Collaborative Post
If you need more space in your home and you don’t want to move, having an extension built could be the ultimate solution. An extension can be small, adding just one room, or it can be much larger, giving you a self-contained annex for teenagers or elderly parents to live in. Or it can be anything in between.
Yet although the idea of having an extension might tick all the boxes for what you need, there are some important things to consider before you start the process of getting an extension added to your home.
You Might Need Permission
Various different rules come into play when you are thinking of getting an extension built on your home. It will depend on the size of the additional building that really matters. Once the extension reaches a specific size compared to the size of the existing property, you will need to get planning permission before you can have it built. If you don’t and the extension is discovered, perhaps when you decide to move or because a neighbour takes offence, you may have to take the entire structure down again.
Planning permission can be a long and complicated process, which is why it’s best to have experts like arbtech.co.uk on hand to help you, especially if there are protected trees and other environmental factors to consider. And remember, even if you don’t need planning permission, the extension will still need to comply with building regulations.
You Will Need An Architect
Your extension might be a straightforward one, involving just three additional walls and a roof, but no matter if it is this simple or whether it’s a much more complex build, you will need an architect.
It is the architect’s job to design an extension that won’t just be the right size for what you need, but that will look good compared to the rest of the house too. Plus, an architect will understand about additional ideas such as energy efficiency and other factors that you might not have considered. Although the architect is an extra cost, the extension will be better for it, and if you have to put forward your plans because of planning permission requirements, an architect’s drawings are a must.
Your Heating And Plumbing Systems
Adding one extra room to your home shouldn’t cause any problems when it comes to the existing plumbing or heating, should it? Well, this depends. If the room will have a radiator in it, you will need to factor this in – the extension will require extra pipework, and you’ll have to check whether your boiler can cope with the extra load. If it’s already at capacity, one extra room might just be too much.
If you intend to install a new bathroom or kitchen in this extension, then you’ll need to consider even more changes that can add to your budget. The plumbing will be more complicated, and you might also need to get some advice regarding the electrics. You don’t want to compromise on your utilities in the rest of the house to ensure the new extension has everything it needs, so you’ll have to work carefully.
