Observing the dos of building an extension won’t just prevent an entire lot of hassle, time, and effort, it can prevent thousands of pounds, and make your home more valuable, too.
So, whether you’re planning a one-story extension, building a two-story extension, considering a basement or garage conversion, or designing a loft extension, use these dos to urge your extension right the primary time all while saving the maximum amount of money as possible.
1. DO: GET DETAILED PLANS
Good design is about producing plans that clearly detail all the weather your builder will have to work to – right right down to the depth of any steel poles that require to travel in and therefore the size of the window openings. The more that’s shown on the drawings, the less chance there’s of things going off target.
2. DO: MINIMISE THE UNKNOWNS
When most contractors quote for work, they’re gathering many individual prices for the handfuls of mini-jobs that frame your project. The thanks to avoiding costs changing wildly are to be very clear on specifications from the beginning (and, ideally, to not change your mind).
3. DO: GET A HARD, AND FAST ESTIMATE OF THE BUILD COST
Many elements influence a builder’s price that it’s impossible to predict what figure they’ll offer you. Use an online extension cost calculator, or send your plans to a cost-estimating company like Estimators Online, which will provide you with an in-depth breakdown of the prices related to your project.
4. DO: PLAN FOR STORAGE OF MATERIALS
It’s almost inevitable that you’re going to need an area to hide the heavy materials related to an extension. Where will they be stored? Are they secure? Will the storage stop you from accessing your driveway? puzzling over this too soon within the process can minimize stress afterward.
5. DO: CHOOSE THE PROPER BUILDER
A good builder is quite just a talented tradesperson. Look out for one who includes a loyal team they’ll turn at a moment’s notice; one who provides a transparent, agreed payment schedule; and, most of all, one with a positive, problem-solving attitude.
6. DO: AGREE on PRICES WITH EVERYONE UPFRONT
One of the foremost stressful moments in any project is when the invoices arrive – particularly if they’re more costly than expected. The blame for this usually lies with you, for not being clear about what you wish or changing your mind, and therefore the tradesperson, for not communicating how costs were mounting up. the most effective thanks to avoiding surprises are to all or any keep lines of communication open and are clear on variations to the initial specification. must budget carefully?
7. DO: HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN
Extension projects involve remedial work to the present house – the extent of which is impossible to predict before the build starts and may incur unexpected costs. you may also conceive to do further planned work the identical time to save lots of on fixed costs for this at a later date.
8. DO: GET ON TOP OF COMING UP WITH CONSENT
Getting planning consent (if you would like it) isn’t the tip of the story. you may also have to confirm you discharge any conditions they need to be made on the approval before starting on-site. These typically include providing details on landscaping schemes or external materials.
9. DO: HAVE A POSITIVE COGNITION
How you approach the project mentally will have a large impact on how it affects you. Despite all our greatest efforts, things do occasionally get wrong. Does one go from serenity to full-blown stress in an exceedingly few seconds, or are you ready to shrug your shoulders and house difficulties in an exceedingly positive way? Manage your expectations – this can be visiting be a tough few months with a mix of brilliant epiphanies and a good share of alarms. If you’ll ride the project rollercoaster with a smile, it can make all the difference. the result, of course, will always be worthwhile in the end.
10. DO RESEARCH YOUR PROJECT EXHAUSTIVELY
Use all our extension guides to make sure you recognize everything you would like to before you even start planning your project:
Rear Extension Ideas
Side Extension Ideas
Types of Single-Storey Home Extensions
2 Storey Extension Ideas
Dormer Loft Conversion Ideas
Loft Extension
Garage Conversion
Garden Shed Office
Garden Gym Pod
Terraced House Extension or Remodel
Kitchen Extension
