Do your kids need separate rooms? Is your living room too small to host parties and gatherings? Do you often struggle to adjust space when guests decide to stay over?
If yes, it means it is time to consider a home extension!
And why not? It is an ideal way to improve the living space, increase the property value and offer personal space to family members. However, planning a home extension is a bit tricky compared to regular home improvements.
But you need not worry! In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know for a functional home extension. From home design to necessary permits, we’ve got everything covered. So, let’s cut to the chase.
Things to Consider When Drafting a Plan
Extending your house requires extensive planning, inclusive of different permissions and things to take into account. Specifically, it includes the following:
1. Apply for necessary permissions.
Obtaining planning permission is a vital step in the process of designing an extension, but it can be challenging to follow if you are unfamiliar with the procedure. As a general rule, you require renovation authorization if:
- Half of the area of the land surrounding your home is covered by your extension,
- You are spreading towards the road,
- The building’s overall height is being increased, either by adding a story or building a balcony,
- You’re utilizing materials that aren’t consistent with the house’s original design.
Nevertheless, it would be best to consult the local authorities to learn about the necessary permission you need for an extension and fulfill those requirements. As a matter of fact, in many scenarios, you’ll need to conduct land surveying to establish property lines.
There are different types of land surveying that are part of project development’s screening process. Without a survey or one that is incorrectly done, development could intrude on neighboring properties, which could lead to legal action. To avoid such a situation, you must hire a land surveyor or use environmental due diligence software.
2. Don’t overlook neighbor’s necessity.
Building a two-story or taller extension too far into your backyard could lead to a shadow on your neighbors, which limits the space that can be built. Likewise, household amenities, like upper-floor balconies, may cause conflict if they look out over the neighbors.
Therefore, it would be best if you consult an architect or designer while creating a design. They can observe your surroundings and help create a design that’ll suit your needs without affecting the lifestyle or comfort of your neighbors.
3. Pay attention to house access.
When planning a home addition, organizing access is a crucial first step to take into account because it may restrict your design possibilities.
For instance, access to the back of your property will be restricted if you stay in a terraced house. In that case, you’ll need to communicate with your builders and neighbors as soon as possible to avoid generating problems later on.
Moreover, it is possible to have materials craned over a home, but it is quite expensive and requires obtaining the council’s permission to close the road temporarily.
4. Avail permission for new upgrade.
There are instances when minor changes to an extension’s design are unavoidable and thus approved by authorities with little to no problem. But any significant alterations to your extension’s design made following the approval of your planning application will call for either a retrospective revision or a completely new application.
So, it is best to plan carefully in advance and avoid any hiccups in the renovation later on.
Extensions that You Can Add to Your Home
Now that you know how to create an effective home extension plan, let’s learn some improvements you can include in your space. If you have the necessary skills, you can DIY these improvements or always rely on professionals to do the work for you.
1. Add a porch.
Porches are ideal if your entrance door leads directly to the living room. It might be a minor extension, though it can elevate the curb appeal and aesthetics of your property significantly. It also creates a space perfect for spending some quality time outdoors.
“The best part?” You may wonder.
Well, building a porch is pretty easy! As long as your design is simple and doesn’t go beyond the site, you don’t require planning permissions. Of course, it varies from state to state, so you must confirm it before starting the project.
You’ll require bricks, a door, glass windows, and construction tools to build the porch. Nevertheless, if you want a modern-looking and sophisticated porch, you may need to pay extra regulation costs.
2. Convert your garage.
Many homeowners prefer parking their vehicles outside their garages while using the space to keep unused or unnecessary materials. This brings us to the question- Do you also have a garage that is not functional?
If yes, this upgrade is perfect for transforming that redundant space into a livable one!
There are numerous garage makeover ideas that you can use, ranging from a modern lounge to the kids’ playroom. However, this upgrade is time-consuming, so you must hire contractors or designers.
If your garage is not attached to your home, but in the backyard or garden, you might need to avail permission from local authorities.
3. Create space upstairs.
If it is not feasible to extend the floor area of your house, you can consider adding an extra floor to your property. It will allow you to build multiple rooms, even for the guests, ensuring everyone enjoys their privacy.
This upgrade will boost the home value without intruding on land boundaries or causing trouble for your neighbors. You can cover the entire terrace to create different rooms. Or leave some space for a balcony or terrace garden to add aesthetic appeal to the place.
Again, it would be wise to work with builders or designers to upgrade the house to your liking without breaking any rules.
Ready to build a home extension?
As your family grows, extending your house becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. It offers everyone space and elevates the interiors to boost the property’s value.
Nevertheless, it would be best if you work with professionals when extending your house, as they can reduce your workload to a great extent!
Need more ideas on home improvements? Check these out!
- Loft Extension Costs – How to Save When Extending Your Attic
- Different Types of Insulation: What’s Best for Your Home
- Different Window Types: Pros, Cons & What You Need to Know
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