Building an extension is a great way to expand the space you own without having to buy and move to a new property. There are many reasons for building an extension, with the need for additional space being among the top reasons.

When building an extension to your house, there are several things you should know and these are 12 things to consider when building an extension.

1. What is the purpose of the extension?

People build extensions to existing property for several reasons. Some want natural light and ventilation, which a design and building company can achieve in several ways. A need for additional space, whether it is for an office or storage, is another reason why a homeowner would consider an extension.

Knowing the reason for the extension will help you focus on your exact requirements and work with a building company Surrey to create the exact space you require instead of making changes or alterations that do not serve a purpose.

2. Know your budget

The cost of building an extension is a key factor you need to be aware of when approaching a design and building company. Your location as well as type of house are deciding factors, in addition to the size of the project and cost of material and labour.

There are also additional costs to consider. If you require product design and bespoke joinery, for instance, there will be added costs that you must also keep in mind. An architectural designer Surrey will ensure the extension you build is planned well, but will also add to the cost of the project.

You must also leave room for various permits, demolition costs, and removal of hazardous material. If you cannot access a part of the house, like the kitchen, for an extended period of time, you may have to allocate a portion of your budget to food delivery services. You may even have to spend a few nights away from home while construction is taking place.

Having an estimate of the costs you will be looking at when building an extension will help you plan it in a way that is well within your budget and this is one of the main things you should know about building an extension.

3. Adding value to your property

When building an extension, you should also know if it adds value to your property, especially if you plan on selling the property at some point in time. An extension should not reduce the value of a property, whether in terms of appearance or liveability.

If an extension makes a space unusable or limits the usage of a space, the extension may reduce the value of the house instead of increasing it. This is something you should always be aware of and it is for this reason that most homeowners work with architectural designer Surrey when planning and designing their home extension.

The expertise a design and build company Surrey offers is unparalleled and will help you build an extension that adds great value to your property.

4. Are there any regulations that apply to home extensions?

There are many regulations that the construction industry must adhere to depending on the type and scale of the project. Building a home extension is no exception and there are various regulations you must adhere to, especially depending on the area and how large a project it will be.

The design and building services you obtain will have a better idea of the relevant regulations as well as necessary permits when carrying out demolition and construction work. However, it is always best to inquire from the relevant authorities about any applicable regulations yourself.

5. How long with it take?

The duration of the project depends on the type of extension as well as any parts of the existing structure that needs to be demolished before construction of the extension can commence. When considering the duration of the project, talking to a design and build company Surrey will help you get a better idea of the timeline you are looking at.

Having a rough idea of how long construction will take place for will help you prepare for any inconveniences or disruptions to your daily life. If, for instance, you cannot access certain parts of your house, like a bedroom, you will have to make other arrangements for at least some part of the duration of the project.

6. Do you need a professional service?

Considering how an architecture and design service is an additional cost, it may seem better to forgo the experts and professionals. This is not necessarily a good idea, however. While you may know what you need additional space for and how you want to utilise it, a design and building company will know exactly how to add this additional space to the existing house in a way that adds value to the property.

A professional design and building service will also carry out your home extension project from start to end, ensuring all your requirements are met within your budget. When considering fixtures and appliances, a product design and bespoke joinery manufacturer can add so much more value to your new space.

7. What about your neighbours?

One of the biggest things to consider when building an extension is how it will impact your neighbours. To what extent will any renovations or construction on your property interfere with their daily lives and be an inconvenience to your neighbours?

Different regulations and policies may apply depending on where you live and your local authorities will be able to provide you with the necessary information on any measures you need to take when informing neighbours about any construction about to take place.

You may also want to consider how any objection from neighbours will be dealt with.

8. The right designers matter

Adding space to an existing structure can be tricky, especially if there are multiple floors or any changes to the floor plan. This is why an architecture and design team is important when building an extension.

The designers and architects will not only draw up the best way to extend your existing property, but will also ensure the new space is enhanced with natural lighting. The right designers will also pay attention to heating and cooling, ventilation and how the efficiency of the space can be increased.

A design and build company Surrey can offer you architecture and design services that will help you create additional space that you can make great use of.

9. Will you require temporary accommodation?

As mentioned above, the duration of the construction project depends on the extensions you are looking at. The extent to which construction will interfere with your life will depend on several factors but you may need to consider if you will be required to move out for either the entire duration of the project or at least some part of it.

This will mean you have to find accommodation elsewhere and also budget for this when estimating the cost of the project.

10. Impact on the appearance of the house

If you live in a somewhat older house, new additions can make the overall appearance and aesthetics of your house seem off balance. A striking contrast between the old and the new as well as different design styles may affect the value of the property and this is a factor you must consider when building an extension.

While there can always be certain limitations and challenges when making sure a new addition blends in with the existing structure, a building company Surrey will design the additional space taking into account the architectural style and interior design of your house.

11. Your privacy matters

While construction takes place, especially if outer walls need to be demolished, the interior of your house could be exposed to neighbours and passers-by. You may thus have to pay special attention to your privacy and how to best protect it while construction is taking place in one part of the house.

You should also consider safety, since it will take weeks to complete the building of an extension and during this time, parts of your house may be accessible to outsiders.

Be prepared with a contingency budget

No matter how well you prepare in terms of a budget and any additional costs that you may incur, there could always be unexpected costs associated with building an extension. These expenses may be crucial to the successful and satisfactory completion of the project, which means that you will require a contingency budget for such expenses.