WE LEARNED...

ONCE YOUR PLANS have been approved, make sure you fully develop the interior layout – including stairs, kitchen units, bathroom fittings etc – before you get started on any building work. This makes for a much smoother process on site and ensures price estimates are more accurate.

EXTERNAL LANDSCAPING is crucial to the finished result. Last-minute indecision can create delays, so it’s always worth thinking about this aspect of your project well in advance.

WHEN CALCULATING COSTS don’t forget to include all the associated fees – estate agency, solicitor, stamp duty, council tax, tree survey reports etc. Some councils charge a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fee, which you may be able to claim an exemption for when extending your home. Residents’ associations also occasionally impose charges in relation to building work on privately-owned roads. The total expenditure can amount to £10,000s.