Improve, don’t move!
Gary Flockhart reveals everything you need to know about getting an extension
In these times of uncertainty, many homeowners have been left with a dilemma: buy, sell, or stick.
And with the number of homes on the market now close to the lowest level on record, it would appear that many homeowners have decided the best course of action is to improve what they’ve got.
Inevitably, this has lead to an upsurge in the number of extensions being built.
Of course, extending your home or adding a loft conversion is never a bad idea, as it can add more than £42,000 to the value of an average property, while an extra bathroom could boost its worth by nearly £10,000, according to mortgage lender Nationwide.
It seems like a no-brainer if you have the money - and, of course, the space to extend on to - but before you crack on with any new project, here are some of the most important things to take into account when planning your extension.
CONFIRM YOUR BUDGET
It goes without saying, but there’s no point in embarking on a project that you can’t afford to finish. The first thing to do, then, is calculate how much you can afford to fork out on your new extension and then ensure that your project is actually doable within that budget.
More often than not, projects have some form of unexpected expenses, so make sure that you also include at least 10% of your budget for this.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
What, exactly, is it that you want to do? Do you want an extra bedroom, an extended living space, a home office or to solve your home’s bad layout problems? The answer to this question will then determine what type of project you need to undertake.
DO YOU NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?
According to the rules of permissive development, not all home alterations require planning permission. That said, it is important to be entirely sure whether or not you need to acquire planning permission before you start any project. You’ll find this information on
Extending your home or adding a loft conversion can add more than £42,000 to the value of an average property