The following contribution is from another author.
There are many motivations for investing in an extension to your home; you might be expecting a new arrival in your family, and intending to expand your available living space. Alternatively, you might be pre-empting the slow in house price growth, and investing in your property ahead of sale. Whichever way, it can be hard to know where to start – which is why this brief guide will pinpoint the key concerns of any extension build.
Placement
You likely already have an idea of where you would like to build your new extension – but this decision can make all the difference with regard to a number of different factors, and bears scrutiny before you continue with your plans. For example, kitchen extensions and additional bedrooms create the highest increase in a given UK’s value, at between 15% and 20%. Meanwhile extended living spaces, such as lounges and dining rooms, offer more satisfaction to those keeping their home long-term. Are you extending to increase value, or extending for a specific household purpose, e.g.: a new family member, or decreasing clutter?
Budgeting
Extensions are an expensive business, but also a form of investment in your home. The budgeting phase is crucial for finding an affordable balance between the possibilities presented by your extension, and the reality of building it. If you have ever watched an episode of Grand Designs, you will know that budgets on home construction projects tend to balloon, often due to delays in construction or unprecedented material costs; ensuring there are adequate funds to weather emergencies will save your project from any nasty financial surprises.
Contractors
Extension work represents a considerable amount of high-skilled labour, from the planning phase through to construction. As such, it is vital that you pay especial attention to the contractors you hire for your project. Choosing a contractor that comes personally recommended by a trusted friend can be the safest way to find a reliable team for your project.
Interior Design
With the construction process planned and budgeted, you can now turn your attention to interior design concerns. Here, the only expectations are linked to the possibility of selling your home on; if you are building the extension in order to increase its value ahead of sale, you will want to decorate it simply, and with a neutral colour scheme, in order to appeal to as many buyers as possible. If the extension is for your own benefit, it is yours to decorate in line with your tastes. Lighting is a key element to designing the interior of a room, installing Velux windows into the extension will increase the natural lighting into the new space and make it feel more spacious.
Materials
A sticking point for many extension projects, the materials you choose to build with can inform much of your property’s new identity. If you wish for your extension to blend in with your home’s existing structure, choosing matching materials should be a priority, while new inventions can create a bespoke structure for little cost. Whichever way you go, there are necessary materials you should plan to include in your design. Adequate insulation is crucial, while high quality roofing sheets prevent water leakage and work keep your extension weather resistant.
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Good Job