Tips for a successful home extension

Tips for a successful home extension. Are you happy with your home but would like a little more space? Expanding your home is the way to go. Every home is unique to the people who live in it, so here are some tips on how to successfully expand your home.

Get all authorizations first

This is where the experts come in. Depending on the size, shape, and scale of your new extension, you may have to apply for a building permit. However, don’t panic!

As every town hall is different, there is no general rule of thumb for extension design. This can only mean one thing: you need to find a designer who is willing to push the limits. Most town hall websites offer a lot of information and design guides to ensure that the architecture complements your area.

Even if your extension doesn’t need planning permission, you will need building code approval, which is there to enforce building regulations. Building regulations safeguard designs by ensuring that buildings are constructed correctly and inspections are carried out along the way. This helps prevent unprofessional hiring.

Talk to your neighbors

Make sure your neighbors are on your side. Sometimes it is your neighbors who can make or break a planning request in the eyes of the city council. An objection to your proposal is never an easy hurdle to overcome.

A simple chat with them can go a long way, so show them what you are planning. Explain the design and the reasons behind your project. This will help them understand your proposal better, and hopefully, there will be little or no objections.

Set a budget

It may seem like an easy step to making your dream come true, but it’s common to overspend even on the smallest projects. The general rule is to provide an additional contingency fund of 10-20%. An even better practice would be to hand over the designers’ drawings to the surveyor for an accurate cost prediction.

It should also be noted that, in addition to the construction budget, you have to take into account the fees of designers and consultants, VAT, and local authorities for applications. So be realistic with your budget, as creating the perfect dream home is not just about new construction. Many factors work together to create a beautiful and functional space.

What is the objective of the enlargement?

This is a question that most people think they know the answer to. However, there tend to be more answers to this question than space and budget allow. It usually requires a large commitment or a good designer who will work hard with you to achieve the best addition.

Whether it is a young couple that is starting to live together or a family of four that has lived in the same house for many years, each person within that house will require a different and varied result of the space.

For one person it might be a quiet environment to return to after a hard day at the office. For another, it might be a social environment to entertain friends and have conversations. Be sure to consider who will use this space, when they will use it, and what they will use it for. Is an additional bedroom what you are looking for or do you want a larger and brighter open space for the kitchen and dining room?

Consider the location and surroundings

The location of your home is critical to the design of your addition. The best extensions are those that adapt to or contrast with your environment.

From a rural town to an urban suburb, no expansion is the same. Why not use the environment as an opportunity to push the boundaries of building technologies and compliment or contrast innovative designs?

Is your home near a stream? A noisy train line? Wildlife in the forest? A very crowded urban setting?

Research different materials

The choice of materials is crucial for the design of an extension. It is the material’s finish that gives life to the structure. Whether you want your addition to stand out from the crowd or simply be a subtle enhancement, there are plenty of options to choose from. Many manufacturers and vendors offer different services, so be sure to do your homework before you jump into things.

Paneling is a material option that is being used more frequently. If you are looking for a rustic feel, give wood a thumbs up. If you prefer a clean, crisp finish for a contemporary extension, perhaps a mix of white plaster and slate gray will work well for large expanses.

Think outside the box

An extension can be up into the loft, out as an addition, or down to a basement. No extension is the same, so make yours stand out from the crowd with a wow factor.

You can add some quirky details to the design that differentiate yours from the typical extension, be it the shape of the extension or a hidden glazing panel where new meets old.

Remember to keep pushing the boundaries and show why residential architecture is exciting.

Landscaping

A great architectural designer will take the environment into account and incorporate it into the proposal. Architecture complements nature, so if you have a view it’s a good idea to take advantage of it.

Choose the right builder

Choosing the right builder is crucial to building your dream. With the wrong construction company, your dream will quickly turn into a nightmare. Be sure to research the builders for a long time, visit their past projects, have numerous conversations, and take a look at their websites for opinions.

Finding the right designer or consultant

This is the most important part of all (it is fundamental).

If you want to stand out from the crowd and have the best extension on your street, choose a designer with extensive experience in residential architecture.

It is advisable to review the web pages of many designers and look at the portfolios of their previous work.

Conclusion

Expanding your home can be immensely rewarding and can make a huge difference in your lifestyle. With a little knowledge and some helpful tips, you’ll soon be on your way to living the dream.