Why go to the bother of building an extension in the first place?

Usually its necessity. Nowadays in a difficult housing market people are reluctant to move due to the related
costs in actually moving in the first place. National statistics have confirmed that the associated costs with moving can be in the region of £10,000 especially with the ever increasing stamp duty.

However what is evident is people still need the additional space due to several reasons and changes in their lives or members of their family’s lives. So let’s look at some of the reasons to create larger living space in the home.
The ever growing family that needs extra bedrooms or living rooms. A relative may be moving in to live with the family. Many more people work from home and an office is required in the home It is evident that adding to your property can be looked at as an alternative to moving and seen as a cheaper alternative to the high cost of moving house. Extending your home can actually add extra value to your property. Converting your loft or cellar could potentially add between 20% to 30% to the value of your home. However this can be discussed with your local extate agent
So if we want to look at how we can improve our homes without the stress and additional legal fees of moving home what are the alternatives? Points to consider;

Single Storey Extensions

Probably one of the most popular types of extension undertaken. As the name suggests they are built on the ground floor and are single storey. They are usually located on the back or side of the property and, becoming more popular is a combination of usually referred to as a wraparound extension.
Single storey extensions are used for all purposes and they are usually built to meet the needs of the householder. Usual reasons for a single storey extension is to give additional room in the kitchen and dining room, study room, bedroom to name but a few.
Usually the extension was built as a necessity with flat ceiling constructions keeping the building costs to a minimum. Nowadays a lot more thought goes into the d esign and they are design with aesthetics in mind and “Vaulted ceilings” are very popular. A vaulted ceiling line follows the line of the roof rafters giving a more open aspect to the room and usually accompanied by “Roof Lights” and design lighting.
A extension now is not only for nesseccity but to add an entertaining room to the home as so many more people use their homes to entertain guests in than ever before.

Double Storey Extensions

Double storey extensions are also usually built at the rear and or side and often they will incorporate part double storey and part single storey. Again the double storey extension is usually built for the growing family where additional bedrooms are needed on the first floor with a possible en-suite included to add more bathrooms to the property to service the needs of the ever growing family needs.
Down stairs can be used for a multitude of uses, living accommodation with an en-suite, playroom, office, dining room, cinema room to name but a few.
Double extension will obviously add value to your property however the costs of the design should always be checked against the cost of moving home. A lot of people like where they live and want to extend and do not want to think of moving for a very long time and the financial issue is not there only consideration.

Designing your extension and things you may consider

Everyone likes to think when they extends their property they can add style and a statement.
The materials your extension is built from should be either very compliant or a complete contrast, however remember it will still more than likely have to be passed by the local council if planning consent is required.
Your extension wants to be balanced and in proportion with the rest of the property. Make sure the design of your extension does not stand out like a sore thumb with surrounding properties. You may like it and it may get through the planning process however it could have a negative effect when you come to sell your property. An extension should increase the value of your home and not devalue it so always bear this in mind.
Always take into consideration of the needs of others do you need ramps and other design elements for wheel chair access, these must be taken into the design at the very early stages and not added as an afterthought at a later stage of the Design. It’s very beneficial if you can flood your property with daylight from the start by introducing large glazed panels. So if your extension is at the rear why not design it with this in mind, who’s going to complain. There used to be a tax on daylight remembers the saying “Daylight Robbery” so go for it when it’s allowable and the property can stand it.
It should be fun designing your extension and as you have to live in and with the design make sure you get involved with it as much as possible and do your own research and sketch out your own ideas.
It’s the space that will usually dictate your design along with what you want to use the extra space for. If your garden is at an angle it’s not unreasonable to build your new design at an angle. Always remember however that the more angles your design has the more difficult it may be to position furniture inside.
So go on have fun and start sketching you might surprise yourself and your designer

Why go to the trouble of extending or converting your property?

The usual answer is necessity. Whether it is space for the latest addition to the family, an aged or infirm relative moving in to live with the family or the need for a office within the home, increasingly common as technology marches on. Often the existing family require more space as PC’s, games consoles, home cinemas become more and more popular. More people use there home for social gatherings than ever before as a cheaper alternative. The kitchen and the dining room being the focal points of the home where most of the entertaining is now carried out.
Also In these difficult times for the housing market people moving house is far from straightforward and the costs can be staggering. National statistics estimate that costs associated with moving house can be in the region of £10 to £15K especially with the impact of stamp duty and increases in V.A.T.
Whatever the reason for the need for space it is clear that that adding extra space to your property can be a serious and cheaper alternative to moving house and could actually add value to your property. Converting your loft or cellar could potentially add 20 – 30% or more to your homes value.
So if you want to look at how you can improve your home and avoid the stresses and costs of moving home you need to look at the alternatives are the alternatives?.