely designate ‘livable’ areas of your home, and make arrangements of wearing dust masks in select zones, managing the noise pollution of working hours, and cleaning the habitable areas of your home regularly. Also make sure ventilation is a top priority.
With these tips, you are sure to enjoy an excellent refurbishment and extension of your home space. Good luck, and be sure to have fun!
