5 Must-Do's Before Extending Your Home

1.Be clear about your reasons for choosing an extension

It sounds simple, but have you clarified the exact reasons why you would like to add an extension to your home and have you reviewed all options for reducing cost by making better use of the existing footprint?

It's important to consider not only what your families needs are right now but also how these could change and evolve over the next 5, 10 or 20 years. Your ideal extension could be as simple as adding a bedroom or two for your expanding family or could look to rework living areas to embrace open plan living and indoor-outdoor flow. Focus on understanding your 'why' and this will inform what extension or extension type will be the best fit.

2. Decide on what type of extension you want

Typically a home extension alludes to extending your home outwards, and this is typically the most affordable solution. However if you don't have the space to do this there are some great alternatives to consider such as extending upwards and adding another storey. While more complex and expensive than extending outwards it allows you to maintain your existing footprint while gaining more living space, allows you to keep any existing outdoor living spaces and can create some stunning views.

Another option is to extend down into a basement if you have one. Basement conversions can be another cost effective way to create more space without increasing your homes footprint.

Last but certainly not lease you could consider building a completely or partially separate building on your land, for instance, creating space for inter-generational living or adding space for a short-term rental income, etc. Click here to browse our range of homes designed as 2nd dwellings.

3. Have your finances sorted

While extensions offer a great return on investment in terms of improving your home's value they don't come cheap. Unless you have the funds to pay in full, securing lending from your bank will be essential. It's wise to have an early conversation with the bank to get indication of how much you will be able to borrow optimize your design to achieve as much as you can within that budget.

Once it's time to officially apply for lending ensure you have a detailed quote including a schedule of payments to be made – your bank will likely required such documentation. The progress claim schedule, alongside a work schedule/plan is critical to ensure you do not get financially exposed by paying large deposits or ahead of the progress of the work.

4. Consider the design

Extending an old-style state house is normally a completely different proposition from extending a more modern home. In most cases, we would recommend ensuring your extension works well with the original home, both in function and design. If you can replace like with like, the extension will look seamless. But in cases where that's not feasible, smart design can marry contemporary with classic in a way that both changes and enhances the home's character. A great way to ensure you get this balance right in the design stage is to invest in 3D modelling to so you can see in photo-realistic detail how your to-be extended home will look before construction even begins.

5. Choose the right builders

When you add an extension, you are going to need to use a Licensed Building Practitioner. This is because it will involve working with both the structural integrity and weather tightness of your home. An LBP will need to be involved right from the start when you begin the design process through till final handover. Pzazz Builders are Licensed Building Practitioners and this means you can rest easy, knowing the job will be done to the highest standards.